Solar-Driven Photothermal Membrane Distillation: Assessment, Advances and Challenges

Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Rice University, USA specializing in membrane technology, renewable energy, and sustainable water treatment. His expertise encompasses solar-driven systems; membrane characterization, modification, and performance evaluation; as well as system optimization and scale-up considerations. As a postdoctoral researcher at Rice University, Dr. Sharma has been actively involved in leading-edge research projects aimed at advancing the understanding and implementation of solar-driven membrane distillation for clean water production. His contributions to the field have been published in reputed peer-reviewed journals, i.e., Chemical Engineering Journal, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Journal of Energy Storage, etc.

Dr. Mashallah Rezakazemi received his BEng. and MEng. degrees in 2009 and 2011, respectively, both in Chemical Engineering, from the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), and his Ph.D. from the University of Tehran (UT) in 2015. Dr. Rezakazemi’s research is in the general area of the Membrane Technology, Adsorption, Environmental Science to the service of the broad areas of learning and training. Specifically, his research in engineered and natural environmental systems involves: (i) membrane-based processes for energy-efficient desalination, CO2 capture, gas separation, and wastewater reuse, (ii) sustainable production of enriched gas stream, water and energy generation with the engineered membrane, (iii) environmental applications and implications of nanomaterials, and (iv) water and sanitation in developing countries. He has coauthored in more than 190 highly cited journal publications, conference articles and book chapters. He has received major awards (×16) and grants (×12) from various funding agencies in recognition of his research. He was awarded as country's best researcher in technical and engineering group, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Iran. Rezakazemi published Wiley's book “Membrane Contactor Technology: Water Treatment, Food Processing, Gas Separation, and Carbon Capture.