David Kitto honored as a North American Membrane Society Student Fellow

EXPERTS:

David Kitto, a current Michigan Chemical Engineering PhD student in the Kamcev Lab, has been recognized as a 2024 North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Student Fellow. Kitto’s research focuses on ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) which are polymers that are essential for electrically driven technologies. IEMs selectively transport charged particles, making processes like water purification and energy generation more efficient and effective.

The award, presented annually by NAMS, acknowledges outstanding contributions to membrane science and technology by graduate students across North America. Only three students are selected for the fellowship each year.

“NAMS is the primary community for membrane development in the country, so I’m thrilled to have been selected for this award,” Kitto said.

This May, Kitto will present his research in a special Awards Session the NAMS conference in Santa Fe. Kitto’s research project demonstrates a significant advancement in the field of membrane technology. IEMs, crucial components in electrically driven technologies such as desalination and energy storage, demand a delicate balance between fast and selective ion transport. However, achieving both properties simultaneously has long been a challenge.

As part of his work, Kitto investigated the relationship between membrane properties using thermodynamic and transport models. These models served as a blueprint for the design and synthesis of high-performance membranes that are finely tunable within the predicted parameters. Through his approach, Kitto succeeded in developing IEMs that demonstrated exceptional properties, boasting an improvement of approximately ten times the conductivity and selectivity performance compared to existing commercial counterparts.

“Attending the NAMS conference two years ago was a pivotal experience for me. The level of engagement and discourse around membrane technology was really inspiring,” Kitto said. “Presenting my research at NAMS will be a great opportunity to discuss these membranes with experts and peers from across the country.”

Kitto at the NAMS conference in 2022.

Kitto’s work holds promising implications for various industries, including water treatment and energy storage. By enhancing the efficiency and affordability of these technologies, his research stands poised to make a significant impact on global sustainability efforts.

Kitto was also recently recognized with the World Association of Membrane Societies Oral Presentation Award during the International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes in Chiba, Japan, in addition to being honored as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Prior to attending the University of Michigan, he received his B.S. Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from the University of Minnesota.