Thin fluid layers and streams facilitated, force-based atom, ion, molecule, and fine particle separators and methods of using the same

A thin fluid film separator, comprising:

• at least one support having a surface, the at least one support including at least one inclined surface, at least one rotatable cylinder, or a channel or tube, or a collection of channels or tubes;
• a fluid source that is configured to hold a fluid that includes one or more entities to be separated therein, the fluid source being configured to apply the fluid to the surface of the at least one support, wherein the surface of the at least one support is configured to form a thin fluid film thereon after receiving the fluid from the fluid source;
• one or more collection devices positioned proximate to the at least one support to receive fluid leaving the surface of the at least one support;
• and
• at least one force application device configured to apply a force to a portion of the thin fluid film on the surface of the at least one support, the force including at least one of a centrifugal force, a magnetic force, an electric or electrostatic force, an electrolytic force, a concentration gradient, a hydrophobic force or a hydrophilic force.

A method for separating atoms, ions, isotopes, molecules, or fine particles, the method comprising:

• providing a thin fluid layers or streams-based separation device comprising:
• at least one support having a surface, the at least one support including at least one inclined surface, at least one rotatable cylinder, or a channel or collection of channels or fluid pathways;
• a fluid source that is configured to hold a fluid that includes one or more entities to be separated therein, the fluid source being configured to apply a fluid to the surface of the at least one support, wherein the separator is configured to form one or more thin fluid layers or streams on the surface after receiving the fluid from the fluid source;
• a force application device configured to apply a desired force to a portion of the supported thin fluid layers, tubes, channels, or streams, the force including at least one of a centrifugal force, a magnetic force, an electric or electrostatic force, an electrolytic force, a concentration gradient, a hydrophobic force or a hydrophilic force;
• and
• one or more collection devices, channels, tubes, or layers positioned to receive fluid enriched or depleted in atoms, ions, isotopes, molecules, or fine particles of the entities to be separated, leaving a region in which the desired force is applied;
• and
• using the thin fluid layers or streams-based separation device to separate select atoms, ions, isotopes, molecules, or fine particles of the entities within the fluid source.