The membrane technology research group at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) will host the Network Young Membrains (NYM) conference in Lappeenranta on 7-9 June 2010. It is the 12th consecutive meeting of its kind.
LUT’s membrane technology research group is the largest in its field in Finland. The group of 24 industrial partners and 9 researchers operates under the Centre for Separation Technology, which coordinates and develops this internationally important centre of expertise.
Active NYM network of young researchers
NYM is an international network that aims to promote discourse, networking and data transmission between young researchers in the field of membrane technologies.
In the annual NYM conference, young researchers have a chance to showcase their research results and discuss the challenges of the research topic with those tackling similar problems. A key part of the meeting are different group assignments, games and competitions, social programmes and excursions to industrial enterprises operating in the field in question. Spending time together lays an excellent foundation for international research cooperation.
The first NYM meeting in Aachen, Germany, in 1999, brought together 60 researchers who mainly came from Central Europe. Nevertheless, NYM grew rapidly: already the second NYM conference attracted researchers from 19 countries. At present, 80-100 young researchers from around the world come to NYM conferences annually. The conference deals with the whole range of membrane separation technologies, from fuel cells and gas separation to water purification.
Research from dialysis to fuel cell technologies
Membrane separation technologies play an important role in promoting the well-being of people and the environment. The most significant application worldwide is dialysis, which was used to treat 1.8 million people in 2008. The number of patients is expected to increase in the future. Another important application area is producing drinking water from sea water. In 2008, membrane technology was used to generate 37 000 000 m3 of fresh water a day.
Membrane separation technologies can also be used e.g. to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to purify wastewater. Membrane technology is also utilised in the energy industry: membrane separation is needed in the manufacturing processes of bio fuels, and the market launch of the first fuel cells that apply membrane technology is expected in the near future.
Further information:
Professor Mika Mänttäri, mika.manttari(at)lut.fi, tel. + 358 40 734 2192
Researcher Mari Kallioinen, mari.kallioinen(at)lut.fi, tel. + 358 40 593 9881
www.lut.fi/cst/nym12