Metamaterial membranes. (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Restrepo-Flórez, Juan Manuel; Maldovan, Martin
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 50:Number 2(2017)
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: metamaterials -- mass diffusion -- coordinate-transformations; Physics -- Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/50/2/025104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3727

Abstract

Abstract: We introduce a new class of metamaterial device to achieve separation of compounds by using coordinate transformations and metamaterial theory. By rationally designing the spatial anisotropy for mass diffusion, we simultaneously concentrate different compounds in different spatial locations, leading to separation of mixtures across a metamaterial membrane. The separation of mixtures into their constituent compounds is critically important in biophysics, biomedical, and chemical applications. We present a practical case where a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen diffusing through a polymeric planar matrix is separated. This work opens doors to new paradigms in membrane separations via coordinate transformations and metamaterials by introducing novel properties and unconventional mass diffusion phenomena.