Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifuge tube containing a porous selection means for selectively separating and recovering biological substances from gels, broths, or solutions containing the same, and thus concentrating them, the tube comprising separate upper and lower containers and means for joining the two containers to form a unitary device, the bottom of the upper container comprising a porous selection means, preferably a membrane containing a particulate substance which will selectively bind the biological substances while allowing unbound substances to pass through from the upper to lower container while being centrifuged.

Abstract: A microporous sheet comprising a polymeric matrix having a liquid insoluble, particulate, activated polysaccharide media dispersed therein; use of the sheet in affinity chromatography or ion-exchange chromatography or as a biochemical reactor or battery separator; processes for manufacturing the sheet; apparatus containing the microporous sheet as its active element; and methods for using such sheet.

Abstract: Cheese is made continuously by flowing milk through a spiral flow path of a reactor containing an immobilized enzyme such as rennet which coagulates the milk. The spiral flow path is formed by a spirally wound microporous sheet containing the immobilized enzyme. Adjacent surfaces of the sheet are spaced apart with a spacer which can be a plurality of microporous ribs or a sheet in open net form.

Abstract: A flow reactor for reacting a feedstock with a proteinaceous preparation immobilized on and within the pores of a support medium while traversing a spiral path between adjacent turns of said spiral. A support medium has a spacing means placed on one surface thereof. The support medium and spacing means are then wound upon a porous core to form a jelly roll-like spiral configuration. The marginal edges of the reactors are sealed but provision is made to introduce or remove materials from said core and the free end of the spiral is left open to also introduce or remove materials. In a first form the feedstock is introduced into the core and the reacted feedstock is removed from the spiral free end. In a second form the introduction and removal of the feedstock and reacted feedstock is reversed. The spacing means may be a series of ribs on the support medium or may be a net-like sheet.

Abstract: A laminated microporous article consisting of at least two layers or plies, the first comprising either a thermoset or thermoplastic microporous material and the second comprising a polyester non-woven, heat bonded (in distinction to adhesive bonded) web. The resulting laminated microporous article is especially useful as a battery separator and exhibits superior properties including improved electrical resistance, toughness and tear strength, and flexibility.

Abstract: As an article of manufacture, a microporous flexible shape or sheet of a sulfur-free, cured polymeric material of a curable rubber, an ethylene-propylene copolymer or mixtures of the curable rubber and ethylene-propylene copolymer; the article possesses an average pore size of less than 2 microns, a predetermined flexibility, and improved toughness, when compared to prior art sulfur cured articles.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a microporous flexible shape or sheet of a sulfur-free, cured polymeric material of a curable rubber, an ethylene-propylene copolymer or mixtures of the curable rubber and ethylene-propylene copolymer of a predetermined flexibility ranging from a drapable, conformable shape to a stiff material; electron beam curing of the curable polymeric material at low irradiation levels is one advantage of the continuous process as well as the capability of producing also backed materials using considerably thinner polymeric material layers thereon; the products obtained thereby are suitable as battery separators.

Abstract: A laminated microporous article consisting of at least two layers or plies, the first comprising either a thermoset or thermoplastic microporous material and the second comprising a polyester non-woven, heat bonded (in distinction of adhesive bonded) web. The resulting laminated microporous article is especially useful as a battery separator and exhibits superior propertries including improved electrical resistance, toughness and tear strength, and flexibility.

Abstract: Proteins such as enzymes are immobilized on a microporous member comprising a binder or matrix and finely divided filler particles dispersed throughout the binder. The proteins are coupled to the filler particles, and the microporous member has a relatively large surface area and a large number of available protein coupling sites. Enzymes coupled to the microporous member have a relatively high reaction efficiency when used to act on a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a sheet of relatively brittle material in which an articulated frame assembly is mounted relative to a support structure in a manner so that two portions of the frame assembly can pivot relative to each other in an angular direction to fold the sheet about a fold line intermediate the ends of the sheet. Each portion of the frame assembly includes a movable portion which is adapted to fold the outer end portion of the sheet about an additional fold line intermediate the first fold lines and the outer edge portion. The sheet is heated along the fold lines prior to the folding operations.

Abstract: Proteins such as enzymes are immobilized on a microporous member comprising a binder or matrix and finely divided filler particles dispersed throughout the binder. The proteins are coupled to the filler particles, and the microporous member has a relatively large surface area and a large number of available protein coupling sites. Enzymes coupled to the microporous member have a relatively high reaction efficiency when used to act on a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a sheet of relatively brittle material in which an articulated frame assembly is mounted relative to a support structure in a manner so that two portions of the frame assembly can pivot relative to each other in an angular direction to fold the sheet about a fold line intermediate the ends of the sheet. Each portion of the frame assembly includes a movable portion which is adapted to fold the outer end portion of the sheet about an additional fold line intermediate the first fold lines and the outer edge portion. The sheet is heated along the fold lines prior to the folding operations.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis module comprising a semipermeable membrane, a porous membrane support structure, and a porous backing member having at least a pair of opposed surfaces and including a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, said porous backing member being mounted relative to said porous membrane support structure in such a manner that fluid passing through said membrane passes through said porous support structure and is adapted to enter said channels in said porous backing member.

Abstract: A normally hydrophilic microporous material having a polymeric matrix and a filler dispersed throughout the matrix wherein the filler contains active polar groups, is rendered hydrophobic by exposing the material to a reactive compound. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the reactive compound is a silane or a silazane whereas in another preferred embodiment the reactive compound is a Werner-type complex of fatty acids coordinated with a metal. The treated microporous material is rendered impervious to water-based liquids but remains pervious with respect to vapors or gases.