Electrokinetic ion mixing on electrically conducting nanofiltration membranes to prevent mineral scaling and enable high water recovery
A membrane technology that uses alternating electrical potentials on electrically conducting nanofiltration membranes to mix ions at the surface, preventing pre-nucleation cluster formation and mineral scaling. Enables greater than 95% water recovery in desalination and hardness removal applications, with membrane costs comparable to commercial alternatives.
Overview
This technology addresses mineral scaling, a major limiting factor in membrane-based desalination and water treatment. By applying alternating electrical potentials to the surface of electrically conducting nanofiltration membranes, the system drives electrokinetic ion mixing that prevents the co-location of anions and cations needed to form pre-nucleation clusters. Without these clusters, heterogeneous nucleation and mineral scale formation on the membrane surface are avoided, allowing systems to operate at very high water recovery rates. The approach has been validated for prevention of calcium sulfate and silicate scaling in nanofiltration and membrane distillation systems treating highly concentrated brines.
Technical specifications
- Electrically conducting nanofiltration membranes fabricated as porous polymer and nanomaterial composites, produced using scalable manufacturing methods at costs comparable to commercially available membranes
- Alternating potential application across the membrane surface drives rapid electrokinetic mixing of ions, disrupting pre-nucleation cluster formation
- Hardness removal capability demonstrated with feed solutions adjusted to relevant hardness concentrations
- Target performance: greater than 95% water recovery using adjusted tap water feeds at 450 mg/L hardness
- Demonstration-scale flow rate: complete membrane-based hardness removal system targeting 200 mL/min throughput
- Membrane properties under characterization: permeability, salt rejection, surface properties, and electrochemical behavior
Technology readiness level
The technology has progressed beyond proof of concept. Mineral scale prevention has been demonstrated in electrically conducting nanofiltration and membrane distillation systems, including prevention of calcium sulfate and silicate mineral formation on highly concentrated brines. Scalable fabrication of the conducting porous polymer and nanomaterial composite membranes has been demonstrated, with material costs comparable to commercial alternatives. Ongoing validation includes fabrication and characterization of hardness-removing conducting nanofiltration membranes, evaluation of flow and electrical operating conditions for greater than 95% water recovery, and demonstration of a complete hardness removal system at 200 mL/min.
About University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a comprehensive public research university anchored in a global city and serving a large, diverse student body. Industry engages through an integrated academic health system that enables clinical research and translation, extensive shared instrumentation and cleanrooms, and co‑located labs that support prototyping. A new research and technology park and proximity to Southern California’s innovation economy provide convenient pathways for collaboration, sponsored projects, and access to talent. Campus research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, and the Department of Defense. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP protection, licensing, industry‑sponsored research, and startup incubation.
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