Nanoporous membranes for fast diffusion of ions and small molecules

A product, comprising:

• a first chamber configured to receive a feed fluid;
• a second chamber configured to receive a permeate fluid;
• and
• a nanoporous membrane between the first and second chambers for transporting a component from the feed fluid under a concentration gradient,
• wherein the nanoporous membrane comprises:
• a plurality of carbon nanotubes having substantially parallel longitudinal axes;
• and
• a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the nanoporous membrane except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes,
• wherein an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 10 nanometers or less,
• wherein both ends of at least some of the carbon nanotubes are open,
• wherein the fill material is impermeable to the component and fluids,
• wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of:
• ions having an average diameter smaller than an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes, and molecules having an average diameter smaller than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes,
• with a proviso that the product is configured to not apply a pressure gradient across the nanoporous membrane.

A method, comprising:

• adding a feed fluid to a first chamber;
• and
• adding a permeate fluid to a second chamber,
• wherein the first and second chambers are separated by a nanoporous membrane configured for transporting a component from the feed fluid to the permeate fluid under a concentration gradient,
• wherein the nanoporous membrane comprises:
• a plurality of carbon nanotubes having substantially parallel longitudinal axes;
• and
• a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the nanoporous membrane except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes,
• wherein an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 10 nanometers or less,
• wherein both ends of at least some of the carbon nanotubes are open,
• wherein the fill material is impermeable,
• wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of:
• ions having an average diameter smaller than an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes, and molecules having an average diameter smaller than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes,
• wherein no pressure gradient is applied across the nanoporous membrane.