Sandia Corporation

Susan J Altman

Michael Hibbs

Paul B Savage

Howland D T Jones

Clifford Kuofei Ho

Paul Gilbert Clem

Adam W Cook

This invention relates to methods for chemically grafting and attaching ceragenin molecules to polymer substrates; methods for synthesizing ceragenin-containing copolymers; methods for making ceragenin-modified water treatment membranes and spacers; and methods of treating contaminated water using ceragenin-modified treatment membranes and spacers. Ceragenins are synthetically produced antimicrobial peptide mimics that display broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. Alkene-functionalized ceragenins (e.g., acrylamide-functionalized ceragenins) can be attached to polyamide reverse osmosis membranes using amine-linking, amide-linking, UV-grafting, or silane-coating methods. In addition, silane-functionalized ceragenins can be directly attached to polymer surfaces that have free hydroxyls.

Methods for attaching polymerizable ceragenins to water treatment membranes using amine and amide linkages

Biofouling-resistant ceragenin-modified materials and structures for water treatment

Methods for attaching polymerizable ceragenins to water treatment membranes using silane linkages

An array of airfoil-shaped micro-mixers that enhances fluid mixing within permeable membrane channels, such as used in reverse-osmosis filtration units, while minimizing additional pressure drop. The enhanced mixing reduces fouling of the membrane surfaces. The airfoil-shaped micro-mixer can also be coated with or comprised of biofouling-resistant (biocidal/germicidal) ingredients.

Airfoil-shaped micro-mixers for reducing fouling on membrane surfaces

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Susan J Altman