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High-Flux Thin-Film Nanocomposite Reverse Osmosis Membrane for Desalination
Use of nanofiber composites to create a higher filtration rate in reverse osmosis for energy efficient separation
Please note, header image is purely illustrative. Source: Pxhere, https://pxhere.com/en/photo/683595, CC0.

Background

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most energy efficient separation technologies to remove salt ions from brackish water or seawater. Conventional RO membranes possess a thin film composite (TFC) structure, containing an ultra-thin barrier layer. This layer can be used as a filter. However, nanofillers may be incorporated into the polyamide barrier layer to improve either the permeability or separation efficiency when separating materials.

Technology

Using a nanocomposite barrier layer containing cellulose nanofibers and a polyamide matrix, traditional ultrafiltration (UF) substrates have demonstrated two RO applications: low pressure desalination of brackish water and high pressure desalination of seawater. Some embodiments include having cross-sectional composite fibers with such as methyl, ethyl, and butyl. In other functions, nanofibers may be physically incorporated in the barrier layer of a membrane by interfacial polymerization.

Advantages

-More efficient -Higher permeation flux -High salt rejection capability -Great filtration rate

Application

-Nanofibers -Manufacturing -Materials -Plumbing -Water (fluids, seawater, ocean) -Environmental engineering -Chemical -Electrolysis

Inventors

Benjamin Hsiao, Distinguished Professor, Chemistry
Hongyang Ma, Professor, Chemistry
Kai Liu, , Chemistry

Licensing Potential

Development partner,Commercial partner,Licensing

Licensing Status

Available for licensing

Licensing Contact

Donna Tumminello, Assistant Director, Intellectual Property Partners, donna.tumminello@stonybrook.edu, 6316324163

Patent Status

Patent application submitted

[WO 2018/152149](https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2018152149)

Tech Id

050-8903