Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a protective membrane having first and second layers. The first layer is air permeable, vapor breathable, and liquid repellant. The second layer is vapor breathable, liquid repellant, and adsorptive of chemical and/or biological agents.

Abstract: A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.

Abstract: A membrane contactor system for use in separating carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream in a continuous flow process comprising a housing defining a gas flow path and comprising a first outlet for the carbon dioxide and a second outlet for the purified gas; an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane positioned in the housing to allow the gaseous stream to flow across a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane, the membrane having a plurality of interconnecting pores configured to allow the carbon dioxide to diffuse therethrough; an oleophobic enhancement coating disposed on the surfaces to form a coated membrane; and an amine based sorbent liquid disposed on a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane opposite the gas, wherein the amine based sorbent liquid is configured to absorb the carbon dioxide from the gaseous stream.

Abstract: Composite membrane materials and process for their production. The process entails the use of at least first and second porous membranes formed of a polymeric material and at least a third porous membrane formed of the same polymeric material, but having larger pores than the first and second porous membranes. The first, second and third porous membranes are laminated together by applying heat and pressure to the first, second and third porous membranes without applying a separate adhesive material therebetween. The laminated first, second and third porous membranes form a composite membrane in which the third porous membrane is between the first and second porous membranes.

Abstract: An article includes a membrane having pores and that is air permeable. A nanoparticle precursor is dispersed throughout the pores, and the nanoparticle precursor is responsive to a stimulus to form a catalytically active nanoparticle. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonwoven fabrics containing polymeric multiple component fibers which include a core component and a plurality of wing components attached to the core. The polymeric core component has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of at least one of the wing polymeric components. The fibers assume a spiral twist configuration in which the plurality of wings substantially spiral about the core. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabrics have elastic stretch and recovery properties with a textile-like hand.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for improving mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement that includes at least one layer of ePTFE, with the at least one ePTFE layer being configured to have a geometry that retains at least some accumulated particulate matter. The system includes an arrangement for providing at least some particulate matter in the flow for accumulation on the filtration arrangement by the geometry.

Abstract: A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite article such as an airplane part or a boat part is presented. The method includes: preparing a prepreg layup, the prepreg layup comprising a plurality of prepregs and at least one microporous breather membrane; enclosing the prepreg layup with a gas impermeable vacuum bag; evacuating a volume enclosed by the gas impermeable vacuum bag to preconsolidate the plurality of prepregs; consolidating the plurality of prepregs; and discontinuing the evacuating.

Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having pores and that is air permeable. A nanoparticle precursor is dispersed throughout the pores, and the nanoparticle precursor is responsive to a stimulus to form a catalytically active nanoparticle. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a protective membrane having first and second layers. The first layer is air permeable, vapor breathable, and liquid repellant. The second layer is vapor breathable, liquid repellant, and adsorptive of chemical and/or biological agents.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced article. The method includes the steps of providing a mat fiber stricture defining voids therein. A membrane structure is applied over at least a portion of the fiber structure. The membrane structure includes a microporous membrane. At least the microporous membrane of the membrane structure has an oil resistance rating of at least a number 8 determined by AATCC 118 testing. A resin and hardener mix is provided. The resin is infused into voids of the fiber structure by applying a vacuum to the fiber structure and the membrane structure wherein the membrane structure inhibits the flow of resin therethrough.

Abstract: An article includes a porous membrane having pores, a first selectively permeable coating supported by the membrane and a component protective against delamination of the selectively permeable coating from the porous membrane and/or any other coatings applied thereto. The first selectively permeable coating includes an antichemical, antibiological, antiradiological and/or antimicrobial agent. The protective component may be provided alone, or as an element of the first selectively permeable coating, or, a second selectively permeable coating. A laminate and methods of providing these are also provided.

Abstract: An article includes a plastic material and an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) laminate coupled to the plastic material.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent includes a nanoporous membrane separator positioned in an opening in a fuel tank to allow vapor from a fuel to flow across a membrane, wherein the membrane comprises a network in which surfaces of the network define a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane, wherein the plurality of interconnecting pores have a mean pore size of about 0.1 nanometers to about 50 nanometers, and are permeable to a selected one or both of the fuel vapor and air, and impermeable to a liquid fuel; and an oleophobic enhancement coating disposed on surfaces of the plurality of interconnecting pores and configured to provide oleophobicity to the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane contactor system for removing a component from a gas, comprising a housing defining a gas flow path; a microporous membrane positioned in the housing to allow the gas to flow across the membrane, wherein the membrane comprises a structure of nodes connected by fibrils in which surfaces of the structure of nodes and fibrils define a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the microporous membrane, wherein the plurality of interconnecting pores are configured to allow the component to diffuse therethrough; and an oleophobic coating disposed on the microporous membrane to form a coated membrane and configured to provide oleophobicity to the coated membrane without blocking the plurality of interconnecting pores.

Abstract: A laminated article comprises a first web of material of a first width. A second web of material has a second width substantially equal to the first width. The second web is coextensive with the first web. The second web is laminated at a lateral portion to the first web. A permeable unlaminated portion extends transversely of the laminated lateral portion. The width of the laminated lateral portion is less than the half the first width.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a plurality of multi-layered filaments from multiple thermoplastic synthetic polymers and an apparatus containing a melt spinning beam which comprises multiple polymer inlet passages each communicating with separate multiple coat hanger distribution manifolds, separate filters connected downstream of each coat hanger distribution manifold, a combining manifold connected downstream of the filters and containing channels to retard polymer flow across planar molten polymer flow streams and a spinneret comprising a plurality of spinneret exit orifices connected downstream of the combining manifold for spinning of the multi-layered filaments.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article with vacuum assist. The method comprises the steps of providing a work-piece to be impregnated with resin. The work-piece has reinforcing fibers. A microporous membrane is applied over the work-piece. The microporous membrane has an oleophobic treatment. A vacuum film is applied over the microporous membrane. A polymeric resin is introduced to the work-piece. The resin is infused through the work-piece by applying a vacuum to the work-piece. The resin is cured to form the article.

Abstract: A porous membrane assembly includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a porous membrane substrate having hydrophobic properties. The membrane substrate includes a first side, an opposing second side and a plurality of pores extending therethrough. The membrane substrate also includes a discontinuous layer of an oleophobic coating applied to the first side so that the plurality of pores in the first side are substantially free of the oleophobic coating, and a continuous layer of an amine containing hydrophilic polymer coating applied to the second side of the membrane substrate.