Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including reacting a solution of a salt of a biocidal metal with an active layer of water purification membrane, discarding the biocidal metal salt solution such that a thin layer of the biocidal metal salt solution remains on the membrane surface, reacting a reducing agent solution with the active layer of the membrane and the thin layer of the biocidal metal salt solution thereby forming a biocidal metal nanoparticle-modified membrane, removing the reducing agent solution, and rinsing the biocidal metal nanoparticle-modified membrane.

Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including reacting a solution of a salt of a biocidal metal with an active layer of water purification membrane, discarding the biocidal metal salt solution such that a thin layer of the biocidal metal salt solution remains on the membrane surface, reacting a reducing agent solution with the active layer of the membrane and the thin layer of the biocidal metal salt solution thereby forming a biocidal metal nanoparticle-modified membrane, removing the reducing agent solution, and rinsing the biocidal metal nanoparticle-modified membrane.

Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to customized thin-film composite membranes comprising: a porous support; a selective barrier; and one or more polymeric additives dispersed in the porous support in an amount from at least about 1% and about 50% by weight of the porous support. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fabricating a porous support comprising the steps of: preparing a polymer solution comprising a polymer, a polymeric additive, and a first liquid; contacting a surface with the polymer solution; and evaporating the liquid. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the thin-film composite membranes disclosed herein in osmotically driven membrane processes.

Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical work that uses a semi-permeable membrane to convert osmotic pressure into electrical power. A closed cycle pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) process known as an osmotic heat engine (OHE) uses a concentrated ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution to create high osmotic pressures which generate water flux through a semi-permeable membrane against a hydraulic pressure gradient. The depressurization of the increased draw solution volume in a turbine produces electrical power. The process is maintained in steady state operation through the separation of the diluted draw solution into a re-concentrated draw solution and deionized water working fluid, both for reuse in the osmotic heat engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development and fabrication of thin-film polymer nanocomposites containing vertically aligned nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). In certain embodiments, the present invention utilizes liquid crystal mesophases of hexagonally packed cylindrical micelles that orient with their long axes parallel to an applied magnetic field, thereby directing the alignment of the nanomaterials, such as SWNTs, sequestered in the micellar cores. In certain embodiments, the mesophase may be a stable, single-phase material containing monomers that can be polymerized after nanotube alignment to form the nanocomposite polymer.

Abstract: Nanoparticle functionalized membranes, where the surface of the membranes is nanoparticle functionalized. The nanoparticles closest to the membrane surface are covalently bonded to the membrane surface. For example, the membranes are forward osmosis, reverse osmosis, or ultrafiltration membranes. The membranes can be used in devices or water purification methods.

Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical work that uses a semi-permeable membrane to convert osmotic pressure into electrical power. A closed cycle pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) process known as an osmotic heat engine (OHE) uses a concentrated ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution to create high osmotic pressures which generate water flux through a semi-permeable membrane against a hydraulic pressure gradient. The depressurization of the increased draw solution volume in a turbine produces electrical power. The process is maintained in steady state operation through the separation of the diluted draw solution into a re-concentrated draw solution and deionized water working fluid, both for reuse in the osmotic heat engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development and fabrication of thin-film polymer nanocomposites containing vertically aligned nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). In certain embodiments, the present invention utilizes liquid crystal mesophases of hexagonally packed cylindrical micelles that orient with their long axes parallel to an applied magnetic field, thereby directing the alignment of the nanomaterials, such as SWNTs, sequestered in the micellar cores. In certain embodiments, the mesophase may be a stable, single-phase material containing monomers that can be polymerized after nanotube alignment to form the nanocomposite polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to customized thin-film composite membranes comprising: a porous support; a selective barrier; and one or more polymeric additives dispersed in the porous support in an amount from at least about 1% and about 50% by weight of the porous support. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fabricating a porous support comprising the steps of: preparing a polymer solution comprising a polymer, a polymeric additive, and a first liquid; contacting a surface with the polymer solution; and evaporating the liquid. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the thin-film composite membranes disclosed herein in osmotically driven membrane processes.

Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating draw solution solutes and product solvent from a draw solution using a plurality of distillation columns is disclosed. In one embodiment, the draw solution is used in a Forward Osmosis (FO) water desalination process. In this embodiment, the draw solution is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in parallel while the energy stream (heat) is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in series such that the efficiency of heat use is improved and in turn the cost of the heat is reduced.

Abstract: Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into mechanical work that uses a semi-permeable membrane to convert osmotic pressure into electrical power. A closed cycle pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) process known as an osmotic heat engine (OHE) uses a concentrated ammonia-carbon dioxide draw solution to create high osmotic pressures which generate water flux through a semi-permeable membrane against a hydraulic pressure gradient. The depressurization of the increased draw solution volume in a turbine produces electrical power. The process is maintained in steady state operation through the separation of the diluted draw solution into a re-concentrated draw solution and deionized water working fluid, both for reuse in the osmotic heat engine.