Connecticut Center for Applied Separations Technologies | UConn Tech Park

From recovering critical materials to improving water treatment, separations technologies play an important role in addressing industrial and environmental challenges. At the 5th Industrial Workshop on Separations Technology, held October 1–2, 2026, at UConn Tech Park’s Innovation Partnership Building, researchers, industry leaders, startups, and investors came together to discuss emerging technologies and the challenges of bringing them to market.

Hosted by the University of Connecticut, the workshop drew 120 attendees from more than 70 companies and universities. The two-day program combined technical presentations with opportunities to exchange ideas, showcase research, and build connections across the separations technology community.

The event began with an early career workshop, followed by a networking reception featuring 20 student research posters and a startup pitch competition. Students from UConn, Yale University, MIT, Tufts University, and Clarkson University presented their work, while five startups pitched technologies addressing opportunities in water and critical materials. Hydron Desalination won the pitch competition, receiving a trophy and a cash award sponsored by Xylem.

Friday’s sessions explored applications across energy, industrial processing, critical materials recovery, desalination, water treatment, and water reuse. Presenters from organizations including PolyCera, SLB, Via Separations, ChemFinity Technologies, KMX Technologies, Xylem, Veolia, and NanoH2O shared developments ranging from advanced membranes to new approaches for recovering valuable resources.

The program also looked beyond the technologies to consider what it takes to move innovations forward. Panels on water technology, critical materials and energy, and sustainable technology financing brought together representatives from startups, established companies, and investment organizations. Additional briefings highlighted initiatives from XPRIZE, the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), and the MEMBRANE Center led by the National Laboratory of the Rockies.

Attendees also toured the Connecticut Center for Applied Separations Technologies (CCAST) at the Innovation Partnership Building, gaining a closer look at the facilities supporting the center’s applied separations research.

Throughout the workshop, discussions connected technical advances with the needs of the industries that could put them to use. Understanding those needs can help researchers and emerging companies identify opportunities for further development and more effective solutions.

By bringing together people working across research, industry, and investment, the annual workshop creates opportunities to share expertise, explore common challenges, and strengthen connections that can help move separations technologies toward practical application.

Interested in attending or participating in future workshops? Click here to join the mailing list.

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Separations Technology (CCAST) hosted its 2nd Industrial Workshop on Separations Technology at UConn Tech Park on October 5-6th.

CCAST Center Director Jeff McCutcheon was thrilled with the success of this year’s event and explains that his vision is “for the workshop to become a premier event on industrially relevant separations that features talks from prominent speakers from industry.” The 1 ½ day event drew over 110 registrants from more than 60 companies and featured 16 speakers, 19 panelists, and over 20 poster presenters focused on separations technology innovation, financing, startups, and technology needs across different industries.

The dynamic workshop was well attended by a range of separations technologies stakeholders, including end users, established providers, start-ups, public/private funding entities, researchers, and experienced industry experts, providing an excellent networking opportunity for guests.

Speakers and panelists discussed the importance and value propositions for new separations technologies, with a range of topics including challenges that require new separations technologies, business opportunities for new separations technologies, how separation technologies impact industry and businesses, innovations in separation technologies, and perspectives and trends on the separations field that may guide future R&D efforts.

McCutcheon expressed his thanks to all who helped make the event happen. “This year’s workshop would not have been possible without help from my co-organizer Dr. Shan Yong,” he says. “It really does take a village to run a workshop, and I’m grateful to UConn, CCAST and C2E2 staff, faculty, and students for lending so much support for this event. I greatly appreciate all the panelists, speakers, and company representatives who shared their research and insights at this far-reaching workshop. Special thanks goes to all our sponsors for helping make this a free event for all who attended!”

The 2023 workshop company sponsors are Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Mott Corporation, and the Athletic Brewing Co. Planning is already underway for the 3rd Industrial Workshop on Separations Technology at UConn Tech Park! Click here to share your agenda suggestions and join the mailing list for the 2024 workshop, or email jeffrey.mccutcheon@uconn.edu

Connecticut Center for Applied Separations Technologies serves the State of Connecticut, greater New England, and the U.S. by identifying opportunities to implement membrane and other advanced separation technology into various industrial and manufacturing processes in order to lower energy use, reduce carbon footprint, limit waste, and prevent adverse environmental and health impacts.