US 11,754,778 B2
Photoresponsive polymer coated optical fibers for water treatment
Paul K. Westerhoff, Scottsdale, AZ (US); Shahnawaz Sinha, Chandler, AZ (US); and Juan Noveron, El Paso, TX (US)
Assigned to Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University, Scottsdale, AZ (US); and Board of Regents; The University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US)
Filed by Paul K. Westerhoff, Scottsdale, AZ (US); Shahnawaz Sinha, Chandler, AZ (US); and Juan Noveron, El Paso, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/690,820.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/770,221, filed on Nov. 21, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0158948 A1, May 21, 2020
Int. Cl. G02B 6/02 (2006.01); C02F 1/32 (2023.01); C03C 25/106 (2018.01)
CPC G02B 6/02395 (2013.01) [C02F 1/325 (2013.01); C03C 25/106 (2013.01); C02F 2201/3224 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A photoreactor comprising:
a reservoir configured to hold water, the reservoir defining an inlet and an outlet; and
a multiplicity of optical fiber assemblies positioned in the reservoir, wherein each optical fiber assembly comprises:
one or more optical fibers coated with a composition comprising a photoresponsive polymer; and
a light source optically coupled to the one or more optical fibers;
wherein the photoresponsive polymer is configured to undergo a change from an initial state to an irradiated state when irradiated with light from the light source, and the photoresponsive polymer in the irradiated state is adapted to bind an ion from the water.