Delivering Safe and Sustainable Water

Our lab is engaged in research and development of "high-performance RO (reverse osmosis) membranes.”
We use advanced nanomaterials such as nanocarbon and cellulose nanofiber, and by tinkering with their shapes, we are realizing an unprecedented, revolutionary water purification technology. Through these high-performance RO membranes, we aim to provide safe and accessible water for various needs and contribute to solving global water issues.

Expanding Possibilities: From Seawater Desalination to Industrial Wastewater Treatment

There are three main solutions that the high-performance RO membrane we developed (Shinshu University RO membrane) can provide.
The first is seawater desalination. In desert and arid regions, daily life often depends on desalinated seawater. However, conventional methods use large amounts of chemicals, which may cause marine pollution. On the other hand, Shinshu University's RO membranes are capable of desalination without putting a burden on the environment. As a result, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with Saudi Arabia's Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and other partners. Joint research is currently underway.

The second is the purification of industrial wastewater. Shinshu University RO membranes are more resistant to impurities and offer a longer service life than conventional industrial membranes. In addition, purification can be achieved at about half the pressure of conventional methods, which is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption, space consumption, and costs at water treatment plants.

The third is purification of drinking water for households and public facilities. Around three billion people worldwide are at risk of infectious diseases due to a lack of access to clean water for handwashing. Water pollution by perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is also a problem. To address these challenges, we are developing Shinshu University's RO membranes that can purify water at an extremely low pressure. These membranes can purify household water using only the pressure from a hand pump-light enough for a child to operate without any electricity. We are excited about the potential for Shinshu University RO membranes to be used in a variety of other fields and applications.