Connecticut Center for Applied Separation Technologies (CCAST)
How CCAST Works with Industry
Technology-Agnostic Solutions
Approaches tailored to industry challenges
Contract R&D
Collaborative research and technology development
Bench-to-Pilot Testing
Testing, evaluation, and validation
Custom Engineering
Membrane development and equipment design
The Connecticut Center for Applied Separation Technologies (CCAST) advances separations technologies through applied research, technology development, and industry collaboration. CCAST brings together expertise in membrane science, materials development, and process engineering to address complex separation challenges involving water, solvents, vapors, and gases.
CCAST works with industry partners to identify energy- and cost-efficient solutions through contract research, testing, and customized technology development.
Membrane Development
Polymeric, ceramic, and mixed-matrix membranes for specialized separation applications.
Water Treatment & Desalination
Reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, nanofiltration, and membrane distillation.
Gas & Vapor Separations
Membrane technologies for gas separation, solvent recovery, and vapor processing.
Advanced Materials & Filtration
Membrane fabrication, filtration media development, and materials characterization.
Partnership and Impact
CCAST partners with industrial clients and government funding agencies to evaluate, develop, and validate separation technologies that enable water treatment and reuse, gas separations, solvent separations, and ion conductive membrane processes. Projects range from laboratory-scale testing to prototype and pilot-scale development.
The center's capabilities support applications in industrial processing, water treatment, environmental technologies, and energy.
Services
- Contract R&D
- Fee-for-service testing
- Technology assessments
- Customized separation systems design and fabrication
CCAST:
Explore the Center’s research capabilities, services, specialized equipment, and partnership opportunities.
Research Facilities & Capabilities
CCAST provides a broad range of specialized membrane fabrication and testing equipment, customized system design, and access to UConn's broader analytical research infrastructure.
Reverse Osmosis & Forward Osmosis Test Systems
Bench- and element-scale systems for evaluating membrane performance in water treatment and desalination applications.
Gas Permeation & Pervaporation Systems
Equipment for testing membrane performance in gas and vapor separation applications.
Ultrafiltration & Nanofiltration Systems
Bench-scale testing equipment for evaluating tubular membranes and separation processes.
Customized Separation Systems
In-house design and fabrication of specialized bench- and pilot-scale equipment for unique separation challenges.
Connect with CCAST
Jeff McCutcheon, Ph.D.
Director
Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
jeffrey.mccutcheon@uconn.edu