Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for synthesizing multiwall carbon nanotubes from high molecular polymeric wastes. The process comprises using induction heating in combination with catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CVD) with an array of catalytic materials to synthesize high value carbon nanotubes with better yield and purity from high molecular polymeric wastes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing D-psicose comprising the steps of (i) providing a mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose; and (ii) contacting the mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose with a probiotic microorganism that is capable of metabolizing D-fructose but not D-psicose and capable of converting D-fructose into L-lactic acid and subjecting the microorganism to culture conditions that allow fermentative removal of D-fructose from the mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose with concomitant production of L-lactic acid. Further provided are uses of a probiotic microorganism that is capable of metabolizing D-fructose but not D-psicose and capable of converting D-fructose into L-lactic acid for fermentative removal of D-fructose from a mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose. In particular, the probiotic microorganism is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Saccharomyces boulardii.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane for removal of dissolved oxygen from fluid that is made of a porous hydrophobic material and an apparatus for controlling nitrate concentration level in water comprising a membrane contactor having the membrane, the membrane comprises at least one tubular fiber comprising: an outer wall for contacting fluid external to the tubular fiber; at least three inner channel walls for contacting fluid internal of the tubular fiber, wherein each inner channel wall forms a fluid communicating channel; a plurality of pores, wherein pores proximate to surfaces of the outer wall and each inner channel wall are smaller in size than pores non-proximate to said surfaces of the outer wall and each inner channel wall, wherein a central portion of the tubular fiber has a thickness greater than thickness of the tubular fiber outside the central portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for synthesizing multiwall carbon nanotubes from high molecular polymeric wastes. The process comprises using induction heating in combination with catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CVD) with an array of catalytic materials to synthesize high value carbon nanotubes with better yield and purity from high molecular polymeric wastes.

Abstract: An eye drop guide for instilling eye drops to an eye includes an eye cup housing and an eye drop dispenser holder. The eye cup housing includes an eye cup at a first end of the eye cup housing configured to be placed over an eye, a hole through the eye cup housing at a second end of the eye cup housing, and a magnet fixed to the eye cup housing at the second end. The eye drop dispenser holder may include a magnet fixed to the eye drop dispenser holder. The magnet in the eye cup housing and the magnet in the eye drop dispenser holder are configured to be attracted to one another so as to removably attach the eye cup housing to the eye drop dispenser holder.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrophilic polymer and membrane for oil-water separation. More particularly, this invention relates to a super hydrophilic polymer and membrane with zwitterionic property for oil-water separation, and method of producing the same. The hydrophilic polymer comprises polymer repeat units, each unit having at least one negatively charged carboxylic functional group and at least one positively charged amine functional group; and a monomer having a single aromatic ring and an imide functional group.

Abstract: A functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite and method of producing the same are disclosed. Furthermore, a functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite having water channels for low pressure desalination and method of producing the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrophilic polymer and membrane for oil-water separation. More particularly, this invention relates to a super hydrophilic polymer and membrane with zwitterionic property for oil-water separation, and method of producing the same. The hydrophilic polymer comprises polymer repeat units, each unit having at least one negatively charged carboxylic functional group and at least one positively charged amine functional group; and a monomer having a single aromatic ring and an imide functional group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for continuously dehumidifying humid gas. More particularly, this invention relates to a system that continuously dehumidifies gas using a liquid desiccant dehumidifying module, a regeneration modules utilizing a membrane distillation module to regenerate diluted liquid desiccant and means for connecting the two modules together.

Abstract: A method for producing foam glass with high open pore content using recycled waste glass. The size of the pores of the foam glass is small and uniform, and such foam glass is suitable for building material with thermal insulating and sound proofing properties. The foam glass produced by this method is lightweight, durable and has high compression strength.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum air gap membrane distillation system for desalination purposes. More particularly, this invention relates to a membrane distillation system with multiple cells in which the system's flux is increased due to the temperature and pressure differential within the system. The configuration of the vacuum air gap membrane distillation system allows for latent heat within the system to be recycled effectively reducing the energy consumption of the system.

Abstract: A graphene-based membrane and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The graphene-based membrane may include a graphene-polymer composite, wherein the graphene-polymer composite may consist of an amine functionalized graphene and a polymer containing an anhydride group as a linker for linking the amine functionalized graphene to the polymer. The graphene-based membrane may be constructed of a single-layer. A method may include reacting a polymer containing an anhydride with an amine functionalized graphene in presence of a solvent to form an intermediate product; and thermal imidizing the intermediate product to form a graphene grafted polymer composite for use in fabricating a graphene-based membrane.

Abstract: A surface on a polymeric film having an array of patterned structures, wherein the array of patterned structures influences fluid flow of the surface and causes reduced attachment of a biological material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for continuously dehumidifying humid gas. More particularly, this invention relates to a system that continuously dehumidifies gas using a liquid desiccant dehumidifying module, a regeneration modules utilizing a membrane distillation module to regenerate diluted liquid desiccant and means for connecting the two modules together.

Abstract: This invention relates to a triple layer composite nanofiber membrane for Membrane Distillation (MD) applications. The triple layer membrane has an extremely hydrophobic nanofiber layer, a hydrophobic microporous middle layer and a hydrophilic backing layer for MD applications.

Abstract: A multi-layered filtration medium for detoxification of chemical contaminants and disinfection of biological contaminants. The filtration medium includes two disinfection nanofiber layers and one detoxification nanofiber layer disposed between the two disinfection nanofiber layers. The filtration medium is loaded with high content of a detoxifying material which capable of achieving about 95% detoxification efficiency with no leaching of the detoxifying material. The filtration medium may also include a medicinal substance for medical applications and a sensor for indicating the lifetime of the filtration medium.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed in this application relates to a method for producing glass membranes for filtration purposes. The disclosed method for producing cost effective glass membranes utilizes recycled waste glass, has shorter sintering periods and has lower sintering temperatures.