Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure may include: a membrane; at least one hole extending into the membrane configured to receive a fluid. The membrane may include a plurality of electrodes arranged to provide one or more electric fields to control a movement of the fluid within the at least one hole.

Abstract: Molecular filters are disclosed herein. An example of the molecular filter includes a rolled substrate having an interior surface and opposed ends that are substantially orthogonal to the interior surface. The rolled substrate defines a layer and a fluid flow path extending from one of the opposed ends to another of the opposed ends. A template is positioned on the interior surface of the rolled substrate. The template includes a matrix, and molecule template locations formed in the matrix.

Abstract: A module and an apparatus incorporating such module utilizing a plurality of tubular membrane elements, each configured to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied to induce oxygen ion transport in an electrolyte thereof. The tubular membrane elements can be arranged in a bundle that is held in place by end insulating members. The insulating members can be positioned within opposed openings of end walls of a heated enclosure and can incorporate bores to allow an oxygen containing feed stream to flow past exposed ends of the tubular membrane elements for cooling the end seals of such elements. Further, first and second manifolds can be provided in a module in accordance with the present invention to collect separated oxygen from two separate portions of the tubular membrane elements.

Abstract: A device for electro membrane extraction has a syringe holder adapted to hold a syringe having an acceptor solution, and a sample vial holder adapted to hold a sample vial having a vial cap, where the vial cap includes an inside funnel to be equipped with a prewetted hollow fiber membrane having a tube like shape sealed at the end opposite the funnel and forming a lumen, and steering guides for at least two electrodes, a first electrode to be immersed in a donor solution placed in the sample vial, a second electrode to be immersed, through the funnel in the vial cap, into the lumen of the hollow fiber membrane, and a positioning device for sliding the first electrode in and out of the donor solution in the sample vial and for sliding the second electrode in and out of the lumen of the hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: Described are novel systems for electrodeposition of paint on counter-electrodes, and membrane electrode assemblies for incorporation into such systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, electrode enclosures such as C-shaped or box-shaped enclosures include membranes sealed to secondary structural members by bonding. In other embodiments, membrane electrode cells having bumpers are mounted within paint baths in a manner wherein the bumpers are forcibly biased against the exterior wall of the bath, thereby stabilizing the position of the cells. In still further embodiments, tubular electrode cells are provided with internal valves allowing the release of liquid trapped within the tubular electrodes into the membrane shell. In this manner, removal of the electrodes for maintenance, replacement or other purposes is facilitated.

Abstract: In order for electrical feeds (2, 3) of an electrical supply unit for material (1) to be treated, in a device for the electrochemical treatment thereof, to be protected against metal deposition, it is proposed that at least one electrically insulating shell (7, 8) should be provided, which encloses the at least one electrical feed (2, 3), over a particular length starting from contact means (12) for making contact with the material to be treated, so that no metal deposit of more than 0.04 mm is formed on the blank parts of the electrical feed when the electrical feed (2, 3) is immersed up to this particular length in a liquid during the electrochemical treatment of the material (1) to be treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for purifying water whereby: the water to be purified is pressurized; a pressurized flow of said water is directed onto at least one selective permeability membrane to divide (11) the flow of pressurized water into a permeate flow and a retentate flow; the permeate flow is electrodeionized (12) to produce a flow of purified water consisting of the electrodeionized permeate flow; the flowrate of the retentate flow (19) is reduced; a substantially constant predetermined pressure (21) is maintained on the selective permeability membrane(s); and a substantially constant predetermined permeate flowrate is maintained and also relates to a suitable tangential filtration module system.

Abstract: An intermediate module comprising a dimensionally stable mounting module and a first device attached to the dimensionally stable mounting module. The dimensionally stable mounting module can include a front docking unit with front alignment elements for connecting the mounting module to a load/unload module, and a rear docking unit with rear alignment elements for connecting the mounting module to a main processing unit. The mounting module can further include a deck between the front docking unit and the rear docking unit, positioning elements at the deck, and attachment elements at the deck. The first device can be a processing chamber, an annealing station, a metrology station, a buffer station, or another type of component for holding or otherwise performing a function on a workpiece.

Abstract: Described are novel systems for electrodeposition of paint on counter-electrodes, and membrane electrode assemblies for incorporation into such systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, electrode enclosures such as C-shaped or box-shaped enclosures include membranes sealed to secondary structural members by bonding. In other embodiments, membrane electrode cells having bumpers are mounted within paint baths in a manner wherein the bumpers are forcibly biased against the exterior wall of the bath, thereby stabilizing the position of the cells. In still further embodiments, tubular electrode cells are provided with internal valves allowing the release of liquid trapped within the tubular electrodes into the membrane shell. In this manner, removal of the electrodes for maintenance, replacement or other purposes is facilitated.

Abstract: An electrolyte solution, methods, and systems for selectively removing a conductive metal from a substrate are provided. The electrolyte solution comprising nanoparticles that are more noble than the conductive metal being removed, is applied to a substrate to remove the conductive metal selectively relative to a dielectric material without application of an external potential or contact of a processing pad with the surface of the substrate. The solutions and methods can be applied, for example, to remove a conductive metal layer (e.g., barrier metal) selectively relative to dielectric material and to a materially different conductive metal (e.g., copper interconnect) without application of an external potential or contact of a processing pad with the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A sputtering target is pre-conditioned prior to use of the target in a sputtering process by removing a damaged surface layer of a sputtering surface of the target. In one version, the sputtering surface of the sputtering target is lapped to remove a thickness of at least about 25 microns to obtain a sputtering surface having a surface roughness average of from about 4 to about 32 microinches. In another version, an acidic etchant is used to remove the layer. In yet another version, the damaged surface layer is annealed by heating the surface.

Abstract: A membrane electrode cell is disclosed which has a membrane cartridge that can readily be removed from the cell without disassembling the framework of the cell. Also, a membrane electrode cell is disclosed which has a water flow arrangement that removes debris from the bottom of the cell.

Abstract: An electrodialysis cell (40) suitable for removal of paint solubilizer from electrocoat paint ultrafilter permeate includes a tubular, non-conductive housing (42), a substantially cylindrical, hollow object electrode (48) in the housing, a substantially cylindrical counter electrode (52) situated within the hollow object electrode, and a tubular ion exchange membrane (50) around the counter electrode but spaced from the counter electrode as well as the object electrode. The counter electrode and the tubular membrane together define an annular electrolyte passageway while the object electrode and the tubular membrane together define an annular ultrafilter permeate passageway. The object electrode-to-counter electrode area ratio is at least about 6.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for purifying effluent wastewater utilizing electrophoretic cross-flow filtration and electrodeionization. The method first comprises filtering the water in a cross-flow direction with a filter membrane (120) in the presence of an electric field that is operative to drive suspended particles away from a surface of the filter membrane (120). The permeate (134) containing dissolved solids is next passed through a mixture (188) of at least one cation-exchange resin and at least one anion-exchange resin disposed between a cation-selective membrane (184) and an anion-selective membrane (181) in the presence of an electric field. The electric field drives cations in the permeate through the cation-selective membrane (184), and drives anions in the permeate through the anion-selective membrane (181), thereby to form deionized water (192). The apparatus includes cell modules adapted to be used in plate-and-frame or radial flow configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for local polishing and deposition control in a process cell is generally provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for electrochemically processing a substrate is provided that selectively polishes discrete conductive portions of a substrate by controlling an electrical bias profile across a processing area, thereby controlling processing rates between two or more conductive portions of the substrate.

Abstract: A tubular electrodeposition and electrodialysis cell (1), in particular for painting processes by immersion in a paint bath, having preferably a rigid supporting structure (8), at least one electrode (7), to separate the paint bath from a dialysis liquid circulating in the cell; members (21, 24, 41, 42, 46) are provided which cooperate with the supporting structure (8) to fit the membrane (9) hermetically to the supporting structure (8) and permit removal of the membrane.

Abstract: An electrolytic machining method for electrolytically machining a workpiece is provided. The method uses a masking member having through-hole patterns that correspond to the shapes of concave parts to be formed in the workpiece. The masking member is brought in contact with a machining surface of the workpiece. An electrolytic solution is supplied and allowed to flow in the gap between the masking member and an electrode tool. The electrolytic solution is allowed to enter into and flow within the through-hole patterns of the masking member in order to electrolytically machine surfaces of the workpiece only in the through-hole patterns.

Abstract: An electrodialysis cell (40) suitable for removal of paint solubilizer from electrocoat paint ultrafilter permeate includes a tubular, non-conductive housing (42), a substantially cylindrical, hollow object electrode (48) in the housing, a substantially cylindrical counter electrode (52) situated within the hollow object electrode, and a tubular ion exchange membrane (50) around the counter electrode but spaced from the counter electrode as well as the object electrode. The counter electrode and the tubular membrane together define an annular electrolyte passageway while the object electrode and the tubular membrane together define an annular ultrafilter permeate passageway. The object electrode-to-counter electrode area ratio is at least about 6.

Abstract: For dosing lithium in cooling water containing cationic impurities or for reducing cationic impurities, the invention guides cooling water cycle through a first side of an electrodialysis unit and guides a concentration cycle through a second side of the electrodialysis unit. Cationic impurities are filtered out of the medium of the concentration cycle with a selective ion exchanger that is disposed in the concentration cycle.

Abstract: Complex features and fine details in a Carbon-Carbon work piece, for example, are formed by electrical discharge machining (EDM). An electrode used in the EDM is made of a material that is mechanically and chemically compatible with Carbon-Carbon composite material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for properly and consistently spacing an electrode from a workpiece while electrochemically etching (ECM) grooves to a precise depth in a surface of the workpiece to form a fluid dynamic bearing. The electrode is especially designed for imparting a grooved pattern to a flat surface, the electrode comprising a surface carrying the pattern to be formed on the flat surface, and a central rod extending a short distance above the electrode surface. The central rod precisely sets the gap between the electrode and the flat surface. The electrode is adapted to be electrically connected to a power supply so that the electrode serves as the cathode, and the flat work piece serves as the anode in an ECM system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, process and apparatus for separating biosorbent and sorbate. Biomass enclosed within a membrane system is coupled to an electrode, which is capable of being placed in contact with the sorbate containing material in the presence of a counter electrode. An electric field may be discharged across the electrodes and ionic species will migrate into the membrane enclosed system. The migrated species within the membrane can be taken up and processed by the biosorbtive processes of the biomass. The system may be used to remove dye stuffs, metal, heavy metals, radionuclides and other pollutants from natural and artificial sources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, process and apparatus for separating biosorbent and sorbate. Biomass enclosed within a membrane system is coupled to an electrode, which is capable of being placed in contact with the sorbate containing material in the presence of a counter electrode. An electric field may be discharged across the electrodes and ionic species will migrate into the membrane enclosed system. The migrated species within the membrane can be taken up and processed by the biosorbtive processes of the biomass. The system may be used to remove dye stuffs, metal, heavy metals, radionuclides and other pollutants from natural and artificial sources.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for desalting a low volume solution for use in connection with an electronically addressable microarray. The apparatus comprises a tubular molecular weight cut-off membrane embedded within a ion exchange resin filled chamber. The apparatus provides a very high surface to volume ratio of membrane pore surface to exchange resin capacity for absorbing charged molecules. The design facilitates the speedy removal of charged molecules from test solutions with the resultant desalted solution having a very low ionic strength suitable for use in the electronic transport of nucleic acids, proteins, and cells.

Abstract: A water treating device includes an outer casing, a reverse osmosis tube, a side cap, and an outlet tube. The outer casing includes an outer tube having a first inlet for water and a first outlet, an inner tube mounted inside the outer tube and including a number of holes defined in a periphery of an end thereof, and a water-permeable layer mounted between the inner tube and the outer tube. The reverse osmosis tube is mounted in the inner tube and includes a second inlet for water from the holes of the inner tube and adjacent to the end of the outer tube. The reverse osmosis tube further includes a second outlet for pure water. The side cap is mounted to seal a first end of the outer casing and includes a first electric rod to interconnect the outer tube with a positive power connection and a second electric rod to interconnect the inner tube with a negative power connection.

Abstract: In an electrolyzer provided according to this invention, the polarity of electrodes is periodically inverted at very short intervals. This has the effect of allowing gases to be generated uniformly all over the surface of each electrode in the form of extremely small bubbles instead of being formed in specific positions in the form of large bubbles as is the case with a conventional electrolyzer in which a direct current is allowed to flow without changing the flow direction. Thus the surfaces of electrodes are prevented from being covered with bubbles, and the flow of liquids along the surfaces of electrodes is not disturbed by the bubbles any more.

Abstract: A positive electrode made of titanium having its surface electrolytically plated with platinum is disposed at the central position of an electrolytic ionized water producer. A cylindrical anion membrane is annularly arranged spaced from the positive electrode, a cylindrical cation membrane is annularly arranged spaced from the anion membrane, and a cylindrical negative electrode is annularly arranged spaced from the cation membrane. The opposite ends of the positive electrode, the anion membrane, the cation membrane and the negative electrode are watertightly closed with a base cover and a top cover, and a cylindrical first space is formed inside of the anion membrane. An annular second space is defined between the anion membrane and the cation membrane and an annular third space is defined between the cation membrane and the negative electrode. Water is introduced into the second space.

Abstract: The invention provides fittings for the ends of electrochromatography cols. Each fitting includes an annular electrode surrounding one end of the passage electrical fields to be applied. The fitting also contains a passageway for eluant flowing into or out of the column, an annular chamber for the electrode and a membrane separating the passageway from the annular electrode chamber. The membrane prevents gases and electrolytic products from entering the column eluent going through the chromatographic column. The membrane also isolate the electrodes from the compounds such as proteins and macromolecules being separated. A buffer solution was pumped through the electrode chamber to remove the gases and electrode products. The buffer flow through the electrode chamber maintains a constant pH and conductivity so that the electrical field applied by each electrode is constant. The buffer flow also serves to remove the heat generated in the electrode chamber.

Abstract: Remediation of soil and groundwater using electropotential gradient induced migration of a target ion and immobilization and/or confinement of the target ion by a host receptor matrix (HRM). In addition to immobilizing and/or confining the target ion, the HRM can comprise a buffer or an ionizable species which releases an exchange ion during application of the electropotential gradient. The exchange ion, when less mobile than a (H.sup.+) ion or hydroxyl (OH.sup.-) ion, increases the efficiency of energy usage during decontamination. The exchange ion can also perform other tasks in the vicinity of the electrodes which improve the decontamination process. The host receptor matrix also can comprise a material which is water impermeable and which has a low surface energy, such as a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene film. When such a material is used, the host receptor matrix can comprise a receptacle in which there is a liquid and/or solid composition which immobilizes and/or contains the target ion.