Dr. Jan Back, MSc

2020 - present
Lecturer - Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering - MCI - The Entrepreneurial School

2016 - 2020
Doctoral researcher - Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering - Management Center Innsbruck

2015
Visiting Researcher - Groundwater Contamination - University of Strathclyde

2013 - 2015
Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter - V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik

2012
Bachelorant - Biogene Rohstoffe - Fraunhofer Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung

2016 - 2021
PhD in Chemistry - University of Innsbruck (Dr)

2013 - 2015
Umwelt-, Verfahrens- und Energietechnik, Studienzweig Umwelttechnik - MCI Management Center Innsbruck (MSc)

2009 - 2012
Umwelt-, Verfahrens- und Biotechnologie, Studienzweig Umwelttechnik - MCI Management Center Innsbruck (BSc)

2022
Landeshauptstadt Innsbruck
Wissenschaftspreis der Landeshauptstadt Innsbruck für Forschung und Innovation am MCI - Der Unternehmerischen Hochschule

• Marx, J., Back, J., Hoiss, L., Hofer, M., Pham, T., Spruck, M., Chemical Regeneration of Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Micropollutant Removal from Wastewater, Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 95, No. 9 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.202300075
• D. Bosch, J. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, A. Bockreis. Alternative feedstock for the production of activated carbon with ZnCl2: Forestry residue biomass and waste wood. Carbon Resources Conversion, 2022, 5(4), 299-309.
• D. Bosch, J. O. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, and A. Bockreis, "Alternative feedstock for the production of activated carbon with ZnCl2: Forestry residue biomass and waste wood," Carbon Resources Conversion, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 299-309, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.crcon.2022.09.001
• M. Ejtemaei, S. Sadighi, M. Rashidzadeh, S. Khorram, J. Back, P. Kheyrollahi-Nezhad, S. Penner, M. Noisternig, D. Salari, A. Niaei. Effect of O2/N2 Glow Discharge Plasma on Zeolite Extrudates as Water Adsorbent. Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification, 2022, 181, 109084.
• N. Kalantari, M. Bekheet, P. Kheyrollahi-Nezhada, J. Back, A. Farzi, S. Penner, N. Delibaş, S. Schwarz, J. Bernardi, D. Salari, A. Niaei. Effect of chromium and boron incorporation methods on structural and catalytic properties of hierarchical ZSM-5 in the methanol-to-propylene process. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2022, 111, 168-182.
• M. Ejtemaei, S. Sadighi, M. Rashidzadeh, S. Khorram, J. Back, S. Penner, M. Noistering, D. Salari, A. Niaei. Investigating the Cold Plasma Surface Modification of Kaolin- and Attapulgite-Bound Zeolite A, Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2021, 106, 113-127.
• J. Back, B. Hupfauf, A. Rößler, S. Penner, M. Rupprich. Adsorptive removal of micropollutants from wastewater with floating-fixed-bed gasification char. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2020, 8(3), 103757.
• J. Back, R. Brandstätter, M. Spruck, M. Koch, S. Penner, M. Rupprich. Parameter Screening of PVDF/PVP Multi-Channel Capillary Membranes. Polymers, 2019, 11(3), 463.
• J. Back, W. Stadlmayr, S. Jabornig, F. Winkler, K. Winkler, M. Rupprich. Removal of Arsenic from Water with Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP), Coagulation and Membrane Filtration. Water, 2018, 10(10), 1385.
• J. Back, T. Obholzer, K. Winkler, S. Jabornig, M. Rupprich. Combining ultrafiltration and non-thermal plasma for low energy degradation of pharmaceuticals from conventionally treated wastewater. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2018, 6(6), 7377-7385.
• J. Back, M. Spruck, M. Koch, L. Mayr, S. Penner, M. Rupprich. Poly(piperazine-amide)/PES Composite Multi-Channel Capillary Membranes for Low-Pressure Nanofiltration. Polymers, 2017, 9(12), 654.
• J. Back, M. Rivett, L. Hinz, N. Mackay, G. Wanangwa, O. Phiri, C. Songolae, M. Thomas, S. Kumwenda, M. Nhlema, A. Miller, R. Kalin. Risk assessment to groundwater of pit latrine rural sanitation policy in developing country settings. Science of The Total Environment, 2018, 613-614, 592-610.

• J. Back, B. Hupfauf, S. Penner. Adsorption von Mikroschadstoffen mit Holzvergaserkohle: Das ungenutzte Potential von Schwebefestbettvergaserkohle. Aqua & Gas, 10, 2020, 66-72.

• J. Back. Rethinking Water Treatment: Membranes, Adsorption, Advanced Oxidation and Natural Attenuation. Dissertation, University of Innsbruck, 2021, Innsbruck, Austria.

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Abfallwirtschaft e.V. and Fakultät für Bau- und Umweltingenieurwesen der Technischen Universität Wien, Eds., 13. Wissenschaftskongress Kreislauf- und Ressourcenwirtschaft am 15. und 16. Februar 2024 an der Technischen Universität Wien. Innsbruck university press, 2024.
• D. Bosch, J. O. Back, L. Nohel, A. Hofmann, and A. Bockreis, "A promising material stream? Activated carbon from municipal residues for micropollutant adsorption," in Proceedings of the 17th Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik, Vienna, Apr. 2023, pp. 33-36, ISBN: 978-3-900397-08-1
• Jana Marx, Philipp Much, Jan Back, Tung Pham and Martin Spruck. Comparison of Mixed-Matrix Membranes with Embedded Boron Nitride and Powdered Activated Carbon for Micro pollutant Removal. Proceedings of the 17th Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik. 2023. ISBN: 978-3-900397-08-1
• D. Bosch, J. O. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, G. Langergraber. Activation by Means of Chemical Impregnation with ZnCl2 - A study on Surface Characteristics. Oral Presentation and Conference Proceedings at 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria.
• D. Bosch, J. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, G. Langergraber. Activation by Means of Chemical Impregnation with ZnCl2 - A study on Surface Characteristics. Oral Presentation and Conference Proceedings at 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria.
• M. Koch, P. Schmidt, S. Guggenberger, J. Back, M. Spruck, A. Hofmann, A. Bockreis. Mixed-Matrix Membranes with Renewable Carbon-Based Filler for Gas Separation Applications. Oral Presentation and Conference Proceedings at 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria.
• J. Back, M. Spruck, M. Koch, S. Penner, M. Rupprich. Mixed-Matrix Membranen zur Entfernung von Mikroschadstoffen aus Trink- und Abwasser. Presentation at 14th Research Forum of the Association of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences (FFH), 2021, FHWien, Vienna (Online), Austria.
• J. Back, M. Spruck, M. Koch, S. Penner. Diclofenac Removal and Fouling Behaviour of Multi-Channel Mixed Matrix Membranes (MCMMM) with Activated Carbon. Presentation at 16th Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik, Vienna (Online), 2020.
• M. Koch, T. Neuner, M. Rauter, J.O. Back, M. Spruck, A. Bockreis, M. Rupprich. Optimized fabrication of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ionic liquid blended membranes for gas separation. Poster presentation at ILSEPT - 4th International Conference on Ionic Liquids in Separation and Purification Technology, 2019, Sitges, Spain.
• M. Koch, T. Neuner, M. Rauter, J.O. Back, M. Spruck, A. Bockreis, M. Rupprich. Fabrication and characterization of highly selective polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-ionic liquid blended membranes for gas separation. Poster presentation at REGATEC 2019 - 6th International Conference on Renewable Energy Gas Technology, 2019, Malmö, Sweden.
• J. Back, R. Brandstätter, M. Spruck, M. Koch, S. Penner, M. Rupprich. How can Design of Experiments (DoE) support the Membrane Fabrication Process? - Parameter Screening Study of PVDF Multi-Channel Membranes. Poster presentation at 15th Minisymposium Chemical & Process Engineering, 2019, Leoben, Austria.
• J. Back, R. Brandstätter, M. Spruck, M. Koch, M. Rupprich. Fabrication of PVDF multi-channel capillary membranes and their application in water treatment. Presentation at ACHEMA 2018 - Membranes and Membrane Processes, 2018, Frankfurt, Germany.
• J. Back, M. Spruck, M. Koch, M. Rupprich. Thin film composite multi-channel membranes prepared via interfacial polymerization for nanofiltration. Poster presentation at 13th Minisymposium Chemical & Process Engineering, 2017, Innsbruck, Austria.
• M. Koch, S. Orsatti, B. Hupfauf, M. Spruck, J. Back, A. Bockreis, M. Rupprich. Study on microporous and dense supported ionic liquid membranes for gas separation, 3rd International Conference on Ionic Liquids in Separation and Purification Technology, 2017, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• J. Back, R. Kalin, M. Rupprich. Prevention of Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines - Case study of a proposed risk modeling approach, BALEWARE 2016: Sustainable Energy and Clean Water, 2016, Arusha, Tanzania.
• J. Back, M. Spruck, M. Mühlegger, M. Rupprich. Preparation of PVDF multichannel capillary membranes for water treatment. Poster Presentation at Membranes and Membrane Processes Design, The 2016 European Membrane Society Summer School, 2016, Bertinoro, Italy.

J. Back, A. Hofmann. Aktivkohle aus kommunalen Rest- und Abfallhölzern und Anwendung in der Wasserrreinhaltung. Presentation at DWA AG KA-8.6 "Aktivkohle" - Expertengespräch, 2024, Kassel, Germany.

D. Bosch, L. Nohel, J. v. Varnbüler, J. O. Back, A. Hofmann, and A. Bockreis, "One-Step Activation of Residual Wood - A Contribution to the Circular Economy", 13. Wissenschaftskongress Kreislauf- und Ressourcenwirtschaft am 15. und 16. Februar 2024 an der Technischen Universität Wien.

Jana Marx, Jan Back, Tung Pham, Rania Bakry and Martin Spruck. Matrix Effects on the Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater through Filtration with Multi-Channel Mixed-Matrix Membranes. 4th International Conference on risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in the environment 2023, Barcelona, Spain.

D. Bosch, L. Nohel, J. O. Back, A. Hofmann, and A. Bockreis, "One-Step Activation of Residual Wood - A Contribution to the Circular Economy", Oral Presentation at BioChar Summit 2023, 06/2023, Helsingborg, Sweden

Bachmann, C., Groth, J., Patschg, P., Praxmarer, S., Senn, P., Unterhofer, H., Back, J., Möltner, L., Heizungs- und Warmwasserauslegung für ein Mehrparteienhaus mit Wärmepumpe und Photovoltaik Unterstützung. 2023, Poster presentation at 16. Forschungsforum der österreichischen Fachhochschulen (FFH), 19.-20.4.2023.

D. Bosch, J. O. Back, L. Nohel, A. Hofmann, and A. Bockreis, "A promising material stream? Activated carbon from municipal residues for micropollutant adsorption," in Proceedings of the 17th Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik, Vienna, Apr. 2023, pp. 33-36.

Jana Marx, Martin Hofer, Jan Back, Tung Pham und Martin Spruck. Chemische Regeration von Mixed-Matrix Membranen zur Entfernung pharmazeutischer Spurenstoffe aus dem Abwasser. Vortrag bei der DGMT Tagung 2023: Membranen in der Lebensmittel- und Pharmaindustrie. 2023, Kassel, Deutschland.

Jana Marx, Jan Back, Marc Koch, Martin Spruck. Chemical Regeneration of Mixed-Matrix Multi-Channel Membranes with Embedded Activated Carbon for Water Treatment. Poster at EMS Summer School 2022, Alentejo, Portugal

J. Marx, M. Hofer, J. Back, M. Koch, M. Spruck. Removal of the Pharmaceuticals Diclofenac, Carbamazepine and Paracetamol from Wastewater through Multi‐channel Capillary Membranes with Embedded Powdered Activated Carbon. Poster at Euromembrane 2021, Copenhagen, Denmark.

J. Back. Kombinationsverfahren aus Adsorption und Membrantechnik: Verschiedene Blickwinkel und weitreichende Möglichkeiten. Presentation at Forum Technologie & Life Sciences, Josef Ressel Zentrum für die Produktion von Pulveraktivkohle aus kommunalen Reststoffen, MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, 2021, Innsbruck, Austria.

D. Bosch, J. O. Back, D. Gurtner, S. Giberti, A. Hofmann, G. Langergraber. Activation by Means of Chemical Impregnation with ZnCl2 - A study on Surface Characteristics. Oral Presentation and Conference Proceedings at 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection (SEEP), 2021, BOKU, Vienna (Online), Austria.

J. Back, B. Hupfauf, A. Rössler, S. Penner, M. Rupprich. Mikroschadstoffadsorption mit Holzkohle aus einem Schwebefestbett-Vergasungsprozess. Poster at DECHEMA - Spurenstoffe und Krankheitserreger im Wasserkreislauf (SUK), 2021, Frankfurt (Online), Germany.

J. Back, M. Spruck, M. Koch, S. Penner. Micropollutant removal with mixed-matrix membranes from PES and activated carbon. Poster at 12th International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM), 2020, London (Online), UK.

M. Spruck, J. Back, M. Koch, M. Pillei. PES and PVDF mixed matrix multi-channel capillary membranes of the removal of diclofenac. Presentation at 12th International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM), 2020, London (Online), UK.

J. Back, B. Hupfauf, T. Hämmerle, R. Nussbaumer, A. Hofmann, M. Rupprich, A. Rößler, S. Penner, S. Martini. Industrial Application of Biochar and Charcoal: A Case Study of Gasification Char in Micropollutant Adsorption. Presentation at CEBC - 6th Central European Biomass Conference, Workshop Biochar, 2020, Graz, Austria.

J. Back, B. Hupfauf, A. Rößler, S. Penner, A. Hofmann, M. Rupprich. Holzvergaserkohle in der Abwasserreinigung: Potentielle Anwendung von Holzkohle aus Biomassevergasung am Beispiel Mikroschadstoff-Adsorption. Presentation at IAKB - 10. Internationale Anwenderkonferenz Biomassevergasung, 2019, Innsbruck, Austria.

M. Rivett, J. Back, N. Mackay, L. Hinz, A. Miller, R. Kalin. On the rise of pit latrines and the safeguard of groundwater in Southern Malawi. Presentation at 44th IAH Congress: Groundwater Heritage and Sustainability, 2017, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

2023 - 2024
Projektleitung - MemComPolice - Einsatz von Membran-Kombinationsverfahren als Polizeifilter in der Trinkwasseraufbereitung - MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, IKB-Forschungsförderung

2022 - 2025
Projektleitung MCI - PFAS-Trap - MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, KPC Altlastenforschung

2020 - 2022
Projektleitung - Activated Membrane - Herstellung und Optimierung von Hybrid-Membranen mit eingebetteter Aktivkohle zur Entfernung von Mikroschadstoffen - MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, TWF

2017 - 2018
Mitarbeit - PHARMAQUA - MCI - The Entrepreneurial School, KPC Siedlungswasserwirtschaft

2011 - 2015
Viva con Agua Austria - Ehrenamtliches Engagement und Mitgründer -

2016 - present
Member - European Membrane Society (EMS)

Furtner Florian Michael (2021): Charakterisierung und Optimierung eines Hohlfasermembranmoduls

Steixner Paul (2020): Vergleich von Potting-Methoden für die Konstruktion von Membranmodulen

Tschugmell Jeremias (2019): From Microfiltration to the Removal of Micro Pollutants: Fabrication and Characterization of a Novel PVDF/PVP Multi-Channel Membrane with Embedded Activated Carbon

Steinberger Felix (2019): Herstellung und Untersuchung des Foulingverhaltens von Polyvinylidenflourid-Mehrkanalkapillarmembranen mit eingebetteter Aktivkohle

Schenk Hannes (2018): Herstellung von Nanofiltrationsmembranen mittels Oberflächenpolymerisation

Schenk Hannes (2018): Herstellung von NF-Membranen mittels Oberflächepolymerisation

Trenkwalder Stefan (2017): Technische Dokumentation eines Aufwickelsystems für die Herstellung von Mehrkanal-Kapillar-Membranen

Trenkwalder Stefan (2017): Konstruktion eines Aufwickelsystems für Nassspinnverfahren und Unersuchung der Auswirkungen auf Qualität und Beschaffenheit bei der Herstellung von Mehrkanal-Kapillarmembranen

Frenger Johannes (2016): Charakterisierung neuartiger flexibler Keramikmembranen und weitere Beschichtung im thermischen Spritzbeschichtungs- und Nassbeschichtungsverfahren