Programmable membrane system
AssigneeEmpire Technology Development LLC
InventorSeth Adrian Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Functionalized membranes for use in applications, such as electrodeionization, can be prepared simply and efficiently by associating a first element of a specific binding pair to a membrane surface and binding a second species comprising the second element of the specific binding pair and at least one functional group to form a complex on the membrane surface. Such membranes may be reversibly modified by disassociating the complex, thereby, providing a fresh surface which may be re-modified according to the preceding methods.
Claims15
A method for providing a reversibly-functionalized membrane comprising:
- providing a membrane and solution, wherein:
- the membrane comprises,
- a porous support including a plurality of pores therein;
- and
- a conductive metal coating at least partially defining a surface having a first species operatively attached thereto, wherein the conductive metal coating has a thickness that coats an interior surface of at least some of the plurality of pores without clogging the at least some of the plurality of pores and the first species comprises a first element of a specific binding pair;
- and
- the solution comprises a second species comprising a second element of the specific binding pair and at least one functional group, wherein the at least one functional group is chemically bonded either directly or through a linking group to the second element of the specific binding pair;
- and the membrane can be reversibly-functionalized by contacting the membrane with the solution;
- contacting the membrane with the solution to functionalize the membrane with the at least one functional group of the second element of the specific binding pair;
- using the functionalized membrane to filter a substance.
A method for using a membrane comprising:
- contacting a membrane with a solution, wherein:
- the membrane is a porous membrane and comprises a conductive metal coating at least partially defining a surface having a first species operatively attached thereto, wherein the conductive metal coating has a thickness of about 50 nm to about 1000 nm that coats an interior surface of at least some of the plurality of pores without clogging the at least some of the plurality of pores and the first species comprises a first element of a specific binding pair;
- and
- the solution comprises a second species comprising a second element of the specific binding pair and at least one functional group, wherein the at least one functional group is chemically bonded either directly or through a linking group to the second element of the specific binding pair;
- in response to said contacting, the first and second elements of the specific binding pair form a complex on the surface of the membrane to form a reversibly functionalized membrane and one or more of the at least one functional group comprises nanoparticles;
- and
- using the functionalized membrane to filter a substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.