Osmotic bioelectrochemical system for combined wastewater
This technology combines a microbial fuel cell with a forward osmosis membrane to simultaneously treat wastewater and desalinate water. Bacteria in the wastewater chamber break down organic matter, generating electricity as a byproduct. A saltwater chamber sits adjacent, separated by a specialized membrane that draws clean water out of the wastewater and into the saline solution through osmotic pressure. The result is a single system that cleans wastewater, produces usable energy, and concentrates or dilutes saline streams — three outputs from one device.
What you could build
A modular water treatment unit for municipalities or industrial facilities that generates electricity from wastewater while also producing desalinated water, reducing net energy costs and infrastructure footprint. Target buyers are water utilities, industrial wastewater operators, and desalination plant developers seeking lower operating costs.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia's significant coastal and military water infrastructure, plus utilities in the Hampton Roads region facing both wastewater management and brackish water challenges, would be natural early adopters or pilot partners.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Zhen He
- Granted
- December 27, 2016
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9527038
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.