Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Xiao Su

Trevor Alan Hatton

Lev E Bromberg

Cameron G Halliday

Demetra S Achilleos

The recovery of target species, and related systems and methods, are generally described.

Target species recovery and related systems and methods

Various aspects described herein relate to electrochemical devices, e.g., for separation of one or more target organic or inorganic molecules (e.g., charged or neutral molecules) from solution, and methods of using the same. In particular embodiments, the electrochemical devices and methods described herein involve at least one redox-functionalized electrode, wherein the electrode comprises an immobilized redox-species that is selective toward a target molecule (e.g., charged molecule such as ion or netural molecule). The selectivity is based on a Faradaic/redox-activated chemical interaction (e.g., directional hydrogen binding) between the oxidized state of the redox species and a moiety of the target molecule (e.g., charged molecule such as ion or netural molecule).

Electrochemical devices or systems comprising redox-functionalized electrodes and uses thereof

Various aspects described herein relate to electrochemical devices, e.g., for separation of one or more biomolecules from a solution, and methods of using the same. Methods for using the electrochemical devices for biocatalysis are also described herein.

Use of electrochemical devices or systems comprising redox-functionalized electrodes for bioseparation and biocatalysis

Various aspects described herein relate to electrochemical devices, e.g., for separation of one or more target organic or inorganic molecules (e.g., charged or neutral molecules) from solution, and methods of using the same. In particular embodiments, the electrochemical devices and methods described herein involve at least one redox-functionalized electrode, wherein the electrode comprises an immobilized redox-species that is selective toward a target molecule (e.g., charged molecule such as ion or neutral molecule). The selectivity is based on a Faradaic/redox-activated chemical interaction (e.g., directional hydrogen binding) between the oxidized state of the redox species and a moiety of the target molecule (e.g., charged molecule such as ion or neutral molecule).

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to electrochemical reduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). According to certain methods described herein, a tobacco composition containing one or more TSNAs and nicotine is contacted with a solvent to form a tobacco mixture. In some embodiments, the tobacco mixture is introduced into an electrochemical device comprising an anode and a cathode. The tobacco mixture may, in some cases, form at least part of an initial electrolyte mixture that is in physical contact with at least a portion of the anode and at least a portion of the cathode. In some instances, an electrical potential is applied between the anode and the cathode, thereby reducing one or more TSNAs in the initial electrolyte mixture and producing a reduced electrolyte mixture. In certain cases, application of the electrical potential between the anode and the cathode does not cause non-TSNA components of the tobacco mixture (e.g., nicotine) to undergo electrochemical reduction or any other chemical reaction.

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Xiao Su