Current methods for dialysis either require high pressure or large volumes and additional chemicals to remove ions from solutions. This makes it expensive and unsustainable for the environment. An alternative method is electrodialysis, which is a greener method, but can cause proteins to precipitate due to lower pH and require high voltage.
To overcome these problems, the Su lab at UIUC has developed an improved method for electrodialysis. This invention can be applied to large food and pharmaceutical processing applications at a fraction of the energy required. Bulk solution of valuable biomolecules can pass through a channel where ions can be continuously removed. This provides a quick and sustainable way to remove unwanted ions from valuable products and can help lower the cost of production.
