Abstract: Method for oil removal. The method includes adding a magnetizable material, with or without appropriately selected surfactants, of order micron (having no net magnetization) or nanometer size to magnetize the oil or water phase by either making a ferrofluid, magnetorheological fluid, a magnetic Pickering emulsion (oil in water or water in oil emulsion), or any other process to magnetize either oil or water phases. The magnetized fluid is separated from the non-magnetic phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques or by permanent magnets or electromagnets thereby separating oil and water phases. The magnetized particles are separated from the magnetized phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques to recover and reuse the particles. The two magnetic separation steps can be repeated to further increase recovery efficiency of the liquid phases and the magnetizable particles reused in this continuous process.

Abstract: Described is the application of layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly techniques to electrospun nanofibers in order to fabricate novel, breathable electrospun fiber-based chemical and biological detoxifying protective fabrics and filters. The combination of layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly and electrospinning technique allows one to take advantage of high specific surface area, light weight and breathability of electrospun fiber mats while simultaneously providing the versatility to incorporate different functional polyelectrolytes to achieve multifunctional coatings for both chemical and biological protection together. The functionalized fiber mats can be incorporated into breathable chemical and biological protective fabrics, filters and masks. In addition, LbL electrostatic coating of porous non-woven materials provides the versatility to generate multifunctional polymer-based membrane materials for other applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters, aqueous magnetic fluids comprising same, and methods of their use in separation procedures. The multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters comprise a super paramagnetic core, with a first polymer attached thereto, which does not render the first polymer-super paramagnetic particle complex colloidally stable, and a second polymer attached thereto, which stabilizes the complex of multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Methods of use comprise methods of separation, including separation of expressed protein from cells and viruses expressing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for sorbing (e.g., adsorption and chemisorption) and destroying organophosphate chemical agents. In certain embodiments, the invention contemplates the use of finely divided, modified nanoscale metal oxide particles. In one embodiment, a suspension of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles modified with 2-pralidoxime or its polymeric analog, poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-phenacyloxime-co-acrylic acid), catalyzes the hydrolysis of organophosphate compounds at a neutral pH. The oxime-modified magnetite particles serve as a nano-sized particulate carrier with a powerful ?-nucleophile, an oximate group, immobilized on its surface. The oxime-modified magnetite nanoparticles are colloidally stable at neutral pH and they are readily recovered from the aqueous milieu by high-gradient magnetic separation methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for sorbing (e.g., adsorption and chemisorption) and destroying organophosphate chemical agents. In certain embodiments, the invention contemplates the use of finely divided, modified nanoscale metal oxide particles. In one embodiment, a suspension of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles modified with 2-pralidoxime or its polymeric analog, poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-phenacyloxime-co-acrylic acid), catalyzes the hydrolysis of organophosphate compounds at a neutral pH. The oxime-modified magnetite particles serve as a nano-sized particulate carrier with a powerful ?-nucleophile, an oximate group, immobilized on its surface. The oxime-modified magnetite nanoparticles are colloidally stable at neutral pH and they are readily recovered from the aqueous milieu by high-gradient magnetic separation methods.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a permanently linked, rigid, magnetic chain of particles prepared by sol-gel methods. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a permanently linked, rigid, magnetic chain of particles comprising: coating a core material with one or more polyelectrolyte layers resulting in a coated particle; further coating the coated particle with a layer of magnetic nanoparticles resulting in a magnetic particle; coating the magnetic particle with a layer of a polycationic polyelectrolyte resulting in a coated magnetic particle; and applying a magnetic field to the coated magnetic particle in the presence of a metal oxide or metal oxide precursor capable of undergoing hydrolysis.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to magnetic nanoparticles colloidally stabilized in aqueous milieu by association with an organic phase. The organic phase may be either a fluorinated polymer or an organic hydrocarbon bilayer, wherein the two layers are chemically bonded to each other. The stabilized particles are further non-toxic and provide useful enhancements in bioprocesses. Another aspect of the present invention relates to compositions comprising an oxygen-dissolving fluid vehicle and surface modified, nanometer-sized magnetic particles. The inventive compositions have utility in a wide range of applications, but are particularly suitable for use as recyclable oxygen carriers, separation and purification vehicles, and bioprocessing media, including fermentation processes.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to magnetophoretic devices for cell clarification. In one embodiment, the magnetophoretic device is a counter-current device, comprising a plurality of pairs of magnets selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets; a chain rotated by a motor; tubing; a feed inlet; and a clarified feed outflow. In another embodiment, the magnetophoretic device is a quadrupole device, comprising four magnets selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electromagnets; and a cylindrical column. Another aspect of the invention relates generally to a method of separating non-magnetic particles from a magnetic fluid mixture, comprising the steps of combining a magnetic fluid with a sample comprising non-magnetic particles and non-magnetic fluid to form a mixture; subjecting said mixture to a degrading magnetic field; and isolating a portion of the non-magnetic particles from said mixture.

Abstract: Replacement solvents for use in chemical synthesis include polymer-immobilized solvents having a flexible polymer backbone and a plurality of pendant groups attached onto the polymer backbone, the pendant groups comprising a flexible linking unit bound to the polymer backbone and to a terminal solvating moiety. The polymer-immobilized solvent may be dissolved in a benign medium. Replacement solvents for chemical reactions for which tetrahydrofuran or diethyl may be a solvent include substituted tetrahydrofurfuryl ethers and substituted tetrahydro-3-furan ethers. The replacement solvents may be readily recovered from the reaction train using conventional methods.

Abstract: A system for the simultaneous measurement of the size and velocities of bubbles or drops in a multiphase process environment wherein light passing through a Ronchi grating is projected onto a measurement volume within the multiphase process stream by a coherent fiber optic bundle and a gradient index imaging lens. Drops or bubbles passing through the measurement volume reflect or refract light which is sensed by velocity and size sensor fiber optic bundles disposed opposite the imaging lens and the sensed signal is coupled to signal processing means which convert the light signal to electrical signals and the appropriate size velocity measurments are made using one or more of the visibility techniques, phase lag techniques or transit time techniques.