Abstract: Polymer-based membranes and methods for fabricating membranes are described. The methods include forming a casting solution featuring a plurality of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based solvent, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based modifying agent, dispersing the casting solution to form a first element, generating a plurality of active sites on a surface of the first element, and forming a polymer-based membrane by exposing the surface of the first element to a fluorosilane composition to form a fluorosilane layer on the surface, where the fluorosilane composition includes a silane compound having at least one alkyl substituent that includes between 9 and 21 fluorine atoms.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and structures for purification or volume reduction of a brine by an advanced vacuum distillation process (AVMD) to achieve higher flux by passage of vapors through an AVMD distillation unit. In one example, brine is circulated in a tank. The tank may include one or more membrane pouches that are submerged in the circulating brine or placed above the water level of the hot circulating brine. In other embodiments the membrane pouches are outside of the tank that includes the hot circulating brine but still in communication with it. The circulating brine is heated, allowing creation of water vapor. Using a vacuum, the water vapor is drawn through the membrane, where it may be condensed and subjected to further beneficial use. This process can concentrate to levels to generate crystals or solids, which can be separated and utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane filtration module comprising a housing in which the filtration membrane is disposed in a fixed positional relationship by a potting or bonding material obtained by the curing of a two component (2K) composition consisting of: a first component (A) comprising at least one compound (a) having at least two acetoacetate functional groups; and, a second component (B) comprising at least one compound (b) having at least one amino group, each said amino group being a primary or secondary amino group.

Abstract: A lid for closing an open ended blood chamber is provided. The lid is a one piece device forming an inlet to the blood chamber. The one piece device includes a filter media spaced apart from the inlet and wherein blood passing through the inlet passes through the filter media upon entry into the blood chamber. The filter media filters gross particulate from the blood passing therethrough. The one piece device further includes a vent port with an associated vent port cover to allow air separated to vent from the blood chamber.

Abstract: An array of hollow nanotubes is configured and dimensioned to allow impurities to transport through the hollow nanotubes from a first space containing an impurity-laden fluid to a second space where the impurities may be collected for removal, allowing fluids, such as blood, to be purified.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a nanofiltration composite membrane, a preparation method and application thereof. The preparation method comprises: A) preparing 2D nano-material dispersion; B) first preparing a solution of a polymer material with a certain concentration, continuously adding a poor solvent under stirring conditions to subject the polymer material to chemical reaction to obtain a dispersion containing negatively charged polymer gel particles; C) subjecting the nano-material dispersion in step A) and the dispersion prepared in step B) to blending, membrane preparation and drying, and then placing the membrane into an alkaline solution with a certain concentration and pure water for soaking to obtain a nanofiltration composite membrane. The nanofiltration composite membrane can efficiently remove heavy metal complex ions through the synergistic effect of pore size screening and charge repulsion.

Abstract: Described are filter membranes coated with a polyamide, filters and filter cartridges that include the filter membranes, and methods of using and making the filter membranes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to capillary dialyzers for blood purification, in particular, capillary dialyzers suitable for home hemodialysis systems.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: A bioartificial liver (BAL) based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and a multilayer porous bioreactor is provided. The plasma separation/retransfusion loop part includes a blood input pipe, an exhaust pipe spring clamp, a blood input peristaltic pump, a heparin pump, a plasma separation column, a first pressure monitor, and a heater. The cell reactor/plasma component exchange double-loop part includes a plasma input peristaltic pump, and a semipermeable membrane exchange column, a plasma exchange peristaltic pump, a red blood cell (RBC) pool, a membrane lung, a multilayer porous bioreactor, a second pressure monitor, and a third pressure monitor arranged in a 37° C. dedicated incubator. An outlet of the third pressure monitor and a blood cell outlet are connected to an inlet of the first pressure monitor, and then connected to the heater and a blood output pipe in sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular flow system having a plurality of frame elements (101, 102) configured to be combined together to form a stack for forming a functional member. This functional member may be in particular a membrane distillation stage, a vapor generator, a condenser, a heat exchanger, a filter and/or a pervaporation stage. The frame elements (101, 102) each include: ? an outer frame (39) and an inner frame (43), the inner frame (43) encasing a central inner region (40) and being surrounded by the outer frame (39), and ? passage openings (13 to 16) and vapor and/or liquid channels (17, 18) arranged between the outer frame (39) and the inner frame (43). At least one of the two vapor and/or liquid channels (17, 18) is connected to the central inner region (40) by at least one vapor and/or liquid channel opening (22) constituting a through hole in the inner frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a polyethylene membrane comprising: stretching a polyethylene film in a first direction during a first stretching; attaching a plurality of rods on side edges of the polyethylene film; attaching a tape on the polyethylene film; stretching the polyethylene film having the rods attached thereto in a second direction during a second stretching; and annealing the polyethylene film after the second stretching. The second direction can be a transverse direction of the first direction, and the first stretching and the second stretching can be performed at the same (or higher) temperature and the same stretching speed as each other.

Abstract: A water treatment membrane and method of making water treatment membranes includes an interfacially formed polyamide layer residing upon a microporous support film and having a plurality of graphene oxide quantum dots attached to an outer surface of the polyamide layer. The polyamide layer has a permeate flux and a salt rejection performance. The permeate flux is increased by the presence of the graphene oxide quantum dots attached to the outer surface of the polyamide.

Abstract: A water purification system utilizes an ionomer membrane and mild vacuum to draw water from source water through the membrane. A water source may be salt water or a contaminated water source. The water drawn through the membrane passes across the condenser chamber to a condenser surface where it is condensed into purified water. The condenser surface may be metal or any other suitable surface and may be flat or pleated. In addition, the condenser surface may be maintained at a lower temperature than the water on the water source side of the membrane. The ionomer membrane may be configured in a cartridge, a pleated or flat plate configuration. A latent heat loop may be configured to carry the latent heat of vaporization from the condenser back to the water source side of the ionomer membrane. The source water may be heated by a solar water heater.

Abstract: Methods, device, and systems for preparing peritoneal dialysis fluid and/or administering a peritoneal dialysis treatment are disclosed. In embodiments, peritoneal dialysis fluid is prepared at a point of use automatically using a daily sterile disposable fluid circuit and one or more long-term concentrate containers that are changed only after multiple days (e.g. weekly). The daily disposable may have concentrate containers that are initially empty and are filled from the long-term concentrate containers once per day at the beginning of a treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanochannel plates for use in reverse osmosis systems and methods of their manufacture. An example nanochannel plate includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface and the second surface are parallel to a major flat of the nanochannel plate. The nanochannel plate also includes a plurality of channels. At least one channel includes a carbon nanotube having a first end opening proximate to the first surface and a second end opening proximate to the second surface. Optionally, a core portion of the carbon nanotube could be configured to transport water from the first surface to the second surface or vice versa. Optionally, the core portion of the carbon nanotube has a core diameter of less than or equal to 0.7 nanometers.

Abstract: A membrane distillation device, provided with a membrane distillation module including a plurality of hydrophobic porous hollow fiber membranes, and a condenser for condensing water vapor extracted from the module. The average pore diameter of the porous hollow fiber is 0.01-1 ?m. The filling ratio of the porous hollow fiber of the membrane distillation module is 10-80%, and the pressure condition for the membrane distillation is equal to or greater than 1 kPa and equal to or less than the saturated vapor pressure of water at the temperature of the water being treated.

Abstract: Systems and methods suitable for extracorporeal lung support are provided that expose blood, across a semipermeable membrane, to a dialysis liquid. The dialysis liquid features a buffering agent and has a high buffering capacity for H+ ions. Carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and hydrogen cations are transported across a semipermeable membrane into the dialysis liquid. The dialysis fluid may be recycled and repeatedly used, and its pH may be adjusted, and other fluids added to it. Certain substances may be removed from the blood, and the amount of these substances removed from the blood may be substantially automatically or substantially continuously monitored or quantified. The systems and methods are suitable for treating or preventing respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis, and diseases featuring lung malfunction, kidney malfunction, or liver malfunction.

Abstract: The porous hollow fiber membrane of the present invention contains a thermoplastic resin, and includes a surface having a surface porosity of 32 to 60% and a fine pore diameter of 300 nm or less, and has a compressive strength of 0.7 MPa or more. The porous hollow fiber membrane of the present invention may include at least two layers, and in this case, the surface of one layer has a thickness of backbone of 0.3 to 20 ?m and a fine pore diameter of 0.3 to 10 ?m, and the surface of the other layer has a surface porosity of 32 to 60% and a fine pore diameter of 0.05 to 0.3 ?m.