Abstract: There is provided a composite membrane, which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a composite membrane for water application(s), which may include an electronically conductive porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. Moreover, there is provided a composite membrane for gas application(s), which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a membrane system which may include at least one composite membrane which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. In addition there is provided a method for the preparation of a composite membrane.

Abstract: A new method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils is disclosed. The microcapsules containing essential oils or a formulation containing thereof may be used for various non-agricultural applications.

Abstract: There is provided herein a membrane or film comprising one or more aromatic ionomers covalently crosslinked through aryl-aryl (—Ar—Ar—), aryl-ether-aryl (—Ar—O—Ar—), aryl-sulfide-aryl (—Ar—S—Ar—), aryl-sulfone-aryl bonds, or any combination thereof, wherein said one or more aromatic ionomers further comprises at least one electron withdrawing group adapted to improve oxidant resistance of said membrane or film.

Abstract: Disclosed are membranes suitable for use as separators in electrochemical cells as well as electrochemical cells, where the membranes are configured to substantially reduce the passage of multivalent ions therethrough without substantially reducing the permeability of the membranes to lithium ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides anion exchange membranes, processes for producing same and uses thereof. The anion exchange membranes according to embodiments of the present invention achieve a desirable combination of low resistance, high permselectivity and low degree of dimensional swelling. Anion exchange membranes according to embodiments of the present invention are also cost effective.

Abstract: There is provided herein a membrane or film comprising one or more aromatic ionomers covalently crosslinked through aryl-aryl (—Ar—Ar—), aryl-ether-aryl (—Ar—O—Ar—), aryl-sulfide-aryl (—Ar—S—Ar—), aryl-sulfone-aryl bonds, or any combination thereof, wherein said one or more aromatic ionomers further comprises at least one electron withdrawing group adapted to improve oxidant resistance of said membrane or film.

Abstract: There are provided herein selective membranes, such as composite membranes, and/or films and processes for their preparation. The membranes and/or films have a given morphology which may be stabilized, for example against swelling and chemical degradation, by covalent crosslinking and optionally, in addition, by hydrophobization. There is provided a membrane and/or film and a process for the preparation thereof, the membrane and/or film include an ionomer and/or polyelectrolyte crosslinked through aryl-aryl (—Ar—Ar—), aryl-ether-aryl (—Ar—O—Ar—) and/or aryl-sulfide-aryl (—Ar—S—Ar—) bonds.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of nano- and mesosized particles consisting of a lipid layer comprising at least one amphiphile and a core of an inorganic compound and/or a metal, comprising: (i) dissolving in a common solvent at least one self-aggregating amphiphile with at least one inorganic, organometallic or metallorganic precursor of said inorganic compound or metal; and (ii) either injecting the resulting solution into an aqueous solution or drying the resulting solution and re-hydrating it, so as to form particles in which the precursor is encapsulated by the amphiphile(s) and is converted therein to said inorganic compound and/or metallic solid form.

Abstract: There are provided herein selective membranes, such as composite membranes, and/or films and processes for their preparation. The membranes and/or films have a given morphology which may be stabilized, for example against swelling and chemical degradation, by covalent crosslinking and optionally, in addition, by hydrophobization. There is provided a membrane and/or film and a process for the preparation thereof, the membrane and/or film include an ionomer and/or polyelectrolyte crosslinked through aryl-aryl (—Ar-Ar-), aryl-ether-aryl (—Ar—O—Ar—) and/or aryl-sulfide-aryl (—Ar—S—Ar—) bonds.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles are provided comprising at least one multi-headed amphiphilic compound, in which at least one headgroup of said multi-headed amphiphilic compound is selectively cleavable or contains a selectively cleavable group, and at least one biologically active agent, which is both encapsulated within the nano-particle and non-covalently associated thereto.

Abstract: Provided are microcapsules containing a solid core including at least one essential oil mixed with a porous solid material, where this solid core is coated by at least one layer of a polyurea film and/or a polyurethane film or an amphipathic shell composed of a multivalent salt form of at least one alkanoic acid. Further provided are compositions including these microcapsules, and uses thereof in a variety of agricultural and environmental applications.

Abstract: Amphiphilic derivatives composed of at least one fatty acid chain are derived from natural vegetable oils such as vernonia oil, lesquerella oil and castor oil, in which the several reactive groups such as epoxy, hydroxy and double bonds can be modified to polar and ionic groups. The head group of the amphiphilic derivative may be in the main fatty acid chain or in a side chain. The amphiphiles are useful for the formation of vesicles and micelles and for use as complexants and surfactants.

Abstract: An amphiphilic compound is provided capable of forming vesicles or liposomes, said amphiphilic compound having at least one headgroup containing a selectively cleavable group or moiety such as a residue of a choline or phenylalanine derivative, and at least one hydrogen-bonding group located either within said headgroup and/or in close proximity thereto. The cleavable group or moiety is cleaved under selective conditions including change of chemical, physical or biological environment and is preferably cleaved enzymatically in a biological environment such as the brain or the blood. Vesicles or liposomes made from said amphiphilic compounds are suitable for delivery of a therapeutic substance or a diagnostic agent specifically to a target organ or tissue, or for delivery of a nucleic acid for gene therapy.

Abstract: There is provided herein a membrane package comprising a plurality of membranes, wherein said membrane package is adapted to facilitate a feed stream flow having a process stream flow wherein said hydrodynamic resistance of said feed stream flow is substantially the same as said hydrodynamic resistance of said process stream flow.

Abstract: Process for producing ion exchange membranes. A matrix material that comprises a polymeric component chosen from the group consisting of monomeric and oligomeric polymer precursors and cross-linkable polymers is provided. Ion cation or anion exchange particles, or proton or hydroxyl or ion conducting particles, or cation or anion exchange polymers, or proton or hydroxyl or ion conducting polymers are introduced in the matrix. The particles are mixed or the polymer is dissolved with the matrix. The resulting mixture is formed into membrane configuration. The particles or the domains of the polymer formed by polymer-matrix phase separation upon solvent evaporation or cooling, are ordered by an electric field.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for improving the antifouling properties and for increasing the selectivity of commercial composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes comprising circulating a low concentration of water soluble monomers and an initiating redox couple in an aqueous solvent, without transverse pressure over the surface of the membrane thereby effecting a free-radical graft polymerization on the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A new method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils is disclosed. The microcapsules containing essential oils or a formulation containing thereof may be used for various non-agricultural applications.

Abstract: A rotor for a threshing system of an agricultural combine and method for making the same, including a body of simplified, three part press fit construction including an inlet segment, a main body segment having threshing elements therearound, and a bulkhead to be connected to a drive mechanism. The inlet segment, main body segment and bulkhead are configured so as to facilitate press fit assembly thereof concentric about a rotational axis about which the rotor will be rotated during operation, while also minimizing eccentricities of those components. As a result, the manufacture of the rotor is simplified by the elimination of the need for an internal skeleton structure and associated welds and/or fasteners.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of nano- and mesosized particles consisting of a lipid layer comprising at least one amphiphile and a core of an inorganic compound and/or a metal, comprising: (i) dissolving in a common solvent at least one self-aggregating amphiphile with at least one inorganic, organometallic or metallorganic precursor of said inorganic compound or metal; and (ii) either injecting the resulting solution into an aqueous solution or drying the resulting solution and re-hydrating it, so as to form particles in which the precursor is encapsulated by the amphiphile(s) and is converted therein to said inorganic compound and/or metallic solid form.

Abstract: There is provided a composite membrane, which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a composite membrane for water application(s), which may include an electronically conductive porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. Moreover, there is provided a composite membrane for gas application(s), which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a membrane system which may include at least one composite membrane which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. In addition there is provided a method for the preparation of a composite membrane.