Abstract: Systems and methods related to the formation of a reaction product on a surface are generally provided. The systems and methods described herein may allow for collection of the retention of a fluid by a surface in a relatively high amount. Such systems and methods may be useful in various applications including, for example, agriculture. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enhance water retention on hydrophobic surfaces of plants. Advantageously, the methods described herein may, in some cases, result in the formation of reaction products on a surface that serve to prevent fluids from being removed from the surface. Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may suppress the adverse effects of natural conditions such as high surface energies and wind.

Abstract: Methods related to forming reaction products on surfaces are generally provided. Some methods comprise applying first and second polyelectrolytes in first and second polyelectrolyte carrier fluids to a surface. The first and second polyelectrolytes may be different, and the first and second carrier fluids may be the same or different. Some methods comprise forming a mixture of the first and second polyelectrolytes in a mixture carrier fluid that comprises the first and/or second carrier fluids. The first and second polyelectrolyte may be removed from the mixture carrier fluid to form a reaction product on the surface. In some embodiments, the mixture carrier fluid comprises a salt with a molecular weight of less than or equal to 1 kg/mol at a concentration within the mixture carrier fluid of from 0.01 M to 0.5 M. In some embodiments, the mixture carrier fluid has a turbidity of greater than or equal to 10 NTU and a viscosity of less than or equal to 1 Pa*s.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel sheathing for making wall and roof structures in which the panels (e.g., wood boards, oriented strand boards, plywood, etc.) are pre-coated at a factory, before installation at the building/construction site, using a polymeric barrier coating having specific water permeability, self-sealing properties with respect to penetrated metal fasteners (e.g., nails) in accordance with ASTM D7349 (modified using 1.5-5.0 inches water depth in hydrostatic head testing over sample of coated panel in which a steel nail is driven to within ? inches of being flush with the panel and conditioning the test specimen for 24 hours at 23° C. prior to hydrostatic loading), as well as anti-blocking properties whereby the coated panels can be transported in stacked configuration without sticking or disintegration of the polymeric barrier coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel sheathing for making wall and roof structures in which the panels (e.g., wood boards, oriented strand boards, plywood, etc.) are pre-coated at a factory, before installation at the building/construction site, using a polymeric barrier coating having specific water permeability, self-sealing properties with respect to penetrated metal fasteners (e.g., nails) in accordance with ASTM D7349 (modified using 1.5-5.0 inches water depth in hydrostatic head testing over sample of coated panel in which a steel nail is driven to within ? inches of being flush with the panel and conditioning the test specimen for 24 hours at 23° C. prior to hydrostatic loading), as well as anti-blocking properties whereby the coated panels can be transported in stacked configuration without sticking or disintegration of the polymeric barrier coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer barrier assembly or device for post-installation injection of a resin, grout, or other fluid. The barrier device comprises first and second layers defining an intermediate open-matrix layer, and at least one injection conduit member in parallel orientation with respect to the first and second layers and having openings for injecting fluid into the intermediate open-matrix layer. The injection conduit may be located between and in parallel orientation with respect to the first and second layers, along an edge of the first and/or second layers, along an outer face of the first layer (if the first layer is a woven or nonwoven fabric), or at any combination of these locations, to enable fluid to be conveyed into the intermediate open-matrix layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the formation of a reaction product on a surface are generally provided. The systems and methods described herein may allow for collection of the retention of a fluid by a surface in a relatively high amount. Such systems and methods may be useful in various applications including, for example, agriculture. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enhance water retention on hydrophobic surfaces of plants. Advantageously, the methods described herein may, in some cases, result in the formation of reaction products on a surface that serve to prevent fluids from being removed from the surface. Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may suppress the adverse effects of natural conditions such as high surface energies and wind.

Abstract: Methods related to forming reaction products on surfaces are generally provided. Some methods comprise applying first and second polyelectrolytes in first and second polyelectrolyte carrier fluids to a surface. The first and second polyelectrolytes may be different, and the first and second carrier fluids may be the same or different. Some methods comprise forming a mixture of the first and second polyelectrolytes in a mixture carrier fluid that comprises the first and/or second carrier fluids. The first and second polyelectrolyte may be removed from the mixture carrier fluid to form a reaction product on the surface. In some embodiments, the mixture carrier fluid comprises a salt with a molecular weight of less than or equal to 1 kg/mol at a concentration within the mixture carrier fluid of from 0.01 M to 0.5 M. In some embodiments, the mixture carrier fluid has a turbidity of greater than or equal to 10 NTU and a viscosity of less than or equal to 1 Pa*s.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the formation of a reaction product on a surface are generally provided. The systems and methods described herein may allow for collection of the retention of a fluid by a surface in a relatively high amount. Such systems and methods may be useful in various applications including, for example, agriculture. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enhance water retention on hydrophobic surfaces of plants. Advantageously, the methods described herein may, in some cases, result in the formation of reaction products on a surface that serve to prevent fluids from being removed from the surface. Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may suppress the adverse effects of natural conditions such as high surface energies and wind.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer barrier assembly or device for post-installation injection of a resin, grout, or other fluid fluid. The barrier device comprises first and second layers defining an intermediate open-matrix layer, and at least one injection conduit member in parallel orientation with respect to the first and second layers and having openings for injecting fluid into the intermediate open-matrix layer. The injection conduit may be located between and in parallel orientation with respect to the first and second layers, along an edge of the first and/or second layers, along an outer face of the first layer (if the first layer is a woven or nonwoven fabric), or at any combination of these locations, to enable fluid to be conveyed into the intermediate open-matrix layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-cured-in-place waterproofing pressure-sensitive adhesive having a microfibrillar additive for achieving ideal balance between sag resistance at elevated temperatures and good adhesion at low temperatures. Waterproofing membranes comprising a carrier sheet and pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are also described, along with methods of manufacture.

Abstract: Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.

Abstract: Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.

Abstract: Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the formation of a reaction product on a surface are generally provided. The systems and methods described herein may allow for collection of the retention of a fluid by a surface in a relatively high amount. Such systems and methods may be useful in various applications including, for example, agriculture. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enhance water retention on hydrophobic surfaces of plants. Advantageously, the methods described herein may, in some cases, result in the formation of reaction products on a surface that serve to prevent fluids from being removed from the surface. Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may suppress the adverse effects of natural conditions such as high surface energies and wind.

Abstract: The invention provides methods that use particles comprising a polymer to absorb and recover oil. The methods can be used for oil spill cleanup, oil recovery, extraction of oil from an oil-water emulsion, etc. In some embodiments, the particles are distributed to an oil spill site or another environment where oil needs to be separated. The particles may be retrieved after they have absorbed oil from the oil spill site. The oil may then be retrieved from the particles by compressing the particles or via other suitable oil removal methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a composite device comprised of a porous polymer membrane carrying active growth factors. Composite devices are characterized by an ability to controllably degrade for repair of bone and/or tissue defects sustained from traumatic wounds or congenital defects through eluting growth factor over readily adapted time scales inducing a natural wound healing cascade and rapid bone repair. Methods of making and using provided devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-supporting carbon electrode can include, or consist essentially of, nanostructured carbon, for example, oxygen-functionalized nanostructured carbon.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices that use membranes to separate oil/water mixtures. The methods and devices have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup. In some embodiments, at least one first membrane is provided, the first membrane being hydrophilic and oleophobic. The first membrane allows passage of water therethrough In some embodiments, a second membrane that is hydrophobic and oleophilic is provided in addition to the first membrane. The second membrane allows passage of oil therethrough.

Abstract: The invention provides methods that use particles comprising a polymer to absorb and recover oil. The methods can be used for oil spill cleanup, oil recovery, extraction of oil from an oil-water emulsion, etc. In some embodiments, the particles are distributed to an oil spill site or another environment where oil needs to be separated. The particles may be retrieved after they have absorbed oil from the oil spill site. The oil may then be retrieved from the particles by compressing the particles or via other suitable oil removal methods.

Abstract: Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.