Abstract: Disclosed are filter media constituents, filter media, filter constructions, and methods of employing the filter media and filter constructions for fluid filtration. The filter media and filter media constituents of the invention have unique properties enabling the efficient capture of microbes or microbial generating units. Fluids usefully filtered using the filter media and filter constructions include air and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for removing contaminants from a fluid stream and chemically upgrading the stream at the same time. More particularly, the invention relates to a catalytic moving bed filter for removing contaminants from a gas or vapor stream and to compositions comprising both moving bed filter materials and one or more catalysts intimately admixed therewith.

Abstract: An oxidation catalyst comprises an extruded solid body comprising: 10-95% by weight of at least one binder/matrix component; 5-90% by weight of a zeolitic molecular sieve, a non-zeolitic molecular sieve or a mixture of any two or more thereof; and 0-80% by weight optionally stabilized ceria, which catalyst comprising at least one precious metal and optionally at least one non-precious metal, wherein: (i) a majority of the at least one precious metal is located at a surface of the extruded solid body; (ii) the at least one precious metal is carried in one or more coating layer(s) on a surface; (iii) at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body and in a higher concentration at a surface; (iv) at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body and in a coating layer(s) on a surface; or (v) a combination of (ii) and (iii).

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system, which includes a gas bottle having nitrogen dioxide in air, converts nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide and employs a surface-active material, such as silica gel, coated with an aqueous solution of antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid. A nitric oxide delivery system may be used to generate therapeutic gas including nitric oxide for use in delivering the therapeutic gas to a mammal.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for separating wet paint overspray from a stream of crude gas containing overspray particles which includes at least two filter devices each of which has an inlet opening through which a partial stream of crude gas enters the respective filter device and each of which includes at least one filter element for separating the overspray from the partial stream of crude gas, which allows one to maintain the fluidity of the mixture including of filter aid material and wet paint overspray that has been cleansed from the filter elements in the filter aid material reservoirs in a simple and efficient manner, it is proposed that the device should comprise at least one reservoir for receiving material which has been cleansed from the filter elements of a plurality of filter devices and a mixing device for mechanically blending the cleansed material from a plurality of filter devices.

Abstract: A method of providing an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The method includes applying a catalyst including gold and a platinum group metal to a particulate filter. The concentration of the gold and the platinum group metal is sufficient to enable oxidation of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide.

Abstract: A method for purifying polluted air having particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants is provided. The method comprising: separately purifying and treating particle phase and gaseous phase pollutants present in the air; providing a dust cleaning apparatus, a catalytic filter core and a valve for controlling an airflow path within an air purification apparatus; controlling the airflow path for the air to bypass the catalytic filter core in a way that: if the amount of particle phase pollutants is above a predetermined value, the valve is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core; if the amount of particle phase pollutants is less than a predetermined value, the valve is moved to the closed position to force the air to pass through the catalyst filtering core.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a vehicular positive ignition internal combustion engine comprises a filter for filtering particulate matter from exhaust gas emitted from the engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a three-way catalyst washcoat comprising a plurality of solid particles wherein the porous structure of the washcoated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, which is less than the first mean pore size, and a three-way catalyst washcoat disposed on a separate substrate monolith located upstream of the filter, wherein a mass of three-way catalyst washcoat on the upstream substrate monolith is ?75% of the total mass of three-way catalyst washcoat in the exhaust system.

Abstract: A system for ridding the working area of a nail salon work station of fumes and nail dust. The system is self-contained within the particular work station and has a vacuum system that draws air in from the area surrounding and proximate the working area to remove the fumes and dust. A fan draws that air into a chamber containing a bag-type, particulate filter that filters out the nail dust. Downstream of the bag-type filter is a fume filter that receives the air from the bag-type filter, having been pressurized by the fan, and provides a filter of the fumes. The air, now having passed through a particulate filter and a fume filter is exhausted into the room at a location remote from the working area. The bag-type filter is inexpensive and readily replaced.

Abstract: Embodiments for a filter and method for fabricating the same are provide herein. In one embodiment, a filter is provided that includes a first end cap, a second end cap, at least a first filtration media element and at least a first brace. The first end cap has an air flow aperture formed therethrough. The first and second end caps define a central axis. The first filtration media element is coupled to the first and second end caps and has an orientation curved around the central axis. The brace separates a first closed edge of the filtration media element from a second closed edge of the filtration media element.

Abstract: A gas particulate filter well-suited for, but not limited to, removing airborne particulates from air. According to one embodiment, the filter is a composite structure including a porous support and an ionomer coating. The porous support is preferably made of a material designed to endow the filter with good mechanical properties. The pores of the porous support are preferably micron or smaller straight pores. The ionomer coating, which is applied to the porous support but does not completely seal the pores of the porous support, is preferably selected to provide the filter with good filtering properties and regeneration through controlled ionomer hydration/dehydration and corresponding ionomer swelling and contraction.

Abstract: A multi-functional cabin air filter includes a dust collecting filter layer for collecting fine dust; an oxidation catalyst filter layer for oxidizing nitrogen monoxide into nitrogen dioxide; and an adsorption filter layer for adsorbing nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds, wherein antimicrobial nanoparticles are applied to at least one of the dust collecting filter layer, the oxidation catalyst filter layer and the adsorption filter layer. This cabin air filter has dust collecting, denitrifying, deodorizing and antimicrobial functions, and it may be utilized in various ways for air purification in a limited space such as a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining low gas velocity variation across a diffuser membrane during the vent-up of a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The diffuser membrane permeability and the pressure conditions across the membrane are chosen to minimize variation in gas flow velocity through the membrane during the vent-up cycle. This reduces re-distribution of particles from a vacuum chamber onto sensitive substrates in the vacuum chamber during vent-up from sub-atmospheric pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A filter for filtering particulate matter (PM) from exhaust gas emitted from a compression ignition engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a wash coat comprising a plurality of solid particles comprising a molecular sieve promoted with at least one metal wherein the porous structure of the wash coated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, and wherein the second mean pore size is less than the first mean pore size.

Abstract: A filter media product and method of making the same wherein the filter media is pleatable and has at least one support scrim comprised of a melt bonded non-woven material or a fuse bonded non-woven material bonded to a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The filter media may have a single support scrim with one or more layers and optionally may have a support scrim on both an upstream and downstream surface where both or neither support scrim is multilayered. The filter media may have an efficiency greater than, equal to, or less than HEPA.

Abstract: Deactivation resistant photocatalysts can be formulated by coating one or more photocatalyst crystals onto a suitable substrate. The photocatalyst crystals are doped with a dopant M. The dopant can be used to repel the silicon-based compound or be used to attract the silicon-based compound. The dopant can uniformly be distributed in the photocatalyst crystals. The dopant can be introduced only to photocatalyst crystals between about 0.1 to about 2 nanometers below the surface of the structure. The doped photocatalyst crystals can be interdispersed with non-doped photocatalyst crystals.

Abstract: A layered filter membrane with improved anti-clogging characteristics is provided. In one embodiment, a filter membrane includes multiple polymer layers, each with different pore diameters formed by stretching the polymer layers. Furthermore, the multiple filter layers are coupled together before being stretched and the different pore sizes are formed during co-stretching of the filter layers.

Abstract: Articles such as filter media, which include dendrimers and/or other components, are provided. The filter media may further include a water repellant (e.g., a fluorinated species) to impart desirable properties to the media such as high water repellency. The filter media may also have a high efficiency as a function of pressure drop (i.e., high gamma values). In some embodiments, the filter media includes a fiber web which may be formed of various components such as glass fibers. The fiber web can also include additional components such as synthetic fibers, binder components, as well as other additives. The media may be incorporated into a variety of filter element products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for practicing the method are provided for separating droplets of finely aerosolized elemental mercury from a gaseous stream in which the droplets are dispersed. In the method a gold plated metallic capillary surface is contacted with the gaseous stream, causing the aerosolized droplets to deposit on the capillary surface and by capillary action to coalesce with other of such droplets to form increasingly large drops of mercury. The surface is oriented to allow the mercury to flow by gravitational forces and capillary action to the lowermost portions of the surface, at which it accumulates, and is then collected at a suitable vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure, for filtering particulate-laden gases, of the honeycomb type and containing an assembly of adjacent ducts or channels, whose axes are parallel to one another, separated by porous walls, the ducts being sealed off by plugs at one or other of their ends so as to form inlet chambers opening onto a gas entry face and outlet chambers opening onto a gas exit face, in such a way that the gas to be filtered passes through the porous walls, wherein said walls comprise material based on silicon carbide and the walls have an open porosity of between 30 and 53%; a median pore diameter of between 9 and 20 ?m; the average number of open pores on the surface of the walls, the opening area of which is between 20 and 310 ?m2, is greater than 300 per mm2 of wall; and the ratio of the total opening area of said open pores to said area of the walls is between 0.15 and 0.30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for impregnating a porous body (14) by a suspension (12) containing at least partly particles, said body comprising a multiplicity of channels (16) delimited by porous walls (22) extending from one (18) of the faces to the other (20) face of said body, part of said channels being obstructed at one face and the other part of the channels being obstructed at the other face. According to the invention, the method consists in: making a suspension whose particle size distribution meets a DV90/Dpores ratio below 0.25 and whose viscosity is such that said suspension is brought inside the walls while depositing part of the particles on the surface of the pores of the walls, communicating one (18, 20) of the faces of body (14) with an enclosure (30) containing the suspension, feeding the suspension into the body, exerting a force on the suspension introduced so that said suspension flows through the walls, passing a fluid through the walls.

Abstract: A method of improving filtration efficiency of a fibrous nonwoven filter media comprises providing a filter media and incorporating in the filter media one or more additives selected from the group consisting of silicone additives, wax additives, and mixtures thereof. The filter media comprises glass fibers, polymer fibers, and optionally binder. Inclusion of silicone and/or wax additive(s) in a filter media has surprisingly been found to increase filtration efficiency, for example, by 10-15%.

Abstract: A dust collecting device (100) installed inside of an air conduit (51) for collecting airborne particles and for filtrating the air consists of a dust collecting tubes set (1). Said dust collecting tubes set (1) comprises of a plurality of dust collecting tubes (2a-2f) having different diameters. Said tubes (2a-2f) are arranged in a concentric fashion by having a tube with smaller diameter covered by one having larger diameter. Each of said dust collecting tubes (2a-2f) is applied with a layer of adhesive layer (3) for coupling with each other and for adhering particles contained in the air. Each tube of the tube set (1) can be removed from said air conduit (51) by pulling a pull string (4a-4f) provided at two extreme ends of each dust collecting tube (2a-2f).

Abstract: An air filter for purging unwanted substances from air, the air filter comprising: an acid-purging stage, wherein the acid-purging stage comprises an air-permeable skeleton which has an acid-neutralizing substance mounted thereto, wherein the air-permeable skeleton comprises fiberglass fibers, open cell polyurethane foam, etc. and the acid-neutralizing substance comprises sodium bicarbonate, and further wherein the sodium bicarbonate is secured to the fiberglass fibers, open cell polyurethane foam, etc. using an adhesive; and a solvent-purging stage, wherein the solvent-purging stage comprises solvent-purging granules captured between two air-permeable screens, and further wherein the solvent-purging granules comprise activated carbon granules.

Abstract: An air sterilization device with low aerosol bounce includes an air conditioning pipe, a porous filter media, and a UV light generator. This porous filter media, it is secured on the fixing portion. This porous filter media has many irregularly distributed channels. The channel is coated with a coating layer having a thickness between 10 ?m to 1000 ?m sticking aerosols for avoiding bounce effect. The UV light generator can emit UV light to kill biological aerosols. It is suitable for long-term usage. So, the bounce effect of aerosols can be significantly reduced. The maintenance cost is low. The sterilization effect is excellent. Plus, the flow rate of the air conditioning system remains high.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for purifying polluted air consisting of particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants, the apparatus (10) comprising: a dust level sensor (23) to measure the amount of particle phase pollutants in the polluted air; a dust removal component (14) to remove the particle phase pollutants from the polluted air; a catalyst filtering core (17) to decompose the gaseous phase pollutants by chemical reaction; a valve (22) for selectively controlling a path of air flow within the apparatus (10) and is movable between an open position and closed position, the valve (22) being positioned downstream from the dust removal component (14); wherein if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is above a predetermined value, the valve (22) is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core (17); and if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is less than a predetermined value, the valve (22)

Abstract: A filter for filtering particulate matter (PM) from exhaust gas emitted from a positive ignition engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a washcoat comprising a plurality of solid particles wherein the porous structure of the washcoated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, and wherein the second mean pore size is less than the first mean pore size.

Abstract: Described is an air and surface purifying device having a purifying cell structured for maximizing the realized photocatalytic reaction at a photocatalytic surface without using an additional ultraviolet bulb. The purifying cell positions at least three photocatalytic surfaces about a single ultraviolet bulb such that the photocatalytic surfaces substantially encompass the ultraviolet bulb and are saturated by ultraviolet light radiating from the ultraviolet bulb. Because the photocatalytic surfaces are saturated, the potential photocatalytic reaction at the photocatalytic surfaces is fully realized. Stated differently, the realized photocatalytic reaction is maximized. Because the purifying cell maximizes the realized photocatalytic reaction, the purifying cell maximizes the purifying capacity of the photocatalytic surface and, thus, the purifying cell itself.

Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having pores and that is air permeable. A nanoparticle precursor is dispersed throughout the pores, and the nanoparticle precursor is responsive to a stimulus to form a catalytically active nanoparticle. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for separating wet paint overspray from an exhaust air flow containing overspray particles, passing into the exhaust air flow in an application region of a painting assembly, the device includes at least one separation device for separating the overspray from at least a part of the exhaust air flow. Clogging of a wall surface of the device with wet paint overspray is prevented. It is proposed that the device is divided into a plurality of sections below the application region. At least one separation device is provided in one of the sections. The device includes at least one air curtain producing device for generating an air curtain on a wall surface, which delimits the flow path of the exhaust air flow and is arranged on the at least one flow guide element.

Abstract: A combustion system having improved mercury collection. The system includes a combustion chamber for burning a fuel containing mercury, whereby burning produces a flue gas stream containing mercury and a device for removing mercury from the flue gas stream. The device includes a thermopolymer substrate; and a mercury-receptor attached to the substrate. In one embodiment, the system may further include a collector downstream of the device for collecting the mercury attached to the thermopolymer. The inventions further include alternative methods of mercury removal and preparation of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: A fragrancing device for a vehicle air filter is provided that includes a body formed of a material and incorporating a fragrance in the material forming the body, the body having a configuration adapted to align with a structure of a filter material in a vehicle air filter, and at least one attachment clip releasably engaged with the body the filter material of the filter to attach the body to the filter material.

Abstract: A device for separating wet paint overspray from an exhaust air flow containing overspray particles is disclosed. The overspray particles pass into the exhaust air flow in an application region of a painting assembly and the device includes a separation device for separating the overspray from a part of the exhaust air flow, in which clogging of the separation device with wet paint overspray is substantially prevented during a cleaning operation and/or ingress of precoat material into the application region from the region of the separation device is substantially prevented during a precoating operation, the device includes at least one closing device, by means of which the flow path of the exhaust air flow from the application region to the separation device can be intermittently closed off at least partially, and at least one precoat feeding means discharges a precoat material into the exhaust air flow downstream of the closing device.

Abstract: A filter media product and method of making the same wherein the filter media is pleatable and has at least one support scrim comprised of a melt bonded non-woven material or a fuse bonded non-woven material bonded to a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The filter media may have a single support scrim with one or more layers and optionally may have a support scrim on both an upstream and downstream surface where both or neither support scrim is multilayered. The filter media may have an efficiency greater than, equal to, or less than HEPA.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter with an oxidation catalyst comprising platinum and palladium deposited thereon is described. Addition of HC storage components to the oxidation catalyst allows the conversion of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to be improved significantly.

Abstract: A filter block may comprise activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides. The activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 90 microns and having a particle span of less than or equal to about 1.7. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 3.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs. A portion of the activated carbon filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. Another filter block may comprise mesoporous activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides, wherein the mesoporous activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 104 ?m and a particle span of less than or equal to about 2.05, and wherein at least a portion of the filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 2.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs.

Abstract: An exhaust system may include a canister that is disposed downstream from an engine. A particulate filter (PF) is disposed within the canister and filters particulates within an exhaust from the engine. A reducing catalyst is disposed within the canister, is on the PF, and promotes reaction of a liquid reductant in the exhaust after reception by the PF. A heating element is disposed within the canister and heats particulate matter in the PF.

Abstract: A catalytically active porous element for promoting catalytic gas phase reactions is proposed, said element comprising a porous structural element of sintered ceramic or metallic primary particles, which are selected from fibrous and/or granular particles, a secondary structure of titania nano particles deposited on the surface of said sintered primary particles and a catalytic component deposited on the surface of the titania nano particles. Thereby porous catalytic elements for catalytic gas phase reactions which are useful not only in NOX reduction reactions but also for other catalytic gas phase reactions are provided.

Abstract: A filter membrane includes a substrate, a polymer layer provided on the substrate and a plurality of filter openings each having a width of from about 2 nanometers to about 5 nanometers provided in the polymer layer. A method of controlling pore size of a filter membrane and a method of decontaminating a filter membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: A particle separator and method for removing particles from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. Differing flow regions having different flow conditions are formed in the particle separator. The differing flow regions are configured such that essentially particles having different, defined sizes and/or masses are adapted to be separated out of the exhaust gas stream in the differing flow regions. The exhaust gas stream is adapted to flow through at least portions of the particle separator.

Abstract: A diesel soot particulate filter medium, as subject of the invention comprises fibers, preferably metal fibers. The diesel soot particulate filter medium has a thickness T between its inflow side and its outflow side being equal or more than 5 cm. The S/V at the inflow side is preferably more than 50 m2/m3 and the S/V at the outflow side is preferably less than 80000 m2/m3, whereas S/V increases stepwise or gradually from the inflow side to the outflow side. S is the sum of all mantle surface of the fibers present in a volume V.

Abstract: A filter media product and method of making the same wherein the filter media is pleatable and has at least one support scrim comprised of a melt bonded non-woven material or a fuse bonded non-woven material bonded to a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The filter media may have a single support scrim with one or more layers and optionally may have a support scrim on both an upstream and downstream surface where both or neither support scrim is multilayered. The filter media may have an efficiency greater than, equal to, or less than HEPA.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air purification filter with novel active media that attracts, migrates, binds, and destroys pathogens, including sub-micron pathogens, that are suspended in the air passing through the filter. These properties are incorporated in the micro-fibers comprising the active filter media by several novel methods. One embodiment uses polymers or solgel bound monomers of quaternary ammonium compounds as a biocide with both chemotactic and pathogen membrane lysing properties. Another embodiment uses biocide chemicals blended into the melt before filter fibers are extruded and electret dipole charged. The attracting-binding properties of the embodiments may be enhanced by including electropositive Boehmite nano-fiber strands in the active media, by coating a reversible voltage charged electro-conductive polymer, by the use of supplemental fusing and lysing chemicals, and by optional ion field charging of incoming pathogens.

Abstract: The claimed invention describes methods and apparatuses for manufacturing nano-aerosols and nano-structured materials based on the neutralization of charged electrosprayed products with oppositely charged electrosprayed products. Electrosprayed products include molecular ions, nano-clusters and nano-fibers. Nano-aerosols can be generated when neutralization occurs in the gas phase. Neutralization of electrospan nano-fibers with molecular ions and charged nano-clusters may result in the formation of fibrous aerosols or free nano-mats. Nano-mats can also be produced on a suitable substrate, forming efficient nano-filters.

Abstract: A particulate material removing filter for exhaust gas from a diesel engine is provided. The particulate material removing filter is formed by laminating metal laths having an oxidation catalyst layer containing a noble metal that oxidizes nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas into nitrogen dioxide. The metal laths are laminated to form a laminate in such a manner that the drawing direction of the metal lath processing differs by 90 degrees with each other.

Abstract: A system that captures and eliminates indoor pollutants and chemical and biological agents within a HVAC system by breaking down the pollutants and chemical and biological threats into non-hazardous molecules. The surface area created by crystalline titanium dioxide nano-structures results in highly effective elimination rates when catalytic ionization by UV exposure occurs. The catalyst is activated with UVA light.

Abstract: A filter is used in combination with a register for an HVAC system, where the register is mounted to a wall, floor, or ceiling. The type of register used in this invention has a plurality of parallel blades which are located on the exterior side of the register and a plurality of vane members set behind the parallel blades, where a space is defined between the parallel blades and the plurality of vane members. The filter has a pliable rectangular frame and a pliable filter material spanning across the pliable rectangular frame. The pliable rectangular frame and pliable filter material allow the filter to be inserted between the blades for placement in the space without removing the register from the wall, floor or ceiling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized adsorbent for removal of acid gases, which comprises a pore-expanded mesoporous support having a pore volume of between 0.7 and 3.6 cc/g, a median pore diameter of between 1 and 25 nm, and a BET surface area of between 500 and 1600 m2/g. The support is functionalized by addition of acid-gas reactive functional groups within the pores and external surface of said support material. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the adsorbent and methods of use.

Abstract: A system and method for removing sulfur-containing contaminants from indoor air includes a panel system having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a base media onto which sodium bicarbonate is attached. The second layer can include a base media onto which activated carbon is attached. Indoor air including sulfur-containing contaminants can contact and pass through the first layer. Sulfuric acid can react with the sodium bicarbonate to produce sodium sulfate, which can, in turn, act as a drying agent for organic sulfur-containing contaminants in the indoor air, such as carbon disulfide and carbonyl sulfide. As a result of such drying, the second layer can more effectively trap and/or bind (adsorb) the organic sulfur-containing contaminants so that these contaminants are removed from the contaminated air. The treated air can be returned to an indoor space of the structure.

Abstract: A metal-organic framework-based mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) exhibiting a temperature-dependent mesh size. The MAMS comprises a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand functionalized hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are packed in a facing-spaced apart relationship to form at least one hydrophobic pore.