COVALENT LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 07a

Description

Nature is the master manufacturer. We propose to mimic the way the ribosome builds biomolecules in order to make complex molecular building blocks that will, in their first use as a product, function as very complex pores in our water purification and desalination nanomembrane system. These pores will be focused on removing extremely challenging contaminants and toxins. With the expanding use of desalination and wastewater remediation to meet the nation’s fundamental water requirements, the critical economic and environmental needs for reducing energy requirements and enhancing operational functionality can be addressed by a low energy one-atomic-layer-thick membrane that incorporates biomimetic technology to achieve high purity water from seriously contaminated feedstocks. The development of novel cyclic organic synthons capable of being used as building blocks for the self- assembly of porous, Langmuir- Film (LF) derived nanomembranes has led to the development of the first 2-dimensional membranes. The LF- derived nanomembranes provide for exquisite solute selectivity and, theoretically, provide the minimal energy barrier to solvent passage. Creating complex, but filters at less than 50nm thickness allow extremely challenging materials to be removed at low cost. Small footprint systems minimize capital costs and allow for high purity, distributed water purification and desalination systems, thus enhancing water security. After designing scaffolds using computer-aided molecular design techniques, we will synthesize the two types of scaffolds needed to “mimic” the logical functionality that a ribosome uses to build a protein. We will use standard organic chemistry methods which will allow for technology scale-up.