Abstract: n this paper we discuss self-assembly as a powerful technique for the synthesis of eco-effective materials. We give three examples that exhibit increasing complexity in the building blocks undergoing self-assembly. In the first case, specific interactions are designed between nanoscale components that assemble up to centimeter scale. This technique however is limited to relatively few components because each component must be controlled separately. To address this issue the second example designs the functionality directly into building blocks that then assemble. This is the design principle used in biological cells. In the basic cell motif: a biological membrane is functionalized for each cell type but all cells assemble under similar conditions. In human engineering, we can't match nature's complexity in cellular building blocks. Accepting this limitation, the third technique uses biological cells directly in the assembly. Here the fully complex biological machinery creates intricate

• Publication Date: 05-Jan-2014
• DOI: 10.15224/978-981-07-8859-9-49
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Abstract: The main focus of this research is to investigate the mechanisms of flux decline during the organic and colloidal fouling of a thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide membrane operated in osmotically driven membrane process (forward osmosis). It has been found that flux decline by humic acid was minimal while the attachment of colloidal particles resulted the gradual decline in forward osmosis. The main mechanism of the flux decline in forward osmosis is due to the colloid-enhanced osmotic pressure (CEOP) due to the salt build-up near the membrane surface and was reversible by the removal of attached particles. Combined organic and colloidal fouling did not cause any flux decline which showed similar results with humic acid fouling alone due to the increase of negative charge on the membrane surface by adsorbed humic acids.

• Publication Date: 05-Jan-2014
• DOI: 10.15224/978-981-07-8859-9-50
• Views: 0
• Downloads: 0