New research from the University of Buffalo could result both in cheaper water purification and improved constant flow bioreactors.
This research, led by UB Chemist Javid Rzayev, involves a kind of molecular net made out of block copolymers and nanomaterials. By varying the pore size microbes can be filtered. Using block copolymers the research team produced pores approximately 55 nanometers in diameter, allowing water molecules but not bacteria to pass through. The configuration used by the team results in a self-assembling structure with evenly spaced pores. Clearly, this has value to the water treatment industry-- clean drinking water being one of the biggest global challenges in the coming century.
A secondary application of this device would be in the construction of constant flow bioreactors. Fermentations are done either in batches or constant flow. Batch fermentations are the most common; the culture is grown until nutrient depletion or toxin build up become limiting, then stopped and the product extracted. This involves down time as the reaction vessel must be cleaned and reset after each fermentation. In constant fermentations however, the culture is provided with nutrients and the product removed over time; because often the product limits the growth rate of the culture, this can result in higher yields. One of the problems with this method is extracting the microbes from the reaction mixture.
This is where these co-polymer nano-membranes could come in, given a pore size allowing only small molecules to pass. Using a dialysis-like setup, the products and toxins could be prevented from accumulating while leaving the microbes in the vessel. This would increase yields and minimize downtime. The technology could significantly increase the overall efficiency of biomanufacturing of chemicals and other products.
This research, led by UB Chemist Javid Rzayev, involves a kind of molecular net made out of block copolymers and nanomaterials. By varying the pore size microbes can be filtered. Using block copolymers the research team produced pores approximately 55 nanometers in diameter, allowing water molecules but not bacteria to pass through. The configuration used by the team results in a self-assembling structure with evenly spaced pores. Clearly, this has value to the water treatment industry-- clean drinking water being one of the biggest global challenges in the coming century.
A secondary application of this device would be in the construction of constant flow bioreactors. Fermentations are done either in batches or constant flow. Batch fermentations are the most common; the culture is grown until nutrient depletion or toxin build up become limiting, then stopped and the product extracted. This involves down time as the reaction vessel must be cleaned and reset after each fermentation. In constant fermentations however, the culture is provided with nutrients and the product removed over time; because often the product limits the growth rate of the culture, this can result in higher yields. One of the problems with this method is extracting the microbes from the reaction mixture.
This is where these co-polymer nano-membranes could come in, given a pore size allowing only small molecules to pass. Using a dialysis-like setup, the products and toxins could be prevented from accumulating while leaving the microbes in the vessel. This would increase yields and minimize downtime. The technology could significantly increase the overall efficiency of biomanufacturing of chemicals and other products.
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