About the Research Group
This project is part of ESCH-R and KitNewCare, two leading initiatives driving sustainable healthcare in Europe. At UMC Utrecht, the Department of Nephrology serves as one of the clinical sites, focusing on accelerating circular practices by reducing single-use medical consumables and promoting systemic change to transform kidney care into a model for environmental sustainability. Our interdisciplinary research group, composed of engineers, designers, and healthcare professionals, plays a central role in developing sustainable medical technologies, circular workflows, and stakeholder-driven solutions. By designing reusable medical devices and optimizing hospital processes, we contribute to a more sustainable and circular healthcare system.
Project Description
Hemodialysis is a crucial and life-sustaining treatment for patients with kidney failure. It replaces essential kidney functions by removing waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood. Each session requires a significant amount of dialysate, a special fluid that supports this filtration process, and as a result, large volumes of purified water are consumed. On average, a single hemodialysis session uses between 120 to 150 liters of purified water, placing a considerable environmental and economic burden on healthcare systems. Purified water is typically produced using reverse osmosis, a process that forces water through a membrane under high pressure to remove contaminants. While effective, reverse osmosis is energy-intensive and generates substantial amounts of reject water, which is discarded. In addition, after each treatment, the spent dialysate, a fluid that has collected waste products but still consists mostly of water, is also discarded. This represents an untapped opportunity for water recovery.
In collaboration with Aquaporin, we are investigating the use of biomimetic membranes and forward osmosis technology as a sustainable alternative to traditional reverse osmosis. Forward osmosis uses natural osmotic pressure rather than mechanical force to draw water through specialized membranes, significantly reducing energy consumption. The Aquaporin membrane, inspired by nature’s own water channels, enhances this process and offers promising potential for healthcare applications. This project will focus on testing the feasibility of recovering water from spent dialysate using forward osmosis, with the goal of safely reusing it in the hemodialysis process. Key tasks include evaluating membrane performance, ensuring compliance with clinical water quality standards, and addressing operational challenges for integration into dialysis workflows. The ultimate objective is to design a sustainable water recovery system that reduces both water consumption and environmental impact in hemodialysis treatments.
Student Requirements
– Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Technology, or a related field
– Interested in membrane technology, water treatment, and sustainable healthcare solutions
– Understanding of osmosis processes and filtration systems
– Analytical skills for assessing technical performance and clinical feasibility
Project Length
Master’s Graduation Project (6 to 9 months)
Location
UMC Utrecht
Contact Information
Jan Tsai- PhD Student
c.tsai@umcutrecht.nl
