Separation of mixtures at nano length scales: blow torch and levitation effect.
A new conceptual basis for the separation of multicomponent molecular mixtures is proposed. A separation method where different components of the mixtures are driven in opposite directions is realized by a judicious combination of two effects, viz., levitation and blow torch effects. Monte Carlo simulations of two Lennard-Jones binary mixtures with different-sized components are shown to be separated well if at least one of the components lies in the anomalous regime and the others lie in the linear regime. A separation factor of 10(8) is obtained on nano length scales as compared to 10(3), obtainable through conventional methods of separation on macrolength scales.
Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India 560 012.
A V
AV
Anil Kumar
S
S
Yashonath
G
G
Ananthakrishna