Rotary Filter Apparatus For Roll-To-Roll Nanomaterial Dispersion Papermaking

An apparatus for nanomaterial dispersion papermaking comprises:

• a housing;
• a porous surface, at least a portion of the porous surface being disposed within the housing;
• a seal arranged between the porous surface and a portion of the housing, the seal fluidically sealing the porous filter to the portion of the housing;
• a plurality of fluid ports disposed adjacent to the porous surface;
• at least one reservoir wherein the at least one reservoir is coupled fluidically to the plurality of fluid ports, the at least one reservoir containing a nanomaterial dispersion, wherein the nanomaterial dispersion of the at least one reservoir comprises a carrier fluid capable of carrying a suspension suspended in the carrier fluid through one or more lines to one or more of the plurality of fluid ports and a suspension suspended in the carrier fluid, the suspension comprising at least one nanomaterial;
• a pump arranged to pump the nanomaterial dispersion from the at least one reservoir to one or more of the plurality of fluid ports;
• a suction zone arranged in a portion of the housing such that a suction pressure differential induces at least a portion of the carrier fluid of the nanomaterial dispersion to pass through the porous surface, the porous surface separating the at least a portion of the carrier fluid from the suspension when the nanomaterial dispersion is directed through one or more of the plurality of fluid ports, wherein the suspension is incorporated into a mat on the porous surface while the porous surface passes through the suction zone;
• and
• a controller is electronically coupled to a plurality of valves to open and close each of the plurality of valves at specific times such that the controller determines a composition of the mat on the porous surface at specific, three-dimensional locations within the mat formed on the porous surface.