Membrane Processes Lab

iBET and its partner FCT NOVA have extensive experience in membrane and disinfection treatment processes that can be applied individually or combined to solve different environmental and industry problems.

Research Focus

The Membrane Processes laboratory has been exploring the use of membrane and disinfection treatment processes to ensure effective water treatment and reuse, as well as the disinfection of water, food, and surfaces.

In close collaboration with iBET’s Microbiology and Molecular Biology team, our group has recently explored the effectiveness and effects of ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes that emit light at different wavelengths.

Three ongoing projects in this area of research aim to develop effective water disinfection systems (FCT-funded project LEDeffect), guarantee industrial water reuse (Project FoodLED, funded by iBET’s internal innovation program – iBETXplore), as well as food microbiological safety and preservation (FCT-funded Project SafeFOOD).

Areas of Activity

Membrane Filtration

Treatment of water and wastewater effluents using membrane filtration and UV photolysis to produce high quality effluents that can be reused for irrigation or other industry applications.

Disinfection

UV photolysis and advanced oxidation processes to ensure an effective disinfection of water, food, and surfaces.

João Crespo

External Lab Head, Membrane Processes Lab

External Lab Head of the Membrane Processes Lab at iBET, Full Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at FCT NOVA and the elected Dean of ITQB NOVA for the term of 2023-2027.

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Vanessa Pereira

Senior Scientist and Lab Coordinator, Membrane Processes Lab

I joined iBET in 2005, initially as a postdoc in the Food Safety & Microbiology Laboratory and the Laboratory of Membrane Processes, where I gained experience in microbiology and membrane treatment processes.

My current areas of interest include: Water quality, treatment, and reuse; Development of effective water treatment systems combining membrane filtration and UV photolysis; Disinfection of water, food, and surfaces; Exploring the use of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes that emit light at different wavelengths in terms of effectiveness and mechanisms of inactivation.

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