LLE: Electrochemical Ion Pumping: Concept, Theory, and Application

Advancements in electrochemical separation have paved the way for innovative approaches to address critical challenges in water treatment and resource recovery. In this seminar, I will introduce the Electrochemical Ion Pumping (EIP) platform, a transformative new approach to electrochemical separation that addresses the inherent limitations of conventional capacitive deionization and electrosorption. EIP leverages circuit-switching-induced ion shuttling to achieve unidirectional ion flux without solution switching, enabling enhanced desalination efficiency and scalability. I will also discuss some recent developments in EIP, including a theoretical model for dynamic ion transport and a new configuration without terminal electrode. Finally, I will present a novel application of the EIP platform for simultaneous desalination and selective metal recovery from industrial wastewater. 

Speaker Biography:

Dr. Shihong Lin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University. The mission of his research group is to advance water separation processes for addressing critical sustainability challenges. The three current research areas in his group include (1) desalination and water treatment, (2) resource extraction and recovery, and (3) brine management.  Dr. Lin has received multiple recognitions for his scholarly achievements, with notable awards including the Walter L. Huber Research Prize (2023) from American Society of Civil Engineers and the Paul L. Busch Award from Water Research Foundation (2020). He is also recognized by Clarivate as a Highly Cited Researcher (2025, 2022). Dr. Lin is currently the Associate Editor of Environmental Science & Technology—the flagship journal in environmental engineering and science.