The RAMP lab operates across an integrated pipeline—from materials synthesis through surface engineering, membrane fabrication, and adaptive/reactive function—enabling the targeted applications explored in our four research pillars below.

Research Directions

A. Reactive Membranes for Carbon Capture & Conversion

Scientific Question
How can membrane interfaces combine selective CO₂ capture and catalytic conversion in a single process, reducing the need for energy-intensive regeneration?

Our Approach
We engineer nanozyme- and catalyst-functionalized membranes that integrate CO₂ transport, capture, and conversion at reactive interfaces. By spatially organizing selective transport pathways and catalytic sites, these systems couple separation and reaction under mild conditions.

Applications
CO₂-to-formate and syngas • Gas-phase membrane reactors • Electrochemical CO₂ conversion • Process intensification

B. Adaptive Membranes for Dynamic Separations

Scientific Question
How can membrane transport be actively controlled by redox state, electric fields, or the surrounding chemical environment?

Our Approach
We design stimuli-responsive membranes whose pore chemistry and molecular interactions can be reversibly switched during operation. Redox-active and electroresponsive interfaces provide dynamic control over permeability and selectivity rather than relying on a fixed membrane state.

Applications
Smart gas separations • Electrically controlled ion transport • Switchable molecular separations • Adaptive membrane reactors

C. Reactive Membranes for Bioseparation & Antifouling

Scientific Question
Can membrane interfaces actively transform foulants and impurities while separation is occurring?

Our Approach
We develop catalytic and nanozyme-functionalized membranes that couple selective transport with reactions directly at the membrane surface. Reactive interfaces can degrade adsorbed contaminants and foulants, helping maintain membrane performance during biological and aqueous separations.

Applications
Biopharmaceutical purification • Protein and antibody processing • Self-cleaning membranes • Water purification

D. Electroactive Membranes for Critical Mineral Recovery

Scientific Question
How can selective membrane transport and electrochemistry be coupled to recover valuable metals from dilute and complex streams?

Our Approach
We engineer electroactive membranes that combine selective coordination and ion transport with localized electrochemical transformations. This enables separation and recovery to occur within the same membrane platform while reducing chemical inputs and downstream processing.

Applications
Gallium recovery • Rare-earth separations • Critical-metal recovery • Electrochemical membrane reactors • Circular resource recovery

Foundational Research

Block Copolymers

We are developing membranes from molecularly defined copolymers, aiming to understand how polymer microstructure influences physicochemical and gas transport properties. A major area of interest is polyurethane-based membranes, where we examine how segmental composition and morphology affect gas permeability and selectivity. These insights support the rational design of high-performance membranes for advanced gas separation applications.

Microporous Polymers

We develop microporous polyimides using spirobisindane-based diamines and functional Tröger’s base (TB) units to achieve high gas separation performance. By tuning inter- and intra-chain interactions—such as incorporating carboxylic acid groups—we control microporosity, enhance selectivity, and improve resistance to plasticization under high-pressure gas feeds.

Mixed Matrix Membranes

We develop mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) that combine polymer processability with the molecular sieving ability of microporous fillers like MOFs and POSS. By nanosizing and amine-functionalizing Zr-MOF and POSS additives in a PIM-1 matrix, we achieve not only enhanced permeability but also unconventional selectivity improvements.

MOF Membranes

We synthesize Zr-MOF membranes with tailored ligand chemistry using in situ solvothermal and coordination modulation methods. Bulkier linkers create narrower pore apertures, enabling molecular sieving and high selectivity for hydrogen. Molecular simulations confirm that added benzene rings restrict larger gas molecules while allowing hydrogen to diffuse efficiently.

Nanozyme-enabled Membranes

We develop bio-inspired gas separation membranes by mimicking carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes, which efficiently convert CO₂ to bicarbonate. Using histidine-based bolaamphiphiles coordinated with zinc, we create nanoparticles that exhibit high CO₂ affinity and catalytic activity. These nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in polymer matrices to enhance CO₂ solubility and catalyze reversible CO₂ hydration under humid conditions. The resulting membranes show exceptional CO₂ permeability and selectivity, combined with durable performance, offering a novel approach for efficient and stable CO₂ capture.

Nanolaminate Membranes

Graphene oxide (GO) and MXene-based membranes are promising materials for separation applications. Their 2D-layered structure permits the development of high-performance thin-film composite membranes at low filler contents.

We use nanodiamonds as fillers to improve membrane morphology and separation performance. Nanofiltration membranes made via ND-mediated interfacial polymerization show significantly higher water flux. In laminate membranes, incorporating positively charged nanodiamonds into graphene oxide nanolaminates enhances humidity resistance for hydrogen separation.

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