A microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device and method
AssigneeMonash University
InventorsRuhollah HABIBI, Adrian NEILD
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device. The device comprises a flow passage through which can be directed a liquid suspension supporting microparticles and/or nanoparticles therein, and at least one packed bed of particles physically retained within the flow passage through which can pass therethrough the liquid suspension. The device further comprises an ultrasonic actuation system for mechanically activating the or each packed bed during passage therethrough of the liquid suspension.
Claims60
A microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device comprising:
- a flow passage through which can be directed a liquid suspension supporting microparticles and/or nanoparticles therein;
- at least one packed bed of particles physically retained within the flow passage through which can pass therethrough the liquid suspension;
- and
- an ultrasonic actuation system for mechanically activating the or each packed bed during passage therethrough of the liquid suspension.
The microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each particle is formed of a polymeric material.
The microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein particles have a dimension measured in micrometres.
The microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of said packed beds are provided, each packed bed being formed from particles of different shapes, dimensions and/or material properties.
The microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each packed bed is mechanically actuated at or near a resonance frequency of the particles forming the packed bed.
The microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a packed bed retaining system for retaining the packed bed in position within the flow passage, while allowing the passage of microparticle and/or nanoparticles therethrough.
The microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ultrasonic actuation device is a piezoelectric device.
A method of separating, filtering and/or enriching microparticles and/or nanoparticles from a liquid suspension comprising:
- directing the liquid suspension through a flow passage within which is provided one or more packed beds of physically retained particles through which passes the liquid suspension;
- and
- mechanically activating the or each bed while the liquid suspension passes through to thereby capture microparticles and/or nanoparticles within the or each packed bed.
A system for separating, filtering and/or enriching microparticles and/or nanoparticles from a liquid suspension, the system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- memory comprising computer executable code, which when executed by the one or more processors, is configured to perform a filtration process and a subsequent collection process,
- wherein during the filtration process, the one or more processors are configured to:
- activate a first switch, wherein the first switch is configured to control fluid flow along a first conduit, the first conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between an outlet of a microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device and a first receptacle, and whereby activating the first switch allows fluid flow between the outlet and the first receptacle;
- and
- trigger an ultrasound signal to cause an ultrasonic transducer of the device to generate a sound wave to activate a packed bed of particles of the device, to thereby cause microparticles and/or nanoparticles of a liquid suspension to be trapped and collected inside the device and for filtered liquid to be conveyed along the first conduit to the receptacle;
- and
- wherein during the collection process, the one or more processors are configured to:
- turn off the ultrasound signal to stop activation of the packed bed of particles of the device;
- and
- deactivate the first switch to impede fluid flow between the outlet and the first receptacle;
- and
- activate a second switch, wherein the second switch is configured to control fluid flow along a second conduit, the second conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between the outlet of the device and a second receptacle, and whereby activating the second switch allows fluid flow between the outlet and the second receptacle.
A method for separating, filtering and/or enriching microparticles and/or nanoparticles from a liquid suspension, the method comprising:
- a filtration process and a subsequent collection process,
- wherein the filtration process comprises:
- activating a first switch, wherein the first switch is configured to control fluid flow along a first conduit, the first conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between an outlet of a microparticle and/or nanoparticle separation, filtration and/or enriching device and a first receptacle, and whereby activating the first switch allows fluid flow between the outlet and the first receptacle;
- and
- triggering an ultrasound signal to cause an ultrasonic transducer of the device to generate a sound wave to activate a packed bed of particles of the device, to thereby cause microparticles and/or nanoparticles of a liquid suspension to be trapped and collected inside the device and for filtered liquid to be conveyed along the first conduit to the receptacle;
- and
- wherein the collection process comprises:
- turning off the ultrasound signal to stop activation of the packed bed of particles of the device;
- and
- deactivating the first switch to impede fluid flow between the outlet and the first receptacle;
- and
- activating a second switch, wherein the second switch is configured to control fluid flow along a second conduit, the second conduit arranged to provide fluid communication between the outlet of the device and a second receptacle, and whereby activating the second switch allows fluid flow between the outlet and the second receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.