Structure with membranes having continuous pores

US4752395A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Uwe Sleytr · Wien, AT
• Margit Sara · Gänserndorf, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 1985
• Grant date: Jun 21, 1988
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/24998
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A structure usable as an ultrafiltration membrane has membranes (20) with continuous pores which are linked to or into an appropriately porous carrier (21). Each of these membranes (20) consist of protein molecules or protein containing molecules arranged according to a two-dimensional crystal lattice, between which continuous pores of equal size and form remain free, and they are advantageously formed from molecules, which were particularly separated from cell-membranes of procaryons, by means of a recrystallization process designated as self-organization, and which are preferably deposited on or into the carrier (21) and are cross-linked with the carrier (21) intra- or intermolecularly, respectively, through foreign molecules. The structure is suitable, furthermore, for use as a separating organ for a gas separation or for an ion exchange process, as well as for use as a carrier structure for other semi-permeable membranes, such as hyperfiltration membranes. Moreover, with membranes in vesicle form it can serve as a chromatography column and, in the form of film, as envelope material for the most varied substances.