Xianshe Feng, PEng

Xianshe Feng is a Professor and University Research Chair in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo.

His research expertise lies in the area of membrane science and technology, with a specialization in membrane formation and characterization, transport studies, module design and process development.

Professor Feng’s current research projects include: the development of hollow fiber membranes and membrane modules; synthesis, modification and characterization of asymmetric/composite membranes; nano-structured membranes for olefin/paraffin separations; and pervaporation, gas separation, and membrane distillation. He is also working on membrane-modulated absorbers and spargers; synergetic integration of membranes with traditional separation processes; carbon dioxide separation for greenhouse gas emission control; separation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from gaseous and liquid waste streams; and membranes for bio-separations.

In addition to research publications, Professor Feng holds a number of patents, some of which are being exploited for industrial applications. He currently also serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Membrane Science, Separation & Purification Technology, and Chemical Engineering Research & Design.

• membranes for bio-separations, Separation Processes, hollow fiber, adsorption, Polymer Science, Membrane Reactors, Membrane Distillation, CO2 Separation for Greenhouse Gas Emission Control, Separation of Volatile Organic Compounds from gaseous and liquid waste streams, Development of Hollow Fiber Membranes and Membrane Modules, Synthesis modification and characterization of asymmetric/composite membranes, Nano-structured membranes for olefin/paraffin separations, Pervaporation gas separation and membrane distillation, Membrane reactors, Membrane-modulated absorbers adsorbers and spargers, Synergetic integration of membranes with traditional separation processes, water

• 1995, Doctorate Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada

• 1990, Master's Chemical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Canada

• 1987, Master's Industrial Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, China

• 1984, Bachelor's Chemical Engineeirng, Hebei University of Science and Technology, China

• 2006 Nanostructured membranes

• 2002 University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award

• 2005 University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award

• 2006 University of Waterloo Outstanding Performance Award

• CHE 230 - Physical Chemistry 1
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• CHE 231 - Physical Chemistry 2
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• CHE 330 - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
  • Taught in 2023, 2024, 2025

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• J.R. Du, L.H. Hsu, E.S. Xiao, X. Guo, Y. Zhang, X. Feng, Using genipin as a ‘green’ crosslinker to fabricate chitosan membranes for pervaporative dehydration of isopropanol, Separation and Purification Technology, , 2020

• E. Halakoo, X. Feng, Layer-by-layer assembled membranes from graphene oxide and polyethyleneimine for ethanol and isopropanol dehydration, Chemical Engineering Science, , 2020

• X. Cao, H.-S. Lee, X. Feng, Extraction of dissolved methane from aqueous solutions by membranes: Modelling and parametric studies, Journal of Membrane Science, , 2020

• Y. Huang, X. Feng, Polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration: Fundamentals, applications and recent developments, Journal of Membrane Science, 53, 2019

• Y. Huang, J. Sun, D. Wu, X. Feng, Layer-by-layer self-assembled chitosan/PAA nanofiltration membranes, Separation and Purification Technology, 142, 2018

• Y. Huang, M.U. Farooq, S. Lai, X. Feng, P. Sampranpiboon, X. Wang, W. Huang, Model fitting of sorption kinetics data: Misapplications overlooked and their rectifications, AIChE Journal, 1793, 2018

• D. Wu, Z. Tan, X. Feng, W. Anderson, Q. Li, Regeneration of cobalt complexes by thermal decomposition and acid treatment for NO absorption, Chemical Engineering Journal, 233, 2017

• C. Sun, X. Feng, Enhancing the performance of PVDF membranes by hydrophilic surface modification via amine treatment, Separation and Purification Technology, 94, 2017

• Y. Huang, K. Bailey, S. Wang, X. Feng, Silk fibroin films for potential applications in controlled release, Reactive and Functional Polymers, 57, 2017

• P.K. Kundu, A. Chakma, X Feng, Unsteady state cyclic pressure-vacuum swing permeation for low pressure niche gas separation applications, Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 505, 2016