Abstract: A multistage membrane distillation device includes a plurality of membrane distillation cells each having at least one membrane. Each membrane defines a feed space at one surface thereof and a vapor space at an opposite surface thereof, and is configured to allow a part of a feed flowing in the feed space to evaporate and pass through the membrane as a vapor phase into the vapor space where the vapor phase is condensed to a distillate including a volatile and condensable substance, and the non-evaporated feed to exit the feed space as a concentrated fluid. The device further includes a fluid connection for allowing the distillate from an ith cell to flow as a feed into the feed space of an (i+1)th cell to produce a further distillate with a higher concentration of the volatile and condensable substance. The concentrated fluid from each cell is prevented from entering the feed space of other cells.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode comprises an intermediate layer comprising one or more carbon materials. The bipolar electrode further comprises first and second layers disposed on opposite surfaces of the intermediate layer and configured to act as an anode and a cathode. The first and second layers comprise at least one of one or more electrically conductive carbon materials and one or more conductive polymers. A supercapacitor desalination device and a method for making the bipolar electrode are also presented.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: copolymerizing a monomer comprising at least two amide groups, a monomer of formula (a) and a sulfonic acid or salt monomer, wherein R1 is CH3 or H. A polymer made by the method, a membrane and an electrode comprising the polymer are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for improving the performance of a membrane for use in a membrane distillation process, and a membrane produced by the method. The method includes subjecting the membrane to a pressure difference across the membrane in order to open closed pores in the membrane.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: copolymerizing a monomer comprising at least two amide groups, a monomer of formula (a) and a sulfonic acid or salt monomer, wherein R1 is CH3 or H. A polymer made by the method, a membrane and an electrode comprising the polymer are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: copolymerizing a monomer comprising at least two amide groups, a monomer of formula (a) and a sulfonic acid or salt monomer, wherein R1 is CH3 or H. A polymer made by the method is provided. A method for coating an electrode is provided, comprising: providing an electrode; providing a solution of a free radical initiator, a monomer comprising at least two amide groups, a monomer of formula (a) and a sulfonic acid or salt monomer; wetting the electrode with the solution; and heating the wetted electrode; whereby the monomer comprising at least two amide groups, the monomer of formula (a), and the sulfonic acid or salt monomer are copolymerized; wherein R1 is CH3 or H. An electrode coated by the method is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating oily wastewater comprising: pretreating the oily wastewater using at least one of electrocoagulation, flotation and absorbing to produce a pretreated water; and treating the pretreated water using membrane distillation to produce a product water. In another aspect, the invention relates to a system for treating oily wastewater comprising: a pretreatment apparatus for pretreating the oily wastewater to produce a pretreated water, the pretreatment apparatus comprising at least one of an electrocoagulation apparatus, a flotation apparatus and an absorbing apparatus; and a membrane distillation apparatus for treating the pretreated water to produce a product water.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that relates to an electrochemical cell assembly. The apparatus is capable of controlling water loss from a fuel cell, at least in part by separating gas and liquid fluid flows. A variety of flow designs are provided that separate liquid electrolyte flow from reagent gas flow. Some flow designs may be suitable for one or more of fuel cells, rechargeable fuel cells, and batteries such as metal hydride batteries. Furthermore, some embodiments may include a single electrochemical cell, or plurality of cells arranged in parallel or in series. Some embodiments may also relate to methods of mitigating water loss from an electrochemical cell assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: copolymerizing a monomer comprising at least two amide groups, a monomer of formula (a) and a sulfonic acid or salt monomer, wherein R1 is CH3 or H. A polymer made by the method is provided. A method for coating an electrode is provided, comprising: providing an electrode; providing a solution of a free radical initiator, a monomer comprising at least two amide groups, a monomer of formula (a) and a sulfonic acid or salt monomer; wetting the electrode with the solution; and heating the wetted electrode; whereby the monomer comprising at least two amide groups, the monomer of formula (a), and the sulfonic acid or salt monomer are copolymerized; wherein R1 is CH3 or H. An electrode coated by the method is provided.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode comprises an intermediate layer comprising one or more carbon materials. The bipolar electrode further comprises first and second layers disposed on opposite surfaces of the intermediate layer and configured to act as an anode and a cathode. The first and second layers comprise at least one of one or more electrically conductive carbon materials and one or more conductive polymers. A supercapacitor desalination device and a method for making the bipolar electrode are also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that relates to an electrochemical cell assembly. The apparatus is capable of controlling water loss from a fuel cell, at least in part by separating gas and liquid fluid flows. A variety of flow designs are provided that separate liquid electrolyte flow from reagent gas flow. Some flow designs may be suitable for one or more of fuel cells, rechargeable fuel cells, and batteries such as metal hydride batteries. Furthermore, some embodiments may include a single electrochemical cell, or plurality of cells arranged in parallel or in series. Some embodiments may also relate to methods of mitigating water loss from an electrochemical cell assembly.