Smart nanocomposite membranes: harnessing clean water and clean energy from Alberta’s oil sands

Developing innovative technologies to achieve water-energy sustainability is a top priority challenge of the nearest future. We propose a novel renewable energy source, which provides simultaneous production of clean water and electrical energy from wastewater by utilizing a naturally occurring osmotic process. Our objective is to develop emerging and cost-efficient Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) process, equipped with our smart PRO membranes, to provide excellent water and energy recovery from Alberta’s Oil Sands. This will be done by incorporating stimuli-responsive nanomaterials into the host membrane matrix. Our PRO process, apart from water reclamation function, provides high power density to harness electrical energy from wastewater.

Deep learning-based energy management of a hybrid photovoltaic-reverse osmosis-pressure retarded osmosis system

Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Mohammad Amin Soleimanzade

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Functionalized polyamide membranes yield suppression of biofilm and planktonic bacteria while retaining flux and selectivity

Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Sadegh Aghapour Aktij

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Improved antifouling and antibacterial properties of forward osmosis membranes through surface modification with zwitterions and silver-based metal organic frameworks

Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Sadegh Aghapour Aktij

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

In-Situ Ag-MOFs Growth on Pre-Grafted Zwitterions Imparts Outstanding Antifouling Properties to Forward Osmosis Membranes

Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Sadegh Aghapour Aktij

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Nanodiamond-decorated thin film composite membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties

Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Sadegh Aghapour Aktij

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Novel data-driven energy management of a hybrid photovoltaic-reverse osmosis desalination system using deep reinforcement learning

Mohtada Sadrzadeh, Mohammad Amin Soleimanzade

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article