The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) supports companies in developing, testing and scaling advanced membrane systems. Our facilities allow organisations to develop coated and composite membrane technologies, optimise processing conditions and scale membrane manufacture towards commercial production.
The GEIC provides an environment that is closer to manufacturing than a traditional laboratory, allowing companies to develop and validate membrane technologies under more realistic processing conditions.
We work with organisations ranging from SMEs to multinational companies across sectors including water treatment, filtration, separation technologies, advanced manufacturing, construction, energy and industrial processing. Our membrane specialists primarily work on composite polymer membranes, while also supporting coated systems, thin film approaches and CVD-based systems where appropriate. We help companies assess material selection, optimise formulation and coating solutions, and refine key process variables including solvent choice, coagulation, drying and storage conditions.
Membrane development and process optimisation
The GEIC supports the design and development of advanced membrane systems using graphene and 2D materials where appropriate.
We help companies optimise coating solutions, nanomaterial grade and dosing, solvent choice, coagulation conditions, drying times and storage considerations to improve membrane performance and reproducibility.
Testing and characterisation
Understanding membrane performance is essential for successful scale-up and commercialisation.
Our facilities support characterisation of rejection, flux, reversible and irreversible fouling, surface charge, mechanical properties, optical microscopy and SEM imaging, helping organisations link membrane structure and processing to real-world performance.
Pilot-scale roll-to-roll processing
Scaling membrane technologies from lab development to continuous production is a key part of commercial readiness.
The GEIC’s Mathis roll-to-roll pilot system supports coating speeds of 0.1 to 10 m/min, temperature and humidity controlled processing, precision tension and alignment, and production of 100m+ flat sheet membrane per day on 300 mm wide support substrates.
Prototyping and industry-relevant formats
The GEIC helps companies move beyond flat-sheet samples towards formats that support downstream validation and application testing.
We support prototyping of multi-metre flat sheet membranes, 1812 spiral wound modules and larger spiral systems, helping organisations assess how membrane technologies can translate into more practical and industry-relevant units.
From innovation to commercialisation
The GEIC bridges the gap between research and industry, helping companies design, develop, test and de-risk new membrane technologies.
By combining process optimisation, pilot-scale manufacture and industry-relevant validation, we help organisations move promising membrane innovations towards commercially viable products with greater confidence.
Scale coatings and functional materials from laboratory samples to continuous coated materials and pilot manufacturing trials
Enables pilot-scale membrane fabrication and validation under more realistic manufacturing conditions
Assess membrane structure, morphology and nanomaterial dispersion to support development and optimisation
Translate flat-sheet membrane developments into 1812 spiral wound modules and larger industry-relevant formats
"Our membranes facilities support companies developing advanced and graphene-enhanced membrane systems. We provide support in membrane development, performance testing and pilot-scale processing, helping organisations move from concept through to scalable production."
Dr Lisa ScullionApplication Manager
