UT austin, 3510-1536 DE-FOA-0003510 - recover biomimetic membranes for electrochemical nutrient and mineral recovery from wastwaters this project aims to develop a bioinspired membrane system that can…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded the University of Texas at Austin a $2.603 million cooperative agreement on March 12, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to develop biomimetic membranes for electrochemical recovery of nutrients and critical minerals from municipal and oil and gas wastewaters.

UT Austin will design a bioinspired separation platform built around selective artificial ion transporters (SAITs)—synthetic ion channel mimics and mobile carriers that replicate the speed and selectivity of biological transport proteins. SAITs will be incorporated into a scalable membrane architecture called a jammed interface bilayer ensemble (JIBE), then integrated into an electrically driven separation system. The target performance includes at least 30 percent lower energy input than conventional technologies, ion selectivity at least 10 times higher for target ions compared to competing ions, recovery efficiency exceeding 90 percent, and durability under real wastewater conditions. The project combines advanced materials design, electrochemical engineering, and technoeconomic analysis to deliver cost-effective nutrient recycling and domestic recovery of ammonium, phosphate, lithium, and cobalt, reducing reliance on imported resources and advancing U.S. advanced membrane manufacturing.

Work is performed in Austin, Texas, with a period of performance from March 12, 2026, through March 11, 2028. The Leland Stanford Junior University is a sub-grantee delivering work on biomimetic membranes for electrochemical nutrient and mineral recovery, with a sub-award obligated on June 18, 2026.

UT austin, 3510-1536 DE-FOA-0003510 - recover biomimetic membranes for electrochemical nutrient and mineral recovery from wastwaters this project aims to develop a bioinspired membrane system that can selectively recover valuable nutrients and critical minerals-such as ammonium, phosphate, lithium, and cobalt-from municipal and oil and gas wastewaters. Current methods for separating these ions often require large amounts of energy, show poor discrimination between ions of similar size and charge, and are prone to fouling. Our team will create a bioinspired separation platform built around synthetically created ION channel mimics and mobile carriers that we collectively refer to as selective artificial ION transporters (saits). Saits mimic the speed and ION selectivity of biological transport proteins and ION carriers. We will incorporate saits into a scalable membrane architecture known as a jammed interface bilayer ensemble (jibe). These membranes will then be incorporated into an electrically driven separation system to achieve efficient ION recovery with at least 30% lower energy input compared to conventional technologies. By combining advanced materials design, electrochemical engineering, and technoeconomic analysis, this effort aims to deliver membrane systems that achieve high ION selectivity (at least 10 times higher for target ions compared to competing ions), high recovery efficiency (>90%), and durability under real wastewater conditions. If successful, the project will demonstrate a cost-effective and scalable pathway for nutrient recycling and domestic critical mineral recovery, reducing reliance on imported resources, lowering the energy footprint of separations, and creating opportunities for advanced membrane manufacturing in the united states. This aligns directly with arpa-e's mission to enhance energy efficiency, strengthen supply chain resilience, and accelerate transformative energy technology solutions.