Free-standing liquid membranes for substance separation, filtration, extraction, and blockage

A method of selectively separating objects, the method comprising

• passing at least one first object having a first kinetic energy value through a free standing liquid membrane while retaining the membrane and also preventing at least one second object having a second kinetic energy value from passing through the membrane while retaining the membrane, the at least one second object includes a gas or a non-solid object and the at least one first object includes a non-gaseous object or a solid object;
• wherein the first kinetic energy value is greater than the second kinetic energy value;
• and
• wherein the free-standing liquid membrane comprises at least one liquid and at least one surfactant.

A free-standing liquid membrane comprising at least one liquid and at least one surfactant;

• wherein the liquid membrane is configured so that at least one first object having a first kinetic energy value is passable through the free standing liquid membrane while retaining the membrane and at least one second object having a second kinetic energy value is prevented from passing through the membrane while retaining the membrane, the at least one second object including a gas or a non-solid object and the at least one first object includes a non-gaseous object or a solid object;
• wherein the first kinetic energy value is greater than the second kinetic energy value;
• and
• wherein the free standing liquid membrane is self-healing so that the liquid membrane remains intact for at least 5 minutes with at least 10 perturbations.