The Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) has been awarded £6.1 million by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with an additional £7.1 million in co-funding from investors including Science Card and Bruntwood SciTech. This £13.2 million investment will support the groundbreaking MEMetic project, aimed at developing biomimetic membrane technology for advanced water treatment and resource recovery.
The MEMetic Project: A Game-Changer for Water Filtration
The MEMetic project will focus on creating nature-inspired polymer membranes for water filtration. Led by Professor Alan Goddard from the School of Biosciences and AIME’s training and industry lead, and Dr. Matt Derry from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, MEMetic seeks to revolutionize how we filter water and recover valuable resources.
Water filtration is a critical challenge in industries ranging from wastewater treatment to healthcare applications like dialysis. Existing filtration technologies often require multiple separation steps, making them energy-intensive and inefficient. However, biological systems have evolved sophisticated membranes with specialized proteins that selectively transport specific molecules. MEMetic aims to harness this natural efficiency by embedding these biological transporters into sustainably produced plastic membranes.
This innovation enables the selective removal of contaminants such as antibiotics, heavy metals, and nutrients from water in a single step. Additionally, MEMetic membranes can concentrate valuable resources like phosphate and lithium, making them ideal for both water purification and resource recovery. The technology also holds potential for energy-efficient desalination and the removal of toxic pollutants from water supplies.
Government and Industry Support Paving the Way for Innovation
The government funding was awarded through the Research Ventures Catalyst (RVC) programme, which supports novel ideas from concept to transformative technology. A crucial aspect of the RVC programme is that all awards must be matched with external investment, highlighting the confidence that industry leaders have in the MEMetic project.
Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s largest property provider for the science and tech sectors, will offer MEMetic’s future spinout company cutting-edge workspace and access to its innovation ecosystem in Birmingham. Science Card, an e-money current account that reinvests profits into scientific research, will provide additional funding and technology support.
Midlands Mindforge, a university-partnered patient capital investment company co-founded by eight research-intensive universities, including Aston University, will also contribute by providing skills training and strategic guidance. This broad-based support will help MEMetic transition from laboratory research to large-scale industrial applications.
Birmingham: The Future Hub for Membrane Research
Over the next seven years, AIME aims to establish Birmingham as the leading center for membrane research in the UK. By assembling a diverse team of biologists, material scientists, and engineers, the project seeks to bridge the gap between academic innovation and industrial-scale solutions.
The MEMetic project builds upon the success of the BIOMEM initiative, an international research collaboration involving key figures such as Professor Goddard, Dr. Derry, Professor Roslyn Bill, Professor Paul Topham, Dr. Alice Rothnie, and Professor Brian Tighe. The BIOMEM project previously secured a €3 million European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder grant in 2024, further underscoring AIME’s expertise in cutting-edge membrane technology.
A Step Towards a Sustainable Future
By pioneering nature-inspired membrane technology, AIME and its partners are taking a significant step toward sustainable water treatment and resource recovery. The MEMetic project not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also positions the UK as a global leader in membrane science and filtration innovation.
With strong backing from the government and industry, the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence is set to redefine the future of water purification, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable. More Information