Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) comprising tetratopic ligands with small pore apertures. The present disclosure further relates to methods of utilizing the MOFs of the disclosure to separate hydrocarbons through adsorptive processes.

Abstract: A droplet-based microfluidic rheometer system and method of use for real-time viscosity monitoring of blood coagulation is disclosed. Droplets of blood samples are generated in a microfluidic rheometer, and the size of the droplets is highly correlated to the sample viscosity. The size of the droplets can be determined optically using an inverted light microscope and a camera or using electrodes. The microfluidic rheometer systems provides viscosity measurements in less than a second and consumes less than 1 ?l blood or plasma over an hour period. The viscosity measurements may be displayed and transmitted to the Internet or cloud storage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the preparation of highly metallic, hydrophilic, polymer-free carbon nanotube (CNT) thin sheets with high tensile strength. The densified CNT sheet has reduced pore sizes, increased tensile strength, and improved electrical conductivity. The disclosed CNT materials can be used as filtration membranes with little or no propensity toward surface fouling. Such densified CNT sheets are also useful as superior electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing purified water comprising a step (a) of passing water through a mixed bed ion exchanger comprising beads having a diameter between 0.2 and 0.7 mm and a step (b) of passing water through a fibrous ion-exchange material. The invention further relates to a module comprising the mixed bed ion exchange resin and the fibrous material and to a water treatment system for producing ultrapure water comprising the mixed bed ion exchange resin and the fibrous material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inverse polymer emulsion having the particular feature of auto-inverting without any need for the use of an inverting agent and containing a polymer of at least one water-soluble monomer and at least one LCST macromonomer. The invention also relates to the use of the inverse emulsion in the fields of the oil and gas industry, water treatment, slurry treatment, paper manufacturing, construction, mining, cosmetics, textiles, detergents or agriculture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified zeolites and methods for making modified zeolites. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a modified zeolite may include a microporous framework including a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm. The microporous framework may include at least silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. The modified zeolite may further include organometallic moieties each bonded to a nitrogen atom of a secondary amine functional group including a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom. The organometallic moieties may include a zirconium atom that is bonded to the nitrogen atom of the secondary amine functional group. The nitrogen atom of the secondary amine function group may bridge the zirconium atom of the organometallic moiety and a silicon atom of the microporous framework.

Abstract: A composite material for use in water treatment. The composite material includes a porous matrix including a resin capable of retaining a catalyst and magnetic material therein, and includes a density regulating portion disposed therein. The catalyst is capable of facilitating a chemical reaction involving a contaminants in the water. The magnetic material and density regulating portion can be used to separate the composite material from treated water. Systems and methods of use involving passive water treatment, continuous water treatment, solar light exposure, UV light exposure, and electrochemical cells, employing photochemical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical reactions are described. Methods of manufacture are described.

Abstract: Water purification systems including an inlet chamber, a purification module, a purified water outlet, and an impure water outlet. The inlet chamber is configured to receive an input water stream. The purification module includes a purification chamber configured to divide the input water stream into a purified water stream fluidly coupled to the purified water outlet and an impure water stream fluidly coupled to the impure water outlet. The purification chamber includes a first hydrophilic surface and a second hydrophilic surface spaced from the first hydrophilic surface. The first hydrophilic surface and the second hydrophilic surface cooperate to establish purified zones of substantially pure water and an impure zone of impurity concentrated water from the input water stream. The purified water stream is supplied by substantially pure water from the purified zones and the impure water stream is supplied by the impurity concentrated water from the impure zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inverse polymer emulsion having the particular feature of auto-inverting without any need for the use of an inverting agent and containing a polymer of at least one water-soluble monomer and at least one LCST macromonomer. The invention also relates to the use of the inverse emulsion in the fields of the oil and gas industry, water treatment, slurry treatment, paper manufacturing, construction, mining, cosmetics, textiles, detergents or agriculture.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to reactive media including calcium. A reactive media includes a vitrified calcium silicate comprising reactive calcium. Various embodiments of the reactive media described herein are useful for removal of anionic impurities such as phosphate from water.

Abstract: This invention disclosure reported here a supported metal hydroxide adsorbent and a method for its preparation as well as a method for its oxidative regeneration. The supported metal hydroxide adsorbent comprises metal hydroxide and support with a mass ratio of 5-30:100. The adsorbent disclosed in present invention exhibited outstanding adsorption capacity and high selectivity to sulfur impurity in gasoline. The method of oxidative regeneration provides an efficient way for the recovery of the saturated adsorbent.

Abstract: A column for removal of a component from a fluid is disclosed. The column has a compartment with a cross sectional area. The compartment contains beads having a diameter. A ligand selected to bind to the component is coupled to the beads. The cross-sectional area and bead diameter are selected to maintain a flow velocity of the fluid within the compartment below a first threshold, thereby reducing leaching of the ligand into the fluid. Also described herein is an adsorbent comprising a ligand that is attached to a substrate by an amine bond, wherein the ligand is resistant to dissociation from the substrate.

Abstract: A method of treating water in a water treatment system after a replacement of an ion exchange bed includes introducing water to be treated into the ion exchange bed of the water treatment system to produce treated water, calculating a current exchange daily average flow rate of water through the water treatment system, calculating a cumulative daily average flow rate of water through the water treatment system, and determining an estimated number of days remaining to exhaustion of the ion exchange bed based on the current exchange daily average flow rate and the cumulative daily average flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a highly effective in situ treatment method for endogenous pollution in sludge, belonging to the field of environmental engineering water treatment. In view of the problem that it is difficult to effectively treat the endogenous pollution of river sludge, the present invention provides the highly effective in situ treatment method for endogenous pollution in sludge, which specifically adopts a combination of phoslock, calcium peroxide and aluminum modified zeolite to perform in-situ remediation of sludge, effectively inhibit the release of endogenous pollution of sludge, facilitate the ecological treatment of polluted water subsequently, and finally realize the long-term water improvement against pollution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aramid nanofiber (ANF)-based insulation paper and a preparation method thereof, and relates to the technical field of composite insulation material. The ANF-based insulation paper provided in the present invention includes ANFs and inorganic insulation materials. The ANFs have a bifurcated geometry and form a three-dimensional network structure, and the inorganic insulation materials are distributed in the three-dimensional network structure. The ANF paper provided in the present invention, with optimal electrical and mechanical properties and excellent insulation and flame-resistance, can replace mica tapes, aramid papers and aramid mica papers on the current market for insulation, and thus the thickness for insulation can be reduced. The present invention provides a method for preparing the ANF-based insulation paper.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600° C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200° C.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a chloramine synthesis reaction. The system includes at least one water pump configured to deliver a first water stream to a first junction where the first water stream is mixed with a first solution including an ammonium compound, and a second water stream to a second junction where the second water stream is mixed with a second solution including hypochlorite, a reaction chamber downstream of the first and second junctions which is configured to mix the first and second water streams in order to react the ammonium compound and the hypochlorite to form chloramine, an optical measurement device disposed upstream of the second junction, the optical measurement device configured to measure an absorbance of the hypochlorite in the second solution, and at least one controller programmed to determine a concentration of the hypochlorite in the second solution based on the measured absorbance.

Abstract: A method of removing from water at least one of algae, bacteria, toxins produced by algae, toxins produced by bacteria, and algae nutrients by placing an open-cell foam material into the water, leaving the material in the water for sufficient time to adsorb/absorb at least one of algae, their toxins, and their nutrients, and then removing the open-cell foam material from the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of poloxamers to be used as cell culture media additives. Activated carbon can be used to remove hydrophobic high molecular weight components which reduce the efficacy of poloxamers as cell culture additives.

Abstract: A UV sterilization cup includes a cup body with a first opening thereof, a cup shielding covered on the first opening, a filter matched with the first opening, a UV sterilization member received in the cup shielding for sterilizing water and a waterproof transparent member received in the cup shielding for sealing the UV sterilization member. The UV sterilization member includes a UV PCB and a UV light source connected to the UV PCB. The UV PCB includes a UV generating circuit formed thereon to drive the UV light source to emit ultraviolet ray so as to sterilize water received in the cup body. The compact structure can achieve a reliable sterilization effect with 99.9% by setting the UV light source, and water fetched in outdoors can reach the standard of healthy drinking water that it is first filtered by the filter and then sterilized by the UV light source.

Abstract: Solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbents and liquid chromatography (LC) stationary phases are provided, as well as methods of fabricating the same. The SPE sorbents and LC stationary phases can use microcrystalline cellulose particles as the substrate and sol-gel sorbent coating technology as the polymer/sorbent immobilization technology. The SPE sorbents and LC stationary phases are stable in a pH range of 1-13 and at a temperature of up to 350° C.

Abstract: An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with a combination of quaternary ammonium salts, said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising about 15 to about 60 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of sepiolite; mineral clay (b) comprising about 40 to about 85 wt. % based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of montmorillonite; an alkyl or alkenyl quaternary ammonium salt and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: There is disclosed a material for separating a liquid from a mixture of at least two liquids, for example, for separating water from fuel. In one embodiment, the material comprises a fibrous substrate and carbon nanotubes, both of which have at least one functional group attached thereto. There is also disclosed a method for separating one liquid from another liquid using the disclosed material. In one embodiment, the method comprises flowing a mixture of liquids through the disclosed material, and either coalescing or separating at least one liquid by use of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A filter element comprises a porous body. The porous body is made of bonded matter, including: at least one material for binding lead; and at least a binder having a Melt Flow Rate, MFR, of more than 1 g/10 min. The porous body has a Mean Flow Pore size, MFP, in a range of between 0.1 and 11 ?m.

Abstract: Means for removing endotoxin is provided. Endotoxin is removed by contacting an endotoxin adsorbent including a cellulose nanofiber having an amino group with a liquid containing endotoxin.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery pack. The battery pack comprises: a casing; a cover, which is disposed to cover the casing; a battery assembly, which is disposed within an enclosed space formed by the casing and the cover; and an end assembly, which includes a panel and two or more connectors fixed to the panel. The battery assembly is electrically connected to a device outside the enclosed space by the connectors. The panel is sealedly connected to the casing or the cover, and is fixedly connected to the casing by a bracket. In the battery pack according to the embodiment of the disclosure, the end assembly integrated with two or more connectors is fixed to the casing by the bracket, thus the weight of the connectors is borne by the bracket and the connectors are not easy to be detached.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to concentrate a remote sample for analysis. A sample concentration system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of valves including at least a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve; a plurality of columns including at least a first column and a second column, the first column fluidically coupled to the first valve, the second column fluidically coupled to the second valve; and a flow meter coupled with the third valve, the flow meter fluidically coupled with each of the first column and the second column when the plurality of valves is in a first flow path configuration to measure an amount of the liquid sample passed through the first column and the second column, wherein the plurality of valves includes a second flow path configuration and a third flow path configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a desulfurizer for removing a sulfur compound contained in a fluid, comprising a desulfurization agent for removing the sulfur compound from the fluid and a housing which contains the desulfurization agent and the inside of which the fluid flows through. The desulfurization agent includes a metal organic framework. The metal organic framework has copper ions and organic ligands. The organic ligands include 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sol gel hydrous metal oxide particles, such as hydrous zirconium oxide particles, their manufacture, and their use in such applications as sorbent dialysis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include graphene-metal composites. An example graphene-metal composite comprises a porous metal foam substrate, a graphene layer deposited to the porous metal foam substrate, a metal layer applied to the graphene layer, and another graphene layer deposited to the metal layer; the multilayered porous metal foam substrate being compressed to form a graphene-metal composite.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sizing fat parcels are provided. In particular, a parcelizer device that includes a container and a displacement insert or filter element is provided. Tissue containing fat parcels is passed through the parcelizer. The parcelizer can include multiple displacement inserts or filter elements. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of displacement structures that each include one or more displacement inserts or filter elements can be provided. In general, the displacement inserts or filter elements are configured to progressively reduce the size of fat parcels included in tissue.

Abstract: Methods for conserving the use of fresh wash water in crude oil desalting are described. A crude oil stream including salt mixes with a wash water stream to form an emulsion. The emulsion flows to a desalter, and the wash water coalesces to reform the wash water stream and to transfer at least a portion of the salt from the crude oil stream to the wash water stream. The crude oil stream with reduced salt content separates from the wash water stream. The effluent, which includes the wash water stream, flows from the desalter to a processing unit. The effluent is processed to reduce a concentration of salt in the effluent to be substantially equal to or less than a concentration of salt in the wash water stream. At least a portion of the processed effluent mixes with the crude oil stream before the emulsion flows to the desalter.

Abstract: A spectroscopic assay is provided. The assay comprises: a motive particle configured to move within a solution, the motive particle comprising a first analyte binding reagent for selectively binding to a target analyte; and a spectroscopic reporter particle configured to provide a predetermined spectroscopic signal in response to being interrogated by a spectrometer, the spectroscopic reporter particle comprising a second analyte binding reagent for selectively binding to the target analyte, wherein the motive particle and the spectroscopic reporter particle are configured to provide a sandwich assay in the presence of the target analyte via the first and second analyte binding reagents.

Abstract: A process for producing an adsorption unit is disclosed, wherein an adsorber bed of the adsorption unit is filled with a bed of an adsorbent which is selected from a multitude of adsorbents by a test method, wherein, in the test method, a particle of each adsorbent is repeatedly laden with a sorbate and regenerated again, which converts the particle to an aged particle, and a fracture property B of the aged particle of each adsorbent is determined, wherein the adsorbent for the bed is selected depending on the fracture property B determined from the multitude of adsorbents.

Abstract: Amorphous aluminosilicates are disclosed, and these amorphous aluminosilicates are characterized by a unique combination of high surface area, low oil absorption, and a significant fraction of the total pore volume resulting from micropores. These amorphous aluminosilicates can be used in various paint and coating applications, with the resultant dried or solid film capable of removing VOC's from the surrounding air.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ecological method for denitrification and phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment process, which relates to the field of sewage treatment technology, The present invention provides a nitrogen and phosphorus removal system, comprising a nitrogen and phosphorus removal unit and a sulfate adsorption unit. The nitrogen and phosphorus removal unit is packed with coarse sand layer, deoxidizing layer and sulfur/iron mixture layer, while the sulfate adsorption unit is filled with modified hydrotalcite. Both of the units are filled with solid material, which effectively avoid the contamination that causes by liquid carbon source feeding. The application of the present invention can realize a completely denitrification, which achieve a maximum removal rate of 100%, a phosphorus removal efficiency of about 80%. The TP concentration is below 0.5 mg/L in the treated effluent, while the average sulfate removal rate is about 50%.

Abstract: The concentration of mercury in a sample is measured by a reader secured to a camera-containing mobile electronic device. The reader has holders for sample and control solutions. First and second light sources emitting light at different colors illuminate the sample and control holders. Each holder contains gold nanoparticles, thymine-rich aptamers, and sodium chloride. The light sources illuminate the sample and control holders. An image is captured of the transmitted light through the sample and control holders, wherein the image comprises two control regions of interest and two sample regions of interest. The device calculates the intensity of the two control regions of interest and the two sample regions of interest and generates intensity ratios for the sample and control, respectively, at each color. The device calculates a normalized color ratio based on the intensity ratios and outputs a concentration of mercury based on the normalized color ratio.

Abstract: A portable water treatment system includes at least one sub-system to treat water including a flocculation system, a chlorination system, and a bio-sand filter system. The water treatment system may include multiple sub-systems for treating water that feed into one another. The sand filter system may include a mini bio-sand filter, a foam filter, or a pressed block filter. The flocculation system may include a tank bottom that urges settling particles toward a sump and a ladle that removes settled particles. A manual pump or siphon may be included in the water treatment system.

Abstract: An electroplating wastewater treatment method includes steps of: (A) crushing the straws into particles, stirring and mixing the crushed straw particles with the electroplating wastewater, and obtaining a mixture, wherein 40-50 g of straw particles are added into each liter of the electroplating wastewater; (B) mixing the seawater with the red mud, adjusting a pH value in a range of 8.5-9.5, filtering after standing, and obtaining a filtrate, wherein: a weight of the red mud which is added into the seawater is 200-300 g per liter seawater; (C) ultrasonically mixing the mixture in step (A) with the filtrate in step (B), standing, and then ultrasonically mixing, and then filtering after standing; and (D) adjusting a pH value of the filtrate obtained in step (C) to 7.

Abstract: A filter for binding constituents of a gas stream includes a supporting member and a filter layer applied to surfaces of the supporting member. The filter layer includes a component for the physisorption of constituents, a component for the chemisorption of constituents, and a component for dissolving oil constituents which comprises ionic liquids.

Abstract: Processes for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals and/or processes for determining the residual life of a filter or filtration system are provided. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical include contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent or control is determined to thereby sense exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium-ion battery includes a nonwoven fiber mat that is composed of entangled microfibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 6 microns. The nonwoven fiber mat also includes a binder that binds the microfibers together and a polymer component that is dispersed homogeneously through or within the entangled microfibers so that the polymer component is uniformly distributed throughout the nonwoven fiber mat and so that the entangled microfibers, the binder, and the polymer component form a single layer component or product. The polymer component is configured to melt within the nonwoven fiber mat when exposed to a sufficiently high heat in order to effectively interrupt an electro-chemical process of the lithium-ion battery and thereby prevent overheating of the lithium-ion battery. The nonwoven fiber mat is typically between 0.1 and 20 mils thick.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing a contaminant present in a body of water that includes a collection media for capturing the contaminant and a structure. The collection media has a first end secured to the structure. The collection media has a second buoyant end disposed opposite the first end wherein buoyant end is a free end. The structure does not float at the water surface and holds the first end of the collection media below the buoyant second end in the water column. When the apparatus is deployed in a water column having a depth greater than the height of the apparatus, the apparatus is selectively positioned in the water column at a desired height. A method of employing the collection media is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymerization process, preferably a living radical polymerisation process, is carried out in the presence of a template substance, to produce molecularly imprinted polymers (“MIPs”). It is controlled so that the products are quite small (500-106 Daltons) so that they are soluble or form colloidal suspensions. The template substances are immobilized templates, which can be re-used. Immobilized templates are also useful for purification of MIP solutions/suspensions by affinity chromatography.

Abstract: Adsorbent materials including a porous material support and about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of a Group 8 metal ion are provide herein. Methods of making the adsorbent material and processes of using the adsorbent material, e.g., for heteroatom species separation, are also provided herein.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising a binder resin (A), a radiation-sensitive compound (B), a tetrafunctional or lower functional epoxy-based cross-linking agent (C) having an epoxy equivalent of 450 or less and a softening point of 30° C. or less, and an aralkyl phenol resin (D) is provided. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiation-sensitive resin composition able to give a resin film high in adhesion to a metal layer and excellent in developability and low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a catalyst for a dehydrogenation reaction of formic acid, the method including: preparing a nitrogen-doped carbon support; forming a mixed solution including a first aqueous metal precursor solution which includes palladium (Pd) and a second aqueous metal precursor solution which includes nickel (Ni); and forming a catalyst for a dehydrogenation reaction of formic acid by stirring the nitrogen-doped carbon support with the mixed solution, and then immobilizing alloy particles of Pd and Ni on the nitrogen-doped carbon support.

Abstract: There is a need in the point-of-care diagnostic community for an efficient and portable method for testing blood and other biological fluids that can be easily translated across multiple applications. An aspect of the invention described involves monitoring the optical properties of molecularly-mediated nanoparticle assemblies though an optically transparent and magnetically active microfluidic chip, which has recently emerged as an attractive method for biomarker detection as it is an efficient tool for monitoring the binding events that take place in a sensing assay. In one embodiment, this device is directed towards two-nanoparticle assays that rely on the assembly or disassembly of plasmonic and magnetic nanoparticles in response to a certain analyte. A further embodiment is directed to a spiral microfluidic using inertial forces to filter fluid components by size, connected to a magnetically active channel comprised of a nickel micropad array, optically transparent microchannel, and permanent magnets.

Abstract: Processes for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals and/or processes for determining the residual life of a filter or filtration system are provided. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical include contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent or control is determined to thereby sense exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conjugate of a protein having substantial L-asparagine aminohydrolase activity and polyethylene glycol. In particular, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight less than or equal to about 5000 Da and the protein is an L-asparaginase from Erwinia. The conjugate of the invention has shown superior properties such as maintenance of a high level of in vitro activity and an unexpected increase in half-life in vivo. Also disclosed are methods of producing the conjugate and use of the conjugate in therapy. In particular, a method is disclosed for use of the conjugate in the treatment of cancer, particularly Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). More specifically, a method is disclosed for use of the conjugate as a second line therapy for patients who have developed hypersensitivity or have had a disease relapse after treatment with other L-asparaginase preparations.