Researchers at MIT have developed a new water filter design inspired by the unique plankton-filtering abilities of mobula rays. The filter uses vortices to block particles, allowing only water to pass through. This innovative design could revolutionize industrial cross-flow filtration and provide practical guidance on how to filter as the mobula ray does.
Key Factors in Filter Design
The researchers used experimental results from studies of water flow in filters equipped with 3D-printed plate-like structures to create a design blueprint for enhancing traditional cross-flow filters. This approach aims to improve overall filter performance.
Practical Guidance on Filter Design
By studying the dynamics of mobula ray filtration, the researchers have found that the ray’s filtering features are broadly similar to those of industrial filters. A key factor – the vortex flow structure between the filter plates – has been identified as a crucial element in optimizing filter design.
Support for Research
This work was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Harvey P. Greenspan Fellowship Fund.
Simple Water Filter Design
MIT engineers have developed a simple water filter inspired by the mobula ray’s plankton-filtering features. The filter’s design includes 3D-printed plate-like structures, which has been shown to improve the balance between permeability and selectivity in industrial cross-flow filters.
Filter-Feeders and Their Strategies
Certain marine animals, such as sea cucumbers and sea slugs, feed on algae and other small organisms. These creatures have evolved to strike a balance between taking in nutrients and keeping out toxins. The researchers are studying these filter-feeders to see if their strategies could be applied to water treatment systems.
Membrane Experimentation
The team has been experimenting with different types of membranes that mimic the permeability and selectivity of the filter-feeders’ mucus. They hope to create a system that can efficiently remove pollutants from water while also allowing beneficial nutrients to pass through.
Manta Ray-Inspired Filter Design
MIT engineers have developed a new water filter design inspired by the unique plankton-filtering abilities of mobula rays. The filter uses vortices to block particles, allowing only water to pass through.
Experimental Results
The researchers used experimental results from studies of water flow in filters equipped with 3D-printed plate-like structures to create a design blueprint for enhancing traditional cross-flow filters. The findings suggest that people can choose a parameter regime of the mobula ray so they could potentially improve overall filter performance.
Researchers at MIT have been studying marine animals that feed on algae and other small organisms to see if their strategies could be applied to water treatment systems. These filter-feeders, such as sea cucumbers and sea slugs, have evolved to strike a balance between taking in nutrients and keeping out toxins.
Filter-Feeders’ Strategies Inform Water Treatment Systems Design
The researchers are experimenting with different types of membranes that mimic the permeability and selectivity of the filter-feeders’ mucus. They hope to create a system that can efficiently remove pollutants from water while also allowing beneficial nutrients to pass through.
Manta Ray-Inspired Filter Design Could Revolutionize Industrial Cross-Flow Filtration
MIT engineers have developed a new water filter design inspired by the unique plankton-filtering abilities of mobula rays. The filter uses vortices to block particles, allowing only water to pass through. This design could revolutionize industrial cross-flow filtration and provide practical guidance on how to filter as the mobula ray does.
