Polymer Membrane Research at UVA

geise research group

The Geise research group seeks to develop structure/property/processing relationships to guide polymeric materials design for membrane-based liquid separation and energy applications by understanding the influence of nano- and molecular-scale interactions and phenomena on mass transfer and system-level performance.

We are based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia.

Contact the Geise Group

geise lab

Geise Group Research:
Water-Energy Nexus

Our research focuses on experimental studies aimed at solving fundamental and practical problems related to water and ion transport through polymers that could be used as membranes in a variety of water and energy applications. Providing sustainable and economic supplies of purified water and clean energy solutions is a critical global challenge for the future, and polymer membranes will play a key role in these efforts.

We seek to rationally tailor and design polymers at the molecular level and process those polymers to engineer advanced membrane materials that will expand access to clean water and enhance the use of renewable energy sources.

Meet the Geise Group

drought conditions scene

Water Purification for a Thirsty World

Within the next 10 years, the United Nations predicts that nearly two-thirds of the world’s population may find themselves living in a water stressed area.

Today, the vast majority of desalination processes are performed using polymer-based membranes. Improved membranes are needed to meet the challenges of economically and sustainably purifying increasingly saline and contaminated water sources around the globe.

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night lights scene

Clean and Renewable Energy
to Light our Future

Energy demand around the globe is projected to increase by more than 50% over the next 35 years, and sustainable, low-carbon footprint energy resources are needed to meet this increasing energy demand.

Technologies such as large-scale flow batteries, reverse electrodialysis, and capacitive mixing rely on polymer membranes to regulate ion transport. Improved membrane selectivity will enable advances in renewable energy storage and generation technologies.

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Join the Geise Research Group

Prospective graduate students interested in joining the group should indicate their interest when applying for admission to the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia.

Undergraduate students interested in research opportunities should express interest by contacting Prof. Geise directly. Please be prepared to provide copies of your most recent resume and unofficial transcript.

Latest News from the Geise Group

Geise

October 2024

Geise Gives Seminar at Columbia University

Prof. Geise gave a seminar at the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at Columbia University on Engineering ion transport in polymer membranes for water purification and energy applications. Thank you to Prof. Oscar Nordness for the invitation!

Leroux

October 2024

Leroux on the Grill for ChE Tailgate

Charlie Leroux used his skills on the grill to cook breakfast for the UVA ChE Grad Board tailgate in advance of the Boston College vs. UVA homecoming football game.

Bannon

September 2024

Bannon Wins Competition and Fellowship

Congratulations to Sean Bannon on winning the UVA Department of Chemical Engineering summer seminar series oral presentation competiton. Sean presented his research titled Understanding the influence of sodium chloride concentration on ion diffusion in charged polymers in July. Sean also was recently awarded the UVA Engineering Carlos and Esther Farrar Fellowship. Congratulations Sean!

August 2024

Geise Attends NREL Workshop

Prof. Geise was invited to participate in and present at the Polymers & Membranes for Clean Energy & Resource Recovery workshop at NREL in Golden, CO. He presented during and participated as a panelist in the Discovery & Co-Design session of the workshop, which aimed to bring together leading experts from industry, academia, federal agencies and national labs to discuss gaps and needs for translational membrane research for clean energy and resource recovery.

Leroux

August 2024

Leroux and Morin selected to participate in the NSF I-Corps Battery Show Hybrid Course

Charlie Leroux and Caroline Morin won a NSF I-Corps travel grant to participate in a hybrid I-Corps Course associated with The Battery Show, held in Detroit in early October.

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