Biomolecular Separations Research Group

Separation Science and Engineering form the foundation of many products such as chemicals, medicines, clean water, safe food and energy sources. The Belfort group focuses on fundamentals and applications of separation science and engineering. This includes fluid mechanics, mass transfer, applied mathematics (modeling and membrane fouling), numerical analysis, synthetic polymer chemistry, photochemical reactions, surface science and rheology and intermolecular forces (xDLVO theory), nature- inspired selectors, kinetics,  enzyme catalysis, structure and stability of proteins and polymers at interfaces, antimicrobial peptides, A-beta peptides and Alzheimer's disease, and collaboration with genetic engineers. Applications include bioprocessing, biocatalysis, biosensors, biofuels, organic solvent nanofiltration, adsorption, desalination and water purification, with emphasis on membrane filtration, bioprocessing and biofuels in addition to surface science and engineering.