Amy Childress

Research Summary

Dr. Childress' research addresses the global challenge of fresh water scarcity. Her current research interests focus on membrane contactor processes for innovative solutions to contaminant and energy challenges; pressure-driven membrane processes as industry standards for desalination and water reuse; membrane bioreactor technology; and colloidal and interfacial aspects of membrane processes. Dr. Childress looks forward to addressing wastewater reclamation and seawater desalination challenges that occur in southern California and around the world.

Improvements to drinking water treatment and wastewater reclamation processes are critical for achieving fresh water supply goals. Further, process sustainability through the reduction of discharge by-products to the environment, the limiting of chemical and material consumption for treatment, and the minimization of energy, carbon, and infrastructure footprints of treatment systems is necessary. Complimentary to this, efficient water use in energy generation is an ongoing quest to reduce bulk water stress.
Membrane processes can play a key role in minimizing the interdependence of water and energy. Optimization of conventional processes and integration with newer processes can lead to novel hybrid systems with improved environmental sustainability.

Dr. Childress pursues fundamental research, process development, and field applications to evaluate the energy, recovery, and water quality advantages that will lead to further development of advanced systems to reduce energy consumption in clean water production, to reuse water during energy production, and to leverage uncommon sources to produce energy. Clearly, consideration of all sides of the water-energy nexus is necessary to provide holistic and realistic solutions to the problem of finite water and energy resources.