Rob is a PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering at Yale University, working on novel methods for the sustainable augmentation of energy and water supplies, using the tools of engineered osmosis. This research includes the construction and testing of a forward osmosis desalination pilot plant, funded by a consortium of agencies including the Office of Naval Research, NAVSEA, U.S. Army TARDEC, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and NASA, as well as continuing funding from Water CAMPWS. Rob is supported by a National Science Foundation Grant for Graduate Research. His advisor is Professor Menachem Elimelech.
- Sustainable augmentation of Energy and Water supplies - using the tools of Engineered Osmosis to increase water and energy availability without requiring significant fossil fuel inputs
- Development and characterization of Osmotically Driven Membrane Processes - introduction of Forward Osmosis (FO) desalination and Osmotic Heat Engine (OHE) power generation technologies; development of process improvements and fundamental characterization studies; investigation of open cycle Pressure Retarded Osmosis power generation methods
- Novel membrane design - modification of existing polymeric semi-permeable membranes for application to osmotically driven membrane processes; development of novel non-polymeric and hybrid semi-permeable membranes
- Nanoscale membrane sensing - characterization of membrane transport phenomena; identification of the presence of target contaminants, solutes, or pathogens at very low concentrations in operating membrane separation systems
- 2008 ACS Graduate Student Award in Environmental Chemistry
- 2007 Robert M. Langer Symposium Graduate Student Presentation Competition
- 2006 NSF Graduate Student Research Fellowship
- 2002 Yale College Dean's Fellowship for Undergraduate Research
- 1997 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories Exploratory Research Grant
1. McGinnis, R.L. and Elimelech, M. "Global challenges in energy and water supply: The promise of Engineered Osmosis", Environmental Science & Technology, submitted.
2. McGinnis, R.L., McCutcheon, J.R. and Elimelech, M. "A Novel Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Osmotic Heat Engine for Power Generation", Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 305 (2007), pages 13-19. PDF File
3. Khalil, Y., Elimelech, M., and McGinnis, R. L. "A Novel, Safe, and Environmentally Friendly Technology for Water Production through Recovery of Rejected Thermal Energy from Nuclear Power Plants", Nuclear Engineering and Design. In Press.
4. McGinnis, R. L. and Elimelech, M. "Energy Requirements of Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Forward Osmosis Desalination", Desalination, Vol. 207, 2007, pages 370-382. PDF File
5. McCutcheon, J. R., McGinnis, R. L., and Elimelech, M. "The Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Forward Osmosis Process", Water Conditioning and Purification, Vol. 48, #10, Oct. 2006. view article
6. McCutcheon, J. R., McGinnis, R. L., and Elimelech, M. "Desalination by Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Forward Osmosis: Influence of Draw and Feed Solution Concentrations on Process Performance", Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 278, July 2006, pages 114-123. PDF File
7. McCutcheon, J. R., McGinnis, R. L., and Elimelech, M. "A Novel Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Foward (Direct) Osmosis Desalination Process", Desalination, Vol. 174, 2005, pgs 1-11. PDF File
McGinnis, R. L.; McCutcheon, J. R.; Cerutti, D.; Elimelech, M. Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Osmotic Heat Engine for the Conversion of Low Grade Heat into Electricity. PCT. Pat. Appl., Nov 2006.
McGinnis, R. L. Multi-Stage Column Distillation (MSCD) Method for Osmotic Solute Recovery. PCT. Pat. Appl., June 2006.
McGinnis, R. L. Method and System for Removing Solutes from a Solution Using Forward Osmosis. PCT. Pat. Appl., Dec 2005.
McGinnis, R. L. Modification of Spiral Wound Membranes for Forward Osmosis Use. PCT. Pat. Appl., Oct 2002.
McGinnis R. L. Osmotic Desalination Process. PCT. Pat. Appl. WO 02/060825 A2, Feb 2002.
McGinnis R. L. Osmotic Desalination Process. U.S. Patent 6,391,205, May 21, 2002.
- Spring 2008 - Chemical Engineering Process Design - Prof. Yehia Khalil
- Fall 2007 - Creativity and New Product Development - Prof. Henry Bolanos
- Spring 2007 - Mechanical Design (Robot Wars) - Prof. David LaVan
- Fall 2006 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering - Prof. Jordan Peccia
- Spring 2006 - Chemical Engineering Process Design - Prof. Yehia Khalil
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