Abstract: Described herein are hydrophilic functionalized polymers (HFPs), methods of preparing such HFPs. Also described are methods of solubilizing hydrophobic drugs using such HFPs. HFP-drug composites, and methods of administering such HFP-drug composites.

Abstract: A nanocarbon immobilized membrane (NCIM) is disclosed. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane is sized to purify different organic-water mixtures. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane can be used to purify solvents, fuels, and other organic compounds. Data using heptane-water, octane-water, fuel-water, and paint thinner-water show 99.9% separation efficiency. High organic flux is also seen at relatively low pressure. This approach has numerous applications, including fuel purification, oil spills clean-up, separation of commercial emulsions, and solvent purification.

Abstract: A membrane distillation (MD) system includes a sweep gas MD (SGMD) module and a knockout chamber. The MD module includes a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a condensing media inlet, and a condensing media outlet. The condensing media is sweep gas. The knockout chamber is positioned after the feed outlet. The knockout chamber includes a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a vapor outlet. Direct gas phase stripping within the SGMD module leads to additional water evaporation at the knockout chamber and contributes to enhanced water or VOCs removal of the MD system.

Abstract: Development of a flexible battery based on periodate/iodate-zinc system is disclosed. H3PO4—KCl dual quasi-solid electrolytes separated by an anion-exchange-membrane maintain the desired pH in electrodes and block unwanted ion movements. Poly(acrylic acid) fortifies the electrodes, enhances electrode flexibility, and avoids the free-flow of liquids. The NaMnIO6 shows a specific capacity of 650 mAg?1, approximately 81% of its theoretical capacity even when cells are bent. The overall technology is scalable by printing methods.

Abstract: A nanocarbon immobilized membrane (NCIM) is disclosed. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane is sized to purify different organic-water mixtures. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane can be used to purify solvents, fuels, and other organic compounds. Data using heptane-water, octane-water, fuel-water, and paint thinner-water show 99.9% separation efficiency. High organic flux is also seen at relatively low pressure. This approach has numerous applications, including fuel purification, oil spills clean-up, separation of commercial emulsions, and solvent purification.

Abstract: Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) was used to generate high purity water from bacteria and endotoxin-contaminated water. The DCMD system includes a nanocarbon-coated membrane. Exemplary nanocarbon-coated membranes include a layer of carbon nanotubes immobilized relative to a polytetrafluorethylene surface (CNIM), a layer of carboxylate functionalized carbon nanotubes immobilized in the PTFE (CNIM-COOH), and a layer of graphene oxide immobilized in the PTFE (GOIM). The nanocarbon-immobilized membranes are effective in generating ultrapure, medical grade water.

Abstract: The development of a novel battery comprising of high-oxidation-state periodate complex cathode and zinc anode is disclosed. A periodate complex H7Fe4(IO4)3O8 was prepared by a precipitation reaction between Fe(NO3)3 and NaIO4, and was used in battery development for the first time. NaMnIO6 double periodate salts were also synthesized from MnSO4 and NaIO4 using the same techniques. The H7Fe4(IO4)3O8 alone showed specific capacity of 300 mAh g?1; while NaMnIO6 showed specific capacity as high as 750 mAh g?1. Compared to single-electron processes in conventional cathode reactions, the possibility to significantly enhance cathode specific capacity via a multi-electron process associated with valence change from I(VII) to I2 is demonstrated. Novel 3D-printed reserve battery casing designs comprising replaceable electrodes also disclosed. Batteries featuring an ion-exchange membrane dual-electrolyte design are disclosed. Periodate based dry cell batteries utilizing polymer electrolytes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane distillation (MD) system consisting of a membrane module and carbon nanotube immobilized membrane for organic solvent separation is disclosed. The MD module includes a feed inlet and outlet, a sweep gas inlet, and a sweep gas outlet. Thermostats are positioned at the feed inlet and outlet to measure the change in temperature. Preferential sorption of the organic on carbon nanotube immobilized membrane contributes to enhanced solvent removal of the MD system. A pervaporation (PV) system consisting of a membrane module and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mixed matrix membranes with graphene oxide (GO)—carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for enhanced purification of the alcohol solution after membrane distillation to remove trace amount of water is disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane distillation (MD) system includes a sweep gas MD (SGMD) module and a knockout chamber. The MD module includes a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a condensing media inlet, and a condensing media outlet. The condensing media is sweep gas. The knockout chamber is positioned after the feed outlet. The knockout chamber includes a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a vapor outlet. Direct gas phase stripping within the SGMD module leads to additional water evaporation at the knockout chamber and contributes to enhanced water or VOCs removal of the MD system.

Abstract: A membrane distillation (MD) system includes a membrane module and reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotube immobilized membrane for organic solvent separation. The MD module could include a feed inlet and outlet, a sweep gas inlet, and a sweep gas outlet. Thermostats are positioned at the feed inlet and outlet to measure the change in temperature. Preferential sorption of the organic, specifically tetrahydrofuran (THF), on a hybrid reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotube immobilized membrane contributes to enhanced solvent removal of the MD system.

Abstract: Development of a flexible battery based on periodate/iodate-zinc system is disclosed. H3PO4—KCl dual quasi-solid electrolytes separated by an anion-exchange-membrane maintain the desired pH in electrodes and block unwanted ion movements. Poly(acrylic acid) fortifies the electrodes, enhances electrode flexibility, and avoids the free-flow of liquids. The NaMnIO6 shows a specific capacity of 650 mAg?1, approximately 81% of its theoretical capacity even when cells are bent. The overall technology is scalable by printing methods.

Abstract: The development of a novel battery comprising of high-oxidation-state periodate complex cathode and zinc anode is disclosed. A periodate complex H7Fe4(IO4)3O8 was prepared by a precipitation reaction between Fe(NO3)3 and NaIO4, and was used in battery development for the first time. NaMnIO6 double periodate salts were also synthesized from MnSO4 and NaIO4 using the same techniques. The H7Fe4(IO4)3O8 alone showed specific capacity of 300 mAh g?1; while NaMnIO6 showed specific capacity as high as 750 mAh Compared to single-electron processes in conventional cathode reactions, the possibility to significantly enhance cathode specific capacity via a multi-electron process associated with valence change from I(VII) to I2 is demonstrated. Novel 3D-printed reserve battery casing designs comprising replaceable electrodes also disclosed. Batteries featuring an ion-exchange membrane dual-electrolyte design are disclosed. Periodate based dry cell batteries utilizing polymer electrolytes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Radiative heating and radiative feed modification systems and methods using microwave, radio frequency, magnetic field and ultrasound in membrane separation processes including membrane distillation (MD), reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and pervaporation are disclosed. Membrane distillation systems include at least one MD module, the MD module having at least one membrane, a feed inlet operable to receive a feed media and a feed outlet, and a radiative energy source operable to apply radiation to a feed media entering the feed inlet.

Abstract: Membrane distillation (MD) systems include at least two MD modules arranged in series, each of at least two MD modules including a condensing media inlet operable to receive a condensing media and a condensing media outlet, a feed inlet operable to receive a feed media and a feed outlet, and a first heating element positioned and operable to heat a feed prior to or upon introduction of the feed to a first of the at least two MD modules, wherein a stream exiting the feed outlet of the first of the at least two MD modules is introduced to the second of the at least two MD modules. Other MD systems include at least two MD modules arranged in parallel.

Abstract: Radiative heating and radiative feed modification systems and methods using microwave, radio frequency, magnetic field and ultrasound in membrane separation processes including membrane distillation (MD), reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and pervaporation are disclosed. Membrane distillation systems include at least one MD module, the MD module having at least one membrane, a feed inlet operable to receive a feed media and a feed outlet, and a radiative energy source operable to apply radiation to a feed media entering the feed inlet.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) immobilized membranes for harvesting pure water from air include CNTs incorporated into a layer of super-absorbing polymer. The super-absorbing polymer may be cast over a porous substrate. The super-absorbing polymer binds strongly to water and generates water clusters while the CNTs are operable to interrupt the specific water-polymer and water-water interactions to generate more free water which permeates more easily through the membrane. Methods of forming the CNT immobilized membranes are provided. The CNT immobilized membranes disclosed herein exhibit improved water vapor extraction efficiency, water vapor removal and mass transfer coefficient.

Abstract: Membrane distillation (MD) systems include at least two MD modules arranged in series, each of at least two MD modules including a condensing media inlet operable to receive a condensing media and a condensing media outlet, a feed inlet operable to receive a feed media and a feed outlet, and a first heating element positioned and operable to heat a feed prior to or upon introduction of the feed to a first of the at least two MD modules, wherein a stream exiting the feed outlet of the first of the at least two MD modules is introduced to the second of the at least two MD modules. Other MD systems include at least two MD modules arranged in parallel.

Abstract: Membranes including functionalized carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds and/or graphene oxide immobilized in or on the membranes are disclosed. The membranes including the immobilized nanocarbons increase interactions with water vapor to improve desalination efficiency in membrane distillation. The membranes may be deployed in all modes of membrane distillation such as air gap membrane distillation, direct contact membrane distillation, vacuum membrane distillation and other separations.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) immobilized membranes for harvesting pure water from air include CNTs incorporated into a layer of super-absorbing polymer. The super-absorbing polymer may be cast over a porous substrate. The super-absorbing polymer binds strongly to water and generates water clusters while the CNTs are operable to interrupt the specific water-polymer and water-water interactions to generate more free water which permeates more easily through the membrane. Methods of forming the CNT immobilized membranes are provided. The CNT immobilized membranes disclosed herein exhibit improved water vapor extraction efficiency, water vapor removal and mass transfer coefficient.

Abstract: Organic and organic/inorganic hybrid bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices with improved efficiencies are disclosed. The organic photovoltaic device comprises a photoactive polymer:fullerene C60-carbon nanotube (polymer:C60-CNT) composite as a component of the active layer. Under light irradiation, photoinduced charge separation at the polymer:C60 interface is followed by electron transfer from C60 onto CNTs for efficient electron transport towards an electrode. The organic/inorganic hybrid photovoltaic device comprises quantum dots and carbon nanotubes. Power conversion efficiency enhancement methods of polymer-CNT based photovoltaics are also provided.