Abstract: Disclosed herein are hybrid membranes comprising: a microporous polymer, the microporous polymer comprising a continuous polymer phase permeated by a continuous pore phase; and an atomic scale inorganic material dispersed throughout the microporous polymer within the continuous pore phase. Methods of making and use of the hybrid membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for appending amines to metal organic framework (MOF) compositions. In some aspects, the methods can allow for appending of amines in the solution or synthesis solution used for synthesizing a MOF. In such aspects, an amine-appended MOF can be formed without having to first separate and dry the underlying non-amine-appended MOF composition. In other aspects, amines can be appended to an existing MOF composition by exposing the MOF to a suitable amine in a protic solvent, such as water or an alcohol.

Abstract: A process for forming an extruded composition using a wet-spin dry-jet technique including forming a dispersion dope by mixing phase change material with a first portion of solvent, and sonicating the mixture, forming a prime dope by combining a first portion of polymer and a second portion of solvent, forming an extrusion composition by combining the dispersion dope, the prime dope and a second portion of the polymer, rolling the extrusion composition, degassing the extrusion composition, extruding the extrusion composition through a spinneret, drying the extruded composition, and quenching the extruded composition. The weight fraction of the phase change material in the extruded composition can be greater than approximately 60%, and preferably greater than approximately 75%.

Abstract: Contactor structures are provided that can allow for improved heat management while reducing or minimizing the potential for contamination of process gas streams with heat transfer fluids. The contactor structures can include one or more sets of flow channels for process gas flows, such as gas flows introduced to allow adsorption of components from a gas stream or gas flows introduced to facilitate desorption of previously adsorbed components into a purge gas stream. The process gas flow channels can correspond to flow channels defined by a structural material of unitary structure. The unitary structure can correspond to the entire contactor, or the unitary structure can correspond to a monolith that forms a portion of the contactor. The contactor structures can also include one or more sets of flow channels for heat transfer fluids. The heat transfer flow channels can also be defined by the structural material of a unitary structure.

Abstract: Fiber compositions are provided that incorporate metal organic framework (MOF) materials into the polymeric matrix of the fiber. The metal organic framework materials can be incorporated by including MOF particles into a “dope” or synthesis solution used to form the fiber. The dope solution can then be used to form fibers that include 5.0 wt % or more of MOF in the resulting polymeric structural material of the fiber, relative to a weight of the fibers. In some aspects, the metal organic framework material can correspond to a MOF with selectivity for adsorption of CO2.

Abstract: Ink compositions are provided for using solvent-based additive manufacturing (SBAM) techniques to form contactor structures and/or structures for use in an adsorption or absorption contactor. Methods forming a contactor using SBAM are also provided. The ink compositions can include a substantial content of adsorbent particles to provide enhanced adsorption by a contactor. Metal organic framework (MOF) structures and zeotype framework structures are examples of types of adsorbent particles that can be incorporated into an ink composition for forming a contactor structure by SBAM. The ink can further include a polymeric component that can serve as the structural component of a polymeric structural material produced by the additive manufacturing method. Such a structural material can correspond to a polymeric material with incorporated adsorbent particles. In some aspects, the polymeric structural material and/or the adsorbent particles can have selectivity for adsorption of CO2 from a process fluid flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solution-based additive manufacturing inks comprising a polymer, a volatile solvent compound, and a nonsolvent compound. With current additive manufacturing techniques, a wide range of functionally innovative polymers are left without the ability to be used in additive manufacturing. Improved additive manufacturing techniques to process advanced functional polymers are desirable. The disclosed ink is operable to render any chosen polymer useable in additive manufacturing methods. The composition of the disclosed ink allows for a phase inversion to occur to transition the ink from a liquid ink to a solid manufactured structure. Also disclosed herein are devices for additive manufacturing of the ink and methods for making the same.

Abstract: Fibers, fabrics, mattresses and processes of making the fibers generally include a microencapsulated phase change material; and a polymer, wherein the microencapsulated phase change material is greater than 50 percent by weight of the fiber. The process for making the fibers is a dry jet/wet spinning process free of sonication.

Abstract: A method of forming a molecular separation device is provided. The method comprises growing or depositing a silica MFI zeolite coating on a ceramic support. The method further comprises growing a ZIF-8 coating on the silica MFI zeolite coating. Growing the ZIF-8 coating on the silica MFI zeolite comprises applying a first reactant fluid including a metal salt and a second reactant fluid including an imidazole reactant to the silica MFI zeolite coating. Growing the ZIF-8 coating on the silica MFI zeolite further comprises reacting the first and second reactant fluid with the silica MFI zeolite coating to produce the ZIF-8 coating. In certain implementations, at least a portion of the ZIF-8 coating is interspersed with a portion of the silica MFI coating. A molecular separation device including the ZIF-8 coating and the silica MFI zeolite is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of fabricating novel cross-linked membranes and to cross-linked membranes produced by the disclosed methods. Specifically, methods of fabricating cross-linked membranes according to the present invention may comprise direct crosslinking, crosslinking by addition of a small molecule, interfacial crosslinking of free-standing film, and interfacial crosslinking on a solid support.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solution-based additive manufacturing inks comprising a polymer, a volatile solvent compound, and a nonsolvent compound. With current additive manufacturing techniques, a wide range of functionally innovative polymers are left without the ability to be used in additive manufacturing. Improved additive manufacturing techniques to process advanced functional polymers are desirable. The disclosed ink is operable to render any chosen polymer useable in additive manufacturing methods. The composition of the disclosed ink allows for a phase inversion to occur to transition the ink from a liquid ink to a solid manufactured structure. Also disclosed herein are devices for additive manufacturing of the ink and methods for making the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a molecularly-mixed composite membrane comprising an amorphous scrambled porous organic compound (ASPOC) material and a polymer. With current developments in membrane technologies, there exists a need for largely scalable membranes and improved performance with difficult molecular separations. Mixed Matrix Membranes improve separation performance to a degree, but also increase the membrane defects as the filler material aggregates into particles that disrupt the membrane matrix. The disclosed membrane is configured to reduce defects and increase homogeneity. The disclosed ASPOC material avoids aggregation and disperses uniformly in the polymer matrix, creating a molecularly-mixed composite membrane with improved separation performance. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the same.

Abstract: A process for forming an extruded composition using a wet-spin dry-jet technique including forming a dispersion dope by mixing phase change material with a first portion of solvent, and sonicating the mixture, forming a prime dope by combining a first portion of polymer and a second portion of solvent, forming an extrusion composition by combining the dispersion dope, the prime dope and a second portion of the polymer, rolling the extrusion composition, degassing the extrusion composition, extruding the extrusion composition through a spinneret, drying the extruded composition, and quenching the extruded composition. The weight fraction of the phase change material in the extruded composition can be greater than approximately 60%, and preferably greater than approximately 75%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hybrid membranes comprising: a microporous polymer, the microporous polymer comprising a continuous polymer phase permeated by a continuous pore phase; and an atomic scale inorganic material dispersed throughout the microporous polymer within the continuous pore phase. Methods of making and use of the hybrid membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane is disclosed that includes both a porous hollow fiber and a nonporous film coating. The hollow fiber membrane is suitable for use in solubilizing gases into liquids. This can include for example carbonation of an aqueous liquid by CO2 gas. Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for various types of separations, such as separations by reverse osmosis. Methods for making an asymmetric membrane structure are also provided. The membrane structure can include at least one polymer layer. Pyrolysis can be used to convert the polymer layer to a porous carbon structure with a higher ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for various types of separations, such as separations by reverse osmosis. Methods for making an asymmetric membrane structure are also provided. The membrane structure can include at least one polymer layer. Pyrolysis can be used to convert the polymer layer to a porous carbon structure with a higher ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of fabricating novel cross-linked membranes and to cross-linked membranes produced by the disclosed methods. Specifically, methods of fabricating cross-linked membranes according to the present invention may comprise direct crosslinking, crosslinking by addition of a small molecule, interfacial crosslinking of free-standing film, and interfacial crosslinking on a solid support.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide apparatuses, methods and systems for scalable fabrication of thin, nanoporous membranes useful in industrial applications. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a molecular separation device configured to efficiently separate molecular species. In this particular embodiment, porous hollow fibers form a supporting scaffold for synthesis of a molecular organic framework (MOF) membrane. The MOF membrane may be synthesized on the inner or outer porous hollow fiber surface as well as within the porous fiber wall. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a variety of methods for producing the aforementioned molecular separation devices as well as methods for producing MOF membranes.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane is disclosed that includes both a porous hollow fiber and a nonporous film coating. The hollow fiber membrane is suitable for use in solubilizing gases into liquids. This can include for example carbonation of an aqueous liquid by CO2 gas. Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed.