Convective electrohydrodynamic fluid membranes

Abstract

A fluid membrane is described, termed the electroconvective liquid crystal membrane (ECLCM), comprised of a sandwich-like configuration in which a fluid layer is contained within a structure. The structure containing the fluid layer separates distinct regions having different concentrations of one or more diffusant species and is capable of being accessed by the diffusant species. The fluid layer is comprised of any fluid in which an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow can be induced, including liquid crystals and liquid crystal-like fluids. The ECLCM includes means for applying an electric field to the fluid layer such that an EHD flow is induced within the fluid layer. The EHD flow alters the passage of the diffusant species across the ECLCM. The fluid layer may be modified by the addition of other components which act as carriers to the passage of selected diffusants. These additional components move in the EHD flow and can be chemically bonded to the fluid layer, added as dopants into the fluid layer, or may be separate solid or liquid phases of other materials not soluble in the fluid layer. The membrane of the present invention can function in an electrochemically modulated complexation (EMC) process wherein a complexing agent is added to the fluid layer and electrolyzed to high and low affinity redox states for separation of different molecular species. The present invention includes a method for separating and purifying molecules.