Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a microporous membrane that incorporates an additive having low water solubility at the membrane's active surface from a precipitation fluid. The incorporated additive at the membrane's active surface can improve one or more of the membrane's hydrophilicity, wettability, anti-fouling behavior, blood compatibility, and stability over long periods of use or repetitive use. The microporous membrane with this modified active surface can be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or other self-supporting shape. The microporous membranes can be used for membrane filtering or a solute and/or solvent exchange process, which involve contacting aqueous-based fluid or blood with the microporous membrane, such processes for dialysis, blood oxygenation, or blood separation filtering, or other processes.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a microporous membrane that incorporates an additive having low water solubility at the membrane's active surface from a precipitation fluid. The incorporated additive at the membrane's active surface can improve one or more of the membrane's hydrophilicity, wettability, anti-fouling behavior, blood compatibility, and stability over long periods of use or repetitive use. The microporous membrane with this modified active surface can be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or other self-supporting shape. The microporous membranes can be used for membrane filtering or a solute and/or solvent exchange process, which involve contacting aqueous-based fluid or blood with the microporous membrane, such processes for dialysis, blood oxygenation, or blood separation filtering, or other processes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a microporous membrane that incorporates an additive having low water solubility at the membrane's active surface from a precipitation fluid. The incorporated additive at the membrane's active surface can improve one or more of the membrane's hydrophilicity, wettability, anti-fouling behavior, blood compatibility, and stability over long periods of use or repetitive use. The microporous membrane with this modified active surface can be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or other self-supporting shape. The microporous membranes can be used for membrane filtering or a solute and/or solvent exchange process, which involve contacting aqueous-based fluid or blood with the microporous membrane, such processes for dialysis, blood oxygenation, or blood separation filtering, or other processes.

Abstract: A method forming a surface modifying composition with reduced need for organic solvent and evaporation thereof for removal of insoluble reaction byproducts from the composition. The purified composition can be used in the formation of articles having improved biocompatibility, such as medical articles (e.g., spun hollow fiber).

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a microporous membrane that incorporates an additive having low water solubility at the membrane's active surface from a precipitation fluid. The incorporated additive at the membrane's active surface can improve one or more of the membrane's hydrophilicity, wettability, anti-fouling behavior, blood compatibility, and stability over long periods of use or repetitive use. The microporous membrane with this modified active surface can be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or other self-supporting shape. The microporous membranes can be used for membrane filtering or a solute and/or solvent exchange process, which involve contacting aqueous-based fluid or blood with the microporous membrane, such processes for dialysis, blood oxygenation, or blood separation filtering, or other processes.

Abstract: A method forming a surface modifying composition with reduced need for organic solvent and evaporation thereof for removal of insoluble reaction byproducts from the composition. The purified composition can be used in the formation of articles having improved biocompatibility, such as medical articles (e.g., spun hollow fiber).

Abstract: Separation of the components of liquid mixtures is achieved by contacting a liquid mixture with a nonporous membrane having a fluoropolymer selectively permeable layer and imposing a pressure gradient across the membrane from feed side to permeate side. Unusually high transmembrane flux is obtained when the membrane is subjected to one or more process conditions prior to separation. These include (a) leaving some residual amount of membrane casting solvent in the membrane, and (b) contacting the membrane with a component of the mixture to be separated for a duration effective to saturate the membrane with the component.

Abstract: Separation of the components of liquid mixtures is achieved by contacting a liquid mixture with a nonporous membrane having a fluoropolymer selectively permeable layer and imposing a pressure gradient across the membrane from feed side to permeate side. Unusually high transmembrane flux is obtained when the membrane is subjected to one or more process conditions prior to separation. These include (a) leaving some residual amount of membrane casting solvent in the membrane, and (b) contacting the membrane with a component of the mixture to be separated for a duration effective to saturate the membrane with the component.

Abstract: Heat exchange systems are provided that include one or more polymeric hollow fibers. Exemplary hollow fibers are asymmetric and include a microporous wall and a dense skin formed thereon, thereby preventing liquid transmission and/or contamination through the wall of the hollow fiber while simultaneously enhancing heat transfer based on the presence of liquid molecules within the porous substructure of the hollow fiber. The hollow fibers may be employed in a variety of heat transfer-related commercial/industrial applications, including solvent-aqueous systems, organic-aqueous systems, organic-organic systems, desalination applications, solar heating applications, applications in the chemical industry, applications in the biomedical industry, and applications in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, e.g., extracorporeal blood oxygenation systems. Heat transfer systems wherein steam is advantageously condensed on a first side of a polymeric, hollow fiber-based heat exchanger are also provided.