Abstract: Filter media and filters, such as air filters, residential air filters, commercial air filters, face masks, gas turbine and compressor air intake filters, panel filters, and the like, are provided that comprise a plurality of fibers with a silicone-based coating. The silicone-based coating comprises a silicone compound at least about two percent by weight of the coating. The silicone-based coating may include a reactive silicone macroemulsion and a surfactant. The silicone-based coating increases the efficiency of the filter at capturing contaminants, particularly contaminants in the E2 and E3 particle group range, without compromising other important characteristics of the filters, such as cost, longevity, dust holding capacity, and the pressure drop or air permeability of the filter.

Abstract: Filter media and filters are provided that include at least two layers and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in depth within at least one of the layers. A gas filter comprises a first layer of fibers, a second layer of fibers bonded to the first layer and a plurality of nanoparticles incorporated into the first layer. The nanoparticles increase the overall surface area within the filter, which increases its filtration efficiency and allows for the capture of submicron contaminants without significantly compromising other factors, such as pressure drop (i.e., air flow) through the filter. In addition, the filters disclosed herein are capable of withstanding rigorous conditioning, which allows the filter to achieve the same level of filtration performance throughout the lifetime of the filter. Systems, devices and methods are also provided for manufacturing such filters.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for producing fibrous materials and products, such as filters. A system comprises a first device for generating one or more fiber stream(s), and a second device for isolating nanoparticles within a gaseous medium. The second device forms the nanoparticles into a stream and feeds this stream into the fiber streams to form the fibrous material. This distributes the nanoparticles more uniformly throughout the fibrous material. In addition, the nanoparticles increase the overall surface area within the material, which, in certain applications, increases its filtration efficiency and allows for the capture of submicron contaminants without significantly compromising other factors, such as pressure drop through the filter. Filters produced with these systems and methods are capable of withstanding rigorous conditioning, which allows the filter to achieve substantially the same level of filtration performance throughout the lifetime of the filter.

Abstract: Apertured polymeric layers, sheets, mesh or films are provided for a variety of different applications. A polymeric sheet comprises at least one polymer layer having one or more apertures for flow of gas or liquid therethrough, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed within the polymer sheet such that the nanoparticles are disposed between a first surface of the polymer sheet and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanoparticles filter contaminants passing through the polymeric sheet. The apertured sheets may comprise filter media and/or support membranes for filter media in gas or liquid filters. The nanoparticles reduce the overall pressure drop across the support membranes to improve the efficiency of such filters.

Abstract: Filter media and filters, such as air filters, face masks, gas turbine and compressor air intake filters, panel filters and the like, are provided that capture submicron particles with both electrostatic forces and the utilization of nanoparticles within the filter media. A filtration media includes a substrate comprising fibers and nanoparticles disposed within the substrate. At least one of the fibers or the nanoparticles are electrostatically charged. The electrostatic charge effectively captures submicron particles during at least the initial use of the filter. The nanoparticles ensure that the efficiency of the filter remains high even after the electrostatic charge starts to decay over time. In addition, the bond between the fibers and the nanoparticles may be enhanced by the electrostatic charge, which allows the nanoparticles to be dispersed in depth throughout the filter media.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric plasticized film or sheet having one or more apertures to reduce the amount of material needed, as well as overall weight, per desired volume of material required. The polymeric plasticized film or sheet may also be capable of folding and keeping the crease for a desired amount of time. The polymeric plasticized film or sheet may be biodegradable.

Abstract: Provided are electrolyte films or cells for use in variety of applications, such as electrochromic windows. An electrolytic film comprises a polymer layer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or polymethyl methacrylate, and an electrolyte within the polymer layer. The electrolyte comprises a salt and a plasticizer. The plasticizer comprises one or more materials that are selected to provide sufficient conductivity and optical transparency for operation of the electrolyte film in an application requiring substantial optical clarity and switching speed, such as a smart window.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, laminates, films and/or composites made from polymers, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The films have one or more optical layers made from materials that allow the transmission of visible light and reflect or absorb UV light. A composite having an infrared (“IR”) cutoff layer, and a polymer layer desirably having an ultraviolet (“UV”) absorber is disposed between layers of glass or artificial glass, combined with polycarbonate (“PC”) or polyethylene terephalate (“PET”) layers.

Abstract: A fiber web structure made of randomly oriented synthetic fibers, an apparatus for making the web structure and a method of making the web structure. The web is a dimensionally-disordered, aerodynamically-formed structure in which electrostatic and/or non-electrostatic fibers are arranged to create structured fiber webs. The method uses different size, crimp, length and shapes of fibers, among various characteristics, to create strength and other properties. An apparatus for making the web structure includes a randomizing cylinder that removes fibers from a main cylinder, and condensing cylinders. The fiber webs may be structured in layers and the layers may have fibers and/or additives placed in or between the layers for enhanced performance.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for filtering contaminants or pollutants from water, such as rainwater or stormwater. The devices include a liquid filter comprising a tubular mesh enclosure containing a filling. The filling comprises compost particles and an activated carbon material. The compost particles have a bulk particle distribution of more than 30% less than 0.375 inches and at least 90% less than 2 inches. This unique combination of particle sizes and filling materials increases the removal efficiency of the filter. In addition, this filter media absorbs a broader range of industrial pollutants than conventional filters.

Abstract: Compositions, laminates, films and/or composites made from thermoplastic polymers, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are described. The films have one or more optical layers made from materials that allow the transmission of visible light and reflect or absorb UV light. An optical film is made from one or more TPU resins including a first UV absorber of the benzotriazole family or the triazin family, a light stabilizer, and a second UV absorber selected from a group consisting of benzotriazoles, benzophenones, triazin or benzylidene malonate. The second UV absorber may be present in a base resin combined with the TPU resin.

Abstract: Degradable extruded nettings are provided. Degradable extruded nettings may include a plurality of interconnected strands, at least some of the strands being made from a polymeric blend, the polymeric blend including a polylactic acid polymer composition, polybutylene succinate, and a degradation additive, the degradation additive including a degrader in a carrier resin are provided. Grass sod and methods for preparing grass sod using such degradable extruded nettings are also provided.

Abstract: Support membranes for filters are described that include a support sheet formed of a polymeric material and a continuous base section having opposed outer surfaces and spaced-apart ribs extending outwardly from at least one of the opposed outer surfaces. The spaced-apart ribs define continuous flow channels bound by the adjacent spaced-apart ribs. The ratio of the height of the ribs to the height of the continuous base ranges from about 2:1 to about 5:1. This relatively high aspect ratio of the ribs and the base layer increases the performance of the filter and reduces the cross-flow pressure drop of fluids filtered through the membrane.

Abstract: Provided are electrolyte films or cells for use in variety of applications, such as electrochromic windows. An electrolytic film comprises a polymer layer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or polymethyl methacrylate, and an electrolyte within the polymer layer. The electrolyte comprises a salt and a plasticizer. The plasticizer comprises one or more materials that are selected to provide sufficient conductivity and optical transparency for operation of the electrolyte film in an application requiring substantial optical clarity and switching speed, such as a smart window.

Abstract: A filter support sheet extruded from a fluoroplastic material includes a base section having spaced-apart ribs extending outwardly from at least one surface thereof. Segments between spaced-apart ribs provide flow channels and apertures are punched through the sheet in a predetermined pattern unaffected by the structure of the support sheet. A method includes the steps of: (1) extruding a thermoplastic, fluoroplastic material to form of a sheet; (2) passing the sheet through a nip region provided by opposed rollers; at least one having an outer surface with counter-sunk grooves. Counter-sunk grooves in one roller are aligned with an outer surface or counter-sunk grooves of the other roller in the nip region to form a ribbed sheet having ribs upstanding from at least one surface of said sheet; (3) setting the ribbed sheet and (4) punching apertures through the ribbed sheet in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A device for slitting a tubular workpiece into strips includes radially disposed cutting members. The device may include a tapered infeed mandrel for maintaining tension on the tubular workpiece being slit and optionally an exit mandrel. In embodiments, the position of the radially disposed cutting members may be adjustable.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.

Abstract: An in tank depth media fuel filter assembly includes a closed body having an interior and an exterior. The closed body has a first composite panel of filtration media and a second composite panel of filtration media. Each of the composite panels includes and outer support layer and at least three inner layers of filtration material including at least two spunbonded layers of synthetic filaments and at least one layer of wetlaid synthetic fibers. An opening is provided in the body for providing fluid communication with the interior thereof.

Abstract: A device for slitting a tubular workpiece into strips includes radially disposed cutting members. The device may include a tapered infeed mandrel for maintaining tension on the tubular workpiece being slit and optionally an exit mandrel. In embodiments, the position of the radially disposed cutting members may be adjustable.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.