Streaming Potential Device
This device was built similar to the device featured in the Burns(Zydney) 2000 J. Mem. Sci. paper. Our device seals in a SepCon formatted pnc-Si chip and allows 2 electrodes to be positioned by the chip. A feed line pressurizes the chip with saline, and the generated potential can be measured using the electrodes. The device was made out of polycarbonate by the UR machine shop. O-rings will be arriving soon and I hope to be testing this prototype this week.
Streaming potential measurements should enable the calculation of zeta potential, or the charge of a membrane in a specific salt solution. This will help us to characterize surface modifications and perform well controlled charge based separations. Presumably, since electroosmosis is the opposite of streaming potential, this device may also be able to function as an electroosmotic pump.