Peter W McMillan

Title: **Peter W McMillan: Innovating in Reverse Osmosis Technologies**

Introduction

Peter W McMillan is a prominent inventor based in Leamington Spa, Great Britain. He is recognized for his contributions to the field of reverse osmosis technology, holding a total of five patents. His innovative work has significantly impacted methods for desalinating saltwater and developing advanced glass-ceramic substrates.

Latest Patents

One of Peter W McMillan's notable patents is the "Method of reverse osmosis employing an improved porous glass membrane." This invention relates to a novel porous glass membrane made from a sodium-boron-alumino silicate glass. The process involves heating the membrane to separate it into two inter-connecting phases, from which one phase is removed to create porosity. Subsequently, the membrane's pores are coated with a metal oxide to enhance pore size distribution and strengthen the membrane, enabling it to withstand high pressure during the reverse osmosis process. The technique further employs a volatile metal chloride, such as titanium chloride, which is hydrolyzed to produce the necessary metal oxide coating. A reduction in pore size along with increased strength is also achieved through partial sintering of the treated membrane.

Another significant patent includes advancements in "Glass-ceramic structures and sintered multilayer substrates thereof." This patented technology provides sintered glass-ceramic substrates with multi-level, interconnected thick-film circuit patterns composed of highly conductive metals such as gold, silver, or copper. These substrates can be fired in air or neutral atmospheres at temperatures below the melting points of the metals. The discovery that finely divided powders of specific glasses can sinter to zero porosity at temperatures below 1000°C while maturing into glass-ceramics with desirable properties has made these innovations possible.

Career Highlights

Peter has worked with several reputable organizations during his career, including the National Research Development Corporation and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). His tenure in these companies has allowed him to hone his skills and contribute significantly to research and development in the field of engineering and materials science.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Peter has collaborated with notable individuals, including Ananda H Kumar and Rao R Tummala. These collaborations have sparked innovative ideas and solutions in their respective projects, further enhancing the impact of their combined expertise in technology and engineering.

Conclusion

Peter W McMillan stands out as a distinguished inventor, particularly in the realm of reverse osmosis technologies. His contributions have advanced the understanding and application of glass materials in engineering. Through innovative patents and strong collaborations, he continues to influence the future of materials science and sustainable technologies.