Researchers at the University of Bath suggest developments in 3D printing techniques could open the door to the advancement of membrane capabilities.
This work is part of the University’s Centre for Advanced Separations Engineering (CASE) and is the first time the properties of different 3D printing techniques available to membrane fabrication have been assessed.
Wide ranging applications
Membranes are a semi-permeable selective barrier that separate the molecules in a mixture within a gas or liquid into two streams, a key example of this being the separation of salt from water for desalination using reverse osmosis membranes.
3D printing, otherwise known as Additive Manufacturing, has the ability to create almost any geometrically complex shape or feature in a range of materials across different scales. It has applications in various areas including medicine, art, manufacturing and engineering. However, its use in separation membrane engineering is relatively new.
Membranes are currently restricted mainly to tubular/hollow fibre and flat surface configurations due to the limitations of current manufacturing processes. As a result, the precision of present membranes are limited in successfully separating certain properties.
Innovative, more accurate membranes
The use of 3D printing techniques offers novel membrane preparation techniques that are able to produce membranes of different shapes, types and designs, which can be more precisely designed, fabricated and controlled than any other membrane fabrication method currently available.
The paper, which evaluates existing knowledge of the advantages and drawbacks of different 3D printing methods as well as the potential developments of membrane fabrication, identifies a bright future in which 3D printing will enable innovative and far more accurate membranes.
These potential increased capabilities could have significant implications for a number of key industries, including the water industry. New membranes with designer pores and surface shapes that enhance micro-mixing and shear flow across the membrane surface could be used to reduce the energy and down-time associated with cleaning blockages and fouling of the membranes.
Director of the Centre for Advanced Separations Engineering at the University of Bath, Dr Darrell Patterson, commented: “This review is the first to explore the possibility and challenges of using 3D printing for producing separation membranes.
“Although 3D printing technology is not quite well enough developed to yet produce large scale membranes that will be cost competitive with existing products, this work does signal what the future possibilities are with 3D printing, to produce membranes beyond that which are currently available, including controlled complex pore structures, integrated surface patterns and membranes based on nature.”
Lower energy, more sustainable molecular separations
Up to 15 per cent of energy used globally is from the separation and purification of industrial products such as gases, fine chemicals and fresh water. Separation processes also account for 40 to 70 per cent of industry capital and operating costs. Membrane technology potentially offers lower energy, more sustainable molecular separations that can be applied to a wide range of gas and liquid separations. It is therefore a key technology that could be used to help decrease the carbon footprint and costs within industry.
Learn more: 3D printing could transform future membrane technology
[osd_subscribe categories=’membrane-technology’ placeholder=’Email Address’ button_text=’Subscribe Now for any new posts on the topic “MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY”‘]
Receive an email update when we add a new MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY article.
The Latest on: Membrane technology
[google_news title=”” keyword=”membrane technology” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Membrane technology
- Behind the Brand: An Interview with Forloh Founder Andy Techmanskion May 9, 2024 at 3:30 pm
We chatted to Forloh founder Andy Techmanski in an exclusive interview with Field & Stream. He shared how he started the popular hunting apparel brand and more.
- As energy storage surges, second Portland flow battery startup emergeson May 9, 2024 at 11:47 am
All the parts are coming together. Can they come together fast enough for the kind of timescale that a startup needs to survive? On the other hand, here we are, six years after we first started and we ...
- Global Membrane Microfiltration Industryon May 8, 2024 at 5:21 am
Global Membrane Microfiltration Industry is anticipated to register a positive CAGR of 7.9% in the forecast period 2022-2028.
- Affordable Water Purification: Membrane Chemicals Emerge as Cost-Effective Solution in a Growing Marketon May 7, 2024 at 3:34 am
The membrane chemicals market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a rise from USD 2.2 billion in 2023 to USD 3.9 billion by 2033. This anticipated expansion suggests a robust ...
- Elimelech awarded the Connecticut Medal of Technology for pioneering workon May 6, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Recognized for his work in energy-efficient, sustainable membrane-based technologies for desalination, and management of brines and industrial wastewaters.
- Donaldson to acquire stake in Italian hollow fiber membrane technology company Medicaon April 29, 2024 at 4:46 am
Donaldson Co Inc has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a 49% stake in Medica SpA, an Italian company specia;ising in hollow fiber membrane filtration technology for medical device ...
- Membrane Technology Forum to focus on cleaning, sanitation and wastewateron April 26, 2024 at 5:00 am
In addition to several hours of dedicated networking, this year's event will feature more than 20 presentations led by some of the progressive thinking membrane experts. Below you will find more ...
- New Membrane Technology Converts Saltwater Gradients into Poweron April 25, 2024 at 9:23 am
In a recent paper published in the journal ACS Energy Letters, researchers from the Anhui Agricultural University and Guangxi University developed a semipermeable membrane that captures and transforms ...
- Leading membrane science and technology through academic–industrial partnerships and international joint researchon March 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm
As the only research institute for membrane science and technology in Japan, the Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology at Kobe University promotes academic–industrial partnerships and ...
via Bing News