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What is membrane? 


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A membrane is a molecular sieve built in the structure of a film with small pores or fine mesh that facilitates the separation of particles and molecules. It can act as a selective barrier, allowing certain substances to pass through while holding others . Membranes can also be used to immobilize phase interfaces, liquid, and solid fillers, or to imprint a template molecule for effective target analyte binding . In biological systems, cell membranes cover cells and organelles and are composed of a lipid bilayer with associated proteins and carbohydrates . Membrane proteins can be peripheral or integral, and substances can move through membranes via different transport mechanisms such as simple diffusion, passive transport, active transport, and secondary active transport . Membrane technology has gained popularity in various separation processes due to its low-energy consumption, low-cost, reliability, and scalability . Membrane materials with high permeability, selectivity, and stability are desired for efficient membrane processes .

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Membrane is a technology widely used in separation processes due to its low-energy consumption, low-cost, reliability, and scalability compared to conventional methods like distillation or extraction.
The paper provides information about a specific type of membrane made of fused polymer particles with pores between them. It does not provide a general definition of what a membrane is.
Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2022
The paper is about membranes, which are the barriers that cover cells and cell organelles. They are made up of a lipid bilayer and contain proteins and carbohydrates.
A membrane is a molecular sieve built in the structure of a film with small pores or fine mesh to facilitate the separation of small particles and molecules.

Related Questions

What is membrane technology?4 answersMembrane technology involves the use of semi-permeable membranes for separation, concentration, and filtration processes. This technology has gained significant importance due to its low energy consumption, environmental friendliness, and diverse applications in various industries such as chemical, food processing, and biomedicine. Membrane processes like ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis play a crucial role in improving the organoleptic and nutritional qualities of products like juice. The development of advanced membrane materials, including thin film composite membranes, nanocomposite membranes, and polymer inclusion membranes, has enhanced separation efficiency by offering high permeability, selectivity, and stability. Membrane technology is a key component of nanotechnology, with constant growth globally and significant importance in various sectors of the economy.
What is polymer?4 answersPolymers are large molecules made up of many repeated units. They can be synthetic plastics like polystyrene or natural biopolymers like DNA and proteins. Polymers are used in various fields, including medicine, where biopolymers are bio-safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Biopolymers can interact with living substances and are used in applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. Biodegradable polymers, both natural and synthetic, are used in the production of environmentally friendly materials. They can be degraded by factors like heat, light, or chemicals, and have applications in medicine, food, packaging, and petroleum industries. Polymers have a wide range of uses in different domains, from basic materials to advanced applications like biopolymers and therapeutic polymers.
What is membrane separation?5 answersMembrane separation is a technology used in various industries for separation, concentration, filtering, and extraction operations. It involves the use of semi-permeable membranes to carry out these applications. There are different types of membrane filtration methods, including ultrafiltration (UF), microfiltration (MF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO), which can be used to separate components based on their particle sizes. Membrane fouling is a significant challenge in membrane-based separation processes. However, membrane technology offers advantages such as low energy consumption, green operation, and the ability to maintain the sensory and nutritional qualities of juice. It is also used in the treatment of wastewater to generate fresh water. Membrane separation techniques have been developed using various types of membranes, such as thin film composite membranes, nanocomposite membranes, and polymer inclusion membranes, for applications in different separation processes.
What is polymeric membrane?5 answersPolymeric membranes are selective materials used in a wide range of applications that require separation processes, such as water filtration, industrial separations, and biomedical applications. They are used in various biomedical applications, including hemodialysis, artificial lung, artificial liver, artificial pancreas, osseointegration, and drug delivery systems. Polymeric membranes are advantageous for applications in the fine chemistry field due to their high versatility and variety in types and properties. They can be dense, porous, symmetric, asymmetric, integral, composite, or mixed matrices, and can be prepared using techniques such as phase inversion or the incorporation of metal nanoparticles. Polymeric membranes are also used for water filtration, removing both soluble and non-soluble impurities through processes like reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration. However, membrane fouling and clogging due to insoluble and hydrophobic impurities are major challenges that need to be addressed. Polymeric membranes have diverse applications in separations, including desalination, hydrocarbon recovery, and fractionation in the petrochemical industry. They offer advantages in terms of processability, scalability, and design flexibility. Additionally, polymeric membranes are widely used in membrane technology for wastewater treatment, desalination, and various separation processes, such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and forward osmosis.
What is polymer?4 answersPolymers are chemical compounds made up of large molecules that consist of repeating units joined together in chains. They can be natural, such as cellulose, or human-made, such as plastics. Polymers have a high molecular weight and are formed when small molecules bond to each other, typically through covalent bonds. They have various structural properties based on their backbone structure, molecular weight, and crystallinity. Polymers are widely used in tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, and they have applications in tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and wound healing. The development of new polymeric materials with tailored properties has led to a significant increase in industrial demand for polymers.
What is plastic?5 answersPlastic is a versatile material that can be molded into different shapes and is made up of long chain polymeric molecules. It is mainly derived from petrochemicals and includes materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate. Plastics have a wide range of applications in various industries and daily life, due to their desirable properties such as light weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and resistance to chemicals. However, many conventional plastics are nonbiodegradable or biodegrade at a very slow rate, leading to environmental hazards. Plastic can be molded or modeled into different objects, films, or filaments, and can be deformed continuously and permanently without rupture. It has integrated into the rhythms of daily life, filling opportunistic gaps and supporting multitasking without demanding conscious coordination.