Forward osmosis membranes

A method of facilitating an osmotically driven separation process, comprising:

• providing a forward osmosis membrane, wherein the step of providing the forward osmosis membrane comprises:
• providing a support structure comprising a bilayer substrate including first and second separable layers;
• applying a material to the first layer of the bilayer substrate of the support structure to form a membrane support layer;
• applying a barrier material to the membrane support layer to form the forward osmosis membrane;
• and
• separating the second layer of the bilayer substrate from the first layer of the bilayer substrate to form the forward osmosis membrane;
• introducing a source of a draw solution to a first side of the membrane;
• and
• introducing a source of a feed solution to a second side of the membrane.

A forward osmosis membrane comprising:

• a support structure comprising a bilayer substrate including first and second separable layers;
• a membrane support layer disposed on the first layer of the bilayer substrate of the support structure;
• and
• a barrier material layer disposed on the membrane support layer, wherein the second layer of the bilayer substrate is separated from the first layer of the bilayer substrate to form the forward osmosis membrane.

A forward osmosis membrane, comprising:

• a support structure having a Frazier air permeability of greater than about 50 cfm/ft2 min and a thickness of less than about 2 mils;
• a membrane support layer disposed on the support structure;
• and
• a barrier material layer disposed on the membrane support layer.