Josh Powell successfully defends his Masters Technical Report. Josh studied the degradation of polyamide membranes by free chlorine. Our group celebrated with dinner at Happy China. Congratulations Josh!...
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Coronell Research Group
Physico-chemical processes for water purification
Alex Gorzalski successfully defends his Masters Technical Report. Alex studied the fouling and optimum cleaning strategies of nanofiltration membranes used to treat groundwaters from North Carolina. We celebrated with a group dinner at Allen & Sons. Congratulations Alex!...
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Josh Powell receives the George C. Bunker Award, which is given annually by the ESE Department to an MSEE candidate who shows the most outstanding scholarship and professional promise. Josh’s work focuses on characterizing the degradation of polyamide membranes by free chlorine. Congratulations Josh!...
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Our group welcomes Arianna Catenacci from Italy. Arianna is a visiting PhD student and will study the removal of contaminants from water using reductive media. Back row (left-to-right): Josh, Tony, Alex, Orlando (Group Director). Front row (left-to-right): Wan, Lin, Jingbo, Arianna....
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Dr. Coronell is awarded the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Teaching Innovation Award for the ESE department. One faculty member from each of the school’s eight academic units is selected by students in their department as the faculty member “who improves the student learning environment and outcomes by integrating new technologies, engaging students [...]...
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Alex Gorzalski receives a Graduate Education Advancement Board (GEAB) Impact Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate research of particular benefit to the citizens of North Carolina. His work focuses on fouling and cleaning of nanofiltration membranes used for drinking water treatment in coastal North Carolina. Alex will showcase his research to state legislators and the campus [...]...
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Welcome to the Coronell Research Group
The Coronell Research Group studies physico-chemical processes for water purification with applications at both the treatment plant and point-of-use level. Research in the Coronell Lab focuses on two main areas: (i) membrane technology, and (ii) redox processes. Our research on membrane technology aims to advance the understanding of the mechanisms of transport of water and contaminants through reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes, and fouling in low-pressure and high-pressure membrane processes. We have pioneered experimental methods for the quantitative characterization of physico-chemical properties of the ultrathin selective barriers of thin-film composite and nanocomposite membranes. We continue to develop characterization methods and use these methods to study membrane aging, membrane fouling and the relationship between membrane physico-chemical properties and performance. We also use the characterization methods to facilitate the development of improved membranes. Our work on redox processes currently focuses on the development of point-of-use systems for the removal of heavy metals including copper and lead. Our redox studies focus on characterizing reaction kinetics and mechanisms to facilitate the optimization of operational parameters. Applied projects addressing specific needs of plants or municipalities are also in progress.