Size adjustable separation of biologically active molecules

Separation of biologically active molecules (BAM's) is a problem for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Current technologies addressing this problem require too many techniques, toxic additives, and time to filter desired materials. As a result, a new technology is needed. The objective of this thesis is to contribute towards the development of a new method for separating biologically active molecules in the size range of 0.5 nanometers to 500 nanometers. A normally open diaphragm valve is proposed that can control a gap formed by two flat surfaces. For accurate control of gap height, the valve was designed to ensure that the flat surfaces remain parallel during operation . Modularity was also part of design considerations to address issues of eventual biocompatibility breakdown specifically protein adsorption. Control of the gap has been achieved to increments of 1.8 nanometers.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Gutierrez, Mauricio R. (Mauricio Roberto)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kamal Youcef-Toumi.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34150

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/34150