Self-healing dynamic membrane
Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 06:30
in Physics & Chemistry
The market for membranes, porous materials used mainly to filter liquids, is booming. However, their design leaves room for improvement. Taking their inspiration from cellular membranes, French researchers from the Institut Européen des Membranes in collaboration with the Institut de Chimie Radicalaire have developed the first dynamic membrane for water filtration which, depending on the water pressure, can adjust the size of its pores in an autonomous manner. In addition, it is capable of repairing itself if it breaks, thereby prolonging its lifetime and ensuring greater safety of the filtered product. This research is published in the journal Angewandte Chemie.