US 12,330,118 B2
System and method for angstrom confinement of trapped ions
Sushanta Mitra, Waterloo (CA); Na Young Kim, Waterloo (CA); Naga Siva Kumar Gunda, Waterloo (CA); Sunil Walia, Waterloo (CA); and Enrique Ignacio Wagemann, San Pedro de la Paz (CL)
Filed by Sushanta Mitra, Waterloo (CA); Na Young Kim, Waterloo (CA); Naga Siva Kumar Gunda, Waterloo (CA); Sunil Walia, Waterloo (CA); and Enrique Ignacio Wagemann, San Pedro de la Paz (CL)
Filed on Sep. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/932,651.
Application 17/932,651 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CA2021/050450, filed on Apr. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/100,818, filed on Apr. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0081674 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B01D 61/42 (2006.01); B01D 63/08 (2006.01); B01D 67/00 (2006.01); B01D 71/02 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G05D 7/06 (2006.01); B82Y 10/00 (2011.01); G01N 27/447 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 61/427 (2013.01) [B01D 63/088 (2013.01); B01D 67/0062 (2013.01); B01D 71/0211 (2022.08); B01L 3/50273 (2013.01); B01L 3/502761 (2013.01); G05D 7/0694 (2013.01); B01D 2311/2603 (2013.01); B01D 2313/501 (2022.08); B01D 2325/02832 (2022.08); B01L 2200/0647 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0645 (2013.01); B01L 2300/16 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0406 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0415 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0418 (2013.01); B82Y 10/00 (2013.01); G01N 27/44791 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for angstrom confinement of ions, the system comprising:
a first reservoir configured to receive ionic compounds from which the ions can be separated and water molecules to support electroosmosis;
a second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir by a microchannel therebetween;
a first electrode positioned in or adjacent to the microchannel proximate the first reservoir;
a second electrode positioned in or adjacent to the microchannel proximate the second reservoir;
wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to form an electric field therebetween for electroosmosis of the ionic compounds; and
an angstrom confinement assembly positioned in the microchannel between the first and second reservoirs and the first and second electrodes for trapping the ions, wherein the angstrom confinement assembly comprises a plurality of spacers disposed in spaced relation one to the next to define plural angstrom conduits between respective ones of each adjacent pair of the spacers, wherein the angstrom conduits have prescribed angstrom-order heights to confine the ions and the water molecules to respective linear chains therein;
whereby, when said electric field is formed, positive ions of the ionic compounds are separated from negative ions of the ionic compounds by inducing the positive ions to flow through the angstrom conduits, the positive ions being separated by the water molecules in the respective linear chains within the angstrom conduits, and when said electric field is not formed, water molecules flow into the angstrom conduits due to capillary forces to confine the positive ions in the respective linear chains in the angstrom conduits.