What type of filter would you use to filter out the smallest particles, including bacteria?

Ultrafiltration is a membrane-based filtration process that utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to separate particles based on size. It is particularly effective at filtering out smaller particles, including bacteria and large viruses, from liquids. The pores in ultrafiltration membranes typically range from 1 nm to 100 nm in diameter, which allows them to trap and remove contaminants that are significantly smaller than those that can be removed by microfiltration.

This level of filtration is crucial in various applications, such as water purification, food processing, and the pharmaceutical industry, where ensuring the removal of pathogens and small particulate matter is essential for safety and quality. By applying pressure, ultrafiltration systems push the liquid through the membrane, efficiently separating unwanted particles from the desired solution.