A nanoengineered membrane for controlling material transport (e.g., molecular transport) is disclosed. The membrane includes a substrate, a cover definining a material transport channel between the substrate and the cover, and a plurality of fibers positioned in the channel and connected to an extending away from a surface of the substrate. The fibers are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and have a width of 100 nanometers or less. The diffusion limits for material transport are controlled by the separation of the fibers. In one embodiment, chemical derivitization of carbon fibers may be undertaken to further affect the diffusion limits or affect selective permeability or facilitated transport. For example, a coating can be applied to at least a portion of the fibers. In another embodiment, individually addressable carbon nanofibers can be integrated with the membrane to provide an electrical driving force for material transport.
Doktycz, Mitchel J, Simpson, Michael L, McKnight, Timothy E, Melechko, Anatoli V, Lowndes, Douglas H, Guillorn, Michael A, & Merkulov, Vladimir I (2010). Nanoengineered membranes for controlled transport (U.S. Patent No.
Doktycz, Mitchel J, Simpson, Michael L, McKnight, Timothy E, et al., "Nanoengineered membranes for controlled transport," US 7,641,863, issued January 4, 2010.
@misc{osti_1014032,
author = {Doktycz, Mitchel J and Simpson, Michael L and McKnight, Timothy E and Melechko, Anatoli V and Lowndes, Douglas H and Guillorn, Michael A and Merkulov, Vladimir I},
title = {Nanoengineered membranes for controlled transport},
annote = {A nanoengineered membrane for controlling material transport (e.g., molecular transport) is disclosed. The membrane includes a substrate, a cover definining a material transport channel between the substrate and the cover, and a plurality of fibers positioned in the channel and connected to an extending away from a surface of the substrate. The fibers are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and have a width of 100 nanometers or less. The diffusion limits for material transport are controlled by the separation of the fibers. In one embodiment, chemical derivitization of carbon fibers may be undertaken to further affect the diffusion limits or affect selective permeability or facilitated transport. For example, a coating can be applied to at least a portion of the fibers. In another embodiment, individually addressable carbon nanofibers can be integrated with the membrane to provide an electrical driving force for material transport.},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1014032},
place = {United States},
year = {2010},
month = {01},
note = {US Patent