Novel technique to directly create microstructures on membrane via 3D printing without assembling
The developed 3D printing-on-membrane in this invention provides a unique way to create complex 3D structures directly on a porous membrane to form assemble-free all-in-one filtration devices. Using the developed technique, different membranes can be structured and functionalized including polymeric or metallic material, with pore size ranging from nanometer to micrometer. The choices of 3D printing ink range from polymer, hydrogel and ceramic. The enhanced and unique attachment between the membrane and 3D-printed spacer/structure through this novel technique creates the potential and opportunity which did not exist before, that is, the ability to have continuity and discontinuity of physico-chemical properties within membrane devices for broad water and energy applications.
