Abstract: A modified porous membrane comprising a polymeric hydrophilic coating bonded to a porous membrane is described. The polymeric hydrophilic coatings grafted to the porous membranes comprise, for example, a PEG moiety such as a PEGMA, a PEGDA, or a TMPET, wherein the polymeric hydrophilic coating on the porous membrane decreases non-specific binding of unwanted material to the porous membrane and increases the signal to noise ratio in immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, and point of care tests. Methods of making these modified porous membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified porous membrane comprising a polymer coating grafted to a porous membrane is described. The polymer coatings grafted to the porous membranes generally comprise a polymer of variable length of an electron beam (e-beam) reactive moiety, designated “poly-(A)x,” a linkage group that forms a bond between the between the poly-(A)x, and a functional B group available to react with a chemical group on a biomolecule, wherein the polymer coating on the porous membrane facilitates the immobilization of a biomolecule, such as DNA, RNA, a protein, and an antibody, on the porous membrane. The compositions find use in immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, point of care tests, techniques for the isolation of a biomolecule from a biological sample, and other methods that require the immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane. Methods of making these modified porous membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified porous membrane comprising a polymer coating grafted to a porous membrane is described. The polymer coatings grafted to the porous membranes generally comprise a polymer of variable length of an electron beam (e-beam) reactive moiety, designated “poly-(A)x,” a linkage group that forms a bond between the between the poly-(A)x, and a functional B group available to react with a chemical group on a biomolecule, wherein the polymer coating on the porous membrane facilitates the immobilization of a biomolecule, such as DNA, RNA, a protein, and an antibody, on the porous membrane. The compositions find use in immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, point of care tests, techniques for the isolation of a biomolecule from a biological sample, and other methods that require the immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane. Methods of making these modified porous membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified porous membrane comprising a polymer coating grafted to a porous membrane is described. The polymer coatings grafted to the porous membranes generally comprise a polymer of variable length of an electron beam (e-beam) reactive moiety, designated “poly-(A)x,” a linkage group that forms a bond between the between the poly-(A)x, and a functional B group available to react with a chemical group on a biomolecule, wherein the polymer coating on the porous membrane facilitates the immobilization of a biomolecule, such as DNA, RNA, a protein, and an antibody, on the porous membrane. The compositions find use in immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, point of care tests, techniques for the isolation of a biomolecule from a biological sample, and other methods that require the immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane. Methods of making these modified porous membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and article for storing genetic material or analytes from a biological sample by contacting said biological sample with a cellulose substrate comprising structural units of Formula I wherein X and Y are independently N—O-L-A or O, with the proviso that when Y is O, then X is N—O-L-A, and when X is O, then Y is N—O-L-A; L is a direct bond, an aliphatic radical, an aromatic radical, a cycloaliphatic radical, or a combination thereof; and A=COOH, SO3H, or a combination thereof. The invention also relates to a cellulose substrate comprising the structural units of Formula I, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and article for storing genetic material or analytes from a biological sample by contacting said biological sample with a cellulose substrate comprising structural units of Formula I wherein X and Y are independently N—O-L-A or O, with the proviso that when Y is O, then X is N—O-L-A, and when X is O, then Y is N—O-L-A; L is a direct bond, an aliphatic radical, an aromatic radical, a cycloaliphatic radical, or a combination thereof; and A=COOH, SO3H, or a combination thereof. The invention also relates to a cellulose substrate comprising the structural units of Formula I, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane includes a porous base membrane and electrolytes dispersed within the pores of the base membrane. The electrolytes include metal oxide compounds having acid functionality. A process for making the membrane is also provided. The membrane is compatible, durable, highly conductive, mechanically strong and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: A separation matrix comprises a porous surface layer; and a bulk porous support, wherein both the porous surface layer and the bulk porous support comprising a block copolymer. The block copolymer comprises A-B or A-B-A repeating units, wherein A and B at each occurrence are two different blocks of oligomer, or polymer. A structural unit of block A is derived from one or more atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)-active monomer or oligomer and a structural unit of block B is derived from a thermoplastic ATRP-active macro initiator. A poly dispersity index of the block copolymer is at least about 2.

Abstract: A composition including a polyarylether copolymer is provided. The copolymer includes a polyarylether backbone; and a sulfonated oligomeric group bonded to the polyarylether suitable for use as a cation conducting membrane. Method of bonding a sulfonated oligomeric group to the polyarylether backbone to form a polyarylether copolymer. The membrane may be formed from the polyarylether copolymer composition. The chain length of the sulfonated oligomeric group may be controlled to affect or control the ion conductivity of the membrane.

Abstract: A composite membrane includes a compatibilized porous base membrane and an ion exchange material, which is impregnated into the compatibilized porous base membrane. The base membrane is compatibilized by coating a primer to external and internal surfaces of the porous base membrane and crosslinking the primer. A method for making the membrane, a proton exchange membrane for a fuel cell and a method form making the proton exchange membrane are also provided. The composite membrane is durable, compatible, highly conductive and mechanically stable.

Abstract: A method for the formation of a membrane is described. A collection of substantially spherical particles formed from a selected material is contacted with at least one reactive material. The reactive material is cured or otherwise polymerized by various techniques, so that it forms a matrix that substantially surrounds and contains the particles. A portion of the particle material is then removed, so that the matrix contains a pattern of pores that are permeable to selected substances in solution. In some instances, the matrix is formed by an interfacial reaction between at least two reactive materials. Related filtration membranes are also described.

Abstract: A process of forming an integral hydrophilic membrane from a porous hydrophobic membrane includes exposing a porous hydrophobic polymer membrane to a plasma, wherein the plasma contains reactive carbon dioxide species configured to covalently bond carboxylic functional groups to a surface of the polymer membrane and form the integral hydrophilic membrane.

Abstract: A composition including a polyarylether copolymer is provided. The copolymer includes a polyarylether backbone; and a sulfonated oligomeric group bonded to the polyarylether suitable for use as a cation conducting membrane. Method of bonding a sulfonated oligomeric group to the polyarylether backbone to form a polyarylether copolymer. The membrane may be formed from the polyarylether copolymer composition. The chain length of the sulfonated oligomeric group may be controlled to affect or control the ion conductivity of the membrane.

Abstract: Reactive monomers containing the trifluorovinyloxy group may be copolymerized to form polymers useful as membranes, especially polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells. The monomers have the formula ((CF2CFO(R1)p)nArX2 wherein Ar is a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent, substituted or unsubstituted, aromatic or heteroaromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic group having from 5 to 50 carbon atoms; X is OH, SH, NR2aR2b, F or Br; p is 0 or 1; n is 1, 2 or 3; R1 is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and R2a and R2b are independently H, C1-C8 alkyl or C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane includes a porous base membrane and electrolytes dispersed within the pores of the base membrane. The electrolytes include metal oxide compounds having acid functionality. A process for making the membrane is also provided. The membrane is compatible, durable, highly conductive, mechanically strong and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymers that may be used as membranes for fuel cells include sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and lightly sulfonated polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks include structural units of formula and the lightly sulfonated polyethersulfone blocks include structural units of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z, Z1 and Z2 are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)r, (CF2)r, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof; a and e are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c, d, and f are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m, n and p are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymer suitable for use as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells comprise sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks comprise structural units of formula the polyethersulfone blocks comprising structural units of formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy,halo, or cyano; Z and Z1 are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)r; (CF2)r, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m and n are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: A membrane includes a base membrane; and an electron beam functionalized coating, the coating comprising a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl alcohol-polyvinyl amine copolymer, a polyvinyl amine, and derivatives thereof functionalized with an electron beam reactive group adapted to form a radical under high energy irradiation. Also disclosed are processes for forming the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane useful for water purification comprising a porous base membrane and a hydrophilic coating disposed on the porous base membrane. The hydrophilic coating comprises structural units derived from a hydrophilic polymer and structural units derived from a first electron beam reactive group, and structural units derived from a second electron beam reactive group. The hydrophilic polymer has a number average molecular weight of greater than 2500 Daltons and comprises at least two electron beam reactive groups having different structures. The hydrophilic coating is covalently bound to the porous base membrane through structural units derived from the electron beam reactive groups. Also disclosed are processes for forming and employing the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous base membrane and a hydrophilic coating. The coating comprises a hydrophilic additive and a hydrophilic polymer derivatized with an electron beam reactive group adapted to form a radical under high energy irradiation. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a fluoropolymer. Also disclosed are processes for forming the membrane.