The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 2013
Filed:
Apr. 08, 2010
Abhijit Sarkar, Midland, MI (US);
Petar R. Dvornic, Midland, MI (US);
Peter I. Carver, Midland, MI (US);
Joseph L. Rousseau, Saginaw, MI (US);
Abhijit Sarkar, Midland, MI (US);
Petar R. Dvornic, Midland, MI (US);
Peter I. Carver, Midland, MI (US);
Joseph L. Rousseau, Saginaw, MI (US);
Michigan Molecular Institute, Midland, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes to introduce antifouling properties without compromising the separation properties of the original membranes. This approach utilizes: providing a coated membrane surface having enhanced hydrophilic characteristics that prevents the biofoulants from settling; have a surface that consists of hydrophilic brushes that unsettle any biofoulants that get through; and having antimicrobial ions present in the membrane coatings and able to remove or minimize any remaining biofoulants without leaching into the permeate. These coatings are made using dendritic polymers such as hyperbranched polymers or dendrimers.