Into the Lab

Originally posted on the official NSF blog for the EAPSI program

I’m getting set up for the next nine weeks that I will spend in the Environmental Risk Engineering lab at Hokkaido University. My project is to explore membrane fouling as a result of superfine carbon particles and methods for mitigation. I’m continuing my work from my home institution; so many things are similar, but then, many things are also very different.

We spent the last few days getting this system up and running. It will still need some testing before actual experiments are performed. The main component is the membrane module, a ceramic membrane housed in a steel enclosure. I am interested primarily in the increase in transmembrane pressure as a result of membrane fouling and will monitor that on the pressure gauge. I have also set up a jar test — a not-so-fancy name for a square beaker with a flat-paddle stir bar, operated under a controlled speed. This will be where I introduce new parameters to the carbon particles to see how they affect fouling.

hokkaido setup

Like I said, many things are similar. This lab uses the same types of materials that I’m used to (except they have a lot more of everything!). Yet some things, are so so different! Here is one example: In this lab, outside shoes to stay outside. Lab slippers are used in the lab, office slippers (or socks) are worn on the carpet in the computer area. Thus, I went out to purchase a new pair of lab slippers, and I found a Clemson-colored pair!

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I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues, and all the interesting data I’ll collect. And I hope that I don’t walk into the office with my outside shoes!

One comment

  1. Thanks for the update, Erin! I like the idea of various shoes. Maybe we’ll have to adopt that culture and start a trend in the US! (I think here, though, lab shoes with holes in them are not allowed, so we’ll have to modify a bit!) –david

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