Polymer Membrane Research at UVA
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.
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.
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.
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.
Publications
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
May 2025
Congratulations to recent Geise Research Group award winners! Caroline Morin has been honored with the UVA ChE Teaching Assistant Award, a VSGC Graduate Fellowship, and a UVA Double Hoo Project Award reflecting her dedication to both research and mentorship. Charlie Leroux won the 2025 DuPont Student Safety Award and was also selected to lead a UVA Double Hoo Project, highlighting his commitment to safety and mentorship. Natasha D'Cunha took home 1st place in the poster competition at the Engineering Undergraduate Research Symposium and received the Dudley M. Harman Scholarship, showcasing her excellence in undergraduate academics and research. Finally, Sean Bannon won the Gaden Excellence in Doctoral Studies Award, the UVA ChE Best Paper Award, and the 2025 NAMS Student Fellowship. He was also selected to present in the Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research session at the 2025 AIChE Meeting—an incredible recognition of his scholarly impact.
April 2025
Sean Bannon successfully defended his doctoral thesis titled Engineering water/polymer interactions to control the transport properties of hydrated polymers for desalination. Congratulations Dr. Bannon!
April 2025
Congratulations to undergraduate Natasha D'Cunha who won 1st place at the UVA Undergraduate Engineering Research and Design Symposium for her poster titled Understanding interactions between ions, water, and polymer in hydrated membranes for desalintion applications!
April 2025
Congratulations to doctoral candidate Charlie Leroux on winning the 2025 DuPont Student Safety Award! The award, which recognizes and incentivizes efforts to make safety-related improvements or changes to laboratory practices, is given annually by the UVA Department of Chemical Engineering Safety Committee.
March 2025
Graduate research assistant Inara Oliveira do Carmo Nascimento presented a poster titled Characterization of a sulfonated polyamide membrane for electric-driven processes at the 21st University of Virginia Engineering Student Research Symposium (UVERS) Poster Session.
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