Bofan Li

Despite the widespread application of traditional membrane technology, it still faces limitations in terms of operational efficiency and environmental impact, including short lifespans, waste generation, and limited adaptability. Bofan Li is committed to promoting the sustainable development of membrane technology through innovative research and development of stable, recyclable, and stimuli-responsive membrane materials.

She and her collaborators developed closed-loop recyclable membranes, addressing the pressing issue of membrane material recycling. This technology allows the membrane to be depolymerized to remove pollutants and refabricated into new membranes at the end of their life cycle, thereby extending its lifespan and significantly reducing its environmental impact. This technology is expected to prevent thousands of tons of membrane waste from entering landfills and significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with membrane production. Additionally, Bofan and her team have designed adaptive membranes with tunable selectivity, which leverage external stimuli like temperature and pH to achieve smart, energy-efficient separations.

Beyond fundamental research, she is committed to translating scientific advancements into real-world applications. As an institutional member of the Singapore Membrane Consortium (SGMEM), she actively collaborates with industry partners to explore commercialization pathways for sustainable membranes materials. For example, her A*STAR GAP-funded project with EMK Technologies, focusing on solvent-resistant nanofiltration membranes, successfully addressed a key bottleneck in chemical purification, significantly improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of production processes.

Overall, Bofan Li's pioneering research in smart and sustainable membrane technology has provided innovative solutions to industrial and environmental challenges, helping the membrane industry transition toward circularity and sustainability.