When: May 5th, 2026
Where: QNC 1501
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Selective Membrane Air Dehumidification: Bridging the Gap Between Materials, Components, and HVAC System Design
Abstract :Â
Dehumidification accounts for a substantial fraction of energy use and associated emissions in air-conditioning systems, representing roughly 53% of energy-related air conditioning emissions on a global average. Vapor-selective membranes, which preferentially transport water molecules while blocking the transport of other gases, have emerged as a promising alternative technology for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, even being ranked as a top alternative technology by the US Department of Energy. Over the past 20 years, the field has seen a significant amount of research interest in the development of high-performance membrane materials and synthesis procedures. However, translation of these materials advances into practical HVAC systems has largely relied on idealized thermodynamic system models, with a notable lack in experimental demonstration. As a result, a disconnect persists between membrane material development, component-level limitations, and realistic system and process design. This seminar presents our ongoing work aimed at bridging this gap by explicitly linking real membrane properties to component sizing, operating constraints, and system‑level efficiency. The broader goal of this research is to establish a holistic framework that integrates materials, components, and system design to clarify tradeoffs, define benchmark performance targets, and guide future research and development towards the broader adoption of high-efficiency, membrane-based HVAC technologies.
Biography
Dr. Andrew Fix is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University where his PhD research at the Center for High Performance Buildings focused on the development and demonstration of high-efficiency membrane-based air conditioning technologies. His research group at UT focuses more broadly on a wide range of water vapor separation technologies and applications, including membrane-based HVAC technologies, liquid desiccant dehumidification, refrigeration-based atmospheric water generation, energy storage, vapor compression heat pumps, and more. He has published 24 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and currently holds one patent, with two additional patents pending, in the general areas of membrane dehumidification and thermal systems.