
Dr. Anwar Sadmani
Associate Professor
Room: Eng I 247
Phone: 407-823-2781
Fax: 407-823-5407
Email: sadmani@ucf.edu
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2014
M.Sc. in Municipal Water and Infrastructure
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, The Netherlands, 2008
B.Sc. in Civil Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2004
RESEARCH AREAS OF SPECIALTY
Membrane treatment of emerging micropollutants and disinfection by-products.
Membrane-based hybrid processes for treating impaired quality waters.
Membrane fouling.
Impact of source water matrices on membrane-micropollutant interactions.
Ion exchange, activated carbon, and low-pressure membrane pre-treatment.
TEACHING
EES 4202: Chemical Process Control
ENV 3001: Environmental Engineering
ENV 6558: Industrial Wastewater (Fall 2018)
REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES
11) Jared Church, J., Hodon, R., Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Randall, A.A., Domingo, J.W.S., Lee, W.H. (2018) A novel symbiotic microalgae-IFAS process for photo-oxygenation and nutrient removal: multiscale investigations using microelectrodes and next-generation molecular tools, Water Research (submitted, manuscript no. WR43577)
10) Munshi, F.M., Church, J.K., Sadmani, A, Lee, W.H. (2018) The effect of cross-flow velocity and draw solutions on algae dewatering using forward osmosis, Separation and Purification Technology (revision requested)
9) Woods, G.C., Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Andrews, S.A., Bagley, D.M., Andrews, R.C. (2016) Rejection of Pharmaceutically-Based N-Nitrosodimethylamine Precursors Using Nanofiltration. Water Research 93, 179-186 (IF = 6.942)
8) Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Andrews, R.C., Bagley, D.M. (2014) Rejection of pharmaceutically active and endocrine disrupting compounds by nanofiltration as a function of source water humic substances. Journal of Water Process Engineering 2, 63-70 (SNIP = 1.713)
7) Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Andrews, R.C., Bagley, D.M. (2014) Influence of naturally occurring dissolved organic matter, colloids, and cations on nanofiltration of pharmaceutically active and endocrine disrupting compounds. Chemosphere 117, 170-177 (IF = 4.208)
6) Sadmani, A.H.MA., Andrews, R.C., Bagley, D. M. (2014) Impact of natural water colloids and cations on the rejection of pharmaceutically active and endocrine disrupting compounds by nanofiltration. Journal of Membrane Science 450, 272-281 (IF = 6.035)
5) Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Andrews, R.C., Bagley, D.M. (2014) Nanofiltration of pharmaceutically active and endocrine disrupting compounds as a function of compound interactions with DOM fractions and cations in natural water. Separation and Purification Technology 122, 462-471 (IF = 3.359)
4) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Sadmani, A., McConville, M., Kennedy, M., Amy, G. (2010) A QSAR model for predicting rejection of emerging contaminants (pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors) by nanofiltration membranes. Water Research 44, 373-384 (IF = 6.942)
3) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Sadmani, A., Kennedy, M., Amy, G. (2010) A QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) approach for modeling and prediction of rejection of emerging contaminants by NF membranes. Desalination and Water Treatment 13, 149-155 (IF = 1.631)
2) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Sadmani, A., McConville, M., Kennedy, M., Amy, G. (2009) Rejection of pharmaceutically active compounds and endocrine disrupting compounds by clean and fouled nanofiltration membranes. Water Research 43, 2349-2362 (IF = 6.942)
1) Yangali-Quintanilla, V., Verliefde, A., Kim, T. U., Sadmani, A., Kennedy, M., Amy, G. (2009) Artificial neural network models based on QSAR for predicting rejection of neutral organic compounds by polyamide nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes. Journal of Membrane Science 342, 251-262 (IF = 6.035).
BOOK CHAPTERS
1) Hwang, J-H., Sadmani, A., Lee, S-J., Kim, K-T., and Lee, W.H. Microalgae: An eco-friendly tool for the treatment of wastewaters for environmental safety, In Bioremediation of Industrial Wastes for Environmental Safety, Volume II: Biological agents and methods for industrial waste management (Eds. Bharagava, R.N. and Saxena, G.), Springer Nature, Singapore (Accepted for publication)
2) Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Kuknur, P., Pachapur, V.K., Pulicharla,R., Chapter 4.1: Water Sources and Global Issues on Water Scarcity; Taheran, M, Naghdi, M., Brar, S.K., Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Chapter 4.2: Potable Water Treatment Processes; Sadmani, A.H.M.A., Lee, W.H., Agnieszka, C., Brar, S.K., Chapter 3: Occurrence and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water, In Surampalli, R.Y., Brar, S.K., Zhang, T.C., Hegde, K., Pulicharla, R., Verma, M. (Eds.) Handbook of Environmental Engineering, McGraw-Hill, London, In Press, 2018.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
8/2015 – Present
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
04/2014 – 07/2015
Postdoctoral Fellow
Drinking Water Research Group (DWRG)
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
09/2008 – 04/2014
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
09/2005 – 09/2006
Lecturer
Department of Architecture, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
09/2005 – 09/2006
Lecturer
Department of Architecture, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
FUNDED PROJECTS
- Removal of Heavy Metals from Landfill Leachate using Polyelectrolyte Complex Membranes, PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani, Co-PI: Dr. Lei Zhai, Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, $45,000 (12/01/2017 – 11/30/2018).
- City of Boynton Beach West Nanofiltration Membrane Water Treatment Plant Process Assessment, PI: Dr. Steven Duranceau, Co-PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani, Globaltec, Inc., $86,977 (02/02/2017 – 12/31/2017).
- Bacterial Enumeration and Bacterial Endotoxin Testing, PI: Dr. Woo Hyoung Lee, Co-PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani, Mainstream Engineering Corp., $19,000 (07/27/2017 – 02/28/2018; 12/05/2016 – 04/11/2017).
- Removal of Perfluoroalkyl Compounds via Nanofiltration, PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani, UCF VPR Advancement of Early Career Researchers (VPR AECR), $7,500 (08/01/2018 – 07/31/2019).
HONORS AND AWARDS
2013 – 2013 – Student Best Paper Award 2013 AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference and Exposition, February 28, San Antonio, TX
2012 – 2013 – Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto
2008 – 2012 – University of Toronto Fellowship
2006 – 2008 – The Netherlands Fellowship Program (NFP) Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
22) Kunal Olimattel, Lei Zhai, Anwar Sadmani, “The Impact of Polyelectrolyte Modification of Membranes on Fouling and Rejection of Emerging Contaminants of Concern”, AMTA/AWWA 2018 Membrane Technology Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, March 12-16, 2018
21) Faris Munshi, Rebecca MacLean, Luke Haberman, Anwar Sadmani, Woo Hyoung Lee, “Fouling Control of a Forward Osmosis (FO) Algae Dewatering System Using an Electric Field”, AMTA/AWWA 2018 Membrane Technology Conference, West Palm Beach, FL, March 12-16, 2018
20) Faris Munshi, Jared Church, Anwar Sadmani, Woo Hyoung Lee, “Algae Dewatering with Different Draw Solutions and Cross Flow Velocities using Forward Osmosis (FO) Flat Sheet Membrane”, 2017 Graduate Research Forum, University of Central Florida, April 4, 2017
19) Rebecca McLean, Faris Munshi, Jared Church, Anwar Sadmani, Woo Hyoung Lee, “Nanoparticle-driven Forward Osmosis Modification for Mitigating Membrane Biofouling in Algae Separation”, AMTA/AWWA 2017 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition, Long Beach, CA., Feb. 13-17, 2017
18) Faris Munshi, Jared Church, Anwar Sadmani, Woo Hyoung Lee, “Algae Dewatering With Different Draw Solutions and Cross Flow Velocities Using a Forward Osmosis (FO) Flat Sheet Membrane”, AMTA/AWWA 2017 Membrane Technology Conference, Long Beach, CA, February 13-17, 2017
17) Faris M. Munshi, Jared K. Church, Woo Hyoung Lee, Anwar Sadmani, “The Effect of Cross Flow and Draw Solutions on the Algae Dewatering using Forward Osmosis”, The Florida Section of AWWA (FSAWWA) Fall Conference, Orlando, FL, November 27- December 1, 2016
16) Gwen C. Woods, Anwar Sadmani, Susan A. Andrews, David M. Bagley, Robert C. Andrews (2016) “Application of Nanofiltration for Rejection of Pharmaceutically-Based N-Nitrosodimethylamine Precursors”, American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC), Indianapolis, IN, November 13-17
15) Gwen C. Woods, Anwar Sadmani, Susan A. Andrews, David M. Bagley, Robert C. Andrews (2016) “Rejection of Pharmaceutically-Based N-Nitrosodimethylamine Precursors with Nanofiltration”, 2016 Canadian National Water and Wastewater Conference, Toronto, ON, November 13-16
14) Yi Li, Anwar Sadmani, Ron Hofmann (2015) “Estimating Remaining GAC Removal Capacity for Geosmin and MIB”, American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC), Salt Lake City, UT, November 15 – 19
13) Yi Li, Anwar Sadmani, Ron Hofmann (2015) “Estimation of Remaining GAC Bed Life for Taste and Odour Removal”, OWWA/OMWA Joint Annual Conference, Toronto, ON, April 26 – 29
12) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2014) “Impact of Naturally Occurring DOM, Colloids, and Cation Interactions on Nanofiltration of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds”, AMTA/AWWA 2014 Membrane Technology Conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 10 – 14
11) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2013) “Impact of Synergistic Interactions of Dissolved Organic Matter, Colloidal Particles, and Cations in Natural Water Matrix on the Rejection of PhAC/EDCs by Nanofiltration”, American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC), Long Beach, CA, November 3 – 7
10) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2013) “Synergistic Interactions of Dissolved NOM, Colloids, and Cations in Natural Water Matrix: Impact on Nanofiltration of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds”, 5th IWA Specialist Conference on Natural Organic Matter Research, Perth, Australia, October 1 – 4
9) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2013) “Impact of Synergistic Interactions of Dissolved Organic Matter, Colloidal Particles, and Cations in Natural Water Matrix on the Rejection of PhAC/EDCs by Nanofiltration”, IWA Membrane Technology Conference 2013, Toronto, ON, August 25 – 29
8) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2013) “Nanofiltration of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds as a Function of Compound Interactions with Surface Water Components”, AMTA/AWWA 2013 Membrane Technology Conference, San Antonio, TX, February 25 – 28
7) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2012) “The Influence Of Natural Water Matrix Components On The Removal Of PhAC And EDCs Via Nanofiltration”, American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC), Toronto, ON, November 4 – 8
6) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2012) “The Influence of Natural Water Matrix Components on the Removal of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds via Nanofiltration”, 15th Canadian National Conference and 6th Policy Forum on Drinking Water, Kelowna, BC, October 21 – 24
5) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2012) “The Influence of Source Water Components on the Removal of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds via Nanofiltration”, OWWA/OMWA Joint Annual Conference, Niagara Falls, ON, May 6 – 9
4) Anwar Sadmani, Robert C. Andrews, David M. Bagley (2011) “The Effect of Specific Water Matrix Components on the Rejection of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds via Nanofiltration”, OWWA/OMWA Joint Annual Conference, Blue Mountains, ON, May 1 – 4. (Poster presentation)
3) Victor Yangali-Quintanilla, Anwar Sadmani, Arne Verliefde, Takahiro Fujioka, Maria Kennedy, Gary Amy (2011) “Hybrid Models for Predicting Rejection of Micropollutants by NF and RO membranes”, AWWA Membrane Technology Conference, Long Beach, CA, March 28 – 31
2) Victor Yangali-Quintanilla, Anwar Sadmani, Maria Kennedy, Gary Amy (2009) “A QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) approach for modelling and prediction of rejection of emerging contaminants by NF and RO membranes”, EDS Conference, Desalination for the Environment, Baden-Baden, Germany, May 17-20
1) Victor Yangali-Quintanilla, Anwar Sadmani, Megan McConville, Maria Kennedy, Gary Amy (2009) “Rejection of Organic Micropollutants by Clean and Fouled Nanofiltration Membranes”, AWWA Membrane Technology Conference, Memphis, Tennessee, March 15-18.
INVITED TALKS/SEMINARS
4) Membrane-Based Processes for Removing Emerging Contaminants of Concern from Surface Waters, UCF Water First seminar series, Orlando, FL, April 2018
3) Water Docs Film Festival 2015 (Guest Speaker), Toronto, ON, Canada, March 2015
2) Impact of Synergistic Interactions of Natural DOM, Colloids, and Cations on Nanofiltration of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, 2013 Workshop on Control of Emerging Contaminants, Waterloo, ON, Canada, June 2013
1) The Influence of Source Water Components on the Removal of Pharmaceutically Active and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds via Nanofiltration, University of Toronto NSERC Industrial Research Chair Technology Transfer Day, Toronto, ON, Canada, April 2012.
Research
Under construction
A H M Anwar Sadmani, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering
University of Central Florida
12800 Pegasus Drive, Suite 247
Orlando, FL 32816-2450
sadmani@ucf.edu
Phone: 407-823-2781
Fax: 407-823-3315
Research Projects
PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani
Co-PI: Dr. Lei Zhai
Funding Agency: Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, $45,000 (12/01/2017 – 11/30/2018)
Background and Objectives
A significant portion of the heavy metals used in the manufacturing of various consumer and industrial products eventually make their ways to the landfill. Biosolids generated from wastewater treatment plants contain high concentrations of heavy metals that escape the conventional treatment processes, which are not designed to remove metals from wastewater. The disposal of biosolids into landfill leads to the generation of leachate that is rich in heavy metals. Human exposure to heavy metals may result from the contamination of drinking water sources and/or through the food chain due to bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic species. Conventional biological and physico-chemical treatment of landfill leachate have limitations in removing recalcitrant organics and heavy metals. Membrane processes have been demonstrated as effective barriers to recalcitrant organic and inorganic pollutants, resulting in high effluent quality and reduced sludge volume, while operating within a smaller footprint when compared to conventional physico-chemical treatments.
In this study (Year 1), we will fabricate nanofiber membranes (NMs) from polyelectrolyte (PE) complexes through a cost-effective and scalable electrospinning (ES). NMs will be laminated on ultrafiltration (UF) membranes and the capability of removing heavy metal ions in landfill leachate will be investigated. The specific objectives of this study are:
- To develop methods to fabricate NMs from polyelectrolyte complexes by electrospinning;
- To characterization and evaluate the stability of fabricated NMs in metal ion solutions;
- To investigate the removal of landfill leachate heavy metal ions by polyelectrolyte functionalized UF membrane;
- To acquire mechanistic understanding of metal ion interactions with the modified membrane matrix and landfill leachate humic substances when using UF.
Materials and Methods
We are developing methods to fabricate NMs from of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(allyl amine hydrochloric acid) (PAH) solutions of different molar ratios and pH. The PAA/PAH solution is electrospun through a metallic nozzle using a conventional syringe apparatus onto a plate collector. The PE solution flowrate is controlled using a NE-1000 higher pressure programmable single syringe pump (Pump Systems Inc., USA). In an attempt to fabricate NMs of optimal size and strength, we are varying the needle voltage, pump flowrate, and distance between the needle and collecting pad.
The fabricated NMs will be characterized using various tools including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The stability and efficiency of the NM-laminated UF membranes in removing heavy metal ions from landfill leachate will be evaluated using a bench-sclae membrane setup (Fig. 2). The analysis of metal ions will be carried out using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) – atomic absorption optical spectrometer.


Project Documents
First Quarterly Report
Team Members and Links
Dr. Anwar Sadmani (PI)
https://www.cece.ucf.edu/sadmani/
Dr. Lei Zhai (Co-PI)
http://www.nanoscience.ucf.edu/faculty/zhai.php
Amirsalar Esfahani
https://www.hinkleycenter.org/student-tracker/817-esfahani-amirsalar.html
City of Boynton Beach West Nanofiltration Membrane Water Treatment Plant Process Assessment
PI: Dr. Steven Duranceau
Co-PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani
Funding Agency: Globaltec, Inc., $86,977 (02/02/2017 – 12/31/2017)
Project Summary
This project has assessed the pretreatment, membrane process, and post treatment including ancillary operations of one of the city’s (City of Boynton Beach, FL) nanofiltration water treatment plants. The city was motivated to eliminate its dependence on sulfuric acid to reduce operating costs as well as reduce health and safety risks associated with the use of the acid as a pretreatment chemical. UCF has performed a desktop evaluation to determine the feasibility of discontinuing the use of acid at the West WTP. We investigated the use of alternative scale inhibitor formulations to evaluate market-available formulations that would provide an increased level of protection to scaling under acid-free feed flow conditions. The existing membrane elements have been in use for over 13 years and are nearing the end of their operational life. UCF has performed a desktop analysis to evaluate the existing membrane process performance and project (estimate) the impact of membrane replacement with next generation membranes and alternative process skid configurations.
PI: Dr. Woo Hyoung Lee,
Co-PI: Dr. Anwar Sadmani,
Funding Agency: Mainstream Engineering Corp., $19,000 (12/05/2016 – 04/11/2017; 07/27/2017 – 02/28/2018)
Project Summary
This project deals with testing several water treatment devices in their ability to remove bacteria and bacterial endotoxins from water. The water treatment technologies include UV and several filters. UCF will test samples for bacteria content and bacterial endotoxin. UCF is also providing challenge water (with a calibrated/tested number of bacteria or bacterial endotoxin) to test the various treatment devices. The test plan includes 36 bacterial enumeration tests and 36 bacterial endotoxin tests plus any required control experiments and calibration of challenge water.