Federal Project Grant Award Summary

William Marsh Rice University received a $420,280 Project Grant award dated March 1, 2026, from the National Science Foundation's Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041). The project, titled "Simultaneous Desalination and Metal Recovery Enabled by Electrochemical Ion Pumping," will develop and validate a novel electrochemical ion pumping (EIP) technology platform designed to simultaneously remove salts and recover valuable heavy metals such as copper and nickel from industrial wastewater in a single integrated process. The research will establish mechanistic principles for stabilizing electrode potentials through high-frequency circuit switching and narrow-window electrode potential control, culminating in the development and testing of a multi-electrode EIP stack to demonstrate scalability and long-term performance. The three-year project, concluding February 28, 2029, will advance electrochemical separation science by providing a sustainable, energy-efficient approach for treating complex industrial wastewater generated by semiconductor manufacturing, mining, and electroplating operations.

In addition to the core technical development, the project incorporates an educational component designed to build workforce capacity in the STEM disciplines. Rice University will develop hands-on educational kits for high school and college students focused on electrochemical separation technologies, preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists for careers in environmental remediation and materials recovery. This integrated research and education initiative supports national priorities in circular economy development, industrial pollution reduction, and materials recovery from critical supply chains essential to the U.S. economy.