Abstract: A mechanically driven agitator for use in bioprocessing, including a seal housing providing an integral seal around the agitator shaft is provided. Additionally, a fluid mixing assembly comprising a container and the agitator, as well as a support assembly for supporting the fluid mixing assembly, the support assembly further comprising a mounting assembly for lockably engaging the seal housing, are also provided.

Abstract: Removable and replaceable outlets for point-of-use showers or faucets, filter devices, and methods and systems including the outlets and/or filter devices, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous membrane comprising a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrate and a coating comprising a copolymer of formula (I): H—[—O—CH(Rf)—CH2—]m—[—O—CHM-CH2—]n—[—O—CHL-CH2—]s—OH (I), wherein Rf is perfluoro-substituted alkyl or perfluoro-substituted alkyloxy alkyl; M is —CH2—O—(CH2)3—S—(CHZ)t—Y, wherein Z is hydrogen or —CH2COOH, and for example, Y is —COOH or —SO3H, R is hydrogen or alkyl, L is —CH2—O—CH2—CH?CH2, m and n are each independently from about 10 to about 1000, n:s ranges from 0.3:0.7 to 1:0, and t is 0 or 1. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the porous membrane and a method of filtering a fluid, such as isopropanol, containing dissolved metals at a low concentration by the use of such membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are copolymers suitable for hydrophilically modifying the surface of porous fluoropolymer supports, for example, a copolymer of the formula (I) or (II): wherein Rf, Rh, Ra, Y, m, and n are as described herein. Also disclosed are a method of preparing the copolymers, a method of hydrophilically modifying porous fluoropolymer supports, hydrophilic fluoropolymer porous membranes prepared from the polymers, and a method of filtering fluids through the porous membranes.

Abstract: A filter element has a filter structure and first and second end caps attached to the opposite ends of the filter structure. The filter structure includes an outer filter pack, an inner filter pack, and a helical support positioned between the outer and inner filter packs. The helical support may have flow channels and support ridges on the inner surface and the outer surface of the helical support. Unfiltered fluid may be directed outside-in through the outer filter pack and inside-out through the inner filter pack, the support ridges of the helical support supporting the outer and inner filter packs against the pinching forces associated with the pressure drops across the outer and inner filter packs. Filtrate may be directed axially along the flow channels of the helical support and discharged from the filter element.

Abstract: Dendrimer conjugates for determining membrane retention level and/or pore structure, methods of determining membrane level/pore structure, and kits including dendrimer conjugates are disclosed.

Abstract: Membranes having first and second porous portions, wherein the first portion has a more open pore structure than the second portion, wherein the first porous portion includes channels prepared by removing introduced fibers, as well as methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: Fluid treatment assemblies may include first and second end pieces, at least one fluid treatment unit positioned between the first and second end pieces, and a retainer extending between the first and second end pieces and arranged to press the fluid treatment unit(s) and the first and second end pieces together. Each of the end pieces is formed from a nonmetallic material and has a flexural modulus of at least about 1.5×106 psi.

Abstract: A fluid treatment assembly comprises one or more cross flow fluid treatment units positioned between opposite end pieces. The fluid treatment unit includes a permeable fluid treatment medium having a feed side and a permeate side. The fluid treatment assembly further comprises a feed inlet and feed passage, a permeate outlet and a permeate passage, and a retentate outlet and a retentate passage. The feed passage directs feed fluid from the feed inlet to the permeable medium and tangentially along the feed side of the permeable medium. The permeate passage directs permeate from the permeate side of the permeable medium to the permeate outlet. The retentate passage directs retentate from the feed side of the permeable medium to the retentate outlet. A flow restrictor is positioned in the retentate passage.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing and a first filter, a second filter, and a heat exchanger all positioned in the housing. The filter assembly also includes a first inlet and a first outlet and defines a first liquid flow path. The first liquid flow path may extend within the housing between the first inlet and the first outlet through the first filter and along a first side of the heat exchanger. The filter assembly further includes a second inlet and a second outlet and defines a second liquid flow path. The second liquid flow path may extend within the housing between the second inlet and the second outlet through the second filter and along a second side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Microporous membranes comprising a single integral layer having first and second microporous surfaces; and, a porous bulk between the microporous surfaces, wherein the bulk comprises at least a first region and a second region; the first region comprising a first set of pores having outer rims, prepared by removing introduced silica dissolvable nanoparticles, the first set of pores having a first controlled pore size, and a second set of pores connecting the outer rims, the second set of pores having a second controlled pore size, and a polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores, wherein the first controlled pore size is greater than the second controlled pore size; the second region comprising a third set of pores prepared by phase inversion, the third set of pores having a third controlled pore size, filters including the membranes, and methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid treatment arrangement may include a fluid treatment unit having a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure may include at least one feed layer, at least one permeate layer, and at least one layer of a permeable fluid treatment medium between the feed layer and the permeate layer. The fluid treatment unit may further include a thermoset which holds the layers together and forms at least a portion of a first end surface of the fluid treatment unit. The fluid treatment arrangement may also include a thermoplastic sheet which overlies the first end surface of the fluid treatment unit. The thermoset directly bonds to the thermoplastic sheet.

Abstract: Membranes comprising first and second microporous surfaces, and, a porous bulk between the surfaces, the bulk comprising first and second regions; the first region comprising a first set of pores having outer rims, and having controlled pore size, and a second set of pores connecting the outer rims of the first set of pores, the second set of pores having a controlled pore size, and a polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores; the second region comprising a third set of pores having outer rims, and having a controlled pore size, and a fourth set of pores connecting the outer rims of the third set of pores, the fourth set of pores having a controlled pore size, and a polymer matrix supporting the third set of pores; and methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-assembling diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1-R4, n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing self-assembled structures and porous membranes. Embodiments of the self-assembled structures contain the diblock copolymer in a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such copolymers.

Abstract: To move a filter along a manifold assembly the filter may be seated on a moveable shuttle assembly. Seating the filter on the shuttle assembly may include mating a key portion on the filter with a key portion on the shuttle assembly, each key portion corresponding to a filtration characteristic of the filter. The shuttle assembly and the seated filter may then be moved between a first position, wherein the key portions of the filter and the shuttle assembly are mated to one another and first and second fittings of the filter are spaced from first and second fittings of the manifold assembly, and a second position, wherein the key portions of the filter and the shuttle assembly are mated to one another and the first and second fittings of the filter sealingly engage the first and second fittings of the manifold assembly.

Abstract: Removable and replaceable outlets for point-of-use showers or faucets, filter devices, and methods and systems including the outlets and/or filter devices, are disclosed.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is provided for filtering particulates in fluid and gas streams. The filter cartridge has a filter element for filtering the streams and a helical wrap to give stability to the pleats in response to radially outward flow. The wrap has an outer layer for attaching to the filter element and an inner layer for strength and resisting pressure drops across the filter element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hollow fiber membrane having hexagonal voids, suitable for use in high throughput filtration applications. Thus, the membrane includes (i) an inner surface; (ii) an outer surface; and (iii) a porous bulk disposed therebetween, wherein the porous bulk comprises at least a first region including: a) a first set of pores having a first controlled pore size and having outer rims; b) a second set of pores connecting the outer rims of the first set of pores, wherein the pore size of the first set of pores is greater than the pore size of the second set of pores; and c) a polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores. Also disclosed is a method for preparing such hollow fiber membranes, which involves coating a filament with a coating composition that includes a membrane-forming polymer and dissolvable nanoparticles, followed by phase invention, and dissolving of the nanoparticles. The filament is removed to obtain the hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-wetting porous membrane comprising an aromatic hydrophobic polymer such as polysulfone and a wetting agent comprising a copolymer of formula A-B or A-B-A, wherein A is a hydrophilic segment comprising a polymerized monomer of the formula (I): CH2?C(R1)(R2), wherein R1 and R2 are as described herein, and B is an aromatic hydrophobic polymeric segment, wherein segments B and A are linked through an amidoalkylthio group. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a self-wetting membrane comprising casting a solution containing an aromatic hydrophobic polymer and the wetting agent, followed by subjecting the cast solution to phase inversion. The self-wetting porous membrane finds use in hemodialysis, microfiltration, and ultrafiltration.

Abstract: Disclosed are copolymers which are useful in hydrophilically modifying porous fluoropolymer supports. An example of the copolymers is: Also disclosed are a method of preparing such copolymers, a method of modifying porous fluoropolymer surfaces, and hydrophilic fluoropolymer porous membranes prepared therefrom. Also disclosed is a method of filtering fluids by the use of the hydrophilic fluoropolymer porous membranes.