US 12,109,535 B2
Enrichment and separation of isotopes, isotopologues, or other chemical species, via differential embedding in a capture matrix
Steven J. Sibener, Chicago, IL (US); and Kevin D. Gibson, Blue Island, IL (US)
Assigned to THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/453,357.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/110,681, filed on Nov. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0143551 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. B01D 59/26 (2006.01); B01D 59/18 (2006.01); B01D 59/34 (2006.01); G21K 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 59/26 (2013.01) [B01D 59/18 (2013.01); B01D 59/34 (2013.01); G21K 1/06 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for enriching, separating, or enriching and separating chemical species having different masses, the method comprising:
directing a first beam onto a surface, the first beam comprising a matrix material that forms a solid matrix on the surface;
directing a second beam onto the surface, such that the second beam converges with the first beam at the surface, wherein the second beam is a supersonic beam comprising a first chemical species and a second chemical species, the first chemical species having a higher incident momentum than the second chemical species, whereby the first chemical species is preferentially embedded in the solid matrix, relative to the second chemical species; and
releasing the first chemical species from the solid matrix and collecting the released first chemical species, collecting the second chemical species scattered from the solid matrix, or both.