Micro structured membranes with enhanced surface area.

By making deep grooves in a macroporous support and covering this support with a perforated nano filtration skin layer (200nm pores) one obtains a membrane with very large surface area.

Enhanced membranes: a nanoporous skin combined with a microporous support structure

This membrane is capable of collecting highly concentrated debris in solutions without fast clogging. An advantage that can be optimally used in pre-treatment for PCR analysis of pathogens like cryptosporidium, e-coli and legionella in drinking water.

As shown in the photograph at the right, the skin properties are present on both the horizontal and the vertical sidewalls: filtration surface enhancement at its best.