Title: Nanoengineered membranes for controlled transport

Abstract

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.

Inventors:

Doktycz, Mitchel J ^[1]; Simpson, Michael L ^[2]; McKnight, Timothy E ^[3]; Melechko, Anatoli V ^[1]; Lowndes, Douglas H ^[2]; Guillorn, Michael A ^[2]; Merkulov, Vladimir I ^[1]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Knoxville, TN
3. Greenback, TN

Issue Date:

Tue Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2010

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1014032

Patent Number(s):

7641863

Application Number:

10/383,309

Assignee:

UT-Battelle LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION

B01D2323/30 - Cross-linking
B01D2325/10 - Catalysts being present on the surface of the membrane or in the pores
B01D67/0072 - {by deposition from the gaseous phase, e.g. sputtering, CVD, PVD}
B01D67/0088 - {Physical treatment with compounds, e.g. swelling, coating or impregnation
B01D67/0093 - {Chemical modification}
B01D69/02 - characterised by their properties
B01D69/141 - {Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material
B01D71/021 - {Carbon}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J23/755 - Nickel
B01J35/0013 - {Colloids}
B01J37/34 - Irradiation by, or application of, electric, magnetic or wave energy, e.g. ultrasonic waves {

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

B82Y30/00 - Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10S977/701 - Integrated with dissimilar structures on a common substrate
Y10S977/704 - Nucleic acids, e.g. DNA or RNA
Y10S977/705 - Protein or peptide
Y10S977/706 - Carbohydrate
Y10S977/745 - having a modified surface
Y10S977/746 - Modified with biological, organic, or hydrocarbon material
Y10S977/747 - Modified with an enzyme
Y10S977/789 - in array format
Y10S977/906 - Drug delivery
Y10S977/92 - Detection of biochemical
Y10S977/962 - for carrying or transporting

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English