Abstract: The invention is an improved method of making a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane in which a precursor polymer is pyrolyzed to form a carbon molecular sieve membrane that is then exposed to a conditioning atmosphere comprised of a target permeate gas molecule such as ethylene when the membrane is desired to separate it from a light hydrocarbon gas stream. The exposure to the ethylene desirably occurs prior to the CMS permeance and selectivity combination substantially changing (e.g., within 5 days) of cooling from the pyrolyzing temperature. The CMS membranes have shown an improved combination of selectivity and permeance as well as stability and are useful to separate gases in gas streams such methane from natural gas, oxygen from air and ethylene or propylene from light hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

Abstract: A carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane is made by pyrolyzing a film or hollow fiber membrane made of a polyimide polymer or copolymer essentially consisting of repeating units of dianhydride-derived units and diamine-derived units. At least 50% of the dianhydride-derived units are derived from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (6FDA). At least 50% of the diamine-derived units are derived from 2,5-diethyl-6-methyl-1,3-diamino benzene (DETDA).

Abstract: A hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, a process for preparing the hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, and a process for effecting separation of an olefin from a gaseous mixture that comprises the olefin in admixture with its corresponding paraffin and optionally one or more gaseous components selected from hydrogen, an olefin other than the olefin and a paraffin other than the corresponding paraffin. The process and membrane may also be used to effect separation of the olefin(s) from remaining feedstream components subsequent to an olefin-paraffin separation.

Abstract: A composite structure for capturing a gaseous electrophilic species, the composite structure comprising mesoporous refractory sorbent particles on which an ionic liquid is covalently attached, wherein said ionic liquid includes an accessible functional group that is capable of binding to said gaseous electrophilic species. In particular embodiments, the mesoporous sorbent particles are contained within refractory hollow fibers. Also described is a method for capturing a gaseous electrophilic species by use of the above-described composite structure, wherein the gaseous electrophilic species is contacted with the composite structure.

Abstract: The invention pertains to, for example, an improved sorbent and process for removing fermentation inhibitors such as furfural and/or HMF in microbial processes utilizing fermentable sugars obtained from biomass including, for example, in the production of bioalcohols. The sorbent is capable of separating one or more inhibitors from monosaccharides and is characterized by: (1) a Ksugar partition coefficient of less than about 5 and (2) one or more of the following characteristics: (a) a furfural sorption capacity of at least about 200 mg/g sorbent at a furfural solution concentration of 2.5 grams per liter of water; (b) an Mt/M? of at least about 0.9 at 7.5 sec1/2; and (c) a Kfurfural partition coefficient of greater than about 3000.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the delivery of carbon to photoautotrophs. The invention utilizes low energy regeneration of adsorbent for CO2 capture and provides for effective CO2 loading into liquids useful for photoautotroph growth and/or production of photosynthetic products, such as biofuels, via photoautotrophic culture media. The inventive system comprises a fluid/membrane/fluid contactor that provides selective transfer of molecular CO2 via a dense (non-porous) membrane from a carbonate-based CO2 snipping solution to a culture medium where the CO2 is consumed by a photoautotroph for the production of biofuels, biofuel precursors or other commercial products.

Abstract: A carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane is made by pyrolyzing a film or hollow fiber membrane made of a polyimide polymer or copolymer essentially consisting of repeating units of dianhydride-derived units and diamine-derived units. At least 50% of the dianhydride-derived units are derived from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (6FDA). At least 50% of the diamine-derived units are derived from 2,5-diethyl-6-methyl-1,3-diamino benzene (DETDA).

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the delivery of carbon to photoautotrophs. The invention utilizes low energy regeneration of adsorbent for CO2 capture and provides for effective CO2 loading into liquids useful for photoautotroph growth and/or production of photosynthetic products, such as biofuels, via photoautotrophic culture media. The inventive system comprises a fluid/membrane/fluid contactor that provides selective transfer of molecular CO2 via a dense (non-porous) membrane from a carbonate-based CO2 snipping solution to a culture medium where the CO2 is consumed by a photoautotroph for the production of biofuels, biofuel precursors or other commercial products.

Abstract: Described is a liquid separation device comprising a porous support structure further comprising polymeric hollow fibers; an inorganic mesoporous silica membrane disposed on the porous support structure, wherein the inorganic mesoporous silica membrane is free of defects; and wherein the inorganic mesoporous silica membrane has a network of interconnected three-dimensional pores that interconnect with the porous support structure; and wherein the inorganic mesoporous silica membrane is a silylated mesoporous membrane. Also described are methods for making and using the liquid separation device.

Abstract: A hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, a process for preparing the hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve membrane, and a process for effecting separation of an olefin from a gaseous mixture that comprises the olefin in admixture with its corresponding paraffin and optionally one or more gaseous components selected from hydrogen, an olefin other than the olefin and a paraffin other than the corresponding paraffin. The process and membrane may also be used to effect separation of the olefin(s) from remaining feedstream components subsequent to an olefin-paraffin separation.

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieve membranes having desirable selectivity for ethylene/ethane separations are prepared from a 3,3?,4,4?-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride 5(6)-amino-1-(4?-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindane 4,4-bismaleimidodiphenyl-methane (BTDA-DAPI) precursor solution that is then formed into films or hollow fibers which are pyrolyzed under vacuum or an inert atmosphere to form carbon molecular sieve membranes. Pyrolysis condition variables, including ramp rate, thermal soak time and temperature, are used to optimize the membrane's separation performance.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sorbent fiber compositions. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fibers for pressure swing and temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a sorbent composition, comprising a fiber comprising a plurality of tortuous pathways; and a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of tortuous pathways. Aspects of the present invention comprise compositions, devices and methods of using sorbent fiber compositions.

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieve membranes having desirable selectivity for ethylene/ethane separations are prepared from a 3,3?,4,4?-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride 5(6)-amino-1-(4?-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindane 4,4-bismaleimidodiphenyl-methane (BTDA-DAPI) precursor solution that is then formed into films or hollow fibers which are pyrolyzed under vacuum or an inert atmosphere to form carbon molecular sieve membranes. Pyrolysis condition variables, including ramp rate, thermal soak time and temperature, are used to optimize the membrane's separation performance.

Abstract: A composite structure for capturing a gaseous electrophilic species, the composite structure comprising mesoporous refractory sorbent particles on which an ionic liquid is covalently attached, wherein said ionic liquid includes an accessible functional group that is capable of binding to said gaseous electrophilic species. In particular embodiments, the mesoporous sorbent particles are contained within refractory hollow fibers. Also described is a method for capturing a gaseous electrophilic species by use of the above-described composite structure, wherein the gaseous electrophilic species is contacted with the composite structure.

Abstract: A composition of and a method of making high performance crosslinked membranes are described. The membranes have a high resistance to plasticization by use of crosslinking. The preferred polymer material for the membrane is a polyimide polymer comprising covalently bonded ester crosslinks. The resultant membrane exhibits a high permeability of CO2 in combination with a high CO2/CH4 selectivity. Another embodiment provides a method of making the membrane from a monesterified polymer followed by final crosslinking after the membrane is formed.

Abstract: A novel oxide material (MIN-I) comprising YO2; and X2O3, wherein Y is a tetravalent element and X is a trivalent element, wherein X/Y=O or Y/X=30 to 100 is provided. Surprisingly, MIN-I can be reversibly deswollen. MIN-I can further be combined with a polymer to produce a nanocomposite, depolymerized to produce predominantly fully exfoliated layers (MIN-2), and pillared to produce a pillared oxide material (MIN-3), analogous to MCM-36. The materials are useful in a wide range of applications, such as catalysts, thin films, membranes, and coatings.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.

Abstract: A composition of and a method of making high performance crosslinked membranes are described. The membranes have a high resistance to plasticization by use of crosslinking. The preferred polymer material for the membrane is a polyimide polymer comprising covalently bonded ester crosslinks. The resultant membrane exhibits a high permeability of CO2 in combination with a high CO2/CH4selectivity. Another embodiment provides a method of making the membrane from a monesterified polymer followed by final crosslinking after the membrane is formed.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.