Abstract: A novel solar-powered desalination and water purification system is disclosed herein. The system includes a nanofiber-impregnated graphene aerogel, an untreated water source, a water collection surface, and a purified water storage container. A novel photocatalytic nanofiber-impregnated graphene aerogel for desalination and photodegradation of contaminants for use in the disclosed system is also disclosed herein. The nanofiber-impregnated graphene aerogel exhibits excellent hydrophilicity, thermal insulation, and photodegradation capability, and allows for efficient solar-powered evaporation of water. The introduction of photocatalytic nanofibers into the graphene aerogel allows effective interfacial evaporation and in situ photodegradation of contaminants. The rate of water evaporation is preferably greater than 1.3 gal/ft2 per day, and the contaminant removal is preferably greater than 90%. A method of desalinating and purifying water using the disclosed system is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An electrospun polymer nanofibrous membrane that provides high filtering efficiency and excellent porosity is disclosed herein. The membrane may be treated with one or more antimicrobial or antiviral agents. The treatment may preferably be a coating of one or more antiviral agents on the surface of the membrane. Alternatively, one or more antiviral agents may be impregnated into the membrane. The membrane may additionally or alternatively be impregnated with one or more metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The membrane has a high filtering efficiency and sufficient porosity to provide breathability characteristics. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in making facemasks and respirators that are highly resistant to infectious pathogens and/or other small particulates. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in HVAC applications. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in removal of VOCs and CO2 in conjunction with a carbon nanofiber membrane.

Abstract: A tubular construct that includes a braided tube embedded therein is disclosed herein. The braided tube may be embedded between layers of the tubular construct or may alternatively be positioned flush with the inside of the tubular construct. The tubular construct is resistant to kinking and has enhanced radial strength. The braided tube reinforces the wall of the tubular construct by improving burst pressure resistance, tube strength, and torque transmission. When radial pressure is applied to the braided tube that is embedded in the construct, the braided tube cannot expand lengthwise. Thus, the compression strength of the construct is increased in the radial direction. This feature takes advantage of the same principle used in the children's toy colloquially known as a Chinese finger trap. The increased radial strength of the tubular construct prevents the construct from collapsing and thereby enhances its structural integrity.

Abstract: Electrospun poly(acrylic) acid (PAA)/poly(vinyl) alcohol PVA nanofibers and integrated filtration membranes generated therefrom are disclosed herein. The membranes are suitable for use in selectively removing heavy metals such as lead and cadmium from water. The surface of the nanofibers is preferably functionalized with one or more chelating agents. The membranes have a high removal efficiency and adsorption capacity with well-distributed hid-density heavy metal adsorption sites with strong binding affinities for targeted heavy metals.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes membranes suitable for use as guided tissue regeneration (GTR) barrier membranes and guided bone regeneration (GBR) barrier membranes in dental applications that are composed of fibrous and highly porous biodegradable materials fabricated using electrospinning and that may be surface-modified with plasma treatment or other suitable methods of surface-modification. The disclosed membranes have a high surface area to volume ratio. The use of the disclosed GTR barrier membranes or GBR barrier membranes provides a barrier that prevents the migration of soft tissue cells but is permeable to small molecules such as nutritional substances and medications. Methods of fabricating the disclosed resorbable barrier dental membranes for GTR and GBR applications using electrospinning are also disclosed. The disclosed membranes may have precisely tuned physical, chemical, and mechanical properties optimized for various GTR and GBR applications.