Abstract: In order to address the sustainability and environmental issues associated with conventional HVAC filters, inventive HVAC filters have been developed that are completely biodegradable and compostable and exhibit Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings that are superior to conventional HVAC filters. More particularly, it has been discovered that biodegradable electrospun nanofibers can be used to produce biodegradable HVAC filters that exhibit superior filtration performance relative to conventional HVAC filters produced from polypropylene electrostatic media or triboelectric nonwoven media.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the design and manufacture of nanofiber layers, webs, films, or membranes that may be self-supporting and can function as standalone products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a microporous nanofiber films and the use of such films in a wide variety of products and applications, including applications where physical property tuning is typically limited. Generally, the microporous films of the present invention can function as a standalone nanofiber membrane or can be bonded to other microporous films to produce a layered stacked film stack with customizable properties. Unlike conventional microporous films available in today's market, the microporous films of the present invention can be lighter, require less raw material cost to produce, and can improve operating performances in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a dual density air filtration media that comprises a plurality of nanofibers layers formed from nanofibers having different fiber diameters. Due to the presence of these multiple nanofiber layers with different nanofiber diameters, the resulting filtration media of the present invention comprises a gradient density. In particular, the present invention uses a novel combination of two or more layers of nanofibers made via an electrospinning process, wherein the nanofiber layers made up from different fiber sizes are strategically applied to a cellulose or synthetic base material or substrate, to thereby maximize the filtration efficiency and dust holding capacity of the resulting filtration media.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to washable HVAC filter media. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to washable HVAC filter media comprising an electrospun nanofiber layer disposed between a nonwoven support layer and a pre-filter meltblown layer that may be electrostatically charged. Unlike existing HVAC filter media, the present filter media may be subjected to multiple washings and still maintain its filtration efficiency.

Abstract: A present invention is directed to a laminated filtration media comprising a nanofiber coating applied onto a synthetic substrate. Generally, the laminated filtration media can be produced by applying the nanofiber layer onto the synthetic substrate via an electrospinning process and then thermo-mechanically bonding the nanofiber layer onto the synthetic substrate via a thermal bonding process. The laminated filtration media exhibits superior durability and can be used in a wide array of air filtration applications.

Abstract: An enhanced filtration multilayer laminated fabric includes an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive central layer such as polytetra-fluoroethylene (ePTFE) sandwiched between a first pair of nonwoven textile layers and a second pair of woven textile layers. The laminated fabric may also feature a fire resistant application. The top textile layer may also include a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer. The filtration fabric may be utilized to manufacture a wearable garment that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to wear in all weather conditions and which effectively filters airborne particulates from entering a user's respiratory system by blocking particulates having a size of 0.3 microns and larger from inhaled air for a user's respiratory system with a particle blocking efficiency of at least 90%.

Abstract: An enhanced filtration multilayer laminated fabric includes an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive central layer such as polytetra-fluoroethylene (ePTFE) sandwiched between a first pair of nonwoven textile layers and a second pair of woven textile layers. The laminated fabric may also feature a fire resistant application. The top textile layer may also include a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer. The filtration fabric may be utilized to manufacture a wearable garment that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to wear in all weather conditions and which effectively filters airborne particulates from entering a user's respiratory system by blocking particulates having a size of 0.3 microns and larger from inhaled air for a user's respiratory system with a particle blocking efficiency of at least 90%.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the design and manufacture of nanofiber layers, webs, films, or membranes that may be self-supporting and can function as standalone products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a microporous nanofiber films and the use of such films in a wide variety of products and applications, including applications where physical property tuning is typically limited. Generally, the microporous films of the present invention can function as a standalone nanofiber membrane or can be bonded to other microporous films to produce a layered stacked film stack with customizable properties. Unlike conventional microporous films available in today's market, the microporous films of the present invention can be lighter, require less raw material cost to produce, and can improve operating performances in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a dual density air filtration media that comprises a plurality of nanofibers layers formed from nanofibers having different fiber diameters. Due to the presence of these multiple nanofiber layers with different nanofiber diameters, the resulting filtration media of the present invention comprises a gradient density. In particular, the present invention uses a novel combination of two or more layers of nanofibers made via an electrospinning process, wherein the nanofiber layers made up from different fiber sizes are strategically applied to a cellulose or synthetic base material or substrate, to thereby maximize the filtration efficiency and dust holding capacity of the resulting filtration media.

Abstract: A present invention is directed to a laminated filtration media comprising a nanofiber coating applied onto a synthetic substrate. Generally, the laminated filtration media can be produced by applying the nanofiber layer onto the synthetic substrate via an electrospinning process and then thermo-mechanically bonding the nanofiber layer onto the synthetic substrate via a thermal bonding process. The laminated filtration media exhibits superior durability and can be used in a wide array of air filtration applications.

Abstract: A multi-layer fabric used to fabricate a garment or a protective cover includes a top and bottom textile layer and an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene middle layer. The fabric exhibits an MVTR rating of at least 4000 g/m2/day. The fabric may also include a top layer coating or fiber treatment of a nano-ceramic material designed to increase the durability of the garment/cover and increase the resistance to abrasion and wear while also resisting environmental conditions including exposure to solar radiation, temperature and humidity. Alternatively, the upper layer of the multi-layer fabric may incorporate ceramic coated fibers or ceramic co-extruded fibers, or carbon nanotubes while in another embodiment may also feature a fire resistant application as well as a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer fabric used to fabricate a garment or a protective cover includes a top and bottom textile layer and an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene middle layer. The fabric exhibits an MVTR rating of at least 4000 g/m2/day. The fabric may also include a top layer coating or fiber treatment of a nano-ceramic material designed to increase the durability of the garment/cover and increase the resistance to abrasion and wear while also resisting environmental conditions including exposure to solar radiation, temperature and humidity. Alternatively, the upper layer of the multi-layer fabric may incorporate ceramic coated fibers or ceramic co-extruded fibers, or carbon nanotubes while in another embodiment may also feature a fire resistant application as well as a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer.

Abstract: An enhanced filtration multilayer laminated fabric (10) includes an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive, polytetra-fluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane central layer (12). This central layer (12) is sandwiched between a first pair of nonwoven textile layers (14, 16) and a second pair of woven textile layers (18, 20). The laminated fabric may also feature a fire resistant application. The top textile layer (18) may also include a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer. The filtration fabric (10) may be utilized to manufacture a wearable garment that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to wear in all weather conditions.

Abstract: An enhanced protective cover includes a top and bottom textile layer and an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane layer located between the two textile layers. The cover exhibits an MVTR rating of at least 4000 g/m2/day. The protective cover also includes a top layer coating or fiber treatment of a nano-ceramic material designed to increase the durability of the cover and increase the resistance to abrasion and wear while also resisting environmental conditions including exposure to solar radiation, temperature and humidity. Alternatively, the upper layer of the protective cover may incorporate ceramic coated fibers or ceramic co-extruded fibers, or carbon nanotubes. The protective cover may also feature a fire resistant application. The top textile layer may also include a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer.

Abstract: A multiple layer HEPA filter media includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first layer that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers with a spunbond process, and having a bond area pattern of a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area. The filter media also includes a second layer laminated onto the first layer. The second layer is formed from a micro-porous membrane. Further, the filter media includes a third layer laminated onto the second layer, with the third layer including a synthetic nonwoven fabric formed from a plurality of synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers include at least two different synthetic fibers having different melting points. The third layer has a cover factor of less than seven millimeters. In addition, the multiple layer filter media further includes a plurality of corrugations.

Abstract: A method for processing flue-gas, in an exemplary embodiment, includes providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor, channeling a combustion flue gas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, and channeling an ammonia-based liquid reagent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor. The method also includes partially separating the ammonia-based liquid from the flue gas such that the ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by a plurality of pores of the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 within the ammonia-based liquid to produce a CO2-rich ammonia-based liquid.

Abstract: A filter media including a scrim, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media substrate upon the scrim, and a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane adhered to the PTFE media substrate on the scrim. The filter media is pleatable and has air permeability of approximately 3-10 cubic feet/min at a 0.5 inch H2O pressure drop and an original filtration efficiency greater than 99.0% when tested in an unused, unpleated condition with a 0.3 micron challenge aerosol at a flow rate of 10.5 feet/min and when tested after a cleanable dust performance test according to ASTM D6830.

Abstract: A composite filter media structure includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of fibers with a spunbond process. The base substrate has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure A nanofiber layer is deposited on one side of the base substrate. The composite filter media structure has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.

Abstract: A filter media including a scrim, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media substrate upon the scrim, and a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane adhered to the PTFE media substrate on the scrim. The filter media is pleatable and has air permeability of approximately 3-10 cubic feet/min at a 0.5 inch H2O pressure drop and an original filtration efficiency greater than 99.0% when tested in an unused, unpleated condition with a 0.3 micron challenge aerosol at a flow rate of 10.5 feet/min and when tested after a cleanable dust performance test according to ASTM D6830.

Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a surface layer deposited on one side of the base substrate where a thermal lamination process can be used to combine the base substrate and the surface layer. The surface layer is formed from a microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. In one aspect, the base substrate and the surface layer are configured to provide greater than 95% and equal to or less than 99.5% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an EN 1822 test method. In another aspect, the filter media includes an embossing pattern or a plurality of corrugations formed using opposing rollers at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 140° C.