# ERI: Controlling the Hierarchical Porosity and Surface-Functionalized Nanostructure of Polyethylene using Amphiphilic Additives

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) · $199,994

## Abstract

Porous polymeric membranes are used for a variety of applications including gas and ion separations, but there is a significant need for alternative strategies to design polymers with tunable porosity using scalable processes, to overcome limitations presented by the trade-off between permeability and selectivity. In a recently discovered processing method, commercial microporous high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pellets can be swollen with fatty acids or other amphiphiles to form a surface-functionalized, nanoporous structure. This Engineering Research Initiative (ERI) project will utilize comprehensive structural characterization to study HDPE processed with this method to establish design rules that lead to control of the membrane characteristics. The knowledge established in this research will aid in the development of a new scalable process for developing nanoporous membranes, which will serve to address the societal challenge of tuning permeability and selectivity in porous membranes. This project will involve the mentorship and training of one graduate and two undergraduate students, and outreach to local high school students, who will learn about materials research and advanced manufacturing. 

This project will identify how the process of swelling polyethylene (PE) with different amphiphiles can lead to control of the porosity and hierarchical nanostructure. This research has the potential to address a significant knowledge and technical gap in the creation of polye

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2501652
- **Awardee organization:** Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JJ6CN5Y5A2R5
- **PI:** Benjamin A Paren
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** RESEARCH EXP FOR UNDERGRADS, GRADUATE EDUCATION, Manufacturing, UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT, SUPPL FOR UNDERGRAD RES ASSIST, REU SUPP-Res Exp for Ugrd Supp, RESEARCH INITIATION AWARD
- **Estimated total:** $199,994
- **Funds obligated:** $209,994
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2501652

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2501652, ERI: Controlling the Hierarchical Porosity and Surface-Functionalized Nanostructure of Polyethylene using Amphiphilic Additives. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2501652. Licensed CC0.

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