Abstract: Aluminum hydroxide fibers approximately 2 nanometers in diameter and with surface areas ranging from 200 to 650 m2/g have been found to be highly electropositive. When dispersed in water they are able to attach to and retain electronegative particles. When combined into a composite filter with other fibers or particles they can filter bacteria and nano size particulates such as viruses and colloidal particles at high flux through the filter. Such filters can be used for purification and sterilization of water, biological, medical and pharmaceutical fluids, and as a collector/concentrator for detection and assay of microbes and viruses. The alumina fibers are also capable of filtering sub-micron inorganic and metallic particles to produce ultra pure water. The fibers are suitable as a substrate for growth of cells. Macromolecules such as proteins may be separated from each other based on their electronegative charges.

Abstract: The invention is a fibrous structure for fluid streams that is a mixture of nano alumina fibers and second fibers arranged in a matrix to create asymmetrical pores and to which fine, ultrafine, or nanosize particles such as powdered activated carbon are attached without the use of binders. The fibrous structure containing powdered activated carbon intercepts contaminants from fluid streams. The invention is also a method of manufacturing and using the fibrous structure.

Abstract: The invention is a device for purifying drinking water that has at least one fibrous structure. Preferably, there is an upstream and downstream fibrous structure. Each fibrous structure is a mixture of nano alumina fibers and second fibers arranged in a matrix to create asymmetric pores and to which fine, ultrafine, or nanosize particles are attached. Preferably, the device has an upstream antimicrobial for sterilization of retained microbes. The device is substantially more efficient at removing soluble contaminants such as halogens from a fluid stream than those previously available and is also able to retain turbidity, bacteria, and virus.

Abstract: The invention is a filter for gaseous media that comprises nano alumina fibers and second fibers arranged in a matrix with the nano alumina fibers to create asymmetrical pores. The filter is a high efficiency, high capacity particulate filter that intercepts pathogens and other particulate matter from gaseous media, including vapor-suspended particles. The new filter has an improved retention of water-aerosolized particles as compared to conventional HEPA filters and may be used as a pre-filter that extends the life of HEPA filters by about five to ten times. The invention is also a method of manufacturing and using the filter.

Abstract: A media for removal of heavy metals from an aqueous system comprising a mixture of nano alumina fibers and a ferric or manganic compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, oxides and hydroxyoxides and mixtures thereof. The nano alumina is preferably produced by hydrothermal digestion of aluminum hydroxide, is treated with alkaline, followed by the addition of a ferric or manganic salt to form a gel like mass that is dried, heat treated, ground and sieved to form the sorbent. Alternatively a non-woven media is formed by adding mineral fiber such as microglass to the hydrothermal step. The resulting mulch is treated with alkaline and subsequently an iron and/or manganic compound, wet laid and dried to form the fibrous sorbent. Removal of heavy metals from the aqueous system is readily accomplished by contacting the aqueous system with the media until the heavy metal is substantially removed from the aqueous system.

Abstract: Aluminum hydroxide fibers approximately 2 nanometers in diameter and with surface areas ranging from 200 to 650 m2/g have been fount to be highly electropositive. When dispersed in water they are able to attach to and retain electronegative particles. When combined into a composite filter with other fibers or particles they can filter bacteria and nano size particulates such as viruses and colloidal particles at high flux through the filter. Such filters can be used for purification and sterilization of water, biological, medical and pharmaceutical fluids, and as a collector/concentrator for detection and assay of mirobes and viruses. The alumina fibers are also capable of filtering sub-micron inorganic and metallic particles to produce ultra pure water. The fibers are suitable as a substrate for growth of cells. Macromolicules such as proteins may be separated from each other based on their electronegative charges.

Abstract: Aluminim hydroxide fibers approximately 2 nanometers in diameter and with surface areas ranging from 200 to 650 m2/g have been fount to be highly electropositive. When dispersed in water they are able to attach to and retain electronegative particles. When combined into a composite filter with other fibers or particles they can filter bacteria and nano size particulates such as viruses and colloidal particles at high flux through the filter. Such filters can be used for purification and sterilization of water, biological, medical and pharmaceutical fluids, and as a collector/concentrator for detection and assay of mirobes and viruses. The alumina fibers are also capable of filtering sub-micron inorganic and metallic particles to produce ultra pure water. The fibers are suitable as a substrate for growth of cells. Macromolicules such as proteins may be separated from each other based on their electronegative charges.