Abstract: A membrane assembly, useful as a membrane in electrodialytic and electrolytic cells, is made by holding together a plurality of thin layers of membrane material under pressure and with boundary layers of liquid covering their major surfaces. Such membrane assemblies allow the passage therethrough of ions when an electric potential difference is impressed across the membrane assembly but effectively bar the passage of water and gases. They also bar or limit ionic and salt mass transfer in the absence of such a potential difference (during non-use of the cell). They make excellent long lasting cell components, capable of being manufactured simply and economically from any of a variety of membrane materials to produce membranes of desired properties.

Abstract: A sorbent particulate material, such as a metal hydroxide-coated sawdust, is made by passing a direct electric current between an anode of a metal capable of forming a flocculent hydroxide and a cathode in a turbulent electrolyte containing the dispersed particulate material, so as to form a metal hydroxide and deposit it on such material. Also described are filters made from the sorbent particulate material and processes of filtering or otherwise removing undesired components from liquid media by means of such product.