Nanotechnology-based semipermeable membranes have been actively studied for their potential application in the production of clean water. Fundamental nanotechnology research has been turned into award-winning water industry products.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$99.00 per year
only $8.25 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. EU R&I contribution to the UN 2023 Water Conference. European Commission (21 March 2023); https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-research-and-innovation-news/eu-ri-contribution-un-2023-water-conference-2023-03-21_en
$220 million funding allocated to drive new initiatives in water technologies and resource circularity under RIE2025. National Environment Agency (8 March 2022); https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/220-million-funding-allocated-to-drive-new-initiatives-in-water-technologies-and-resource-circularity-under-rie2025
Department of Energy selects National Alliance for Water Innovation to Lead Energy-Water Desalination Hub. US Department of Energy (23 September 2019); https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-selects-national-alliance-water-innovation-lead-energy-water
Jeong, B.-H. et al. J. Membrane Sci. 294, 1–7 (2007).
2023 Global Water Awards (Global Water Intelligence, 2023); https://globalwaterawards.com/2023-table/
Nijhuis Industries and NX Filtration test one-stage nanofiltration plant for groundwater treatment in Philippine city. Waterforum (11 February 2020); https://www.waterforum.net/nijhuis-industries-en-nxf-filtration-testen-eentraps-nanofiltratie-installatie-voor-grondwaterbehandeling-filipijnse-stad/
Sterling, T. Dutch water purifier NX Filtration seeks up to $201 mln in IPO. Reuters (31 May 2021); https://www.reuters.com/article/nx-filtration-ipo-idUKL2N2NJ08Y
PSP.US, Inc. acquires assets of PolyCera, Inc. and pledges commitment to future of company and its advanced membrane products. PR Newswire (15 July 2020); https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pspus-inc-acquires-assets-of-polycera-inc-and-pledges-commitment-to-future-of-company-and-its-advanced-membrane-products-301094005.html
CrossTek Water Technology. Crosstek has recently acquired Znano products expanding and strengthening our ESG offering. LinkedIn (23 November 2022); https://www.linkedin.com/posts/crosstek-membrane-technology_crosstek-leadingtechnologies-waterindustry-activity-7006236479408463872-pP9C/?originalSubdomain=uk
ZwitterCo transforms performance and economics for industrial wastewater reuse with $33 million Series A funding. ZwitterCo (15 September 2022); https://zwitterco.com/news/breakthrough-technology-transforms-performance-and-economics-for-industrial-wastewater-reuse/
Wachinski, A. M. Membrane Processes for Water Reuse (McGraw Hill, 2013).
McCloskey, B. D. et al. J. Membrane Sci. 413–414, 82–90 (2012).
McVerry, B. T. et al. Chem. Mater. 25, 3597–3602 (2013).
de Grooth, J., Reurink, D. M., Ploegmakers, J., de Vos, W. M. & Nijmeijer, K. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 6, 17009–17017 (2014).
Abed-Amoli, A. et al. Biomimetic membrane coatings for >2x higher flux wastewater treatment using forward osmosis, microfiltration and ultrafiltration. In 2014 Membrane Technology Conference (AWWA AMTA MTCE, 2014).
Bengani, P., Kou, Y. & Asatekin, A. J. Membrane Sci 493, 755–765 (2015).
NanoH2O, Inc. secures over $60 million in equity and debt financing. Business Wire (30 April 2012); https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120430005758/en/NanoH2O-Inc.-Secures-Over-60-Million-in-Equity-and-Debt-Financing
NanoH2O acquired by LG Chem. PR Newswire (12 May 2014); https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nanoh2o-acquired-by-lg-chem-258855911.html
Agnihotri, D., Sambasivam, S., Barelli, J. & Aghajani, M. Fouling Resistant NanoSTACK Membrane Coating for High Efficiency Brackish Water Desalination: Field Validation Data (AWWA AMTA MTCE, 2023).
Hurwitz, G. et al. Desalin. And Water Treat. 111, 39–47 (2018).
Cortez, M. et al. Bioinspired Nanoceramic Polymeric Ultrafiltration Membranes for the Treatment of Mid Stream Produced Water (United States Bureau of Reclamation’s Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility WIN Workshop, 2021).
Kurth, C., Burk, R., Green Improved Seawater Desalination with Nanocomposite Membranes (AWWA AMTA MTCE, 2010).
Gerard, R. Dumai Drinking Water Plant from Surface Water (NX Filtration, 1 April 2022).
Roy, C. et al. Driving high recoveries in water reuse applications with novel, zwitterionic membranes. In IWC 22-13 (Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania International Water Conference, 2022).
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank D. Agnihotri for conversations regarding his involvement in the commercial development of Nanostack. The authors would like to thank A. Asatekin for conversations regarding her involvement in the commercial development of ZwitterCo.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
A.M.B. holds a position at LG Water Solutions, a membrane manufacturer. J.d.G. holds a position at NX Filtration, a membrane manufacturer. E.M.V.H. does not have any competing interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brozell, A.M., de Grooth, J. & Hoek, E.M.V. Five journeys from nanotechnology research to successful products in the water industry. Nat Water 2, 392��396 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00244-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00244-3