Molecular separation device

Abstract

A molecular separation device includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet through which flows an aqueous suspension and a porous separation membrane positioned in the chamber substantially orthogonally to the flow of the aqueous suspension. An electrical charging device connects to the separation membrane to apply a periodic electric charge so as to collect components blocked by the porous separation membrane. Related methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A molecular separation device, comprising:
 a chamber having an inlet and an outlet through which flows an aqueous suspension;   a porous separation membrane positioned in said chamber substantially orthogonally to the flow of the aqueous suspension; and   an electrical charging device connected to said separation membrane to apply a periodic electric charge so as to collect components blocked by said porous separation membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pump to control the flow of the aqueous suspension through said chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2  further comprising:
 a controller connected to said pump and said charging device, said controller synchronizing flow of the aqueous suspension through said chamber and application of said periodic electric charge to said porous separation membrane. 
 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3  further comprising:
 at least one collection well disposed on an outer periphery of said porous separation membrane to collect components blocked by said porous separation membrane and 
 a conduit associated with each said collection well to transfer collected components to a retention vessel. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said porous separation membrane is perforated graphene. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the perforated graphene contains apertures ranging in size from 10 nm to 100 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said periodic electrical charge effecting migration of desired molecules is tuned to asymmetric normal modes of said desired components thereby causing their rectilinear motion toward said separation membrane's outer periphery for sequestration. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said periodic charge effecting migration of desired molecules is controlled by a standing wave emanating from said membrane's inner diameter to said membrane's outer diameter, and thereby causing their rectilinear motion toward said separation membrane's outer periphery for sequestration. 
     
     
         10 . A method for separating molecular components from an aqueous solution, comprising:
 positioning a porous separation membrane in a chamber;   flowing an aqueous solution on to said separation membrane; and   applying an electrical charge to said separation membrane to migrate components of the aqueous solution blocked by said separation membrane to an outer periphery thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 controlling said flow of said aqueous solution with a pump; and   controlling application of said electrical charge with a charging device.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 controlling said flow and application of electrical charge simultaneously to move said blocked components of aqueous solution.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 applying said electrical charge periodically in a tuned asymmetric normal mode of said blocked components thereby causing their rectilinear motion toward said separation membrane's outer periphery.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 collecting said migrated components in at least one collection well disposed on said separation membrane's outer periphery.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 utilizing perforated graphene as said porous separation membrane.