Abstract: In accordance with the invention there are devices and processes for making ceramic nanofiber mats and ceramic filters for use in high temperature and in corrosive environments. The process for forming a ceramic filter can include electrospinning a preceramic polymer solution into a preceramic polymer fiber having a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1 micron and forming a preceramic polymer fiber web from the preceramic polymer fiber onto a collector. The process can also include pyrolyzing the preceramic polymer fiber web to form a ceramic nanofiber mat having a diameter less than the diameter of the preceramic polymer fiber, the ceramic nanofiber mat comprising one or more of an oxide ceramic and a non-oxide ceramic such that the ceramic fiber mat can withstand temperature greater than about 1000 ° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a human hepatoma-derived cell line, LH86, liver cell cultures, non-human animal models, artificial livers, liver assist devices, screening assays, and other applications of the cell line as an investigational tool.