Work

Revealing the spatiotemporal dynamics of protein fouling on micropatterned ultrafiltration membranes by in-situ visualization

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of adding microscale herringbone patterns to ultrafiltration membrane surfaces for reducing protein fouling. Patterns with different geometries were introduced to membrane surfaces by embossing with woven mesh fabrics. Having found earlier that confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) can provide greater detail for the early (pre-monolayer) stage of fouling, we used CLSM in situ to investigate the protein fouling profiles on as-received and patterned membranes. Labeling the proteins and membranes with different fluorescent probes allowed the spatiotemporal imaging of protein deposition at the early stages of fouling. CLSM images were compared with filtration data to reveal the effect of pattern geometry on protein fouling. Extending the approach to other patterns and multi-component solutions can inform surface modification strategies to control protein fouling in pressure-driven membrane operations.

Source: Journal of Membrane Science Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.memlet.2025.100097

Authors: Anna Malakian, Scott M. Husson

Institution: Clemson University

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation Technologies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,310

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, South Carolina EPSCoR