Abstract: The disclosure relates to efficient methods of controlling biological conversions while simultaneously removing and converting some of the generated products. More specifically, and, for example, the disclosure discloses electrochemical processes to remove and capture potentially toxic ammonium during anaerobic digestions and to remove and capture carboxylic acids during bioethanol production. The disclosure can, thus, be used to enhance bioproduction processes via controlling pH and/or reduction/oxidation, in combination with in situ product recovery.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. Systems, methods and equipment are described for upgrading process streams using electrodialysis or electrodialysis reversal.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to sequencing nucleic acids and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices, methods, and systems for sequencing-by-synthesis using changes in pH to monitor base addition. In some embodiments the electrochemical hydrogen ion sensor is a microfabricated mixed metal oxide electrode and in some embodiments the electrochemical hydrogen ion sensor is a membrane electrode. Moreover, in some embodiments the device further comprises a reference electrode. Performing the sequencing reaction involves moving solutions and other fluids (e.g., samples, nucleotide solutions, wash solutions) into and out of the reaction vessel. Thus, in some embodiments, the device further comprises a tube or other transport mechanism or pathway attached to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Dialysis treatment devices and methods for removing urea from dialysis waste streams are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis treatment device including a first cell having a first electrodialysis unit, a second cell having at least one of a urease compartment and a sorbent compartment and in fluid communication with the first cell, and a third cell having a second electrodialysis unit and in fluid communication with the second cell.

Abstract: Device and Process for isolating, purifying, concentrating and/or enriching at least one organic compound by electrokinetic migration through liquid membranes by use of an electronic potential and chambers with a preset pH value is described in the present application. The liquid membranes contain an organic solvent capable of transporting an ionized form of said at least one organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a double-stranded region in a nucleic acid by (1) providing two separate, adjacent pools of a medium and a interface between the two pools, the interface having a channel so dimensioned as to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded nucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded nucleic acid, from one pool to the other pool; (2) placing a nucleic acid polymer in one of the two pools; and (3) taking measurements as each of the nucleotide monomers of the single-stranded nucleic acid polymer passes through the channel so as to differentiate between nucleotide monomers that are hybridized to another nucleotide monomer before entering the channel and nucleotide monomers that are not hybridized to another nucleotide monomer before entering the channel.

Abstract: A process for separating a cell type from a mixture of cell types by electrophoresis comprising providing a sample containing a mixture of cell types to a sample chamber of a membrane-based electrophoresis apparatus adapted to separate cells and applying an electric potential causing at least one cell type in the sample to be separated from other cells in the sample.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to enhancing translocation of a charged analyte through a transmembrane protein pore. Translocation is enhanced by increasing the net opposing charge of the barrel or channel and/or entrance of the pore. The invention also relates to pores enhanced in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane having a nominal molecular weight cut off (NMWCO) of from about 0.5 KD to about 10 KD wherein the membrane surfaces have a charge that is either positive or negative. The present invention is also a method of using the charged UF membrane to purify and concentrate synthetic biological molecules by using the charged surface either to repel the synthetic biomolecules retaining them in the retentate or to attract the synthetic biomolecules preferentially for filtration through the membrane.

Abstract: The scope of the invention is to apply an electric current or to use a kind of iontophoresis system with the hemodialysis cartridge and system (the proposed method is also applicable to peritoneal dialysis or other similar methods) to remove unwanted molecules from blood, plasma or serum or other body fluids and to increase the effectiveness of the process. This cartridge can be used for patients with uremia and cartridge fixed to the conventional hemodialysis machine and additionally the electric current applied to the electrodes placed in to the cartridge or electrode connectors placed to the conventional cartridge. When the system activated, the molecules in the blood or other body fluid migrates to the hemodialysis solution. Charged ions or uncharged molecules move together with electroosmotic flow. The sterilized electrodes preferably made by Ag/AgCl to prevent pH changing effect. Other apparatus can also be used for providing an electropotential gradient.

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: A composition for transdermal delivery, particularly iontophoretic transdermal delivery, having at least one cationic active agent or a salt thereof. The composition comprises at least one cationic active agent or a salt thereof, at least one polyamine and/or polyamine salt, water or an aqueous solvent mixture, and optionally one or more additives. Use of the composition as a component of a transdermal patch or of an iontophoretic transdermal patch is also provided, as well as the use of the composition in a method for transdermally or iontophoretically administering cationic active agents. A method for determining the in vitro skin permeation properties of an active agent-containing iontophoretic composition is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source and an electrodeionization unit. The carbon source and urease source can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating salt concentration, a lab-on-a-chip including the same and a method of regulating salt concentration using the apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes: a reaction chamber that is defined by a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane and is selected from the group consisting of a biomolecule extraction chamber, an amplification chamber, a hybridization chamber, and a detection chamber; a first electrode chamber that is defined by the anion exchange membrane and a first electrode and includes an ion exchange medium; and a second electrode chamber that is defined by the cation exchange membrane and a second electrode and includes an ion exchange medium. Even without injecting solutions with different salt concentrations into the reaction chamber by operating pumps and valves for each operation stage, the salt concentration can be reversibly regulated in situ by adjusting the polarity, intensity and application time of a voltage.

Abstract: Device and Process for isolating, purifying, concentrating and/or enriching at least one organic compound by electrokinetic migration through liquid membranes by use of an electronic potential and chambers with a preset pH value is described in the present application. The liquid membranes contain an organic solvent capable of transporting an ionized form of said at least one organic compound.

Abstract: The invention includes novel anion exchange membranes formed by in situ polymerization of at least one monomer, polymer or copolymer on a woven support membrane and their methods of formation. The woven support membrane is preferably a woven PVC membrane. The invention also includes novel cation exchange membranes with or without woven support membranes and their methods of formation. The invention encompasses a process for using the membranes in electrodialysis of ionic solutions and in particular industrial effluents or brackish water or seawater. The electrodialysis process need not include a step to remove excess ions prior to electrodialysis and produces less waste by-product and/or by-products which can be recycled.

Abstract: A process for separating a sperm type from a sperm population by electrophoresis comprising subjecting the sperm population to an electric potential such that a sperm type is separated from a sperm population through an ion-permeable barrier.

Abstract: A process for separating a cell type from a mixture of cell types by electrophoresis comprising providing a sample containing a mixture of cell types to a sample chamber of membrane-based electrophoresis apparatus adapted to separate cells and applying an electric potential causing at least one cell type in the sample to be separated from other cells in the sample.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of separating multivalent ions and lactate ions from a fermentation broth comprising a multivalent ion lactate salt by using an electrodialysis or electrolysis apparatus, comprising the steps of introducing the broth wherein the multivalent ion concentration is at least 0.1 mole/l, the lactate ion concentration is less than 300 g/l, and less than 10 mole % of the lactate ion are other negatively charged ions, into a first compartment of the electrodialysis or electrolysis apparatus, which compartment is limited by an anion-selective or non-selective membrane and a cathode, and wherein the multivalent ion is converted to obtain a residual stream comprising the hydroxide of the multivalent ion, and the lactate ion is transported through the anion-selective or non-selective membrane into a second compartment limited by the anion-selective or non-selective membrane and an anode, after which the lactate ion is neutralized to lactic acid.

Abstract: A method for altering the initial composition of an ampholytic component containing sample by isoelectric trapping provides for selecting a first isoelectric buffer having a pI value different from the pI value of a first ampholytic sample component in the sample, contacting the isoelectric buffer with the first ampholytic sample component, and obtaining the first ampholytic sample component in a non-isoelectric state on one side of an isoelectric separation barrier at the end of an isoelectric trapping process.

Abstract: The claims describe methods and apparatus for obtaining a target component from a milk source using a membrane-based electrophoresis separation system. They may also be used in conjunction with or as a substitute for one or more steps in a conventional purification scheme for obtaining target component from a milk source.

Abstract: A method for separating and concentrating charged species from uncharged or neutral species regardless of size differential. The method uses reversible electric field induced retention of charged species, that can include molecules and molecular aggregates such as dimers, polymers, multimers, colloids, micelles, and liposomes, in volumes and on surfaces of porous materials. The retained charged species are subsequently quantitatively removed from the porous material by a pressure driven flow that passes through the retention volume and is independent of direction thus, a multi-directional flow field is not required. Uncharged species pass through the system unimpeded thus effecting a complete separation of charged and uncharged species and making possible concentration factors greater than 1000-fold.

Abstract: The invention uses a stack of three compartment electrodialysis cells in a process for the production amino acid hydrochloride and an alkali. The electrodialysis cell contains bipolar, cation and anion membranes which are arranged to form acid, base and salt compartments. The process begins with supplying a salt solution to the salt compartment, water to the base compartment, and a liquid comprising an amino acid to the acid compartment. Preferably, the feed salt is sodium chloride or potassium chloride or lithium chloride. A direct current driving force is applied across the cell to convert the salt solution to an alkali in the base compartments and an amino acid hydrochloride in the acid compartment. The acid and alkali solutions and a depleted salt solution are withdrawn from their respective compartments. A chelating agent may be added to the salt solution before it is fed into the electrodialysis cell.

Abstract: Improved electrodialysis (ED) stacks are disclosed having one or more components selected from the group:a) cation exchange membranes having ion exchange groups predominantly sulfonic acid groups and a minor amount of weakly acidic and/or weakly basic groups or membranes which are selective to monovalent cations and simultaneously therewith, cation exchange granules selective to monovalent cations as packing in the dilute compartments;b) anion exchange membranes having as ion exchange groups only quaternary ammonium and/or quaternary phosphonium groups and substantially no primary, secondary and/or tertiary amine and/or phosphine groups or membranes which are selective to monovalent anions simultaneously therewith, anion exchange granules selective to monovalent anions as packing in the dilute compartments;c) as packing in the dilute compartment, anion exchange granules which are selective to monovalent anions, or cation exchange granules which are selective to monovalent cations, or cation exchange granules

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying lactose-containing wastewater. The process comprises first treating the wastewater with base. The treated wastewater is then introduced into a fermenter where the lactose present in the wastewater is fermented to form a fermentation broth and lactic acid. The broth is advantageously subjected to purification and the purified broth is subjected to bipolar electrodialysis to yield concentrated lactic acid and base solutions from the purified broth. A device is provided for carrying out the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation of lactulose from a mixture of lactulose and lactose in the presence of a weak acid capable of reversibly forming a complex with lactulose, by using an electrodialysis equipment including an anode and a cathode compartment separated by a plurality of parallel compartments comprising alternating diluate and concentrate compartments, wherein adjacent compartments are separated from each other by permselective membranes; which process is characterized by:(a) continuously passing an alkaline aqueous solution of lactulose, lactose and said complex forming weak acid through the diluate compartments, each diluate compartment being bound by a bipolar membrane at its lateral side facing the cathode and at its opposite lateral side by an anion exchange membrane, separating said compartment from its adjacent concentrate compartment;(b) continuously passing a carrier fluid through the concentrate compartments, each concentrate compartment being bound at its lateral si