Membrane Applications Science and Technology

An NSF and University Cooperative Research Center

A global leader in membrane research for over 30 years.

The Membrane Applications Science and Technology (MAST) Center is a National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center. The MAST Center has been conducting industrially relevant precompetitive research for over 30 years. The MAST Center works closely with its industrial sponsors to develop innovative solutions to separations challenges. The Center consists of four partner institutions: The University of Arkansas, The University of Colorado, The New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Pennsylvania State University. In addition, the MAST Center collaborates with the R&D Center for Membrane Technology at Chung Yuan University in Taiwan.

The MAST Center consists of leading membrane manufacturers as well as users. The MAST Center research program is divided into four theses: Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing, Water Purification, Chemical Separations, and Membrane Fundamentals. Our current and past projects can be found here.

What are the benefits of being in an NSF program?

The MAST Center is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry-University Cooperative Research Center Program (IUCRC). Our center applied and was awarded a grant from the NSF to further larger objectives, while meeting our center-specific research goals. The NSF represents collaboration between universities, industry, and government. There are many focus areas funded by NSF, but only 2 centers are allowed in each zone. Our MAST Center here at the University of Arkansas is the only current NSF IUCRC center in the area of membranes research. More information about the NSF IUCRC is available here