Sub-4 nanometer membrane for efficient electrodialytic fractionation
Introducing a sub-4 nanometer ultrafiltration membrane that enhances electrodialytic fractionation by combining electrodialysis and pressure-driven separation, offering high desalination and acid recovery with minimal fouling.
Overview
The sub-4 nanometer membrane represents a breakthrough in electro-driven filtration technology by integrating electrodialysis with tight ultrafiltration. This innovative approach enables rapid and efficient anion transfer for acid recovery and desalination in a single step. By leveraging a nanoporous structure and unique surface charge functionality, this membrane achieves high fractionation performance with reduced membrane fouling, making it ideal for applications in dye and salt separations.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes a sub-4 nanometer tight ultrafiltration membrane for high-efficiency anion conduction
- Integrates electrodialysis and ultrafiltration for enhanced desalination and acid recovery
- Designed to reduce fouling through unique surface charge properties
- Capable of fractionating organic acids from fermentation broths with high selectivity
- Evaluated under various operational conditions to ensure performance stability
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 3, demonstrating experimental proof of concept. Future plans involve optimizing the membrane for specific applications, evaluating its performance under different conditions, and assessing its scalability and industrial applicability.
About University of Bath
The University of Bath is a research‑intensive public university in Bath, England, with a campus‑based, mid‑sized profile and a strong record of collaboration with business and the public sector. Industry engagement is built into its model through extensive professional placements that embed students in corporate R&D and through collaborative facilities available to partners; its location in the Bristol–Bath innovation corridor gives access to a dense tech and advanced engineering cluster. A dedicated Research and Innovation Services unit and corporate partnerships team broker sponsored research, consultancy, and facility access, while a university‑backed incubator within the SETsquared partnership connects companies to mentors, investors, and talent. Research is supported by competitive funding from UK Research and Innovation councils and Innovate UK, alongside European programmes. Commercialization is managed by a technology transfer team that supports IP, licensing, and spinout formation.
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