Freeze-cast ceramic membrane for size based filtration

A method of using a porous material, the method comprising:

• flowing a liquid mixture through a plurality of dendritic pores of the material;
• wherein the liquid mixture comprises a first distribution of particles and a second distribution of particles, wherein the second distribution of particles has an average diameter less than an average diameter of the first distribution of particles;
• and
• separating the particles according to a size characteristic of each particle;
• wherein:
• the porous material comprises an internal structure, the internal structure comprising the plurality of dendritic pores;
• each dendritic pore has a main channel and a respective plurality of secondary arms each in fluid-communication with the main channel;
• the main channel of each dendritic pore extends along a primary growth axis and each secondary arm of the same dendritic pore extends along a secondary growth axis that is different from the primary growth axis of its respective main channel;
• a length of the main channel of each dendritic pore is greater than a length of each respective secondary arm;
• a cross-sectional dimension of the dendritic pores is selected from the range of 500 nm to 500 μm;
• wherein the step of separating comprises delaying or capturing at least a portion of the second distribution of particles within the secondary arms while at least a portion of the first distribution of particles flows through the internal structure of the porous material via the main channels of the dendritic pores;
• and
• wherein the main channel of each dendritic pore is fluidically isolated from the main channel and secondary arms of every other dendritic pore.