Energy and Materials Technology Available for Licensing

The invention develops in-situ continuous separation systems which use stimuli-responsive polymers for low-molecular weight alcohol removal by using the polymers to bind alcohol in their reduced state the release the bound alcohol when the polymer is oxidized. The redox-responsive polymers contain redox-sensitive moieties (such as ferrocene) wherein the hydrophilicity of the polymer increases upon oxidation of the redox-responsive moieties. This novel method reduces the product inhibition effects that plague the production of low-molecular weight alcohol from bio-mass by fermentation process.

Responsive Material for Separation of Organics from Water and Methods Thereof

Keywords:
Stimuli-responsive polymers, liquid-liquid extraction

Applications:
Removal of low-molecular weight alcohols from water

Problem:

Limited production rate

Advantages:

Enhancement of the production of low-molecular weight alcohols

Inventors:

Professor Alan T. Hatton(Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT)

Dr. Lev E. Bromberg (Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT)

Abhinav Akhoury (Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property:
US patent (12/395004) filed on February 27, 2009

Publications:
N/A

Responsive Material for Separation of Organics from Water and Methods Thereof

Keywords: Stimuli-responsive polymers, liquid-liquid extraction

Applications: Removal of low-molecular weight alcohols from water

Problem: Limited production rate

Advantages: Enhancement of the production of low-molecular weight alcohols

Inventors: Professor Alan T. Hatton(Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT) Dr. Lev E. Bromberg (Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT) Abhinav Akhoury (Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property: US patent (12/395004) filed on February 27, 2009

Publications: N/A