Abstract: Various embodiments demonstrate that an in-situ polymerization enables deposition of a homogeneous polyaniline layer with a controlled thickness on top of a porous polypropylene support. Photografting and subsequent modification with diamines affords composite membranes featuring both high permeability and selectivity that are well suited for applications such as separation of carbon dioxide from a natural gas.

Abstract: A broadly applicable method requiring no more than a single step facilitates the preparation of large area super hydrophobic or super hydrophilic surfaces on a variety of substrates such as such as glass, metal, plastic, paper, wood, concrete and masonry. The technique involves the free radical polymerization of common acrylic or styrenic monomers in the presence of porogenic solvents in a mold or on a free surface. The material can be semi- or fully-transparent and either super hydrophobic or super hydrophilic depending on the choice of the monomers. Because porosity and dual scale roughness are intrinsic bulk properties of the monolithic materials and not only a surface characteristic, the polymers can be powdered to produce a super hydrophobic powder or otherwise fragmented and attached to the surface of any object to render it super hydrophobic or super hydrophilic. The surface properties of the porous material may also be altered locally by photografting with selected monomers.

Abstract: A method and device for performing chromatography includes placing a monolithic polymer layer in contact with a liquid mobile phase. The monolithic polymer layer may be neutral, positively charged, or negatively charged. A first electrode and second electrode are coupled to the monolithic polymer layer. An electrical potential is created between the first electrode and the second electrode. In some embodiments, the monolithic polymer layer may be placed in a sealed chamber, which may have a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Additionally, in some embodiments, the mobile phase is advanced through the monolithic polymer layer via one of a number of forced flow techniques.

Abstract: A microfluidic device preferably made of a thermoplastic polymer that includes a channel or a multiplicity of channels whose surfaces are modified by photografting. The device further includes a porous polymer monolith prepared via UV initiated polymerization within the channel, and functionalization of the pore surface of the monolith using photografting. Processes for making such surface modifications of thermoplastic polymers and porous polymer monoliths are set forth.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices comprising porous monolithic polymer for concentration, extraction or mixing of fluids. A method for in situ preparation of monolithic polymers by in situ initiated polymerization of polymer precursors within microchannels of a microfluidic device and their use for solid phase extraction (SPE), preconcentration, concentration and mixing.

Abstract: The use of porous monolithic matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry analysis on a sample suspected of containing an analyte is herein described. The porous polymer monoliths provide a matrix suitable for use in detecting and analyzing low molecular weight and small molecules. The matrices described herein also facilitate the creation of arrays of monolithic matrices for high-throughput detection and screening using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and exhibit a long shelf-life.

Abstract: A microfluidic device preferably made of a thermoplastic polymer that includes a channel or a multiplicity of channels whose surfaces are modified by photografting. The device further includes a porous polymer monolith prepared via UV initiated polymerization within the channel, and functionalization of the pore surface of the monolith using photografting. Processes for making such surface modifications of thermoplastic polymers and porous polymer monoliths are set forth.

Abstract: A composition, method and use is disclosed for a porous plug that functions as an electro-osmotic pump. The polymer eliminates any back pressure effects while enhancing the electro-osmotic flow in a channel. The pump is bach fabricated by surface micromachining on top of a silicon wafer. The pump device is driven by an alternating zero-average injected current signal at low frequencies producing a bubble-free electro-osmotic flow with a reversible net movement. The device is capable of an average water-air interface velocity of 1.8 &mgr;m/second at 0.8 Hz. The velocity may be increased from between 4.8-13.9 &mgr;m/second by necking down the channel size.

Abstract: An electrochromatographic device is provided for conducting enantioselective separation of enantiomers. The device is comprised of a conduit containing a monolithic enantioselective separation medium, and may be, for example, a capillary tube or a microchannel in a substrate. The enantioselective separation medium is prepared by copolymerization of (a1) an ionizable chiral monomer or (a2) a chiral monomer and an ionizable comonomer, along with (b) a crosslinking comonomer and (c) a polymerization initiator, in (d) a porogenic solvent. Following ionization, the enantioselective separation medium serves as a charge carrier as well as a chiral separation medium, and further acts as an electroosmotic pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid. The invention also provides methods for preparing the enantioselective separation medium and electrochromatographic devices fabricated therewith.

Abstract: Porous polymer monoliths are made thermally responsive by functionalizing/grafting the pores with thermally responsive polymers and copolymers. Depending on the reaction conditions employed, the grafted polymer can either completely block flow through micrometer-sized pores in the monoliths or control the flow rate through the monoliths. The grafted monoliths are useful as thermal gates, thermal valves, and for isocratic hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins.

Abstract: Porous polymeric matrix materials in the form of an integral body having a property gradient selected from any of pore size distribution, chemical composition or a combination thereof are disclosed along with a process for making the same.

Abstract: A method of pore-size selective chemical modification of materials having pores of about 1 to 1,500 nm is disclosed. The resulting novel porous materials are particularly useful as separation media in chromatography, for selective isolation, adsorption and catalysis.

Abstract: A method of pore-size selective chemical modification of materials having pores of about 1 to 1,500 nm is disclosed. The resulting novel porous materials are particularly useful as separation media in chromatography, for selective isolation, adsorption and catalysis.

Abstract: A process for separating small molecules from a sample containing small and large molecules using a porous separation medium having bimodal chemistry wherein the small molecules are first removed is disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous liquid chromatographic column containing a separation medium in the form of a macroporous polymer plug is disclosed. The column possesses numerous advantages over conventional columns which are packed with beads or particles. The plug contains both small pores less than 200 nm in diameter and large pores greater than 600 nm in diameter.

Abstract: A process for carrying out in a consecutive fashion different modes of chromatographic separation in a liquid chromatography column using a single separation medium is disclosed. Separation media for use in such multimodal separations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous liquid chromatographic column containing a separation medium in the form of a macroporous polymer plug is disclosed. The column possesses numerous advantages over conventional columns which are packed with beads or particles. The plug contains both small pores less than 200 nm in diameter and large pores greater than 600 nm in diameter.

Abstract: A process for carrying out in a consecutive fashion different modes of chromatographic separation in a liquid chromatography column using a single separation medium is disclosed. Separation media for use in such multimodal separations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing macroporous polymer beads from a multiphase emulsion using soluble polymer particles as the primary porogen is disclosed. The beads produced are of uniform size and shape.

Abstract: A method for preparation of macroporous polymeric membranes consisting in placing a mixture of monomers and a radical initiator, dissolved in a porogenic inert organic solvent selected from the group comprising alcohols, estes of carboxylic acids, ketones, and their mixtures, into a space of an adapted shape formed by two temperature-controlled plates and a distance insert having the thickness corresponding to the required thickness of membrane and heating up to 80.degree. C. for 24 hours at utmost in order to carry out the radical polymerization. Azo-bis-isobutyronitrile is advantageously used as an initiator in the amount 0.05-2 wt. % related to monomers in the polymerization mixture. Cyclohexanol or its mixture containing up to 20 vol. % dodecanol are advantageously used as a porogenic solvent in the amount 40-60 vol. % in the polymerization batch.