Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: A multilayered modified membrane and method for making the same, comprising a modified discriminating layer that can have a fouling resistant surface, improved salt rejection, antimicrobial properties, and/or improved solute, and/or small organics rejection as compared to membranes with unmodified discriminating layers.

Abstract: The problem addressed by this invention is to provide an aromatic polyamide porous film excellent in the capability of being thinned and capable of easily exhibiting stable porosity properties even if it is used for a long period of time at high temperature. This invention can be achieved by an aromatic polyamide porous film that contains an aromatic polyamide as a main component and is such that when an atomic force microscope is used to measure a range of S ?m2 at least on one surface, the sectional area S(10) ?m2 obtained at a depth of 10 nm from the surface and the sectional area S(20) ?m2 obtained at a depth of 20 nm from the surface satisfy the following formulae simultaneously. 0.01?S(10)/S?0.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for producing, easily and at a low cost, a composite semipermeable membrane having excellent contamination resistance, especially microbial contamination resistance, and a composite semipermeable membrane produced by the process. The process for producing a composite semipermeable membrane of the present invention comprises forming a skin layer including a polyamide resin obtained by a reaction between a polyfunctional amine component and a polyfunctional acid halide component on the surface of a porous support; forming a polymer layer (A) including a silver salt compound on the skin layer directly or through other layers; and reducing the silver salt compound to precipitate metal silver in the polymer layer (A) and/or on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-porous membrane comprising a porous membrane carrier made of a first polymeric material (A) and comprising a second polymeric material (B) intimately divided throughout the porous membrane carrier, wherein the porous membrane carrier comprises a plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae having a thickness of less than 1 ?m, the porous membrane carrier has an interconnected open porous structure formed by the plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae and a porosity of at least 50%; and the polymeric material (B) comprises a thermoplastic polycondensation polymer and is present in an amount of at most 30 wt. %, relative to the total weight of (A) and (B).

Abstract: A method for forming a microporous membrane having a microstructure is described. Dope and coagulant formulations are simultaneously cast, where the coagulant formulation diffuses into the dope formulation through an interface effecting a phase inversion forming a microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bio-membrane formulation to be used to eliminate microorganism, turbidity, suspended particles and organic matters from drinking water wherein the bio-membrane includes a polysulfone with a concentration of 15%-18%, N,N-dimethylacetamide of 65%-70% and poly (vinyl-pyrolidone)-K30 at 10%-15%.

Abstract: A chlorine resistant polyamide is formed from the reaction product of an amine and an acid chloride monomer wherein the acid chloride monomer is modified with electron-withdrawing groups that exhibit sufficient activity to (i) minimize any chlorination on both the amine and acid chloride side and (ii) minimize N-chlorination. A membrane is made from the polyamide and, in one application, the membrane is used in a desalination unit.

Abstract: A microporous asymmetrical membrane formed of one or more layers wherein the “tight” side of the membrane has an “opened” face or otherwise highly-porous reticulated surface is described. The microporous asymmetrical membrane has high throughput and high flux, even when used for filtering viscous materials, such as serum or plasma. The membrane's surface can be formed by ablation or solvation, or in a two or more layered structure, through an appropriate selection of casting dopes.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide polymers suitable for use as medical materials. The present invention provides a polymer useful as a medical material having the general formula -(A)l-(B)m-(C)n-??(I) in which A is derived from a non-ionic monomer; B is derived from a monomer containing a primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary amine group; C is derived from a monomer containing an acid group; and l+m+n=100, 0<l, m, n<100.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semipermeable membranes with nanotubes dispersed therein, and the methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for making microporous membranes from a polymer solution and the membranes therefrom. A thermal assist, such as heating of the polymer solution can be effected subsequent to shaping the solution, such as by forming a film, tube or hollow fiber of the solution under conditions that do not cause phase separation. In a preferred embodiment, the formed solution is briefly heated to generate a temperature gradient through the body of the formed solution. The polymer in solution then is precipitated to form a microporous structure. The formation of a wide variety of symmetric and asymmetric structures can be obtained using this process. Higher temperatures and/or longer heating times effected during the heating step result in larger pore sizes and different pore gradients in the final membrane product.

Abstract: An amine aqueous solution for forming an active layer of a polyamide reverse osmosis composite membrane is prepared, which consists of 0.1 through 20 weight % of polyfunctional aromatic amine monomer, 0.1 through 20 weight % of multi-functional tertiary alcohol amine, 0.1 through 20 weight % of strong acid, and 40 through 99.7 weight % of water.

Abstract: Disclosed are an amine aqueous solution for forming an active layer of a polyamide reverse osmosis composite membrane and a preparation method of the polyamide reverse osmosis composite membrane using the same. The amine aqueous solution comprises 0.1 to 20 wt % of a polyfunctional amine compound, 0.1 to 20 wt % of an alcohol amine compound, 0.1 to 20 wt % of a tertiary amine compound, and 40 to 99.7 wt % of water. Due to using an amine aqueous solution having an alcohol amine and a tertiary amine compound, the polyamide reverse osmosis composite membrane has high water permeability and enhanced salt rejection rate, and thus is useful for the membrane field.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a process for producing composite semipermeable membrane excellent in water permeability and salt-blocking rate, and including an extremely small amount of unreacted components in the membrane, and at providing a composite semipermeable membrane obtained by the production process. The present invention relates to a process for producing a composite semipermeable membrane, comprising the steps of: producing an unwashed composite semipermeable membrane by forming a skin layer including a polyamide resin obtained by reaction between a polyfunctional amine component and a polyfunctional acid halide component on the surface of a porous support; and pretreating the unwashed composite semipermeable membrane by contact to a solution containing a water-soluble alcohol, and subsequently performing a membrane washing treatment by contact to pure water or ion exchange water.

Abstract: The invention provides porous matrices that comprise one or more surfactants that can be used in non-aqueous environments.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: Membranes as well as a methods of treating membranes are disclosed. The method of treating a membrane includes contacting the membrane with a first solvent, contacting the membrane with an inert solvent, and contacting the membrane with an amine reactive compound. The first solvent includes a solvent having a Hansen solubility parameter in a range from about 10.0 to about 18. The membrane includes a polymer having an amine group.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing reverse osmosis membranes having improved permeability as well as membranes prepared by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for quantitation of glycated protein in a biological sample using a solid support matrix by making a first bound protein measurement total bound protein under conditions where both glycated and non-glycated protein bind to the support in making a second bound protein measurement under conditions where glycated protein is bound to the support and non-glycated protein is not substantially bound. Diagnostic devices and kits comprising the methods of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous media or membranes having a surface coating that includes a cross-linked terpolymer which has a superior combination of properties, including heat stable biomolecule resistant adsorptive properties, resistance to strong alkaline solutions, and low levels of extractable matter. In some preferred embodiments, the porous media is a porous membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for improving the antifouling properties and for increasing the selectivity of commercial composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes comprising circulating a low concentration of water soluble monomers and an initiating redox couple in an aqueous solvent, without transverse pressure over the surface of the membrane thereby effecting a free-radical graft polymerization on the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a separation membrane with excellent productivity, which can uniformly dry and imidize a separation membrane precursor solution formed on an inner surface of through-holes of a monolith substrate and which does not require complicated operations such as placement of a monolith substrate in a dryer, and the separation membrane manufactured by the process are provided. The separation membrane is manufactured comprising: causing a separation membrane precursor solution to pass through through-holes in a porous monolith substrate, to form a membrane of the precursor solution on the surface of the through-holes, and drying the membrane by causing hot wind to pass through the through-holes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing reverse osmosis membranes having improved permeability as well as membranes prepared by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous media or membranes having a surface coating that includes a cross-linked terpolymer which has a superior combination of properties, including heat stable biomolecule resistant adsorptive properties, resistance to strong alkaline solutions, and low levels of extractable matter. In some preferred embodiments, the porous media is a porous membrane.

Abstract: A polyamide membrane comprising reaction product of an anhydrous solution comprising an anhydrous solvent, at least one polyfunctional secondary amine and a pre-polymer deposition catalyst; and an anhydrous, organic solvent solution comprising a polyfunctional aromatic amine-reactive reactant comprising one ring. A composite semipermeable membrane comprising the polyamide membrane on a porous support. A method of making a composite semipermeable membrane by coating a porous support with an anhydrous solution comprising an anhydrous solvent, a polyfunctional secondary amine and a pre-polymer deposition catalyst, to form an activated pre-polymer layer on the porous support and contacting the activated pre-polymer layer with an anhydrous, organic solvent solution comprising a polyfunctional amine-reactive reactant to interfacially condense the amine-reactive reactant with the polyfunctional secondary amine, thereby forming a cross-linked, interfacial polyamide layer on the porous support.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separating functional layer comprising a reactant of polyfunctional amine with polyfunctional acid halide, wherein a water-soluble organic material is in contact with the separating functional layer, and the separating functional layer has a boron removal ratio of 95% or more, when seawater at 25° C. having a pH of 6.5, a boron concentration of 5 ppm and a TDS concentration of 3.5% by weight is permeated under an operation pressure of 5.5 MPa.

Abstract: A device for removing bacterial lipopolysaccharides and lipoteichoic acids from blood or plasma in an extracorporeal perfusion system contains, in a housing that can be incorporated into the perfusion system, a hollow fiber material that is suitable for the selective removal of bacterial lipopolysaccharides and lipoteichoic acids, the device being arranged in such a way that the blood or plasma entering through a first opening of the housing must pass through the hollow fiber material before it leaves through a second opening of the housing and is directed to the rest of the perfusion circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides composite nanofiltration membranes (FIG. 5) with lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) polymer porous membranes (30) attached to a porous support (20). The LLC membranes are prepared from LLC monomers which form the inverted hexagonal or bicontinuous cubic phase. The arrangement, size, and chemical properties of the pores can be tailored on the molecular level. The composite membrane of the invention is useful for separation processes involving aqueous and nonaqueous solutions as well as gases. Methods for making and using the composite nanofiltration membranes of the inventions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.

Abstract: Pervaporation membranes including poly(acrylamide)-grafted alginate membranes, which may be optimized for the separation of alcohols from water, low viscosity sodium alginate membranes containing PEG and PVA, which may be optimized for the separation of organic acids from water, and copolymeric PAN-grafted PVA membranes, which may be optimized for the separation of DMF from water, and methods of making such membranes. Use of such membranes in pervaporation and pervaporation devices containing such membranes. Use of such membranes alone or in combination with ion-exchange membranes for recovery of organic compounds or for water purification applications such as production of potable water or industrial waste treatment. The membranes of the present invention may be used to remove trace amounts of water from organic compounds.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous base membrane and a hydrophilic coating. The coating comprises a hydrophilic additive and a hydrophilic polymer derivatized with an electron beam reactive group adapted to form a radical under high energy irradiation. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a fluoropolymer. Also disclosed are processes for forming the membrane.

Abstract: Functionalized nanopore membranes, apparatus and related methods, as can be used for selective analyte detection and/or separation.

Abstract: Functionalized substrates, methods of making functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: A multilayered modified membrane and method for making the same, comprising a modified discriminating layer that can have a fouling resistant surface, improved salt rejection, antimicrobial properties, and/or improved solute, and/or small organics rejection as compared to membranes with unmodified discriminating layers.

Abstract: A selective membrane having a high fouling resistance. In one embodiment, the selective membrane is a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane in which a hydrophilic coating is applied to the polyamide layer of the membrane, the hydrophilic coating being made by covalently bonding a hydrophilic compound to residual acid chlorides of the polyamide membrane, the hydrophilic compound including (i) at least one reactive group that is adapted to covalently bond directly to the polyamide membrane, the at least one reactive group being at least one of a primary amine and a secondary amine; and (ii) at least one hydrophilic group, the at least one hydrophilic group being selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, a trialkoxysilane group, an anionic group and a tertiary amino group; (iii) wherein the hydrophilic compound is devoid of a polyalkylene oxide group.

Abstract: A thermally, heat and chemically stable polyimide asymmetric ultrafiltration membrane, is a porous film or a hollow fiber, having an anisotropic structure a selective surface layer and a substrate, wherein the selective ultraporous surface layer has size of pores 70-800 ? with thickness 0.1-10 mcm and is composed of insoluble rigid-chain aromatic (co)polyimide based on dianhydride of aromatic tetracarbonic acid and aromatic diamine and located on the microporous substrate with thickness 50-250 mcm, and the membrane has water permeability Q=(2-500)·10?4 cm/sec atm and nominal molecular weight cutoff ML=(5-500)·103 g/mol, and method for producing an ultrafiltration membrane as disclosed.

Abstract: A filter device for the depletion of the leukocyte content from blood products comprising: a porous element comprising at least one fibrous web having a pore size suitable for leukocyte removal (possibly the range for the pore size should be defined), said web comprising fibres of a hydrophobic polymer coated with a hydrophilic polymer suitable to enhance the CWST of said hydrophobic polymer, characterised in that said web further includes adsorbent particles having a mean diameter lower than 30 ?m, said particles being bonded to said fibres by means of said hydrophilic polymer coating said fibres.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ultrafiltration membrane that is capable for the retention of endotoxines and cytokine inducing substances (CIS) including bacterial DNA and/or DNA fragments from fluid and/or liquid media. The invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing such ultrafiltration membranes in a high quality and in an effective and time saving procedure, and to the use of such membranes for the retention of substances from fluids or liquids. The ultrafiltration membrane of the invention consists of a polymer blend comprising at least one hydrophobic polymer containing sulfur in its back bone, at least one hydrophilic, uncharged homo-polymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and at least one polymer containing cationic charges.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separating functional layer comprising polyamide formed on a porous substrate film, wherein the separating functional layer comprising polyamide has a mean pore radius of 0.25 nm to 0.35 nm and a vacancy content of 0.2 nm3% to 0.3 nm3%, measured by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane, and methods for making and using the membrane. The membrane has a continuous, defect-free, non-porous, hydrophilic coating that reduces the susceptibility to fouling.

Abstract: Mixed matrix composite (MMC) membranes with minimal macrovoids and defects are provided by the current invention. MMC Membranes are needed that have minimal macrovoids and defects, provide consistent and good selectivity and permeability performance, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures, and exhibit sufficient flexibility and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. MMC Membranes made from a spinning dope that is stabilized with an electrostabilizing additive, particularly an acid additive, results in membranes, particularly hollow fiber membranes that have minimal macrovoids and defects. Thus, membranes of the current invention are particularly suitable for high trans-membrane pressure applications, particularly for separating oxygen/nitrogen, hydrogen/hydrocarbon, and carbon dioxide/hydrocarbon components of a stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer blend membrane comprising a bridged polymer which is produced by a selected process. The membrane of the invention displays a significantly improved fracture toughness (elongation at break/stress) combined with virtually unchanged other properties. The membranes of the invention are suitable for producing membrane-electrode units for fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention teaches, that the removal of particles of any charge from liquid stream is possible by mechanisms other than sieving with good flow and low pressure drop. The use of a weakly charged or neutral surface on the one or more filters within a pre-selected pH range is used. Consequently, particles that are much smaller than the filter pore size are captured with high efficiency. The essentially neutral or weakly charged material filter surface in the filtration liquid may be formed through the proper selection of filter material or a surface modification of the base filters(s) to create the essentially neutral or weakly charged surface.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a composite semipermeable membrane excellent in water permeability and salt-blocking rate, a smaller content of unreacted polyfunctional amine components in the membrane, the composite semipermeable membrane avoiding the necessity of a membrane washing treatment, and the present invention also aims at providing a process for producing the composite semipermeable membrane. A composite semipermeable membrane having a skin layer, formed on a surface of a porous support, including a polyamide resin obtained by an interfacial polymerization of a polyfunctional amine component and a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein the content of the unreacted polyfunctional amine component is 200 mg/m2 or less without removing by washing of an unreacted polyfunctional amine component after formation of the skin layer.

Abstract: A chlorine resistant polyamide is formed from the reaction product of an amine and an acid chloride monomer wherein the acid chloride monomer is modified with electron-withdrawing groups that exhibit sufficient activity to (i) minimize any chlorination on both the amine and acid chloride side and (ii) minimize N-chlorination. A membrane is made from the polyamide and, in one application, the membrane is used in a desalination unit.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a process for producing a dried composite semipermeable membrane having extremely small amount of content of unreacted components, outstanding water permeability and salt-blocking rate even after drying treatment, and outstanding contamination resistance and durability.

Abstract: An amine aqueous solution for forming an active layer of a polyamide reverse osmosis composite membrane is prepared, which consists of 0.1 through 20 weight % of polyfunctional aromatic amine monomer, 0.1 through 20 weight % of multi-functional tertiary alcohol amine, 0.1 through 20 weight % of strong acid, and 40 through 99.7 weight % of water.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a filter comprises a filtering media. The filtering media is impregnated with chemical compounds that effectively retain water molecules and water-alcohol molecules but not alcohol molecules. The filter also comprises a liquid channeling structure, wherein the liquid channeling structure directs liquid entering an input of the filter to flow through the filtering media before exiting an output of the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a oxidation resistant composite reverse osmosis membrane, comprising a porous support and a polyamide layer, in which the polyamide layer is modified by an agent so that the membrane retains a salt rejection of at least 85% after being subjected to an aqueous solution of NaClO having a concentration of about 2,000 to 30,000 ppm for about one hour. A process of preparing the membrane is also disclosed.