Casimir–van der Waals Gradient Multilayers for Heavy-Metal Capture and Recovery

PROBLEM: Gradient multilayers grade spacing and composition through the stack, so the dispersion-force environment changes from zone to zone: narrow gaps in one zone may attract ions strongly while wider gaps in another let them pass. A capture design that treats the gradient as a chemical grade only will misjudge where ions actually accumulate. Zone-resolved dispersion modelling is needed to predict loading distribution through the stack.

SOLUTION: IBM Cloud Ideas would provide a capability for modelling gradient capture stacks zone by zone, combining DFT chemical binding predictions with Casimir/van der Waals dispersion-force estimates for each zone's spacing and composition. The capability would store the zone model and batch-isotherm validation per zone, require regeneration and reuse accounting, and keep deposition, drying, and regeneration energy attached to the stack record. It supports gradient design without claiming recovery.

EVIDENCE BASIS: Casimir/van der Waals dispersion forces are DOCUMENTED: quantum-fluctuation forces between uncharged surfaces at nanoscale; Casimir measured 1997 (Lamoreaux). DFT (Hohenberg–Kohn 1964, Kohn–Sham 1965, Nobel 1998) predicts which surface groups bind which metal ions. Biosorption is validated via batch isotherms, qe = (C0 − Ce)V/m, with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms as textbook models. Source: Lamoreaux 1997 Casimir measurement and textbook DFT and biosorption isotherm literature as summarised in the batch method.