Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

In the past few decades, research activity has focused on new advanced desiccant and catalyst technology for use in food products, nutritional supplements, packaging (e.g., pharmaceuticals electronics), ventilation and drying systems, solvent purification, and gas separation. These technologies rely on gas/vapor adsorption, which is a surface phenomenon by which gas/vapor molecules adhere to a surface. Adsorption (accumulation) and desorption (removal) are the focus of this RTI grant; thus, ""sorption"" will refer to adsorption and desorption, but not absorption, which is a bulk process by which a fluid enters into (or is dissolved by) a liquid or solid. The field of adsorption science and technology has witnessed increasing attention on the synthesis of enhanced sorbents/desiccants and the development of advanced desiccant-based technologies. The 5 RTI applicants at the University of Saskatchewan carry out pioneering research on the development of advanced sorbents/desiccants with emerging applications in energy exchangers, dehumidification systems, CO2 capture and storage, Hydrogen storage, and gas separation technologies. Over the past 6 years, the applicants have published over 300 journal papers, delivered over 300 presentations (~30% invited), supervised over 200 HQP and submitted 18 patents. Recognitions include more than 10 major national/international awards and fellowships and editorial roles on 7 international journals. High precision measurement of the adsorption capacity and kinetics in desiccant materials is essential for the applicants' fundamental adsorption research and practical Engineering applications. This RTI application is to purchase a high precision gas/vapor adsorption instrument, BELSORP-max II, to support the interdisciplinary research programs in Chemistry and Engineering. The instrument enables the applicants to investigate the sorption of various gases and non-corrosive vapors at a practical range of temperature (570°C) which is not feasible with the available facilities across the campus and throughout Saskatchewan. In total, 5 research programs and about 50 HQP will use the device to fulfil their research objectives within the next 6 years, while several collaborators (academic and industrial partners) will also benefit from the requested device. Availability of the requested device has significant impact on the applicants' research programs and HQP training. The device will be used by HQP in research and graduate courses. HQP will gain hands-on experience in porous material characterization and sorption analysis. This training will prepare HQP for careers that make contributions in the global adsorbent and catalyst markets (valued at over $20 billion (USD) and expected to grow significantly over the next 5 years due material development, expanded environmental regulations and improved living conditions around the world).