Membrane separation is when a solution is passed through a membrane to get rid of other substances.
Molecules can be separated based on size or chemical affinity.
Explore everyday examples of Membrane separations in action!
Dialysis
Individuals with damaged kidneys require dialysis treatment, which uses membranes clean blood artificially.
Hiking filters
Hiking filters remove viruses or larger bacteria from your drinking water with porous microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes.
Desalination
Reverse osmosis membranes remove sodium chloride (and other ions) during seawater desalination to produce drinking water in coastal areas.
Airplanes
Many airplanes have an O2/N2 membrane installed to create an inert atmosphere over the airplane fuel tanks
Our cells
Cell membranes can selectivity allow permeation of nutrients and water into the cell and waste out of the cell for metabolism.
Fuel cells
Fuel cells use Polymer Electrolyte Membrane which conduct only positively charged ions and block electrons. This is a key component of fuel cell technology.