This $477,596 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation's Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CFDA 47.041 - Engineering) to the University of Alabama supports research to improve the selectivity of polyamide reverse osmosis (PARO) membranes for seawater desalination. The project will use a combined computational-experimental approach to investigate how surfactant molecular structure affects the interfacial polymerization process and resultant PARO membrane performance properties. The goal is to enhance PARO membrane selectivity, particularly for removing small organic contaminants, without sacrificing water permeance. The research will involve graduate and undergraduate student collaboration and development of new water treatment and membrane-related courses. The award period is from July 15, 2024 to June 30, 2027 and does not include any sub-awards.