Materials Science

Membrane Applied Science and Technology (MAST)

MAST Center Co-Director Alan R. Greenberg and graduate student Diana Hellman evaluate the results of a new membrane casting process.

The Membrane Applied Science and Technology Center was established in 1990 as a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center under the name, the Center for Separations Using Thin Films. The center recently changed its name to reflect its strong thrust in the area of membrane science.

The center is co-directed by Professors Richard Noble of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Alan Greenberg of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The center currently has 10 industry and government laboratory sponsors, each of which pays a $40,000 annual sponsor fee. The center also receives support from the National Science Foundation, CU and the State of Colorado.

In the past nine years, the MAST Center has funded 39 research projects involving seven departments at four Colorado universities. An important part of the center's mission is the promotion of education in membrane science and technology. Since its inception, 54 graduate students and 113 undergraduate students have been supported.

The center is currently moving toward multi-site status in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati and the Colorado School of Mines. This collaboration has already begun and is expected to be fully implemented by 2001. The addition of the new sites will greatly expand center research activities and opportunities for students. www.colorado.edu/che/mast