Rahul Raveendran Nair

Rahul R. Nair serves as a Carlsberg/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair and Professor of Materials Physics at the National Graphene Institute (NGI) and the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester, leading cutting-edge research in molecular-scale membrane technology.

His work centers on molecular transport through sub-nanometer two-dimensional (2D) capillaries, with a focus on developing 2D materials-based membranes for sustainable water separation applications. This spans ultrafiltration to reverse osmosis seawater desalination, driving innovation in next-generation intelligent membranes that address global water scarcity challenges through precise molecular sieving and ultrafast water permeation mechanisms.

Professor Nair's contributions have been recognized with top-tier honors:

• Moseley Medal and Prize
• ERC grant
• Philip Leverhulme Prize
• Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water

His research extends beyond academia through strategic industry collaborations with Carlsberg, the US Army, AstraZeneca, and ICON Life Saver, translating fundamental discoveries into scalable filtration solutions while securing significant funding for membrane technology development.

Work is conducted at the National Graphene Institute, a global hub for 2D materials research where Professor Nair's team pioneers experimental techniques for characterizing nanoscale transport phenomena in laminate membranes.