About us
The University of Calabria (UNICAL), established in 1968 in Rende, plays a pivotal role in the development of the southern region of Italy. Renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, it offers a diverse range of academic programs across various disciplines. Currently, UNICAL serves over 30,000 students and boasts 14 departments offering 80 Degree Programmes at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, as well as 10 PhD schools. UNICAL is consistently ranked among the top three largest Italian state universities. The UNICAL campus is home to a vibrant international community, fostering a dynamic environment for scientific, cultural, and intellectual exchange. Research activities in membrane science and technology are conducted at the Department of Environmental Engineering (DIAm), which comprises 40 professors and researchers, 15 technical-administrative units, and numerous PhD and postdoctoral students. With over 3,000 m² of laboratory space and decades of experience, DIAm is internationally recognized for its expertise in membrane technology.
Role in MemCat:
In the MEMCAT project, the University of Calabria (UNICAL) serves as the leader of WP3, which focuses on developing highly selective carbon molecular sieve membranes (CMSMs). This work aims to design, develop and scale-up two types of CMSMs: water-gas selective membranes and ethylene purification membranes. The water-gas selective membranes are designed to remove water produced during reactions, thereby shifting the equilibrium to prevent the reverse water-gas shift reaction and increase olefin yield at lower temperatures. The purification membranes will separate smaller gases (H2, COx, CH4) from larger CxHy gases, ensuring access to pure ethylene (ET). Advanced nanomaterials developed in the MEMCAT consortium will be employed to improve the selectivity of the CMSMs.
