Two-Layer Membrane with Tiny, Ordered Pores for Carbon Capture
This patent describes a two-layer filter, called a mixed matrix membrane, that uses a support layer with precisely arranged, uniform tiny holes and a carbon dioxide capture layer to trap CO2.
Original patent title: “Carbon capture membrane”
This patent describes a two-layer filter, called a mixed matrix membrane, that uses a support layer with precisely arranged, uniform tiny holes and a carbon dioxide capture layer to trap CO2. Granted to Singapore University of Technology and Design in 2022 with 20 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a carbon capture mixed matrix membrane designed to separate carbon dioxide from other gases. It features a "polymeric support layer" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1) that is 50-500 micrometers thick and contains "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" (Claim 1), meaning the tiny holes are arranged in a precise, consistent pattern. These pores can range from 100 nanometers to 100 micrometers in diameter (Claim 5). On or within this support layer is a "carbon dioxide capture layer" (Claim 1), which uses solid porous materials with specific "carbon dioxide adsorption sites" (Claim 1) to attract and hold CO2 molecules. These capture materials can include amine-functionalised substances or metal-organic frameworks like ZIF-8 (Claim 8). For example, exhaust gas from a factory could pass through this membrane, with the capture layer selectively binding the CO2 while allowing other gases to pass through.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover membranes where the polymeric support layer has randomly sized or arranged pores, as it specifies "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover membranes with a support layer made of non-polymeric materials, as it explicitly claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a "polymeric support layer" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover general gas separation membranes that are not specifically designed with "at least one carbon dioxide adsorption site" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover membranes where the polymeric support layer is thinner than 50 micrometers or thicker than 500 micrometers (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover membranes that are purely polymeric or purely inorganic, as it specifies a "mixed matrix membrane" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1) combining polymer and solid porous material.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The truly novel aspect is the "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" in the polymeric support layer. This precise patterning helps ensure consistent gas flow and optimal integration of the CO2 capture material, leading to a more efficient and stable membrane.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Industrial carbon capture facilities
Power plant emissions control systems
Direct air capture (DAC) systems
Gas separation units in chemical processing
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Carbon capture technology is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources and power generation, helping to address climate change. Membranes offer a potentially energy-efficient and scalable method for separating CO2. This patent contributes to advancing membrane design by focusing on the precise structural control of the support layer, which can improve the overall efficiency and durability of carbon capture systems.
Filed
July 10, 2018
Granted
May 10, 2022
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Many research institutions globally, including the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → Singapore University of Technology and Design, are actively researching and developing advanced membrane technologies for carbon capture. Companies like Carbon Engineering and Climeworks are prominent players in the broader carbon capture space, though their specific membrane designs may vary. The field sees continuous innovation from academic labs and startups aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing evolution of carbon capture technologies, particularly membrane-based separation. Improvements in membrane design, such as those described here, can lead to more efficient and cost-effective CO2 removal solutions. This can help accelerate the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, making it more feasible for industries to meet emission reduction targets and potentially creating new market opportunities for specialized membrane manufacturers.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a carbon capture mixed matrix membrane designed to separate carbon dioxide from other gases. It features a "polymeric support layer" (Claim 1) that is 50-500 micrometers thick and contains "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" (Claim 1), meaning the tiny holes are arranged in a precise, consistent pattern. These pores can range from 100 nanometers to 100 micrometers in diameter (Claim 5). On or within this support layer is a "carbon dioxide capture layer" (Claim 1), which uses solid porous materials with specific "carbon dioxide adsorption sites" (Claim 1) to attract and hold CO2 molecules. These capture materials can include amine-functionalised substances or metal-organic frameworks like ZIF-8 (Claim 8). For example, exhaust gas from a factory could pass through this membrane, with the capture layer selectively binding the CO2 while allowing other gases to pass through.
The clever bit
The truly novel aspect is the "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" in the polymeric support layer. This precise patterning helps ensure consistent gas flow and optimal integration of the CO2 capture material, leading to a more efficient and stable membrane.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover membranes where the polymeric support layer has randomly sized or arranged pores, as it specifies "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" (Claim 1).
- Does not cover membranes with a support layer made of non-polymeric materials, as it explicitly claims a "polymeric support layer" (Claim 1).
- Does not cover general gas separation membranes that are not specifically designed with "at least one carbon dioxide adsorption site" (Claim 1).
- Does not cover membranes where the polymeric support layer is thinner than 50 micrometers or thicker than 500 micrometers (Claim 1).
- Does not cover membranes that are purely polymeric or purely inorganic, as it specifies a "mixed matrix membrane" (Claim 1) combining polymer and solid porous material.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
13/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$22K – $70K
Midpoint $44K · 11.8 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
20 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Zhang, Y., Tan, M. C., Low, H. Y., & Wong, H. C. (2022). Two-Layer Membrane with Tiny, Ordered Pores for Carbon Capture (U.S. Patent No. 11,325,075). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11325075/carbon-capture-membrane
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Two-Layer Membrane with Tiny, Ordered Pores for Carbon Capture cover?
This patent describes a two-layer filter, called a mixed matrix membrane, that uses a support layer with precisely arranged, uniform tiny holes and a carbon dioxide capture layer to trap CO2.
Who owns patent US 11325075?
Singapore University of Technology and Design owns this patent, granted in 2022.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on July 10, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Carbon capture technology is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources and power generation, helping to address climate change. Membranes offer a potentially energy-efficient and scalable method for separating CO2. This patent contributes to advancing membrane design by focusing on the precise structural control of the support layer, which can improve the overall efficiency and durability of carbon capture systems.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover membranes where the polymeric support layer has randomly sized or arranged pores, as it specifies "spatially ordered uniform sized pores" (Claim 1).
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