Short Courses
Course Summary Table
Course Descriptions and Outlines
3D Printing and Membranes
May 12, 2026, from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET
Description
3D printing has found more and more applications in the filtration industry. 3D printing can be used to create prototypes and devices from polymeric materials which have appended the design functionality for new materials including uses in biomedical devices enabling their rapid development. While 3D printed polymers can be further classified into thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers based on their thermo-mechanical properties – new opportunities for multi-materials and composites are possible. In this course, we will focus on the use of polymer materials that can be 3D printed for membrane and filter applications based on shear thinning, sufficient yield stress, storage modulus, and also thixotropic behavior. The first is demonstrated in materials based on hierarchical porosity, the second in bio-based nanomaterials for high performance, and the third on hydrogel materials that lead to the preparation of smart membrane and filter fabrication. The design space for new membranes and filters is therefore comprised of the material itself and the geometric design that can be CAD-designed and optimized for printing. 4D printing enables the stimuli-responsive properties of the materials to be observed together with the geometric design.
Course Outline
- Introduction
- Polymer materials 3D printed for membrane and filter applications
- Bio-based nanomaterials for high performance
- Hydrogel materials for smart membrane and filter fabrication
- Design considerations
Instructors
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $245.00
Non-member Pricing: $315.00
Air Cleaning Technologies for IAQ Applications
May 12, 2026, from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET
Description
This course is designed for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of air cleaning technologies used to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). It provides an in depth look at modern techniques for removing particulate matter and gas phase pollutants from indoor environments, highlighting the strengths, limitations, and real world performance of each approach.
By the end of the course, participants will gain the knowledge needed to evaluate and apply air cleaning solutions with confidence.
Course Outline
- Introduction to IAQ
- General concept of IAQ
- Air pollutants of concern
- Technologies for removal particulate matter
- Filter media based systems
- Electrostatic precipitators
- System with external power
- Technologies for removal has-phase pollutants
- Sorbent based systems
- Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO)
- Room temperature catalysts
- Selection of specific technology for given requirements
- Test standards related to IAQ and testing
Instructors
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $245.00
Non-member Pricing: $315.00
Liquid Filtration General Overview
May 12, 2026, from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET
Description
This overview course provides a high level yet thorough introduction to liquid filtration, focusing on essential terminology, concepts, and equipment used across the filtration industry. It is designed to give participants a clear understanding of how liquid filtration works, what influences performance, and where different filtration technologies are applied.
Emphasis is placed on practical understanding rather than detailed theory, making the course accessible to participants without a technical background while still valuable as a refresher for experienced professionals. The course also provides context around the breadth of liquid filtration equipment and media, helping participants better understand how filtration technologies differ and where they are most effectively applied.
The course content is based on the instructors’ extensive industrial experience spanning material suppliers, filter manufacturers, and end users, providing a balanced perspective that integrates technical fundamentals with real world business and application considerations.
Course Outline
- Introduction – What is Filtration
- How Do Material Properties Affect Liquid Filtration
- Basic Liquid Filtration Principles
- Liquid Filtration Media Overview
- Introduction to Key Liquid Filters
Instructors
Wu Chen and Chris Wallace
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $245.00
Non-member Pricing: $315.00
Microfiltration Membrane
May 12, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Description
Membranes are the fastest growing segment of the filtration market. Microfiltration membranes are a critical and probably the least understood membrane family for the fastest developing applications. This course will take you down the path for the effective use of Microfiltration membranes for these developing applications.
Discover the power and versatility of microfiltration (MF) technology. This dynamic course is designed to give engineers and designers a clear competitive advantage by unlocking a deep understanding of MF membrane materials, designs, and performance capabilities. From foundational concepts for newcomers to advanced insights into manufacturing methods and product testing, participants gain practical knowledge that translates directly to real-world applications. Dive into the materials, treatments, and design approaches that define today’s MF solutions—and learn how to confidently select and apply the right technology for every challenge.
The instructor adapts the course to cover the areas the attendees are there to learn about.
Course Outline
- Types of Membranes
- Membrane Formation
- Pore Structure
- Pore Size
- Retention Efficiency
- Surface Modification
- Retention Mechanisms
- Flow Characteristics
- Geometries
- Applications
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $425.00
Non-member Pricing: $495.00
Polymer Aerogels as Filter Media
May 12, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Description
Aerogel literature is about 90 years old with very little known applications in separation problems. These high surface area materials offer variable porosity and pore sizes (10 nm-1 micrometer) and a strong potential for air and liquid filtration. Size exclusion, electrostatic charges, surfactant adsorption, and coalescing filtration are some of the mechanisms that work in such materials. The research group of the instructor among others established this field of research and would like to share the knowledge with the AFS community.
Course Outline
- Introduction to aerogels synthesis, fabrication, characterization, and manufacturing
- Applications of aerogels in airborne nanoparticle filtration
- Applications of aerogels in oil/water separation
- Applications of aerogels in PFAS and surfactant separation
- Benchmarking with industry standard media
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $425.00
Non-member Pricing: $495.00
Introduction to Solid/Liquid Separation
May 12, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
Description
This introductory short course provides a comprehensive overview of solid–liquid separation technologies, covering both liquid filtration (using filter media) and field separation methods (without the use of filter media). The course begins with the fundamentals of liquid filtration, including how liquid and particle properties influence separation performance, key filtration principles, and the major categories of liquid filtration equipment and their industrial applications. It then expands into field separation technologies—such as settling, centrifugation, coagulation, and flocculation—which play a critical and complementary role in many separation processes. Using clear terminology and practical examples, the course is designed to give participants a solid foundational understanding of solid–liquid separation across industries.
The course content represents many years of collective industrial experience of instructors with backgrounds spanning materials suppliers, filtration equipment manufacturers, and end users. As a result, it delivers a well balanced perspective that integrates fundamentals, real world practice, and commercial considerations. Importantly, the course covers the breadth of commercially available filtration and separation technologies. Even participants with deep expertise in a specific technology will benefit by gaining insight into competing and complementary approaches, improving technology selection, troubleshooting, and customer engagement. This makes the course highly valuable for both new entrants to the filtration industry and experienced professionals seeking broader perspective and career development.
This course is one of the required courses in the AFS Certification Program to become a certified filtration professional.
Course Outline
The course is composed of four modules to provide thorough coverage of solid–liquid separation fundamentals and applications.
- Liquid Filtration
- Introduction
- How Do Particle and Liquid Properties Affect Liquid Filtration
- Key Principles of Liquid Filtration
- Introduction to Liquid Filtration Equipment
- Liquid Filters – Operation and Design
- Straining Equipment
- Cake filters
- Depth filters
- Membrane filters
- Liquid Filtration Media and Filter Aids
- Where Liquid Filter Media are Used
- Types of Filter media
- Selecting Filter media
- Filter media tests
- Filter aids
- Settling, Centrifugation, Coagulation and Flocculation
- Introduction to Field Separation
- Particle and Liquid Properties related to Field Separation
- Key Principles of Field Separation
- Gravity Separation Equipment and Design
Instructors
Wu Chen, Wenping Li, and Chris Wallace
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $625.00
Non-member Pricing: $795.00
Designing Air Filters
May 12, 2026, from 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET
Description
This course delivers a practical guidance to the essentials of air filter design, equipping participants with the knowledge needed to develop effective, performance driven filtration solutions. Learners are guided through the complete design process—from understanding customer needs and defining design requirements to prototyping and validating final designs. Along the way, the course highlights critical considerations such as filter media selection, key filter components, and manufacturing processes, providing a well rounded perspective that bridges theory and real world application.
Course Outline
- Introduction and Background
- Importance of Air Filtration
- Fundamental Reasons for Air Cleaning
- Application Requirements
- Filtration Performance Criteria
- Additional Requirements
- Filter Media Selection
- Media Velocity
- Variability in Filter Media
- Challenges in Predicting Filter Performance
- Filter Components
- Filter Media
- Binding Agents
- Frames
- Manufacturing Process
- Pleating Equipment
- Framing
- Testing and Validation
- Sources of Variability
- Performance Confidence Intervals
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $245.00
Non-member Pricing: $315.00
Introduction to Liquid Cartridge Filtration
May 12, 2026, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Description
This course provides an in‑depth, practical overview of industrial liquid cartridge filtration, focusing on how cartridge filters are selected, sized, and applied in real process systems. Participants are introduced to the full spectrum of commercially available cartridge filter technologies, along with the principles that govern their performance. The course covers particle and liquid properties, filtration mechanisms, cartridge terminology and ratings, and the characteristics of key cartridge types and equipment. It also addresses cartridge construction, compatibility, cartridge life, pressure drop, system sizing, and industry‑standard test methods used to evaluate cartridge performance. The curriculum reflects real‑world industrial practice and emphasizes practical decision‑making for proper selection of liquid filtration systems.
Course Outline
- Introduction to Liquid Cartridge Filters
- Particle & Liquid Properties
- Absolute, Nominal, Beta Ratings & Efficiencies
- Particle Entrapment Mechanisms in Filter Media
- Maximizing Cartridge Life & Surface Area
- Key Liquid Cartridge Filters & Equipment
- Liquid Cartridge Filter Construction & Design
- Common Applications & Cartridge Filter Selection & Sizing
- Cartridge Filter Testing
Instructors
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $425.00
Non-member Pricing: $495.00
Liquid Filter Testing
May 12, 2026, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Description
The Liquid Filtration Testing basics short course is an introductory course on liquid filtration testing, testing methods and the standard equipment and instruments used. The course will cover filter test techniques and standards for water, fuel, lube oil, hydraulic fluids, and other industrial liquids. In addition, particle characteristics and efficiency methods and ratings will be reviewed.
Course Outline
- Standardization organizations and test standards
- Types and Applications of Liquid Clarification Filters
- Types and uses of filtering media
- Characteristics of liquids, particles and suspensions
- Characteristics of filtering media and filtering cartridges and methods of measurement
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $425.00
Non-member Pricing: $495.00
Separation in Water Treatments
May 12, 2026, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Description
This Continuing Education course provides a practical, engineering-focused overview of pressure‑driven, crossflow membrane technologies, including: Microfiltration (MF), Ultrafiltration (UF), Nanofiltration (NF), and Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Each technology is clearly defined, with discussion of separation mechanisms, operating ranges, materials of construction, and common module configurations used in today’s industrial and municipal systems.
Membrane technologies are widely deployed in drinking water and high‑purity water production, but they are equally effective for wastewater treatment, recovery, and reuse with appropriate pretreatment and system design adjustments. As water availability and quality constraints intensify, wastewater reuse is becoming a critical component of sustainable water management, now and into the future.
This course addresses real‑world design and operating considerations, including:
- Wastewater characterization and membrane‑relevant testing
- Effects of temperature, osmotic pressure, flux, recovery, and pump pressure
- Pretreatment requirements for municipal and industrial wastewaters
- Membrane fouling mechanisms (particulate, organic, biological, and scaling)
- Fouling mitigation strategies and operational best practices
A wastewater reuse case history is presented to illustrate how membrane selection, pretreatment, and operating conditions interact to determine system performance, reliability, and lifecycle cost.
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $425.00
Non-member Pricing: $495.00
Ultrafiltration Membrane
May 12, 2026, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Description
Membrane filtration is the fastest growing segments of the filtration market. This course will provide you with the information you need to explore the applications and technology of one of the fastest growing segments of membrane filtration.
Unlock a deeper understanding of ultrafiltration (UF) and gain a competitive edge in system design and application. This course explores the full spectrum of UF technologies—covering membrane materials, innovative designs, and performance-enhancing treatments—to help engineers and designers make smarter, more effective choices. Starting with a clear introduction for newcomers and advancing to detailed insights into manufacturing methods and product testing, the course delivers practical knowledge you can apply immediately.
Discover how the right UF materials and designs drive performance across a wide range of applications. It will cover applications in water recovery and reuse, food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and medical. They are critical in developing sustainable and circular processes. These membranes are a significant part of the current membrane revolution to counter water bankruptcy.
The instructor adapts the course to cover the areas the attendees are there to learn about.
Course Outline
- Terminology
- Types of Membranes
- Membrane Formation
- Film Structure
- NMWCO
- Retention Efficiency
- Flow Characteristics
- Geometries
- Cross Flow Filtration
- Applications
Course Fees
Member Pricing: $425.00
Non-member Pricing: $495.00