Anti-Fouling HybridSil® Membranes for Potable Air Force Water Needs

In this Special topic AFWERX program, NanoSonic shall explore our commercial product, HybridSil™ ICEPHOBIC nanocomposite combined with WashU’s Distillation Membranes as a Defense-Related Dual-Purpose technology for near-term Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC) military functional hybrids (AFOSR FOCUS AREA RTB2) and commercial water purification markets.  A current dual use need for HybridSil Icephobic, identified by our STTR partner Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), is an improved anti-fouling membrane for their Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) process.  Current water purification membranes and wastewater treatment methods at Edwards Air Force base could be significantly improved with ultra-hydrophobic antifouling coatings.  According to Mr. Thomas Allen, 412th CES, Edwards Wastewater Treatment plant is already transforming 400,000 gal/day of wastewater into reclaimed water – although through bacterial methods.  The new anti-fouling DCMD would purify the water and allow for recycling of valuable nutrients such as Phosphorus (~$15,000/lb) which is not renewable.  NanoSonic shall deliver HS IP membrane demos to AFCEC PEOs for evaluation to adapt this non-defense icephobic technology as a low risk solution for applications including grey / perfluorinated compounds (PFA) water treatment, potable water production in remote areas, wastewater treatment / nutrient recovery, and urine management for pilots that endure extended missions.