Aquaporin Biomimetic Membrane Fabrication With Protected Selective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing polyamide thin-film composite membranes compromise the structural integrity of aquaporins and expose them to damage during wastewater treatment, requiring high amounts of aquaporins and incurring significant costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a porous substrate is used, where proteoliposomes are deposited before contacting with aqueous and organic monomer solutions to form a selective layer, protecting the aquaporins by embedding them within the layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to form polyamide layer, then membrane separation performance is improved, but aquaporin structural integrity is compromised and aquaporins are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating aquaporins into the porous substrate before forming the polyamide selective layer. The aquaporins are embedded in the substrate in advance, and then the polyamide layer is formed over them through interfacial polymerization, ensuring the aquaporins are protected from damage during the membrane formation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a porous substrate as a protective medium between the aquaporins and the polyamide forming process. The substrate acts as a carrier that protects the aquaporins while still allowing water transport, and the polyamide layer is formed as an intermediate protective barrier over the aquaporins
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used, then membrane selectivity is improved, but excessive amounts of aquaporins are required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating aquaporins specifically in the porous substrate layer where they are most effective for water transport, rather than distributing them throughout the entire membrane. This localized placement ensures high selectivity while minimizing the total amount of aquaporins required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the membrane into distinct functional layers: a porous substrate layer containing embedded aquaporins for water transport, and a separate polyamide selective layer for separation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the need for excessive aquaporin quantity
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used, then membrane performance is improved, but aquaporins are exposed and easily damaged during wastewater treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding aquaporins into the porous substrate before the membrane is put into service. This pre-embedding protects the aquaporins from direct exposure to harmful conditions during wastewater treatment, as they are sheltered within the substrate structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the porous substrate as a protective shell or housing for the aquaporins. The substrate structure acts as a protective barrier that shields the aquaporins from direct contact with harmful substances in the wastewater while still allowing water to pass through via the aquaporin channels
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves high water permeability and solute rejection with significantly less aquaporins, reducing costs and maintaining membrane performance.
Implementation Method 1
reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) of wastewater and/or seawater using membranes have been developed over 40 years
Implementation Method 2
The polyamide selective layer may usually be formed by interfacial polymerization
Implementation Method 3
proteoliposomes having protein water channels (e.g. aquaporins)
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of fabricating a membrane comprising proteoliposomes having protein water channels are provided herein. The method may include providing a porous substrate, depositing a solution containing proteoliposomes on the porous substrate, and then contacting the porous substrate with an aqueous monomer solution and an organic monomer solution to form a selective layer on the porous substrate embedding the proteoliposomes. The method may include depositing the aqueous monomer solution, then the solution containing the proteoliposomes, then the organic monomer solution, to form the selective layer. The present disclosure also describes the membrane and a system operable to accommodate both methods.