SEPARATION AND ASSAY OF TARGET ENTITIES USING FILTRATION MEMBRANES COMPRISING A PERFORATED TWO-DIMENSIONAL MATERIAL

Perforated graphene and other perforated two-dimensional materials can be used to sequester target entities having a particular range of sizes or chemical characteristics. The target entities sequestered thereon can be further assayed for quantification/qualification purposes. Use of multiple filter membranes can allow particular size ranges or chemical characteristics of target entities to be isolated and further analyzed. Methods for assaying a target entity, particularly a biological target entity, can include providing one or more filter membranes disposed in series with one another, the filter membranes containing a perforated two-dimensional material, and the filter membranes having an effective pore size that decreases in a direction of intended fluid flow; and passing a fluid through the filter membranes. The methods can also include assaying for at least one target entity on the filter membranes.