Multilayer Membrane Structures for Protein Separations

Abstract Proposal No: 9811409 Proposal Type: Investigator Initiated Principal Investigator: Andrew Zydney Affiliation: University of Delaware This grant is awarded through the Separations and Purification Program sub-element of the Interfacial, Transport and Separations Program of the Chemical and Transport Systems Division. The principal investigator is Dr. Andrew Zydney at the University of Delaware. The project involves the development multilayer membrane structures for protein separations. It is based on the interesting concept that selectivity to protein separations can be enhanced by designing a membrane structure with a top layer of fairly open pore structure and a bottom layer of smaller pore structure. The research will examine the effects of concentration polarization on species permeability, and the extent of membrane fouling and cleanability. The studies will demonstrate the feasibility of using multilayer membranes for protein separations, providing the necessary framework for the subsequent optimization of these membrane structures for the actual purification of specific protein systems encountered in the production of high value proteins.