Abstract:
A device is configured for separation of particulates dispersed within a base fluid, wherein the particulates have a relative density difference compared to the base fluid. The device comprises a microchannel of length l and height h comprising an inlet and an outlet; a microporous surface on one or more walls of the microchannel; a collection chamber on an opposing side of the microporous surface; and an applied force field across the height h of the microchannel to sediment the particles through the microporous surface into the collection chamber. The microporous body operationally generates a fluid flow regime comprising a first fluid flow having a first flow rate through the microchannel and a second fluid flow having a second flow rate through the collection chamber and the second flow rate is a fraction of the first flow rate.
Abstract:
A device comprising a modified porous membrane is provided. The modified porous membrane comprises a polymer coating grafted to a porous membrane. The device is used for analyte detection from a biological sample using an immunoassay. The device comprises a sample application zone at one end of the device for applying a biological sample comprising a target analyte; and a detection zone present at another end of the device, downstream of the sample application zone for detecting the target analyte, wherein the detection zone comprises one or more first biomolecules immobilized on a modified porous membrane having a structure of Formula (I).
Abstract:
Methods for treating water containing dissolved solids, suspended solids, organic material, or combinations include contacting the water with a coated membrane comprising a coating material disposed on a membrane substrate, the coating material comprising structural units derived from a compound of formula I, a compound of formula II and a compound of formula III; wherein R1, R2, and R3 are, independently at each occurrence, C1-C12 alkyl; R4 is alkylsilyl; L1 is alkylurethanyl; L2 and L3 are, independently at each occurrence, alkyl; X is hydroxy, alkoxy, or alkylamino; and m, n, and p, independently at each occurrence, range between 4 and 9. The coated membrane is joined to a backing in membrane filtration apparatuses for use in the methods.
Abstract:
A porous membrane patterning technique is provided. In one embodiment, a porous membrane may be patterned via printing on the porous membrane with a solvent such that the porous membrane collapses where the solvent is applied. In another embodiment, a patterned porous membrane may be formed by casting a solution including at least components of the porous membrane into voids of a casting plate or stencil, removing the casting plate, and letting the remaining components go through a phase inversion process to form porous membrane regions.
Abstract:
A microclarification system is disclosed which can be used to separate solid particulates dispersed within a base fluid such as water. The microclarification system includes a plurality of microfluidic separator units disposed between and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet manifold and a fluid outlet manifold. The microclarification system enforces lamellar flow of fluid though it and as a result the rate at which particles settle is enhanced within a collection chamber associated with each microfluidic separator unit and through which the fluid being purified must pass. Each microfluidic separator unit includes a microfluidic outlet microchannel disposed between the microfluidic collection chamber and the fluid outlet manifold, and a gas-liquid flushing module configured to purge particulates from the collection chamber during a collection chamber purge cycle. Optionally, each microfluidic separator unit may include a microfluidic inlet microchannel. The system holds promise in municipal water purification among other applications.
Abstract:
Provided herein are copolymers and copolymer compositions that are both hydrophilic and oleophobic. The copolymers include structural units derived from a fluoroalkyl monomer and a zwitterionic monomer. It further relates to membranes formed by coating a porous substrate with the copolymeric compositions. The copolymeric coating imparts hydrophilicity and oleophobicity/oil-tolerance to the membranes. The uses of such membranes as microfiltration membrane or ultrafiltration membrane are also provided.
Abstract:
A porous membrane patterning technique is provided. In one embodiment, a porous membrane may be patterned via printing on the porous membrane with a solvent such that the porous membrane collapses where the solvent is applied. In another embodiment, a patterned porous membrane may be formed by casting a solution including at least components of the porous membrane into voids of a casting plate or stencil, removing the casting plate, and letting the remaining components go through a phase inversion process to form porous membrane regions.
Abstract:
A modified porous membrane comprising a polymer coating grafted to a porous membrane is described. A method for analyte detection from a biological sample using an immunoassay is also provided using the modified membrane, wherein the method comprises a) providing a modified porous membrane having the structure of Formula (I), b) incubating the modified porous membrane with a first biomolecule, wherein the first biomolecule binds to the modified porous membrane to form a first biomolecule bound modified porous membrane; and c) adding a biological sample comprising at least an analyte to the first biomolecule bound modified porous membrane for analyte detection by binding the analyte to the first biomolecule bound to the modified porous membrane.