News Finding: "There are endless potential additives to choose from to tailor a membrane to the application of interest."
Paper Finding: Specifically, by tuning the membrane surface tension and geometric parameters, we demonstrate that one can design a membrane that can retain particles smaller than a critical size based on the particle inertial properties.
News Context: This newly developed membrane does the same, but unlike conventional filters, this one does not distinguish objects by size. "There are endless potential additives to choose from to tailor a membrane to the application of interest." Looking ahead, the researchers envision any number of creative, real-world applications for the membrane.
Paper Context: 1, B and C). Specifically, by tuning the membrane surface tension and geometric parameters, we demonstrate that one can design a membrane that can retain particles smaller than a critical size based on the particle inertial properties. Further, we have demonstrated that the unique properties of liquid membranes allow applications that were previously unachievable by conventional membrane technologies, including entrapment of microscopic entities while allowing the passage of macroscopic objects, and selective gas-solid separation where the membrane allows solids to pass through while inhibiting gas passage.