Led by NC State Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Afsaneh Rabiei and Chemical Engineering Professor Cristiana Boi, this research investigates the use of metal foams as a base material for the fabrication of filters and chromatographic supports to be used in bioseparations. Metal foams have never been used in the downstream processing of biologics and could be a breakthrough in this area. There is a growing global need for resource recovery, for which expertise in bioseparations and energy conversions is highly valuable. The goal of this effort is to obtain materials with increased production flexibility, an overall reduced cost due to the recyclability of the metal foam, which can also reduce material waste, and create more jobs in the state when commercialized. Professor Rabiei is the founder of a startup from NC State for commercialization of metal foams and advanced materials.
Her work will help to expedite the commercialization of novel bioseparation materials being developed through this effort. The project consists of two closely linked parts: material production and application. The results of the preliminary characterization will be used to optimize the material design and preparation. Material characterization will include preliminary screening of materials for filtration, identification of the optimal composition of metal foam for ease of fabrication, biocompatibility and the potential for modification, and characterization of the final optimum metal foam selection with cell culture supernatants.
Through this project, the PIs expect to have enough data for proof of concept of the application of metal foams in bioseparations with a controlled porosity, biocompatibility, and minimum pressure drop. This will eliminate some of the current shortcomings associated with the current synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, polyester, or polyethylene that are in use which are non-biodegradable creating plastic pollution and eventually lead to microplastic pollution. Metal foams can be re-processed and since the lifetime is longer, it reduces the need to replace the “metal foam filter” often and eventually makes it a sustainable replacement. Also, metal foams are recyclable and can be coated for better wettability and improving filtration efficiency. As such, this project will help develop a novel approach towards biofiltration to lower the negative environmental effect of plastic pollution and microplastic pollutions, develop a stronger and longer lifetime membranes that needs less frequent changing and saves energy and efficiency.
Professors Rabiei and Boi have requested KIETS support for three years to support this research project. KIETS funds would help support a PhD student and would be leveraged with support from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering as well as the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The preliminary results from this research program will be used to put together full proposals submitted to NSF, NIH, and DoD as well as the Gates and NNF Foundations.