Prof. Kumar Varoon Agrawal leads research at EPFL on advanced membrane materials and processes for energy-efficient molecular separations. His work focuses on atomically thin porous graphene film, and two-dimensional zeolite & metal–organic framework membranes that enable selective transport of gases and ions, with applications in carbon capture, hydrogen purification, ammonia separation, and resource recovery. By combining materials chemistry, nanofluidics, transport phenomena, atomistic simulations, membrane fabrication and scale-up, process engineering, and pilot-plant demonstration, his group develops scalable membrane technologies and pilot systems aimed at reducing the energy footprint of industrial separations. His research contributes to climate mitigation and the transition toward electrified, sustainable chemical processes.

Molecular separations underpin the purification of chemicals, emission control, and the production of essential resources, and they will play an increasingly critical role in the sustainable energy transition. Yet current separation technologies are highly energy intensive, accounting for nearly half of the total energy consumption in the chemical industry. Prof. Kumar Varoon Agrawal’s mission is to transform separations from energy-intensive thermal operations into electrified, energy-efficient processes. His work seeks to close the large gap between laboratory discovery and industrial implementation by developing scalable materials and membrane technologies capable of operating under real-world conditions.

At the Laboratory of Advanced Separations (LAS), his team advances separation science through the design of ultrathin nanoporous membranes based on atomically thin and crystalline materials. By integrating insights from chemistry, materials science, transport physics, and process engineering, they aim to enable transformative technologies for carbon capture, hydrogen purification, oxygen production, and critical ion recovery. Central to this mission is the development of scalable synthesis routes, predictive transport models, and durable membrane systems that maintain performance in harsh industrial environments.

Through pilot-scale deployment, roll-to-roll manufacturing strategies, and industrial partnerships, the group strives to bridge the “valley of death” between academic discovery and practical implementation. Their long-term vision is to enable separation processes that dramatically reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and support global efforts in climate mitigation, sustainable manufacturing, and resource circularity.

Prof. Kumar Varoon Agrawal leads research at EPFL on advanced membrane materials and processes designed to make molecular separations dramatically more energy efficient. His group develops ultrathin nanoporous membranes, including porous graphene and two-dimensional metal–organic framework films, that enable selective transport of gases and ions for applications such as carbon capture, hydrogen purification, oxygen production, ammonia separation, and recovery of critical resources.

A major focus of his current work is translating fundamental discoveries into scalable technologies. His team has demonstrated scalable protocols for the fabrication of porous graphene membranes with Å-scale pores that combine exceptional permeance and selectivity, enabling electrically driven carbon capture with significantly reduced energy demand. Pilot systems operating under realistic flue-gas conditions and ongoing scale-up through roll-to-roll manufacturing are advancing the technology toward industrial deployment and commercialization.

In parallel, his research advances ultrathin crystalline zeolite and MOF membranes with precisely controlled structure and transport properties. By integrating materials science, transport physics, and process engineering, his group aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and industrial implementation, contributing to climate mitigation and more sustainable chemical manufacturing.