MORE | Spring 2018

Scalable Manufacturing Processes for Functionalized UV Transparent Nano-Porous Filament

An efficient and cost-effective method for water purification is achieved by irradiating ultraviolet light on a semiconductor metal-oxide like Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), thereby activating it and releasing electrons that cause oxidation. The TiO2 nanoparticles are attached to the nanopores on the surface of microfibers of Poly-(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA), a UV transparent polymer. The challenge is to design a scalable manufacturing process. The researchers are studying the throughput for the extrusion parameters. This research integrates a social as well as entrepreneurial mindset with a future research focus on the co-extrusion of microfibers.