Microstructured Oriented Fiber (MOF) Filters for Particle Capture in Air, Fuel, and Other Automotive Fluids

MicroEnergy Technologies' (MicroET), teaming with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been focusing on the development of new particle removal technologies based on microstructured oriented fiber (MOF) filters. Our goal is to develop MOFfilters using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes supported by laboratory testing for efficient capture and filtration of solids at the smallest possible pressure drop. Our project objective is to demonstrate, through prototypes, the high performanceand universality of our filtration approach for removal of particulates from various automotive fluids such as engine oils and transmission fluids. Initially, an air filter for an automobile will be demonstrated. The proposed microstructure geometryprovides a number of advantages, including, (1) ordered miniature structures provide a much lower pressure drop for a flowing fluid than randomly ordered fibers, (2) high particle removal efficiency for a single pass, (3) electric charge imbedded on thefibers causes heavy metals to agglomerate, thus facilitating their removal, (4) high surface area coatings can be placed on the microstructures for the removal of contaminants, (5) mass-producible low-cost MOF filters can be fabricated by plasticinjection, and (6) these filters can be easily regenerated or cleaned. The result of this project is a new generation of engineered filters for automotive applications. The final product, microstructured, oriented fiber filter, other than for military vehicle applications, is of great value in the air and ground transportation industries.