Pressure driven membranes are one of the separation technologies, which are widely used in a wide range of industries, such as: water purification, biological processing, food processing industries, and chemical production.
Despite the many advantages of these films, such as their modular design (which relies on smaller component units in size), and their negligible environmental footprint, the phenomenon of fouling (deposition of dirt) that forms on the membrane is a major challenge we face in most practical applications that These membranes are used. Fouling limits membrane performance, by reducing clear water flow (purification yield), or by increasing pressure requirements; This ultimately leads to increased maintenance costs, as well as a higher cost of energy required to carry out operations.
In this published paper, scientists report that they have created a hydraulic pressure-responsive membrane (they called it PiezoMem), which converts pressure impulses into electrically energetic responses, allowing the membrane to clean itself at sites of fouling formation. Transient fluctuations in hydraulic pressure across the membrane generate electric current pulses and rapid voltage fluctuations (peak: 5.0/-3.2 V), capable of causing decomposition and repulsion within the fouling agents, without the need for supplemental chemical cleaners or secondary waste disposal. , or even the presence of any additional external stimuli.
Pyzomium has demonstrated a broad-spectrum anti-fouling effect against a range of membrane-fouling agents (among them: organic molecules, oil droplets, proteins, bacteria, and inorganic colloids) via the production of reactive oxygen compounds (ROS). , and create a state of repulsion through electrical insulation.