Maharshi Patel
Maharshi Patel
Engineering the processes behind clean water.
Mechanical engineer with over five years of hands-on lab and research experience in mechanical process engineering (Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik) for water treatment, spanning a research assistantship, Master's thesis, and PhD research, currently completing a PhD in Water and Membrane Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen (degree expected Q1 2027). PhD research centers on membrane fouling, scaling, and hydrodynamics for spiral-wound RO/NF (dense membrane) elements.
Lead researcher on FREESPACE, a DFG-funded project in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, developing novel patterned membranes (via thermal embossing) combined with feed spacers — a configuration not previously tested for spiral-wound implementation. Work evaluated through CaSO4 scaling trials, NaCl concentration-polarization measurements, and real-time hydrodynamic characterization via Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV-Shake-The-Box).
Co-first author (equal contribution) of an Editor's Choice review in ACS ES&T Water, and presenter at five international conferences, including a Best Poster Pitch Award. Alongside the research: five semesters of university teaching, fully in German, and supervision of two Master's thesis students and one Erasmus exchange student.
The underlying goal: better-performing spiral-wound RO membranes for real desalination and water-treatment operations. Surface patterning is the proposed design change — the two tracks below are the experimental tools used to test whether it actually works.
Tracking flow fields around patterned membrane surfaces with particle image/tracking velocimetry.
PIV/PTV-based studies of near-wall flow around patterned membranes
Testing how surface patterning resists CaSO₄ scaling and concentration polarization over time.
Anti-scaling performance of patterned RO membranes
Open to industry R&D, process engineering, and applied research roles starting 2027. Reach out via the form, email, or LinkedIn, or download the CV below.