Compound Selective Membranes

Developing technologies in energy, natural resources, and in biotechnology are driving a need to create systems capable of separating and concentrating reagents and compounds in novel ways. The use of filters and membranes is a long standing tradition, usually providing a means to exclude particles from a stream of other materials. However, advanced filtration and membrane separation materials are at the core of many new technologies. Advances in nano- and ultra- filtration, as well as proton selective membranes creates gas separation from methanol for hydrogen fuel cells, separation of specific classes of proteins in a bioreactor, or even for specific identification and isolation of specific DNA fragments.

 

These technologies are all enabled by the complex materials science in the underlying membranes. EMSL Analytical has experience across the range of membrane filtration and separation technologies. EMSL has the capability to perform macro scale mechanical and structural analysis of membranes in high pressure and temperature environments. With state of the art microanalysis capabilities examination of membranes incorporating nanoporous and mesoporous materials which includes three dimensional pore mapping and examination of TEM sections. When membranes begin to falter in functionality, EMSL can again offer insight towards failure modes, including dissection and autopsy of membranes, identification and mapping of foulants, or measurement of catalyst poisoning or particle migration.

 

It is the unique combination of mechanical, fluid-dynamic, and chemical properties of these complex membranes that make their functionality so useful for engineering applications. However, because of the breadth of factors interacting in these complex systems, engineering these systems requires analytical resources with an equal breadth of options to match that EMSL offers with its staff of scientists and analysts.