ABSTRACT
The current progress achieved in the fields of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and modeling of phase separations in polymer solutions are reviewed in this chapter. In this context, the thermodynamic and kinetic investigation of liquid – liquid demixing in polymer solutions, as well as the possibility of mimicking dry cast operations with a NTFT-cell and analyzing demixing mechanisms via SANS, offer considerable support to membrane scientists and engineers. The combination of these techniques with state-of-the-art microtomography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allows the establishment of a relationship between structural information and the manufacturing process of membranes. The objective is to learn how to design and operate industrial membrane manufacturing processes to control liquid – liquid demixing within polymeric films and accurately achieve the targeted porous structure over the whole membrane area.
