Patent ID: 7641863

Claim:
A membrane for controlling material transport, the membrane comprising: a membrane enclosure comprising a substrate and a cover and an outer wall, the substrate and the cover at least partially defining a channel between the substrate and the cover; and a plurality of fibers randomly placed on a surface of the substrate, the fibers connected to and extending away from the surface of the substrate, the fibers being positioned in the channel, the fibers being aligned to each other and the fibers extending away from the surface of the substrate within 45 degrees of perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and the fibers having a width of 100 nanometers or less, wherein at least a portion of the fibers have a coating, the coating having a thickness creating interfiber spacing, and wherein the outer wall of the membrane enclosure comprises at least a portion of the fibers, and wherein at least a portion of the fibers contact the cover.