Abstract: Methods of inactivating microbiological contamination described herein use a textile or membrane which can generate a contamination-inactivating amount of ozone or a reactive oxygen species. The textile or membrane includes first and second conductive layers and at least one ion conductive or porous intermediate layer positioned between the first and second conductive layers. The textile or membrane can form part of a protective face mask, for example a medical or surgical face mask. A voltage effective to generate a microbiological contamination-inactivating amount of the inactivating species is applied across the intermediate layer of the textile or membrane.

Abstract: A method of pumping an aqueous fluid through an electroosmotic membrane situated between a cathode and an anode includes oxidizing water to O2 at the anode and reducing O2 at the cathode. A potential difference E between the cathode and the anode is 1.4 V or less.

Abstract: A layered electroosmotic structure for transporting fluid by electroosmotic transport includes a porous layer; a first electrode located on a first side of the porous layer; and a second electrode located on a second side of the porous layer. The first electrode may include a first surface that faces the porous layer, wherein the first surface of the first electrode includes a region that is electrically insulating. The first electrode and/or the second electrode may not be in electrical contact with an edge region of the porous layer. Methods of manufacturing the layered electroosmotic structures are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: an active membrane, wherein the active membrane transports liquid through the active N membrane when a voltage is applied across the active membrane; and a controller for controlling the active membrane (i.e. controlling operation of the active membrane) are provided. The controller is configured to receive user data, membrane data and external data; and configured to control the active membrane based on one or more of the received user data, membrane data and external data. A system comprising: an apparatus comprising an active membrane, wherein the active membrane transports liquid across the membrane when a voltage is applied across the active membrane; and a server configured to communicate with the apparatus comprising the active membrane is provided. Methods of operating the apparatus and system are also provided.

Abstract: A method of pumping an aqueous fluid through an electroosmotic membrane situated between a cathode and an anode includes oxidizing water to O2 at the anode and reducing O2 at the cathode. A potential difference E between the cathode and the anode is 1.4 V or less.

Abstract: A layered structure for pumping fluid by electroosmotic transport includes a first layer, wherein the first layer is made from an ion perm selective material having openings therein that permit the fluid to flow therethrough, and wherein the openings in the first layer that permit the fluid to flow therethrough create a porosity of less than 10%; and a second layer, wherein the second layer is an electroosmotic layer. The layered structure has a net fluid flow direction that extends through the first layer and the second layer, wherein the layered structure has a region that permits fluid to flow in a direction that is non-parallel to a net fluid flow direction, and wherein the region is located between the first layer and the surface of the second layer that is furthest from the first layer. An electroosmodialysis apparatus may also be provided that includes two layered structures.

Abstract: A method of operating a membrane is provided. The membrane comprises: a porous layer; a first electrically conductive layer located on a first side of the porous layer; and a second electrically conductive layer located on a second side of the porous layer. When an electric voltage is applied between the first and second electrically conductive layer across the porous layer, the membrane prevents moisture intrusion from a first surface of the membrane towards a second surface of the membrane. The method comprises applying an electric voltage between the first and second electrically conductive layer across the porous layer to prevent moisture intrusion from the first surface of the membrane towards the second surface of the membrane when it is desired to prevent moisture intrusion from the first surface towards the second surface. A membrane system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A layered structure for pumping fluid by electroosmotic transport includes a first layer, wherein the first layer is made from an ion perm selective material having openings therein that permit the fluid to flow therethrough, and wherein the openings in the first layer that permit the fluid to flow therethrough create a porosity of less than 10%; and a second layer, wherein the second layer is an electroosmotic layer. The layered structure has a net fluid flow direction that extends through the first layer and the second layer, wherein the layered structure has a region that permits fluid to flow in a direction that is non-parallel to a net fluid flow direction, and wherein the region is located between the first layer and the surface of the second layer that is furthest from the first layer. An electroosmodialysis apparatus may also be provided that includes two layered structures.

Abstract: A porous membrane for use in an electroosmotic pump for pumping a fluid by electroosmotic transport, the porous membrane comprising: first and second opposite surfaces and a net fluid flow direction extending in the porous membrane between said opposite surfaces, wherein when a given amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the first to the second opposite surface more electroosmotic transport of the fluid will occur than when the same amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the second to the first, opposite surface.

Abstract: A system includes a product having one or more active membranes for transporting liquid by aid of an electric field. A humidity sensor provides information about wetting or moisture conditions near the active membrane. An electronic control circuit is designed to provide a voltage to the active membrane only when a certain humidity level is detected. An external electronic device provides an interface between a user and the product, wherein the interface includes a display to allow monitoring of the functions of the product.

Abstract: A porous membrane for use in an electroosmotic pump for pumping a fluid by electroosmotic transport, the porous membrane comprising: first and second opposite surfaces and a net fluid flow direction extending in the porous membrane between said opposite surfaces, wherein when a given amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the first to the second opposite surface more electroosmotic transport of the fluid will occur than when the same amount of charge flows through the porous membrane from the second to the first, opposite surface.

Abstract: A system includes a product having one or more active membranes for transporting liquid by aid of an electric field. A humidity sensor provides information about wetting or moisture conditions near the active membrane. An electronic control circuit is designed to provide a voltage to the active membrane only when a certain humidity level is detected. An external electronic device provides an interface between a user and the product, wherein the interface includes a display to allow monitoring of the functions of the product.

Abstract: A liquid transport membrane includes a porous layer having conductive electrodes on the opposite surfaces. The electrodes are arranged so as to induce an electric field across the membrane when a driving voltage is applied to the electrodes. The conductive electrodes each include a thin conductive layer which is coated onto the porous layer and an additional layer to improve the distribution of electricity.

Abstract: A cooling device includes an electroosmotic liquid transport membrane and a passage through which a fluid to be cooled can flow. The passage has a wall which includes the electroosmotic liquid transport membrane. The membrane is arranged to transport liquid to effect evaporative cooling such that the fluid in the passage can be cooled. The fluid in the passage is a liquid and the cooling device is arranged so that in use, the liquid being transported to effect evaporative cooling is transported through the electroosmotic liquid transport membrane out of the passage.

Abstract: A textile includes first and second conductive layers and at least one porous layer positioned between the conductive layers. The first and second conductive layers are arranged to generate an electric field whereby a current passes between the conductive layers inducing liquid transport and causing ions to be received at the second conductive layer. A measurement device is arranged to measure the amount of charge transferred between the first and second conductive layers during a liquid transport operation, the device taking account of any variation in current or voltage during the liquid transport operation. A control device is arranged to control a regenerating operation to regenerate the second electrode by transferring via it an amount of charge substantially equal to the measured amount so as to cause ions to be removed from the second conductive layer and thereby regenerate the conductive layer.

Abstract: A textile (10) comprising first and second conductive layers (12a, 12b); at least one porous layer (14) positioned between first and second conductive layers (12a, 12b), the pores of said porous layer (14) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said conductive layers (12a, 12b); the conductive layers (12a, 12b) being connected to an electric signal generator (15) such that, in use, a voltage can be applied across said porous layer (14) to effect directional flow of liquid across said textile (10), and a voltage can also be applied along at least one of the conductive layers (12a, 12b) to effect heating of said textile (10).

Abstract: A pump for inducing liquid movement by means of polarisation electro-osmosis, comprising a passageway forming a flow path for fluid transport, at least one polarisable means located within said passageway so as to form at least one pore through said passageway, the at least one polarisable means being shaped such that at least a section of the pore walls are curved or inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the passageway, the pump further comprising a non-conductive porous membrane positioned across the flow path and in close proximity to the at least one polarisable means, the membrane comprising pores extending in a direction at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passageway and having a pore size smaller than the at least one pore formed by the polarisable means.

Abstract: A textile (10) comprising first and second conductive layers (12a, 12b); at least one porous layer (14) positioned between first and second conductive layers (12a, 12b), the pores of said porous layer (14) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said conductive layers (12a, 12b); the conductive layers (12a, 12b) being connected to an electric signal generator (15) such that, in use, a voltage can be applied across said porous layer (14) to effect directional flow of liquid across said textile (10), and a voltage can also be applied along at least one of the conductive layers (12a, 12b) to effect heating of said textile (10).