16. Research on Polymer Membranes and Teaching Performed in UNAM Campus Morelia

In the newly established Morelia Unit of the Materials Research Institute (IIM) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) several investigations on polymeric materials with applications in membrane technology are being conducted. The new materials developed via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) as well as polycondensation have potential environmental and energy applications such as gas separation (Scheme 16.1), proton exchange membranes for low temperature fuel cells, (Scheme 16.2), and the recovery of heavy metals from aqueous solutions (Scheme 16.3), among others. In the short term, the research will focus on generating more sustainable routes for producing polymers from renewable raw materials (Scheme 16.4). In particular, the inclusion of natural sources such as vegetable oil derivatives for obtaining new or already known polymeric materials will be considered.