Using a modern electron beam-based approach, almost any molecular compound can be immobilized on polymer membranes. The challenge now is to select the most effective functionalization to effectively remove toxic pollutants from water. To solve this problem, the IOM's “Surface Porous Membrane Filters” research department is collaborating with the cross-unit “Modeling and Simulation” to develop a machine learning model that uses quantum chemical data to predict optimal functionalization strategies, incorporating process parameters from electron beam treatment and adsorption studies.

In order to enable research in this field at the IOM to continue over the next three years, the German Research Foundation (DFG) has now approved funding for the research project “Efficient membrane design for removal of toxic pollutants from wastewater supported by machine learning” with funding of €400,892.00 (project number: 552615050).