Membrane structure and method of making

US7919025B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Vidya Ramaswamy · Niskayuna, US
• Seth Thomas Taylor · Niskayuna, US
• James Anthony Ruud · Delmar, US
• Melissa Suzanne Sander · Denver, US
• Anthony Yu-Chung Ku · Fremont, US
• Mohan Manoharan · Bengaluru, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 15, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/249953
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of pores; and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is at least partially filled with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; disposing a second layer on the first layer, and filling at least a portion of the unconnected pores of the second layer with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler. Disposing a second layer includes depositing a metal layer on the first layer; and anodizing the metal layer to convert the metal layer into porous oxide layer.