Robert Chan

Current Contact Information: School of Chemical Sciences & Engineering The University of New South Wales Sydney 2052 Australia Tel: +61 2 9385 7989 Fax: +61 2 9385 5966

Profile:

• PhD (Chemical Engineering), The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2002
• B.E. Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 1996

• The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: School of Chemical Sciences & Engineering, Technical Coordinator, April 2008 - present
• George Weston Technologies: Research & Development Scientist, Sept 2005-March 2008
• The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia: School of Chemistry, Research Associate, 2004-2005
• The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, Research Associate, 2002-2004
• The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: Faculty of Engineering, Computing Support Unit, 2001
• The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, Teaching Assistant, Mar. 1997 - Dec. 2001
• Polo Stone Australia Pty Ltd., Smithfield, Sydney, Australia: Assistant Chemical Engineer, Dec. 1995 - Feb. 1996

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Summary of Project whilst at the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology:

This project aimed to study the competitive, sequential and spatial fouling of polymeric membranes by various protein species. Ultrafiltration membranes mounted inside a 50 cm (19.7") long crossflow module were employed for fouling experiments. Such fouling phenomena is influenced by various factors including time, crossflow velocity, pressure, ionic strength and concentration. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) was used to directly analyse fouled membrane surfaces. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the protein foulants can be performed using this technique. The project was ARC funded and carried out in collaboration with the UNSW Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility.

The crossflow module used for protein fouling experiments.

MALDI spectrum obtained by analysing a 10 kDa MWCO cellulose triacetate membrane fouled by an equimolar solution of lysozyme (MW~14000), β-lactoglobulin (MW~18000), ovalbumin (MW~44000) and bovine serum albumin (MW~66,000). The internal standard used was conalbumin (MW~77000).

A/Prof V. Chen

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Selected Publications:

• Chan, R. and Chen, V., "Protein Transport, Aggregation and Deposition in membrane Pores", in: S. Manne and G. G. Warr (Eds.), Supramolecular Structures in Confined Geometries, ACS Symposium Series 736, Oxford University Press, Washington, pp. 231-246 (1999).
• Chan, R. and Chen, V., "The effects of electrolyte concentration and pH on protein aggregation and deposition: critical flux and constant flux membrane filtration", J. Membr. Sci., 185, 177-192 (2001).
• Chan, R., Chen, V. and Bucknall, M.P., "Ultrafiltration of protein mixtures: measurement of apparent critical flux, rejection performance, and identification of protein deposition", Desalination, 146, 83-90 (2002).
• Chan, R., Chen, V. and Bucknall, M.P., "Quantitative Analysis of Membrane Fouling by Protein Mixtures Using MALDI-MS", Biotechnol. Bioeng., 85(2), 190-201 (2004).
• Chan, R. and Chen, V., "Characterization of Protein Fouling on Membranes: Opportunities and Challenges", J. Membr. Sci., 242(1-2), 169-188 (2004).

• Chan, R. and Chen, V., "Aggregation and Deposition of Proteins on the Surface and in the Pores of Microfiltration Membranes", Proceedings of the International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM), Toronto, Canada, 1999.
• Chan, R. and Chen, V., "Effect of Electrolyte Concentration and pH on Controlled Flux, Low Fouling Microfiltration of Proteins", Proceedings of the 27th Australasian Chemical Engineering Conference (Chemeca 99), Newcastle, NSW Australia, 1999.
• Chan, R., Chen, V. and Bucknall, M.P., "The composition of membrane fouling and identification of the critical flux in the ultrafiltration of protein mixtures", Proceedings of the 6th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Melbourne, Australia, 2001.

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