Detergent-induced crystallization of protein-polymer nanosheets for rapid membrane production

Background

Biomimetic membranes offer transformative potential in areas such as desalination, molecular separations, and sustainable resource recovery. These membranes depend on the integration of functional membrane proteins within polymeric nanosheets. However, the widespread adoption of these technologies has been limited by slow, inefficient, and scale-restrictive fabrication methods. Techniques like detergent dialysis require days to complete and involve large volumes of detergent-containing buffers, while solvent evaporation methods use harsh chemicals that can denature proteins and reduce membrane functionality. These limitations have impeded efforts to develop reliable, cost-effective systems for industrial-scale membrane production.

Technology overview

This technology introduces a fast and scalable method for assembling protein-polymer nanosheets through Detergent-Phase-Separation-Induced Crystallization (DPSIC). The process uses a nonionic detergent, such as Octyl-POE, at concentrations just above its critical micelle threshold to form mixed micelles with proteins and amphiphilic block copolymers. Controlled heating induces micelle phase separation, concentrating proteins and polymers into aggregates that self-assemble into crystalline nanosheets. Dilution below the micelle concentration stabilizes the sheets.
The approach supports low protein concentrations, completes in minutes, and scales to milliliter volumes. It avoids organic solvents entirely, preserving protein function, and produces nanosheets significantly larger and more uniform than those from traditional methods. The process requires only simple heating equipment, offering a low-cost, high-throughput alternative to dialysis or solvent evaporation.

Benefits

  • Forms nanosheets up to 2,200 times faster than detergent dialysis
  • Avoids harsh organic solvents to preserve protein functionality
  • Produces larger, more uniform nanosheets with high yield
  • Scales easily to multi-milliliter volumes for manufacturing
  • Operates using simple, temperature-controlled equipment

Applications

  • Water desalination membranes
  • Molecular filtration and separations
  • Protein-based sensing platforms
  • Energy-efficient resource recovery
  • Synthetic biology and bioengineering

Opportunity

  • Overcomes key barriers to commercial-scale biomimetic membrane production
  • Enables cost-effective, rapid, and solvent-free nanosheet synthesis
  • Suitable for industrial manufacturing and academic research alike
  • Available for exclusive licensing

Intellectual property

PCT/US2025/021314

Publication

Rapid heat-driven formation of 2D nanosheets from membrane proteins and block copolymers (doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2025.123732)
Patent Information:
Direct Link:
https://canberra-ip.technologypublisher.com/tech/Detergent-induced_crystalliz ation_of_protein-polymer_nanosheets_for_rapid_membrane_production
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For Information, Contact:
Cory Lago
Intellectual Property Specialist
University of Texas at Austin
cory.lago@austin.utexas.edu