Stimuli-Responsive Functional Fluid Gating for Multiphase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid gating control systems relying solely on pressure for material separation are limited in real-world applications, particularly in complex external environments, and lack effective regulation and control mechanisms for substance separation and transport.
Innovation Solution
A functional fluid gating control system combining a porous membrane and a functional fluid that responds to stimuli, such as external fields or chemical changes, to dynamically adjust the fluid gating pathway and control the transport of immiscible fluids, enabling intelligent and efficient separation of multiphase materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressure-driven fluid gating control system uses a fluid stabilized in the microporous membrane by capillary force to reversibly seal the pores, then the system achieves efficient and dynamic separation of gas-liquid and air-water-oil three-phase mixture, but the system is greatly limited in real application when relying solely on pressure to achieve material separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing stimuli-responsive functional fluids that change their physical or chemical parameters (such as contact angle, surface tension, or viscosity) in response to external stimuli like pH, temperature, or electric field. This allows the gating control system to dynamically adjust its separation properties beyond simple pressure control, enabling adaptation to complex external environments while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through stimuli-responsive materials that automatically adjust their gating properties in response to environmental changes. The functional fluids or porous membranes detect changes in pH, temperature, or other parameters and autonomously modulate their sealing or opening state, providing adaptive control that enhances both productivity and adaptability without requiring complex external control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the functional fluid and/or the porous membrane responds to stimulus to undergo physical or chemical change to change pressure of the fluid gating passage, then the system can intelligently separate and regulate multiphase materials, but the system complexity increases with multiple external field components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gating control function with the separation membrane structure by integrating stimuli-responsive functional fluids directly into the porous membrane matrix. This combination eliminates the need for separate control systems and multiple external field components, as the membrane itself responds to environmental stimuli to regulate material transport, thereby achieving intelligent separation while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-service principles through stimuli-responsive materials that automatically adjust their gating properties in response to environmental changes. The functional fluids or porous membranes detect changes in pH, temperature, or other parameters and autonomously modulate their sealing or opening state without requiring complex external control systems, thus achieving intelligent separation capability with minimal additional system complexity.
3Device complexity
If conventional porous membrane is used for material separation, then the structure is simple, but membrane contamination by liquid-solid contact occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid gating control system using immiscible functional fluids as intermediaries between the porous membrane and the materials being separated. The functional fluid forms a liquid-lined pore that prevents direct contact between the separated materials and the membrane surface, thereby eliminating membrane contamination while maintaining the simplicity of the porous membrane structure. This intermediary layer enables efficient separation without the harmful effects of solid-liquid contact.
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 system achieves controlled transport and separation of multiple components by adapting to various external stimuli, providing a flexible and intelligent solution for applications like liquid degassing, gas-liquid separation, and wastewater treatment, with improved anti-fouling properties and simplified system structure.
Implementation Method 1
The functional fluid seals the porous membrane in a closed state and can be quickly reconfigured upon stimulation to form a liquid-lined pathway
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the functional fluid or the porous membrane responds to at least one stimulus and undergoes a physical change or a chemical change to change a pressure of the fluid gating passage
Implementation Method 3
the external field comprises at least one of an optical field, a magnetic field, an acoustic field, an electrical field
Implementation Method 4
hydrophilicity, viscosity, or morphology of the functional fluid changes as the external field changes
Implementation Method 5
a pore size, a chemical structure, or wettability of the porous membrane changes as the external field changes
Implementation Method 6
The transport fluid and the functional fluid are immiscible
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a functional fluid gating control system, which comprises a porous membrane and a functional fluid. The functional fluid at least partially infiltrates the porous membrane and cooperates to form a fluid gating pathway. The functional fluid and/or the porous membrane responds to at least one stimulus and undergoes a physical change or a chemical change to change the threshold pressure of the transport substance. A transport fluid being immiscible with the functional fluid is controlled to pass through the fluid gating system, and thus controllable transport and multiphase separation of materials are achieved. The stimulus of the present disclosure comprises a wide range of sources, and the stimulus responsiveness of the functional fluid and the porous membrane can be randomly and freely combined to adapt to multiple stimuli from complex external conditions and achieve intelligent controllability.