NANOCOMPOSITE MEMBRANE FOR OXYGEN CONCENTRATION

描述(由申请人提供)：拟议的工作涉及以下需求 用于氧气浓缩和输送的改进材料和便携式设备 缓解慢性阻塞性肺病的致残作用。第一阶段 研究将检查一种新氧气的工艺和成分变量 使用互穿聚合物网络的渗透选择膜 促进了氧气的运输。输入空气压力的关系， 温度、湿度对氧的扩散速率和选择性的影响 通过对该膜的测定，以优化性能。这 工作还将重点放在使用廉价的 掺杂聚苯醚离聚物膜及对照Nafion 薄膜。该掺杂离聚体薄膜制作简单，成本低廉，可以 制造成微管阵列，用于高效浓缩来自 周围的空气。将这些微阵列与小空气结合在一起 泵和电池应具有可接受的重量和体积 便携式设备连续运行。第一阶段的研究将包括 机械强度、透氧率和透气率的测量 氮气和物理均匀度，以及膜的老化特性 温度和湿度的函数。第二阶段将专注于设计， 一种实用、轻便的氧气浓缩器的制造和测试。 拟议的商业应用：氧气浓缩系统可用于家庭、航空旅行和慢性阻塞性肺病患者的医院环境。固定式和便携式医用氧气输送系统的市场规模估计为每年30亿美元。所提出的中空纤维阵列材料的简单性和低成本将对单个单元的成本产生重大影响。预计机组维护成本低，使用寿命长。预计会有多种工业应用，其中具有成本效益的现场氧气浓度对于医疗工业过程和废流消毒非常重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed work addresses the need for improved materials and portable devices for oxygen concentration and delivery to ease the disabling effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Phase I research will examine the process and compositional variables for a new oxygen permselective membrane using an interpenetrating polymer network exhibiting facilitated oxygen transport. The relationship of input air pressure, temperature, and humidity on the diffusion rates and selectivity for oxygen through this membrane will be determined in order to optimize performance. This work will also focus on applying reported results using an inexpensive doped-polyphenylene oxide ionomer membrane as well as a control Nafion membrane. The doped ionomer membrane is easy and inexpensive to make and can be fabricated into arrays of microtubes for efficient concentration of oxygen from ambient air. The combination of these microarrays together with a small air pump and battery is expected to have acceptable weight and volume for a portable device operating continuously. The research in Phase I will include measurements of the mechanical strength, permeation rates for oxygen and nitrogen and physical uniformity, and ageing characteristics of the membrane as a function of temperature and humidity. Phase II will focus on design, fabrication and testing of a practical, lightweight oxygen concentrator. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The oxygen concentrator system could be used at home, during air travel and in hospital settings for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The market for stationary and portable medical oxygen delivery systems is estimated to be $3 billion annually. The simplicity and low cost of the materials proposed for the hollow fiber array will have a significant impact on the cost of individual units. Units are expected to have low maintenance costs and a long service life. A variety of industrial applications are anticipated where cost effective on-site oxygen concentration is important for medical industrial processes and disinfection of waste streams.