Abstract: A gas exchange membrane is for use in an artificial lung. The membrane consists of a foamed, closed-cell material, in particular of silicone rubber. The membrane is produced by extruding a basic material which contains a foaming agent. The extrudate is then foamed. The result is a gas exchange membrane which has an increased gas exchange performance compared to known material due to the high permeability of the surface.

Abstract: A system including, a filter having an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface contains a three-dimensional surface morphology.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved: To provide a gas separation membrane having an excellent performance balance (balance between gas permeation performance and gas separation ability) as a gas separation membrane. Solution: A gas separation membrane comprising a porous support member and a gas separating resin layer formed on the porous support member, wherein the porous support member has a mode diameter as measured by a mercury porosimeter of from 0.005 ?m to 0.3 ?m, and a pore size distribution index as measured by the mercury porosimeter of from 1 to 15.

Abstract: A CO2-facilitated transport membrane of excellent carbon dioxide permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity, which can be applied to a CO2 permeable membrane reactor, is stably provided. The CO2-facilitated transport membrane is formed such that a gel layer 1 obtained by adding cesium carbonate to a polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel membrane is supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2. More preferably, a gel layer supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2 is coated with hydrophilic porous membranes 3 and 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofibre membrane layer having a basis weight of 0.01-50 g/m2 and a porosity of 60-95%, comprising a nanoweb made of polymeric nanofibres with a number average diameter in the range of 50-600 nm, consisting of a polymer composition comprising a semicrystalline polyamide having a C/N ratio of at most 5.5. The invention also relates to water and air filtration devices comprising such a nanofibre membrane layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing a CO2-depleted product gas stream. The processes involve feeding a natural gas feed stream comprising greater than about 10 vol % CO2 to at least one membrane unit comprising a plurality of polymer membranes to provide a CO2-rich permeate comprising at least 95 vol % CO2 and a CO2-depleted product gas stream. The polymer membranes comprise a crosslinked polyimide polymer having covalent ester crosslinks and have a CO2 permeance of at least 20 GPU and a CO2/CH4 selectivity of greater than 20, at 35 degrees C. and a feed pressure of 100 psia. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus incorporating the crosslinked polyimide polymer for producing a CO2-depleted product gas stream from a natural gas feed stream.

Abstract: A process for forming a porous nanoscale membrane is described. The process involves applying a nanoscale film to one side of a substrate, where the nanoscale film includes a semiconductor material; masking an opposite side of the substrate; etching the substrate, beginning from the masked opposite side of the substrate and continuing until a passage is formed through the substrate, thereby exposing the film on both sides thereof to form a membrane; and then simultaneously forming a plurality of randomly spaced pores in the membrane. The resulting porous nanoscale membranes, characterized by substantially smooth surfaces, high pore densities, and high aspect ratio dimensions, can be used in filtration devices, microfluidic devices, fuel cell membranes, and as electron microscopy substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyimide membranes and to a phase inversion method for the production thereof. The polyimide membranes can be used to separate different gas mixtures.

Abstract: A device for use in a fluid system includes a fuel channel for receiving fuel having dissolved gas therein. A gas permeable membrane supported by a porous support, the gas permeable membrane in communication with the fuel channel. A gas-removal channel adjacent the gas permeable membrane for receiving the dissolved gas from the fuel through the gas permeable membrane and the porous support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane wherein said membrane comprises a continuous non-porous layer comprising a polymerized composition that comprised prior to polymerization at least one type of compound having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and comprising at least 75 weight % of oxyethylene groups and at least two polymerizable groups each comprising a non-substituted vinyl group. The invention further relates to the use of this membrane for separating polar gases and vapors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane wherein said membrane comprises a polymerized composition that comprised prior to polymerization at least one type of compound comprising at least 70 oxyethylene groups and at least two polymerizable groups. The invention further relates to the use of this membrane for separating polar gases and vapors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for producing membranes, the compositions comprising at least 0.1% by weight of highly branched polymer, at least 0.5% by weight of linear polymer and at least 30% by weight of solvent. The present invention additionally describes membranes obtainable from the compositions, and methods of producing these membranes.

Abstract: There is provided a membrane material for a gas holder having abrasion resistance and flex resistance usable as a gas holder, in addition to strength of a base fabric, and having high gas barrier properties. A membrane material for a gas holder, which is used in a gas holder for storing or recovering gas, includes at least 4 layers of a protective layer, a base fabric layer, a gas barrier layer and a protective layer laminated in this order.

Abstract: A core unit for an energy recovery system for exchanging heat and vapor between two independent intake and exhaust airstreams without intermixing thereof, the core unit having a fibrous microporous support substrate and a sulfonated block copolymer having at least one end block A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups based on the number of monomer units, and wherein the sulfonated block copolymer is laminated on the microporous support substrate

Abstract: A membrane suitable for separating a gas from a gas mixture comprising a non cross-linked PVAm having a molecular weight of at least Mw 100,000 carried on a support wherein after casting onto the support, said PVAm has been heated to a temperature in the range 50 to 150° C., e.g. 80 to 120° C.

Abstract: A gas diffusion substrate includes a non-woven network of carbon fibres, the carbon fibres are graphitised but the non-woven network has not been subjected to a graphitisation process. A mixture of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer is disposed within the network. The longest dimension of at least 90% of the graphitic particles is less than 100 ?m. A process for manufacturing gas diffusion substrates includes depositing a slurry of graphitised carbon fibres onto a porous bed forming a wet fibre network, preparing a suspension of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer, applying onto, and pulling the suspension into, the network, and drying and firing the network. Another process includes mixing a first slurry of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer with a second slurry of graphitised carbon fibres and liquid forming a third slurry, depositing the third slurry onto a porous bed forming a fibre-containing layer, and drying and firing the layer.

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: A gas diffusion barrier contains a polymer matrix and a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane has: a polymeric microporous membrane which has a polyolefin as a main component, and which is manufactured by wet phase separation process, and has a porosity of 20 to 80%, an average pore diameter of 1 to 100 nm and a piercing strength at 100° C. of 2 to 50 N; and a gas-separating thin film, which is provided on at least one surface, and/or the interior of the polymeric microporous membrane, and which comprises a fluorine-containing gas-separating resin as a main component, and has an average thickness of 0.01 ?m to less than 0.4 ?m. The gas separation membrane having an oxygen-nitrogen separation factor not smaller than 1.4.

Abstract: There is described a composite material such as venting materials and vents containing said venting materials. The vents are air- or more generally gas-permeable venting composites that are oleophobic and liquid repellent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of H2 gas from a gaseous mixture utilizing an H2 gas permeable metallic membrane supported directly on a porous substrate made up of at least one porous polymeric hollow fiber. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the porous substrate is made up of a plurality of porous polymeric hollow fibers, forming a porous hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with one embodiment, a cooling fluid is disposed in contact with the hollow fiber, thereby enabling advantageous operation of the H2 gas separation process at elevated temperatures in the range of about 200° F. to about 800° F.

Abstract: A non-porous membrane suitable for use in removing dissolved oxygen in a fuel deoxygenator device in an aircraft is produced by solvent casting. A first membrane layer is deposited on a substrate. A second membrane layer is deposited on top of the first membrane layer. Subsequent membrane layers may be deposited on top of the second membrane layer as desired. The resulting non-porous membrane allows little or no leaking of fuel across the membrane.

Abstract: A method for separating CO2 from a processed fluid includes exposing a film to the processed fluid and reacting the CO2 with tetrahedrally coordinated zinc hydroxide moieties contained within the film to facilitate the transport of the CO2 through the film.

Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and a ceramic layer disposed on the polymer layer. The ceramic layer has a plurality of substantially unconnected pores. Each of the substantially unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the polymer layer. A method of manufacturing a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and disposing a ceramic layer on the polymer layer. Disposing a ceramic layer includes depositing a metal layer on the polymer layer; and anodizing the metal layer to convert the metal layer into a porous layer. At least one of the depositing step and the anodizing step is performed as a continuous process. Alternatively, at least one of the depositing and the anodizing step is performed as a batch process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a hybrid composition membrane comprising the steps of preparing a sol comprising at least one poly(amino-alcohol) and at least one alkoxy silane, casting the sol on a surface and drying the casted sol to form the hybrid composition membrane. The hybrid composition membrane may be used for capturing and separating CO2 and/or H2S from a gas sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix and at least two types of molecular sieves dispersed therein. The continuous polymer matrix in the MMM contains at least one type of polymer. The MMM in the form of a dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane or otherwise prepared exhibits simultaneously improved selectivity and permeability for gas separations compared to polymer membranes made from a continuous polymer matrix without any molecular sieves or with only one type of molecular sieve. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.

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: A gas separator having excellent humidifying performance, pressure loss, volume efficiency, and durability humidifies gases used in an on-vehicle fuel cell. The gas separator has upper and lower surfaces of pleat elements of a pleat molding covered by a plate having intake and exhaust ports. The pleat molding is formed by pleating a compound membrane formed of a gas separating membrane and at least one layer of permeable reinforcement material. The pleat element is formed by disposing a reinforcement frame at the outer side part of the molding. The ratio (R=L/H) of a shortest distance (L) between the intake and exhaust ports to a height (H) of the pleat molding is 0.1 to 7.0, and the ratio (W/Le) of the width (W) to the length (Le) of the pleat molding is 0.3 to 10.0. The gas separator operates at a volume flow ratio of 200 or higher.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spiral wound carbon membrane and preparation method thereof. The spiral wound carbon membrane is composed of one or more integral and windable membrane layers composed of a porous support and carbon materials containing fillers filled in the surface, pores and gaps thereof. The spiral wound carbon membrane has a developed ultramicropore porous structure with superior mechanical strength and toughness, and can be directly used to separate a gas mixture with different molecular sizes or liquid mixture.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a baghouse having a tubesheet with an opening therethrough. The filter assembly comprises a cage connectible with the tubesheet adjacent the opening. The cage includes wire members. A filter bag is supported by the wire members of the cage to maintain the filter bag in an operational condition and in fluid communication with the opening in the tubesheet. A reverse pulse jet cleaning system positioned to direct a cleaning pulse through the opening and into the filter bag for a plurality of cleaning cycles. The filter bag is made from laminated filter media. The laminated filter media includes a fabric substrate. The laminated filter media also includes a membrane laminated to the fabric substrate, the membrane comprising a single layer of expanded material of co-coagulated polytetrafluoroethylene with titanium dioxide particles. The titanium dioxide particles are present in the co-coagulated polytetrafluoroethylene in a range of about 0.5 wt % to 4.5 wt %.

Abstract: A membrane for gas separation includes a porous support layer and a separation layer. The separation layer comprises a mixture of one or more saccharide derivatives and one or more homopolymers. The saccharide derivative(s) may have a cyclic structure with five or six ring atoms, or a linear structure, or may include monosaccharide derivatives which are bound via glycoside bonds, and the number of monosaccharides bound in this manner may be 2 to 1,000. A membrane can be produced by preparing a homogeneous solution which comprises a saccharide derivative and a homopolymer in a solvent; and pouring the homogenous solution onto a support layer. The membrane may be used in a gas separation module the operation of which makes use of the membrane.

Abstract: A filter media including a scrim, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media substrate upon the scrim, and a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane adhered to the PTFE media substrate on the scrim. The filter media is pleatable and has air permeability of approximately 3-10 cubic feet/min at a 0.5 inch H2O pressure drop and an original filtration efficiency greater than 99.0% when tested in an unused, unpleated condition with a 0.3 micron challenge aerosol at a flow rate of 10.5 feet/min and when tested after a cleanable dust performance test according to ASTM D6830.

Abstract: The invention discloses a composition comprising a hybrid composite organic-inorganic membrane. The hybrid organic-inorganic membrane according to the present invention may comprise an amorphous porous layer incorporating organic functionalities. The amorphous porous layer may be deposited on a porous alumina substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The amorphous porous layer may comprise a single top-layer (STL), multiple top-layers (MTL) or mixed top-layers (XTL). The substrate may comprise a single layer or multiple graded layers of alumina.

Abstract: Ionic liquids can be immobilized in a membrane by, for example, bonding to a support such as a matrix, or by inclusion within a gel. Immobilized ionic liquids can be used in a number of applications, such as separation of carbon dioxide or other gases from gas streams. Membranes can be included in electrochemical cells. For example, a membrane can contain sufficient immobilized ionic liquid to reduce ionic current density of at least one of protons and hydroxyl ions, relative to carbon-containing ionic current density. A gas stream containing carbon dioxide can be introduced on a cathode side, while a source of hydrogen gas can be introduced on the anode side of the membrane. Operation of an electrochemical cell with such a membrane can separate the carbon dioxide from the gas stream and provide it at a separate outlet.

Abstract: Porous composites comprise a porous membrane having a structure defining a plurality of pores extending therethrough, nonporous discontinuous surface layer affixed to said porous membrane, in which the nonporous discontinuous surface layer forms regions of gas permeability, and regions of gas impermeability, and a coating disposed upon the porous composite which renders at least a portion of the porous composite oleophobic.

Abstract: A nanoscale membrane exposed on opposite sides thereof and having an average thickness of less than about 100 nm, and a lateral length to thickness aspect ratio that is more than 10,000 to 1 is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making such membranes, and use thereof in a number of devices including fuel cells, sensor devices, electrospray devices, and supports for examining a sample under electron microscopy.

Abstract: A membrane suitable for separating a gas, in particular carbon dioxide, from a gas mixture containing the gas is provided by a blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylamine (PVAm).

Abstract: A carbon membrane laminated body includes: a porous substrate, a first porous carbon membrane as a carbon membrane underlayer disposed on a surface of the porous substrate, and a second porous carbon membrane as a carbon membrane separation layer disposed on a surface of the carbon membrane underlayer, having a smaller film thickness, and a smaller average pore diameter, compared with those of the carbon membrane underlayer. It is preferable to form the carbon membrane underlayer and the carbon membrane separation layer by carbonizing a carbon membrane underlayer precursor disposed on a surface of the porous substrate and the carbon membrane separation layer precursor disposed on a surface of the carbon membrane underlayer precursor at 400 to 1000° C. in a non-oxidation atmosphere. The carbon membrane laminated body is a separation membrane excellent in both separation performance and flux when it is used as a separation membrane of a mixture.

Abstract: A CO2-facilitated transport membrane of excellent carbon dioxide permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity, which can be applied to a CO2 permeable membrane reactor, is stably provided. The CO2-facilitated transport membrane is formed such that a gel layer 1 obtained by adding cesium carbonate to a polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel membrane is supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2. More preferably, a gel layer supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2 is coated with hydrophilic porous membranes 3 and 4.

Abstract: A composite membrane comprising a discriminating layer and a porous support layer for the discriminating layer, CHARACTERISED IN THAT the discriminating layer comprises at least 60 wt % of oxyethylene groups and the porous support layer has a CO2 gas flux of 5 to 150×10?5 m3(STP)/m2.s.kPa at a feed pressure of 2.07 kPa. The membranes are particularly useful for purifying waste gas streams e.g. by removing greenhouse gases.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus (1) includes a support configured to support a patterning device (MA), the patterning device configured to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern. The apparatus has a substrate (W) table configure to hold a substrate, a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The apparatus also has a purge gas supply system (100) configured to provide a purge gas near a surface of a component of the lithographic projection apparatus. The purge gas supply system (100) includes a purge gas mixture generator (120) configured to generate a purge gas mixture which includes at least one purging gas and moisture. The purge gas mixture generator has a moisturizer (150) configured to add the moisture to the purge gas and a purge gas mixture outlet (130) connected to the purge gas mixture generator (120) configured to supply the purge gas mixture near the surface.

Abstract: A membrane for use in an implantable glucose sensor including at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophobic polymer and at least one crosslinked substantially hydrophilic polymer; wherein the first and second polymers are different polymers and substantially form an interpenetrating polymer network, semi-interpenetrating polymer network, polymer blend, or copolymer. The membranes are generally characterized by providing a permeability ratio of oxygen to glucose of about 1 to about 1000 in units of (mg/dl glucose) per (mmHg oxygen). Three methods of making membranes from hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers formed into polymer networks are provided, wherein according to at least two of the methods, the monomers may be substantially immiscible with one another.

Abstract: A membrane is used for separating carbon dioxide from a gas phase. The membrane includes a substrate having micro-pores that extend through the substrate and a thin hydrophobic coating on one side of the substrate in which the pores of the substrate are substantially unobstructed by the coating so that the gas phase can penetrate the pores. The coating opposes or substantially resists a liquid solvent for absorbing carbon dioxide from penetrating the pores of the membrane from the side having the coating. The membrane may also be used for separating carbon dioxide in a flue gas of a coal fired power station. Further, the coating may be relatively inert to the liquid solvent compared to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous membrane having a particle filtration value of at least 10 under U.S. Military Standard MIL-STD-282 (1956), where the porous membrane is a polyethylene membrane. The membranes according to the invention are particularly useful for filters such as ASHRAE filters, HEPA filters and ULPA filters for example in heating, ventilating, respirators and air conditioning applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adsorption filter material with a multilayer construction, particularly with a permeable adsorptive barrier layer composite, preferably for ABC protective clothing, wherein the adsorption filter material has at least a first barrier layer having a plurality of openings and at least a second barrier layer having a plurality of openings, as well as an adsorption layer disposed between the first and second barrier layers, wherein the first and second barrier layers are disposed in such a manner, that the openings and the openings do not overlap and/or do not coincide. The adsorption filter material is very comfortable and, at the same time, offers excellent protection against chemical poisons.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing an air filter which is improved in the tight adhesion between an ePTFE membrane and a permeable support material without impairing the mechanical strength and permeability of the support material. An air filter produced by laminating a permeable support material (1) having a region wherein fibers different in fiber diameter are entangled and a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (2), wherein the mean fiber diameter of the membrane-side face of the support material (1) is smaller than that of the back of the support material (1).

Abstract: The invention under consideration concerns novel his-molecular-weight polyazoles, which are suitable for the production of fibers, films, membranes, and molded articles, on the basis of their high molecular weight, expressed as intrinsic viscosity, of at least 1.3 dl/g. Moreover, the invention under consideration describes a method for the production of high-molecular-weight polyazoles.

Abstract: A process of producing an asymmetric membrane of multicomponent polyimide. The process includes the steps of (1) preparing a multicomponent polyimide blend solution by mixing a polyimide component A having a number-averaged polymerization index NA and a polyimide component B having a number-averaged polymerization index NB, wherein NA and NB satisfies equation 1: 2.35×NA?2.09<NB<450×NA?1.12??1 (2) subjecting the multicomponent polyimide blend solution to further polymerization and imidation reaction, and (3) causing a phase inversion in the resulting multicomponent polyimide blend solution to form an asymmetric membrane. The polyimide component A is raw materials of polyimide A containing a fluorine atom in the chemical structure thereof and/or a polymerization and imidation reaction product of the raw materials. The polyimide component B is raw materials of polyimide B and/or a polymerization and imidation reaction product of the raw materials.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method of making high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) using stabilized concentrated suspensions of solvents, uniformly dispersed polymer stabilized molecular sieves, and at least two different types of polymers as the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs as dense films or asymmetric flat sheet or hollow fiber membranes fabricated by the method described in the current invention exhibit significantly enhanced permeation performance for separations over the polymer membranes made from the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.