This project aims to develop a membrane cascade for separation and concentration of biological components from environmental sample. The membrane cascade will compose a miniaturized, disposable module that can be integrated with many types of automated and/or portable biological detection systems. The membrane cascade is based on a unique nanoceramic materials platform, in which precise size-based separation of biological components (cells, viruses, and exogenous material) can be accomplished via pores diameters that are well controlled in the range of 5 to 200 nanometers. This membrane technology is robust, simple to use, and very low cost. Phase I will demonstrate feasibility of using ceramic membranes of various pore sizes to perform the required separation of large particulates, cells, viruses, exogenous material, and smaller chemicals. In a Phase I option, a breadboard prototype of the membrane cascade module will be built and evaluated.
