Nanoengineered membranes for controlled transport

A structure for controlling transport of a material, the structure comprising:

• a membrane enclosure having at least one outer wall, at least a portion of one outer wall comprising a plurality of spaced apart fibers having a fiber width of 250 nanometers or less;
• and
• a material located within the membrane enclosure, the material having a physical or chemical property such that the material is selectively restricted by the fibers from passing from the inside to the outside of the enclosure;
• and
• means for controlling transport of the material both into and out of the membrane enclosure.

A membrane for controlling material transport, the membrane comprising:

• a membrane enclosure comprising a substrate and a cover and an outer wall;
• the cover defining a channel between the substrate and the cover;
• and
• a plurality of fibers connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate, the fibers being positioned in the channel, the fibers being aligned within 45 degrees of perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and the fibers having a width of 100 nanometers or less, and
• means for controlling transport of a molecule both into and out of the membrane enclosure,
• wherein at least two of the fibers are bonded to separate conductive leads,
• wherein the outer wall of the membrane enclosure comprises at least a portion of the fibers, and
• wherein the separate conductive leads are in electrical communication with a source of electricity.

A membrane for controlling material transport, the membrane comprising:

• a membrane enclosure comprising a substrate and a cover and an outer wall, the substrate and the cover at least partially defining a channel between the substrate and the cover;
• and
• a plurality of fibers connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate, the fibers being positioned in the channel, the fibers being aligned within 45 degrees of perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and the fibers having a width of 100 nanometers or less, and
• means for controlling transport of a molecule both into and out of the membrane enclosure,
• wherein at least a first group of the fibers have a first coating,
• wherein the outer wall of the membrane enclosure comprises at least a portion of the fibers, and
• wherein at least a second group of the fibers have at least a second coating different from the first coating, wherein the difference in the first coating and the second coating alters material transport through the membrane.

A membrane for controlling material transport, the membrane comprising:

• a membrane enclosure comprising a substrate and a cover and an outer wall, the substrate and the cover at least partially defining a channel between the substrate and the cover;
• and
• a plurality of fibers connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate, the fibers being positioned in the channel, the fibers being aligned within 45 degrees of perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the fibers being aligned to each other, and the fibers having a width of 100 nanometers or less, and
• means for controlling transport of a material both into and out of the membrane enclosure;
• wherein at least a portion of the fibers have a coating,
• wherein the outer wall of the membrane enclosure comprises at least a portion of the fibers, and
• wherein the means for controlling transport comprises a region of fibers having a coating that changes volume upon application of a signal, and
• wherein at least a portion of the fibers contact the cover.

A membrane for controlling material transport, the membrane comprising:

• a substrate and a cover, the substrate and the cover at least partially defining a channel between the substrate and the cover;
• and
• a plurality of fibers connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate, the fibers being positioned in the channel, the fibers being aligned within 45 degrees of perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and the fibers having a width of 100 nanometers or less,
• wherein the plurality of fibers are separated into greater than two regions of fibers, a first region of fibers having fibers with a first coating, a second region of fibers having fibers with a second coating, and a third region of fibers separating the first region of fibers and the second region of fibers, the fibers in the third region being uncoated.