Graphene Oxide Membrane for Dialysate Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sorbent systems for reconstituting spent dialysate are bulky and require replacement after each use, necessitating an improved method for regenerating dialysate in dialysis therapy.
Innovation Solution
A graphene oxide-based membrane with functionalized single-layered graphene oxide layers and a porous conductive substrate is developed, allowing for the selective removal of excess ions from spent dialysate through an electrocapacitive unit, enabling regeneration without the need for enrichment solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If sorbent cartridges are used to remove waste from spent dialysate, then waste removal is achieved, but the system occupies considerable space and requires replacement after each use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the membrane by functionalizing graphene oxide layers with diamine groups and controlling interlayer spacing to ≤10 Å, enabling the membrane to selectively remove waste molecules while maintaining a compact structure that doesn't require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure combining multiple layers of functionalized single-layered graphene oxide on a porous substrate, creating a material that integrates both filtration and structural support functions, eliminating the need for bulky sorbent cartridges
2Reliability
If sorbent cartridges are used for waste removal, then dialysate regeneration is achieved, but the cartridges must be replaced after each use maintaining high regeneration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The functionalized graphene oxide membrane enables the system to automatically regenerate dialysate through selective waste removal and ion exchange mechanisms, with the durable membrane structure allowing repeated use without replacement, making the system self-sustaining over multiple cycles
3Productivity
If conventional sorbent systems are used, then spent dialysate can be reconstituted, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of waste removal from complex sorbent cartridges and implements it through a thin-film membrane structure, eliminating unnecessary bulk and complexity while retaining the core dialysate regeneration capability
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 membrane effectively removes excess ions from spent dialysate, allowing for repeated use of the regenerated dialysate without the need for sorbent replacement, reducing waste and improving dialysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of layers of single-layered graphene oxide is functionalised by at least one diamine functional group
Implementation Method 2
functionalised by at least one diamine functional group... selective removal of excess ions
Implementation Method 3
The substrate may be a porous conductive substrate... the porous conductive substrate may be a porous carbon-based conductive substrate
Implementation Method 4
heating the nascent membrane to form the graphene oxide-based membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A graphene oxide-based membrane There is provided a graphene oxide-based membrane comprising a substrate and a plurality of layers of single-layered graphene oxide formed on the substrate, each of the plurality of layers of single-layered graphene oxide is functionalised by at least one diamine functional group, wherein interlayer spacing between two adjacent layers of single-layered graphene oxide is ≤ 10 Å. The membrane may be comprised in an electrocapacitive unit. There is also provided a method of forming the membrane.