Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a porous hollow fiber membrane for the treatment of a protein-containing liquid where the substances to be removed such as small-sized virus contained in a solution can be efficiently separated and removed and, at the same time, useful substances to be recovered such as protein can be efficiently permeated and the decrease in the permeation characteristics thereof with elapse of time is small. The porous hollow fiber membrane for the treatment of a protein-containing liquid of the present invention is characterized in that the membrane comprises a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, its permeability for pure water is 10 to 300 L/(h·m2·bar) and, when a 0.5% immunoglobulin solution is subjected to filtration at a constant pressure of 1.0 bar for 60 minutes in dead-end filtration mode, its filtration time and accumulated amount of recovered filtrate are substantially in a linear relation.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first valve metal flow field plate. The first valve metal flow field plate has a first cooling channel adapted to receive an aqueous coolant and to contact the aqueous coolant at a position that inhibits the formation of shunt currents when the fuel cell is incorporated in a fuel cell stack. A field assembly includes a first metal flow field plate having a first cooling channel adapted to receive an aqueous coolant is also provided. A valve metal plate is disposed over the first metal flow field plate in the flow field assembly. Fuel cell stacks using the valve metal-containing flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a chemiresistor sensor can be dynamically tuned using mechanical strain. The increase in sensitivity is a smooth, continuous function of the applied strain, and the effect can be reversible. Sensitivity tuning enables the response curve of the sensor to be dynamically optimized for sensing analytes, such as volatile organic compounds, over a wide concentration range.

Abstract: A filter is described that is combined with a device to address vibrations. Such vibrations can adversely impact filter performance. An engine system including this combination is also described.

Abstract: Coolant conditioning unit for coolant of an internal combustion engine. The unit includes a cup-shaped housing, a removable cover for closing the housing, a replaceable filter insert arranged in the housing and being detachably connected to the cover, an inlet, an anti-drain valve that is normally open during filtering, and a stop valve arranged in the inlet. The stop valve is held in an open position by the filter insert and closes when the filter insert is removed from the housing and closes before the cover has been completely separated from the housing. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A vent assembly is described for use in an extracorporeal fluid unit. A vent structure adjacent to a micro-porous membrane forms the assembly. The vent structure is porous and changes color when the vent structure becomes wet, thereby providing a visual indication that the vent structure has been exposed to liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for isolating, purifying, and/or enriching the concentration of compounds having one or more phosphate groups and/or derivatives thereof, including but not limited to phosphorylated peptides and/or phosphorylated proteins. In some aspects, the present invention provides nanostructured enrichment materials, such as metal oxide mesoporous materials, that selectively and reversibly bind with phosphorylated compounds with high specificity and are capable of controlled release of phosphorylated compounds bound to their active surfaces. Mesoporous materials of the present invention also provide enrichment materials having large active surface areas that provide for higher loading capacities for phosphorylated peptides and proteins relative to conventional affinity based methods.

Abstract: A method and device that identify impairments of the blood flow in an extra-corporeal blood circuit during extracorporeal treatment of the blood using an extracorporeal haemodialysis device, where the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of an oscillating pressure signal that propagates in the extracorporeal blood circuit is determined. Impairments of the blood flow are detected in the extracorporeal blood circuit based on a characteristic modification of the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of the pressure signal. A temporal modification of the phase angle may be compared with a predefined threshold value and an impairment is detected if the value of the modification of the phase angle is greater than the predefined threshold value. The method and device permit an early identification of a coagulation of the blood that flows through the haemodialysis unit, so that countermeasures can be initiated promptly.

Abstract: A sample container (20) for receptacle devices for receiving biological objects that may be used for example as collecting devices (30) in laser microdissection systems is described, in which the sample container (20) has a coding (23) with the aid of which the sample holder in the laser microdissection system can be unambiguously identified in order subsequently to be able to allocate correctly biological objects (43) to be dissected to individual receptacle containers (31) of the identified receptacle device (30) or of the identified sample holder (20), so as to carry out a fully automated microdissection procedure.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.

Abstract: A drag through electro-deposition system and a method of performing a drag through electro-deposition process on a vehicle body is disclosed. The system may include pairs of anodes, with each pair having a corresponding anode pair power supply. As a vehicle body is carried through the electro-deposition tank, the electric power to each pair is individually adjusted relative to the vehicle body position in the tank.

Abstract: A method for fractionating particles includes flowing a fluid having particles therein along a first channel, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid, focusing the particles within the fluid into a single file line, moving the particles in a flow rate, applying acoustic radiation pressure to the fluid for a second time, focusing the particles based on size and acoustic contrast, producing at least two fluid fractions of the particles, and collecting at least one of the fractions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.

Abstract: A liquid separation membrane installation body includes a porous base material, and a liquid separation membrane provided on the porous base material, the liquid separation membrane is a porous membrane formed of a dispersant layered inorganic compound, and a membrane thickness of the liquid separation membrane is 0.1 to 1.5 ?m. The liquid separation membrane is preferably formed of a sheet-like dispersant layered inorganic compound which has a thickness of 0.1 to 100 nm, a major diameter of 0.01 to 5 ?m and an aspect ratio (the major diameter/the thickness) of 3 or more and which is formed into the membrane on the porous base material. There is disclosed the liquid separation membrane installation body capable of increasing a permeation flow rate of a liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of an active ionic liquid to dissolve algae cell walls. The ionic liquid is used to, in an energy efficient manner, dissolve and/or lyse an algae cell walls, which releases algae constituents used in the creation of energy, fuel, and/or cosmetic components. The ionic liquids include ionic salts having multiple charge centers, low, very low, and ultra low melting point ionic liquids, and combinations of ionic liquids. An algae treatment system is described, which processes wet algae in a lysing reactor, separates out algae constituent products, and optionally recovers the ionic liquid in an energy efficient manner.

Abstract: A spiral-type separation membrane element is provided that can reduce the pressure loss without changing the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the water-collecting tube. In a spiral-type separation membrane element in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member are wound in a spiral form around a porous water-collecting tube in a laminated state, the feed-side flow passageway member includes a net-constituting thread in a direction tilted relative to a feed solution flow direction; the net-constituting thread has a cross-sectional part such that a thread diameter X in a direction parallel to a feed solution flow plane is larger than a thread diameter Y in a direction perpendicular to the feed solution flow plane; and a central part between intersection parts of the net-constituting thread is made to have a thread diameter Y smaller than that of an intersection part.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for differentially diagnosing dementia or the risk of dementia in a patient. The method comprises obtaining a sample from the patient; analyzing the sample to obtain quantifying data for one or more than one metabolite marker; comparing the quantifying data for the one or more than one metabolite marker to corresponding data obtained from one or more than one reference sample; and using the comparison to differentially diagnose dementia or the risk of dementia. The method may also assist in assessing dementia or the risk of dementia in a patient. The present invention is also directed to metabolite markers and compounds useful in the present method.

Abstract: A filter- and sterilizing apparatus comprising a gravity filter device with a liquid supply (L1), a downpipe filter (F) and a clean liquid drainage (L3) as well as a sterilizing device (U) hydraulically connected to the downpipe filter, is characterized in that the sterilizing device connected to the clean liquid circuit (L3) of the downpipe filter (F), is adjustable in height and has the shape of a supply channel to the overflow weir (Y), wherein the liquid level in the supply channel (K) before starting the filtration is approximately adjustable to the same height with the water level in the downpipe filter (F) above the filter medium (M). The sterilizing device (U) is an ultraviolet sluice.

Abstract: A coreless and spirally wound non-woven filter element is provided. The filter element includes at least one band of base media having a selected porosity and an interlay having a different porosity within at least one band of base media. The presence of the interlay in the filter element can create additional surface area within the contiguous construction of a filter element for filtration. This interlay can also create the ability to change direction of flow and to increase the deposition of specifically sized contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting current or potential generated in a liquid sample suitable for use in a chromatography or other liquid sample analytical system. One embodiment is an electrolytic ion transfer device with a signal detector in communication with the electrodes of the transfer device. Another is a combination ion transfer device/electrolyte generator. Another substitutes a detector for the ion transfer device in the combination.