The Membrane School at Silesian University of Technology
XVII Membrane School is taking place at the Silesian University of Technology. The event is dedicated to students, PhD students, young researchers representing universities and scientific institutes, as well as representatives of companies and institutions interested in membrane issues.
The school is attended by over sixty lecturers, young scientists, and industry representatives. The participants were welcomed by the Vice Rector for Collaboration with Civic and Economic Environment, Dr Hab. Eng. Marcin Staniek, Prof. of the Silesian University of Technology.
- The membrane school is an opportunity for scientists, students, and PhD students to discuss, exchange knowledge and experience. It is also an opportunity to establish cooperation in the field of scientific research, writing joint projects and thus further scientific development – said the Vice-Rector.
The Membrane School is aimed primarily at young scientists.
- We direct these meetings to students who are preparing to do engineering or master’s degrees and to PhD students. The second target group we want to reach is the industrial environment. During the Membrane School, we prepare presentations that show young people what membranes are, where they can be used and what benefits they offer. In this way, we want to encourage them to take up this issue in the future, because it is a field that will develop in the industry - said Dr Hab. Eng. Maciej Szwast, Prof. of Warsaw University of Technology, President of the Polish Membrane Society.
Membrane processes are increasingly used in the world and in many technologies. “These are separation processes much more effective than traditional ones. Since research in this field is carried out in many scientific centres in Poland, it gives young people a chance to pursue a career in this field. At the Silesian University of Technology, we have many students and PhD students dealing with this subject – said Prof. Marian Turek from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology
Membrane processes are applied in industry, in water stream treatment, in water desalination, sewage treatment, ethanol dehydration, gas separation and also in medicine. – An example of the use of membranes in medicine is, for example, artificial kidney. Dialysis carried out with this method allows to remove toxins from the patient’s blood – adds Professor Turek.
Membrane processes are also used by the food industry. - It is thanks to them that we can buy milk with different fat content. The automotive industry is also using this method to recover paints that are used for car body painting – explains Prof. Marian Turek from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology.
The most well-known use of membrane processes are filters that we use in our homes for softening water.
The Membrane School will last until Friday. During the conference there will be lectures and workshops in the laboratories of the Silesian University of Technology. The organizers also prepared a competition for the best poster presentation.
More information about the event at: https://events.polsl.pl/szkolamembranowa/.
