Increased E. coli bio-adsorption resistance of microfiltration membranes, using a bio-inspired approach

Abstract

A nature-inspired anti-biosorption microfiltration membrane was created. • Modification of the membrane changed its morphology and improved hydrophilicity. • The modified membrane has good antibiosorption properties. • Pseudo-second-order kinetics describe the bio-adsorption process well. • The modified membrane mitigates the formation of EPS during bio-adsorption.

Cell Membrane‐Inspired Graphene Nanomesh Membrane for Fast Separation of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions

“…Recently, it has similarly allowed us to realize antifouling microfiltration membranes for tertiary water treatment, where chitosan significantly decreased bio‐adsorption of Escherichia coli . [ 55 ] Such a systematic nature‐inspired solution method does not imitate biology superficially or attempt to cover all the intricacies of cell membranes out of context; instead, it abstracts some of the fundamental physicochemical mechanisms underpinning desired properties in biological membranes, then implements these specific nature‐inspired concepts in designs that use novel materials and manufacturing methods in their implementation. Extending this approach, further progress for a range of other difficult and practically relevant membrane separations could be expected.…”

Characterizing Flow and Transport in Biological Vascular Systems: A Review from Physiological and Chemical Engineering Perspectives

“…In the field of process intensification, Jiang et al applied the lung-inspired hierarchical transport networks to the design of fractal distributors to control the turbulent flow field in liquid-phase processes . Li et al employed a cell-inspired antifouling method to develop a polydopamine/chitosan modified polyethersulfone microfiltration membrane for antibiosorption properties for water treatment applications . Inspired by pattern formation observed in nature, Francia et al introduced dynamically structured fluidization to intensify the process in gas–solid fluidized bed reactors …”

“…24 Li et al employed a cell-inspired antifouling method to develop a polydopamine/chitosan modified polyethersulfone microfiltration membrane for antibiosorption properties for water treatment applications. 14 Inspired by pattern formation observed in nature, Francia et al introduced dynamically structured fluidization to intensify the process in gas−solid fluidized bed reactors. 25 Plants and animals have existed on Earth for billions of years, continuously evolving to accommodate changing environmental conditions.…”

“…By paralleling biological systems to engineering processes, chemical engineers can draw inspiration for the process design and operation. An instance of such inspiration is the design of porous catalysts and fuel cells, borrowing from the branched and hierarchical structures of leaf veins and lung tracheas to intensify diffusion and fluid transport. − Besides, natural systems can be used as a source of inspiration for process design and operation in chemical engineering, and fundamental principles of chemical engineering can be applied as analytical tools to expand the mechanistic understanding of biological phenomena (Figure ). Yet, as we adopt such inspirations, a knowledge gap emerges concerning how to retain the efficiency of these bioinspired designs, especially when upscaled or integrated into industrial processes.…”

“…(c) Biological membranes for high permeation, selectivity and antifouling properties. Adapted with permission from ref . Copyright 2021 Elsevier.…”