Nano-Structured Membranes with Controlled Surface Properties for Efficient Oil-Water Emulsion Separation – superHYM

SuperHYM project aims at developing novel generations of membranes for the treatment of pollution generated by oily wastes in the form of oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions. SuperHYM is a 4-year basic research project bringing together the expertise of two internationally renowned membrane centers: IEM (Institut Européen des Membranes) in Montpellier (France) and RDCMT (Research & Development Center for Membrane Technology) in Chung Li (Taiwan). superHYM membranes will have controlled structure and surface chemistry such that an efficient and priceless recovery of oily wastes will be achieved. Two sorts of membrane will be developed depending on the nature of the oily wastes: superhydrophilic/superoleophobic membranes for oil-in-water emulsions and superhyrophobic/superoleophilic membranes for water-in-oil emulsions. The SuperHYM approach consists in playing with the process parameters of membrane fabrication and using novel block copolymers additives.