Abstract: A microconduit network structure and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention relates to a microconduit network structure, including: a solid or semi-solid matrix having at least one interconnected web of filaments formed within the matrix; and wherein at least one interconnected web of filaments having diameters of about 10 nm to about 1 mm.

Abstract: A security and/or authentication device comprising: a compressible photonic crystal having an ordered array of voids, the photonic crystal having a reflection peak, wherein compression against at least a portion photonic crystal results in a decrease of intensity of the reflection peak in at least that portion.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a porous PEEK-type polymer article comprising a porous PEEK-type polymer structure and presenting at least a trimodal pore distribution. The invention describes a process for the production of said porous PEEK-type polymer article comprising: a) contacting a PEEK-type polymer with a composition comprising at least a organic solvent, b) heating at a temperature at which the PEEK-type polymer is dissolved, c) adding at least a porogen agent, d) cooling the mixture obtained in c) at a temperature at least equal or lower than the temperature at which the PEEK-type polymer precipitates, e) forming said cooled mixture into a shaped article, f) removing the organic solvent and the porogen agent, and g) recovering the PEEK-type polymer article.

Abstract: A method for making a composite and/or structured material includes: forming a lattice construction from a plurality of solid particles, the construction being formed so as to have one or more gaps between the particles; invading the lattice construction with a fluid material such that the fluid material at least partially penetrates the gaps; and, solidifying the material which invaded the lattice construction to form a composite material. In one suitable embodiment, the method further includes removing at least a portion of the lattice construction from the composite material thereby forming at the location of the removed portion one or more pores in the solidified material that invaded the construction.

Abstract: Porous electrodes in which the porosity has a low tortuosity are generally provided. In some embodiments, the porous electrodes can be designed to be filled with electrolyte and used in batteries, and can include low tortuosity in the primary direction of ion transport during charge and discharge of the battery. In some embodiments, the electrodes can have a high volume fraction of electrode active material (i.e., low porosity). The attributes outlined above can allow the electrodes to be fabricated with a higher energy density, higher capacity per unit area of electrode (mAh/cm2), and greater thickness than comparable electrodes while still providing high utilization of the active material in the battery during use. Accordingly, the electrodes can be used to produce batteries with high energy densities, high power, or both compared to batteries using electrodes of conventional design with relatively highly tortuous pores.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a composite biomaterial comprising an inorganic material and an organic material, the process comprising: (a) providing a first slurry composition comprising a liquid carrier, an inorganic material and an organic material; (b) providing a mould for the slurry; (c) depositing the slurry in the mould; (d) cooling the slurry deposited in the mould to a temperature at which the liquid carrier transforms into a plurality of solid crystals or particles; (e) removing at least some of the plurality of solid crystals or particles by sublimation and/or evaporation to leave a porous composite material comprising an inorganic material and an organic material; and (f) removing the material from the mould.

Abstract: A method for making a porous material, includes melt-blending two or more non-miscible polymers to obtain a co-continuous melt, solidifying the melt to obtain a solid mass consisting of two co-continuous polymer phases, and selectively extracting one of the co-continuous phases thereby creating within the solid mass an essentially continuous pore network having an internal surface. The method further includes replicating the internal surface of the pore network within the solid mass by coating the internal surface with successive layers of materials, and selectively extracting the solid mass without extracting the layers of materials, to thereby yield the product porous material, formed of the layers of materials. The material has a void fraction higher than about 75%, and mainly having essentially fully interconnected sheath-like non-spherical pores and essentially non-fibrous walls.

Abstract: A bioactive tissue scaffold is fabricated from glass fiber that forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioactive composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the pore space between the glass fiber in the porous matrix. Mechanical properties such as strength, elastic modulus, and pore size distribution is provided by the three-dimensional matrix that is formed by bonded overlapping and intertangled fibers. The bioactive tissue scaffold can be formed from raw materials that are not bioactive, but rather precursors to bioactive materials. The bioactive tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a resorbable tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue.

Abstract: A microporous film is described made from a polyacetal polymer. in one embodiment, the microporous film is formed from a composition comprising a polyacetal copolymer combined with an inorganic filler and a plasticizer. The polymer composition is extruded or molded into a sheet. The sheet is then passed through an extraction medium in order to remove a portion of the plasticizer. The extraction medium is then removed from the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a three-dimensional product having a nanoporous surface in which the pore density, pore size or pore size distribution can be easily and readily controlled. The invention combines two techniques: a method for producing a three-dimensional product in which a yarn is knitted or woven to finish into an arbitrary three-dimensional shape, and a method for transforming a surface consisting of a material in which nanoparticles are dispersed in a matrix to a nanoporous surface by immersing the surface in a liquid which dissolves the nanoparticles but does not dissolve the matrix.

Abstract: Adsorbent filter media particularly suited for removal of biological contaminants in process liquids. A porous fixed bed of adsorbent material is formed, using only a granular adsorbent and a water-insoluble thermoplastic binder. The resulting composite filter allows for a higher amount of adsorbent with smaller adsorbent particles than conventional depth filters. Elimination of cellulose fiber, as well as the elimination of the thermoset binder, results in reduced contamination of the process liquid.

Abstract: A porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin, comprising a substantially single layer membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin having two major surfaces sandwiching a certain thickness, including a dense layer that has a small pore size and governs a filtration performance on one major surface side thereof, having an asymmetrical gradient network structure wherein pore sizes continuously increase from the one major surface side to the other opposite major surface side, and satisfying conditions: (a) the dense layer includes a 5 ?m-thick portion contiguous to the one major surface showing a porosity A1 of at least 60%, (b) the one major surface shows a pore size P1 of at most 0.

Abstract: Technologies and implementations for providing melt processable poly(vinyl alcohol) blends and poly(vinyl alcohol) based membranes are generally disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to heterogenous pore polymer nanotube membranes useful in filtration, such as reverse osmosis desalination, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and gas separation.

Abstract: Water permeable membranes and methods of forming water permeable membranes are provided. The water permeable membranes are comprised of a cross-linked polyamide containing at least one bifunctional additive that is hydrophilic and reactive. Additionally, in accordance with other embodiments of this invention, methods of forming water permeable membranes comprised of a cross-linked polyamide containing at least one bifunctional additive that is hydrophilic and reactive are provided. Specifically, the water permeable membranes may comprise a membrane formed from a cross-linked aromatic or aromatic/aliphatic polyamide interfacially polymerized on a porous support. The presence of the at least one hydrophilic and reactive additive improves the flux and salt retention properties of the membrane in comparison to a membrane formed without the at least one hydrophilic and reactive additive.

Abstract: Provided is a porous humidity-control tile including about 40% to about 95% by weight of diatomite, and one or more of ochre, red clay, kaolin, zeolite, illite, vermiculite, feldspar, pottery stone, and pyrophyllite. The porous humidity-control tile has about 10 vol % to 80 vol % of cellular spherical pores having a size corresponding to a size of hollow pore forming material that is removable by heat treatment. The porous humidity-control tile has a rate of moisture adsorption/desorption per unit weight in a range from about 20 g/kg to about 60 g/kg and a rate of moisture adsorption/adsorption per unit area in a range from about 150 g/m2 to about 450 g/m2. Therefore, the porous humidity-control tile can be light, and the amount of adsorption/desorption per unit weight of the porous humidity-control tile can be improved.

Abstract: A porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin, including a 10 ?m-thick portion contiguous to one surface thereof which comprises network resin fibers having an average diameter of at most 100 nm and shows a porosity A1 of at least 60% as measured by a focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope, and showing a surface pore size of at most 0.3 ?m on said one surface thereof. The porous membrane has a treated water side surface layer showing a small surface pore size suitable for water filtration treatment and formed of extremely thin network resin fibers giving an extremely high porosity, thus showing an excellent minute particle-blocking performance and also extremely good anti-soiling resistance and regeneratability.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for using particle templating, e.g., to produce composites, discrete particles, or the like. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the production of particles using the interstitial spaces between templating elements in a template structure. For example, a plurality of templating elements, which can include colloidal particles, may be arranged to form a template structure. The interstices of the templating elements can provide regions in which a fluid may be introduced. The fluid may be hardened (e.g., solidified) in some cases, e.g., to form a composite comprising the templating elements and the interstitial segments. In certain embodiments, the template structure may then be broken down to release the hardened fluid, e.g., as a plurality of discrete particles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing battery separators for use in a lithium-ion battery containing non-aqueous electrolytes, producing batteries being resistant to thermal runaway and explosion, includes the steps of preparing a dryblend comprising two UHMW Polyethylenes and Calcined Kaolin, feeding said dry-blend into an extruder, melt-kneading said dry blend in the extruder while feeding mineral oil, making a solution from a T-die into the form of a sheet, using casting rolls, thereby cooling the solution down, producing a thick gel sheet, stretching the gel sheet in both machine and transverse directions, producing a 20 micron thick gel sheet containing oil thereby, extracting the oil by use of a solvent and drying the film, heat-setting the film producing a microporous membrane.

Abstract: In porous ceramic for slide member including independent pores having a pore size of 5 ?m or more, the independent pore is flattened body having minor axis in a direction perpendicular to a sliding surface, and a cross sectional area (S1) of an independent pore at a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface is 95% or less of an area (S2) of a complete round having a diameter which is the same length as a major axis of the cross section of the independent pore, and in a cumulative distribution curve of pore sizes of independent pores in a plane parallel to the sliding surface, a ratio (P75/P25) of a pore size of cumulative 75% by volume (P75) to a pore size of cumulative 25% by volume (P25) is 1.9 or less. The porous ceramic can be suitably used as slide member such as seal ring.

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: The present specification discloses porous materials, methods of forming such porous materials, materials and devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such materials and devices.

Abstract: A micro fluidic apparatus includes (i) a first conduit; (ii) a second conduit; and (iii) a first interconnected microporous network in communication with the first and second conduits and configured to allow diffusion of gas between the first and second conduits. The microporous network comprises poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and prevents flow of aqueous fluid between the first and second conduits through the microporous network.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making ceramic preforms having two-dimensional interconnected channels therein. The methods include (i) positioning a sacrificial material having a selected profile within a bed of ceramic powder; (ii) compacting the bed of ceramic powder to form a compacted mass; (iii) heating the compacted mass to thermally transform the sacrificial materials into a fluid without cracking the compacted mass; and (iv) removing the fluid from the compacted mass, thereby leaving a two-dimensional network of interconnected channels having the selected profile of the sacrificial material within the compacted mass. Ceramic preforms are also provided which include a compacted mass of ceramic powder and two-dimensional interconnected channels therein.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous biodegradable medical implant device, the method comprising providing a mixed blend comprising a mixture of at least two biocompatible materials having different degradation or solubility characteristics; molding the mixed blend to produce a molded part; and processing the molded part to remove one of the at least two biocompatible materials by a predetermined amount from the molded part to produce the porous biodegradable medical implant device.

Abstract: Devices that include hosts having internal microcapillary networks are disclosed. The microcapillary networks are formed from interconnected passageways. The interconnected passageways may be formed by removing a fugitive material from a cured host material that forms the host. The resultant host material has many applications, including use as a microfluidic device in applications ranging from fluid mixing to structural repair.

Abstract: A membrane comprising polybenzimidazole and aromatic polyester wherein said aromatic polyester is removed is disclosed. The membrane is used for a process of deacidification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous bioceramic composition for bone repair and method of fabrication of the same. 3D-scaffolds were fabricated with a novel micro- and macro-architecture. Porous scaffolds based on dextrin, dextran, gelatin and biomineral (CaCO3) powder were fabricated by heating and freeze-drying methods. Fabrication of different compositions of porous scaffolds (20, 30 wt % of gelatin, 20, 40 wt % dextrin, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt % dextran bounder with the constant quantity of CaCO3 50 g). The scaffolds properties were characterised by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing of an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane, comprising the steps of extruding a polymer solution through the outer ring slit of a hollow fiber spinning nozzle, simultaneously extruding a center fluid through the inner bore of the hollow fiber spinning nozzle, into a precipitation bath, whereby the polymer solution contains 10 to 26 wt-% of polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyarylethersulfone (PAES), 8 to 15 wt-% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 55 to 75 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 3 to 9 wt-% water the centre fluid contains 70 to 90 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 10 to 30 wt-% water, and the precipitation bath contains 0 to 20 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 80 to 100 wt-% water.

Abstract: The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

Abstract: Provided is a fast dissolving oral tablet, and a method for the production thereof, including the steps of: compressing a mixture of active ingredients, pharmaceutically acceptable additives, and supercritical fluid-soluble substances to produce the tablets; and allowing the tablets to contact a supercritical fluid to extract supercritical fluid-soluble substances from fine pores in the tablets.

Abstract: Organic polymer moldings with ion-exchanger properties or with adsorber properties are produced by means of a powder-based rapid-prototyping process in which a pulverulent organic polymer starting material or starting material mixture is applied in a thin layer to a substrate and then, at selected sites of this layer, is subjected to admixture of a binder and of any necessary auxiliaries, or is irradiated or otherwise treated, so that the powder becomes bonded at these sites, as a result of which the powder becomes bonded not only within the layer but also to the adjacent layers, and this procedure is repeated until the desired shape of the molding has been replicated completely in the resultant powder bed, and then the powder not bonded by the binder is removed, so that the bonded powder is retained in the desired shape, where the starting material itself has the ion-exchanger properties or adsorber properties, or appropriate functionalization of the molding takes place after the shaping process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a highly porous structure is provided. The method includes the step of compounding a biodegradable polymer, a water-soluble polymer and a porogen to form a composite blend. A foaming agent is dissolved into the composite blend and the composite blend is injected into a mold so as to form the structure. Thereafter, the structure is removed from the mold and leached in a fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alginate-containing porous or sponge-like moulded articles, and to the moulded articles obtainable thereby and their use.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to uniaxially-oriented extrudate and methods for processing the same utilizing colloidal size polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles. Still another aspect of the subject invention relates to the advantage of uniaxially paste extruding colloidal size PTFE particles and particularly micron size fillers and additive up to 90% by volume. Another aspect of the subject invention relates to biaxially-oriented PTFE compositions made from uniaxially-oriented paste extrudate of the invention in the hydrostatic pressure coalescible state. The subject invention also relates to methods for preparing porous biaxially-oriented PFTE compositions utilizing fugitive pore-forming materials and methods for forming shapes from the PTFE composition of the subject invention.

Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane, preferably a hydrophobic/hydrophilic blended membrane, eg P VdF/PVP comprising the step of contacting the porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate, preferably an aqueous solution of 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.

Abstract: Described herein are open celled foams including a matrix of interconnected spheres. Also described herein are methods of making open celled foams as well as making composite members with open celled foam coatings covering at least a portion of the composite member. The open celled foams described herein are silicone based materials and can be used to coat implants such as breast implants and function to encourage tissue ingrowth and reduce capsular formation.

Abstract: A method for making a polysulfone having zwitterionic functionality comprising reacting a piperazine amine functionalized polysulfone with sultone is described as are blends with other polymers. Membranes containing polysulfones having zwitterionic functionality are also provided. Membranes thus formed are used in hemodialysis, hemofiltration, and water purification.

Abstract: [Problems] A purpose of the invention is to provide highly porous 3D scaffolds made of biodegradable polymer such as poly-lactic acid, which can be preferably used for cell culture. Another purpose of this invention is to provide a method for seeding cells homogeneously inside the above mentioned 3D highly porous scaffolds. Another purpose of this invention is to provide a top-down processing method for obtaining planar porous 2D scaffolds starting the above mentioned highly porous scaffolds to be used as building blocks for thick tissue reconstruction. [Solution] Highly porous scaffolds made of biodegradable polymer such as poly-lactic acid can be fabricated by following steps: (i) biodegradable polymer is dissolved in dioxane at the defined concentration; (ii) a vessel containing the solution is mounted on a metal plate thermally driven by a cold finger to a defined temperature below 10° C.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system for preparing a cellular material based on hollow metal beads. According to the description, at least one bead chain in which said hollow metal beads are linked to one another in pairs by means of an articulation is used as elementary structure constituting the cellular material.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a combined selective catalytic reduction catalyst and particulate filter (SCRF) includes a particulate filter having walls defining an intake channel including a downstream end cap and an outlet channel including an upstream end cap and an open end through which emissions pass. The walls define a plurality of pores. The walls include a plurality of zeolite-base metal particles and a binder. A washcoat is situated adjacent to less than 50% of the length of the outlet channel. The washcoat is capable of receiving noble metal particles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for managing pore size distribution in honeycomb substrates by using two or more pore forming agents in the batch ingredients. In particular, the invention is particularly useful in managing pore size distribution in cordierite and aluminum titanate honeycomb substrates in the face of particle size variations in the pore forming agents and other materials used to make such substrates.

Abstract: An extruder for preparing a polymer-diluent mixture.

Abstract: The invention presents a new method to prepare biomedical polyurethanes with high tensile and tear strengths. Such polyurethanes are especially interesting for making foams thereof, e.g. as meniscus implants. A new method, applicable to the biomedical polyurethanes, has been found to make such foams, that can be used as scaffolds. This method is based on salt leaching and phase separation.

Abstract: A method to create interconnected porosity in materials that can be poured or injected into a cast. The process allows the arrangement of interconnected volumetric porosity to be directed in materials that are poured or injected into a cast. This process allows a manufacturer to tailor porosity with any size, shape, and configuration with the dissolvable material used to create the pores. This procedure can be applied to medical materials to direct bone growth or implant attachment. These resulting porous materials can include, but is not limited to short fiber reinforced epoxy or epoxy.

Abstract: A hydrophilic filtration membrane having high chemical resistance, high strength, high water permeability and high blocking performance, and being superior in fouling resistance is provided. A hydrophilic filtration membrane containing a hydrophilic polyethersulfone having a contact angle of 65 to 74 degree, a molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000, and the number of hydroxy groups of 0.6 to 1.4 per 100 polymerization repeating units. The hydrophilic filtration membrane may additionally contain a polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,300,000.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyurethane implant that is porous and degradable, and act as a scaffold for the repair of damaged tissue. Importantly, the implant of the present invention is biocompatible with the degradation products of the implant causing minimal immune or cytotoxic reaction. The present invention also provides for a method of making these biocompatible implants.

Abstract: A porous membrane, made of polyvinylidene fluoride which is excellent in fractionating capability, permeating capability and physical strength and suitable for use in water treatment such as water purification, preparation of drinking water, preparation of water for industrial use and wastewater treatment, and which can be manufactured inexpensively and easily. The porous membrane has one surface formed with round or oval micropores and the opposite surface formed with substantially slit shaped micropores. The round or oval micropores have an average ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, which is within the range of 1:1 to 5:1, and the substantially slit shaped micropores have an average ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, which is not smaller than 5:1 and the particle cutoff of the membrane is not smaller than 0.2 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing porous structures, particles or matrixes, which may be comprised of one or a plurality of components, an apparatus for carrying out the method and particles formed in accordance with the method. The method is particularly suitable for producing porous composite or pure particles for pharmaceutical applications. In accordance with the method, a composite comprising a material such as a pharmaceutical, a biodegradable polymers and/or a biological agent is formed. The composite must further comprise a material that is soluble in supercritical fluid. Extraction of the supercritical fluid soluble material produces porous structures, which may be in the form of particles or matrixes.

Abstract: A microporous polyethylene battery separator material (212), for use in a flooded-cell type lead-acid battery, benefits from increased porosity, enhanced wettability, and exceptionally low electrical resistance when an electrolyte-soluble pore former is employed in the manufacturing process. The pore former (210) is soluble in electrolytic fluid and therefore dissolves in-situ in sulfuric acid during battery assembly. The dissolution of the pore former leaves behind additional, larger voids (220) in the separator material and thereby enhances ionic diffusion and improves battery performance.