Abstract: A maple sap reverse osmosis system that comprises a feed pressure pump configured for receiving maple tree sap, a filter bank, at least one pressure pump operatively connected to the feed pressure pump through the filter bank, at least one recirculation pump operatively connected to the at least one pressure pump, each recirculation pump having an associated housing having an input positioned at a bottom portion of the housing, a permeate output and a concentrate output, the housing enclosing a membrane producing permeate and concentrate from the maple sap and an air inlet operatively connected to a housing in a exit position. The housings are serially connected from an entrance position housing to the exit position housing through associated inputs and concentrate outputs and wherein the housings can be completely drained of liquid through the input of the entrance position housing.

Abstract: A method of preparation for polyimine self-supported dynamic polymeric membranes (called “dynameric” membranes) is provided along with their use in separation processes, especially for separating gaseous species.

Abstract: A sorbent dialysis cartridge is provided for removal of uremic toxins from dialysate wherein the sorbent cartridges can use non-enzymatic urea-binding materials in place of urease. The cartridge can have a first sorbent layer loaded with a polymerizable urea complexing agent and a second sorbent layer loaded with a crosslinker. The crosslinker can be crosslinkable with a soluble urea complex reaction product of the polymerizable urea complexing agent and urea when passing through the first sorbent layer to form a crosslinked polymeric urea complex which is attachable to the second sorbent layer. In another option, a sorbent layer can be used which has an insolubilized crosslinked polymeric urea-bindable complex attached thereto, wherein the crosslinked polymeric urea-bindable complex can be a reaction product of a crosslinker and polymerizable urea complexing agent. Methods and sorbent dialysis systems using the cartridge, and methods of making the sorbent material, are provided.

Abstract: In a process for testing filters (4) and (13) of treatment fluid of a hemodiafiltration apparatus (1), each filter has a wet semipermeable membrane (5, 14) which separates a gas-filled first chamber (6 and 15) from a liquid-filled second chamber (7 and 16). The first chambers are pressurised by a pump (19) supplying air, while the second chambers are placed in depression by a drainage pump (17) of used dialysis fluid. A first closed system is formed which includes the first chambers and a second closed system is formed which includes the second chambers. Two pressure gauges (P1 and P2) monitor the pressure in the two closed systems for a predetermined time. The monitoring provides indications relating to the filter integrity.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymer composition which includes a matrix material and at least one of an isoflavone and a flavone at least partially dispersed in the matrix material is suited to use in a membrane for hemodialysis and other in vivo and in vitro applications.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system for treating feed water includes a first tubular member having first and second ends, at least one second tubular member having first and second ends, a pump positioned within the first tubular member, a filtering membrane positioned within the second tubular member, a first end cap for receiving the first ends of the first and second tubular members, and a second end cap for receiving the second ends of the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying body fluid with solution including a casing having first and second input and output ports and dual safety or check valves monolithically formed with the casing that operate in conjunction with a dialysis machine or other apparatus used in hemodialysis is disclosed. The dual safety valves are configured at the input and output ports of a dialyzer such that the apparatus allows body fluid to move in one direction. This configuration prevents the reverse flow of body fluid back into the apparatus. A method for purifying body fluid with solution using an apparatus is further disclosed.

Abstract: Sampling device for obtaining a sample of an analyte, comprising a feed line (30) and a discharge line (40) as well as an analyte feed chamber (13) in fluidic connection between the feed line and the discharge line, the analyte feed chamber having an opening (14) which is provided with an analyte-permeable membrane (15) to allow the analyte to pass through from a region outside the analyte feed chamber into the analyte feed chamber, the surface area of the opening of the analyte feed chamber being at most 400 times the minimum cross-sectional surface area of the discharge line, more preferably at most 100 times and most preferably 50 to 80 times the minimum cross-sectional surface area of the discharge line. This device will reduce the dead time between the passage of the analyte through the membrane and the detection of said analyte at the sensor.

Abstract: Nanoparticle functionalized membranes, where the surface of the membranes is nanoparticle functionalized. The nanoparticles closest to the membrane surface are covalently bonded to the membrane surface. For example, the membranes are forward osmosis, reverse osmosis, or ultrafiltration membranes. The membranes can be used in devices or water purification methods.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a device and a method for producing sterile water by means of a cross-flow liquid sterile filter without the closure of the water line during the filtration process, said closure being bacteria-tight according to the prior art of point-of-use potable-water sterile filtration, and without the negative consequences associated with said closure. Said aim is achieved according to the invention by the simultaneous, continuous discharge of the germ-containing retentate from the cross-flow liquid sterile filter during the filtration and the disinfection thereof in a disinfecting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of blood are disclosed allowing for the determination of an internal convection in a blood purification device e.g. in the form of a dialyzer. The internal convection in the purification device can be determined on the basis of pressure differences in the purification device. The blood purification may be, for instance, a hemodialysis or a hemodiafiltration. Pressure sensors serve for measuring the pressures of the blood at the input and/or output of the purification device as well as optionally for detecting the pressure of a cleaning fluid or dialysis fluid at the input and/or output of the purification device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source and an electrodeionization unit. The carbon source and urease source can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: A method of producing sterile water from raw water during a production cycle in a production plant P, including adding a disinfectant to the produced sterile water during the production cycle to permanently monitor the condition of the sterile water and/or the production plant, and determining and evaluating a reduction of concentration of the disinfectant directly in the production stream. In a production plant suited for carrying out the method, a sterile sensor is provided directly in the production stream through which the reduction of concentration of the disinfectant added to the produced sterile water can be permanently measured and evaluated to provide a sterility evidence.

Abstract: A water purification chamber is provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a purification chamber comprising a selective adsorbent activated carbon fiber fabric including one or more selective functional groups that bind arsenic.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane for blood processing having high blood compatibility and storage stability and membrane performance that rarely deteriorates even if irradiation sterilization treatment is applied, and provide a blood processing apparatus having the membrane installed therein. The present invention is also directed to providing a separation membrane for blood processing having satisfactory air-bleeding during priming treatment of the blood processing membrane, and providing a blood processing apparatus having the membrane installed therein. The present invention provides a separation membrane for blood processing, comprising a polysulfone polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and a polymer having a hydroxy group in a side chain and having a solubility of 0.5 g or less in water (100 g) at 20° C., in which the content of the polymer falls within a specific range, and a blood processing apparatus having the membrane installed therein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for separating plasma from whole blood. The method combines size exclusion filtration through a separation membrane and erythrocyte (RBC) agglutination.

Abstract: New, improved, or modified membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, and/or methods of manufacture, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, particular possibly preferred membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, and/or to particular possibly preferred membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, involving membrane contactors adapted for membrane distillation, for ammonia removal, or for both membrane distillation and for ammonia removal, as well as for other membrane contactor systems, methods or processes such as degassing, gasifying, separation, filtration, and/or the like.

Abstract: A halogen resistant polyamide is formed from the reaction product of an amine monomer and an acid chloride monomer wherein the amino group of the starting amine monomer is separated from the aromatic amine ring system by an alkyl group and (i) minimizes halogenation on the amine and (ii) minimizes N-halogenation at a pH range of approximately 7 to approximately 10.5. A membrane is made from the polyamide for use, for example, in a reverse osmosis desalination unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a seawater desalination system includes a membrane filtering pump, a first to third flowmeter, a filtering membrane, a high-pressure pump, a pressure gauge, a reverse osmosis membrane, a discharge valve and a control module. The membrane filtering pump outputs seawater according to a first control signal. The first flowmeter measures flow rate Q1. The high-pressure pump outputs filtered water from the filtering membrane according to a second control signal. The first pressure gauge measures pressure P1. The reverse osmosis membrane desalinates the filtered water into fresh water. The second flowmeter measures flow rate Q2. The third flowmeter measures flow rate Q3. The discharge valve discharges a high-concentration salt water according to a third control signal. The control module performs first, second, and third flow rate control with reference to the flow rate Q1, Q2 and Q3 and the pressure P1.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the extracorporeal treatment of blood are described. The apparatus includes a dialyzer which is separated into a first and second chamber by a semipermeable membrane, wherein the first chamber is disposed in a dialysis fluid path and the second chamber can be connected to the blood circulation of a patient by way of a blood inflow conduit and a blood outflow conduit, a feed for fresh dialysis fluid, a discharge for spent dialysis fluid, a measuring device disposed within the discharge for determining the absorption of the spent dialysis fluid flowing through the discharge, wherein the measuring device has at least one radiation source for substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation, and a detector system for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein means are provided to compensate for changes that occur in the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation of the radiation source and/or the sensitivity of the detector system.

Abstract: A water treatment separation membrane includes a support having pores, a polyamide layer formed on the support, and a passivation layer formed on the polyamide layer by using an aqueous solution including an amine-containing compound, an epoxy-containing compound and a fluorine-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin porous membrane with an adhesive layer that exhibits excellent bonding precision and can be bonded to an adherend while maintaining the gas permeability of the porous membrane even when the porous membrane is small, and a method for producing the resin porous membrane with the adhesive layer. The present invention also provides the filter member including the resin porous membrane with the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polysulfone hemodialyzer with large membrane area that exhibits an unprecedented high dialytic performance over a wide molecular weight range from urea to ?2-microglobulin. There is provided a polysulfone hemodialyzer having a membrane area of >2.4 but ?3.2 m2 and a dialysate rectifying portion with specified broadening at end portion of bundle, the polysulfone hemodialyzer achieves the above object.

Abstract: Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved sieving characteristics providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The membranes comprise polyethersulfone and polyvinylpyrrolidone and are coated with hyaluronic acid or copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoryl choline and other vinyl polymerizable monomers. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions.

Abstract: A system for assessing the microvascular fitness of a sample of stored red blood cells. The system has a network device having at least one network unit. The network unit has a single inlet and a single outlet for the sample and a plurality of microchannels. The plurality of microchannels receive the sample from the single inlet and drain the sample into the single outlet. The network unit includes an aspiration pressure means for providing movement of liquid sample through the at least one network unit. The system further includes an analysis unit that receives the network device therein. The analysis unit includes a sensor for capturing measurements related to the sample and a processor capable of comparing the captured measurements to measurements stored in a database of healthy red blood cells to determine the microvascular fitness of the stored red blood cells.

Abstract: A multi-ported vessel system includes an outer pressure vessel containing a plurality of flow distribution tubes, each of which comprises a plurality of reverse osmosis membrane elements aligned serially within each tube. The outer pressure vessel includes bypass flow paths whereby feed water flows around each of the tubes within the vessel. Slots are disposed in the flow distribution tubes at the upstream end of each RO membrane element such that feed water reaches all RO membrane elements of the tubes in parallel. The serial alignment of the membranes also allows for serial water processing also. A product water tube collects the purified water from the reverse osmosis elements and provides it to a product water port. Brine water is provided to an output port to be discarded of for further processing. The parallel processing of feed water by all membrane elements results in increased productivity and reduced costs.

Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gases. The constituent gases and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: A dialysis cell is provided for the measurement of free thyroxine. The dialysis cell preferably includes a polyhedral housing including a top, a bottom and four sides. The dialysis cell is made up of a buffer portion and serum portion. The buffer portion includes a cavity and the serum portion includes a cavity which, when the buffer portion and serum portion are assembled together, form a central chamber. The central chamber is divided by a vertically aligned dialysis membrane held in place by two O-rings. Buffer is introduced into the dialysis cell's buffer portion through a buffer inlet extending from the dialysis cell's top side to the buffer portion's cavity. Similarly, serum is introduced into the serum portion through an inlet which extends from an opening formed on the dialysis cell's top to the serum portion's cavity.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality and quantity of a soluble salt recovered from the supernatant produced when concentrated solutions are mixed to precipitate an insoluble salt are disclosed. Liquid residual, or supernatant, contains salt that is reusable in the regeneration solution of ion removal devices such as ion exchange or electrodialysis metathesis (EDM). The disclosed embodiments include a method for concentration and purification of salt. NaCl is recovered in a truly Zero Discharge Desalination (i.e., ZDD) process. The ZDD process utilizes reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) for the primary desalination of groundwater that has high concentration of CaSO4 and utilizes EDM to separately remove calcium and sulfate ions from the RO or NF concentrate so that water recovery can be improved. The recovered NaCl is reused in the EDM.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for liquid distillation which includes a vapor permeable-liquid impermeable microporous membrane having structures defining a plurality of pores, an oleophobic material that is applied to the structures of the membrane so as to leave the plurality of pores open, a means for supplying non-distilled liquid to the first side of the membrane, and a means for collecting distilled liquid from a second side of the membrane. In a further example, the present invention provides a method for the distillation of liquids.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a filtration system capable of filtering a water stream, a water purification system capable of purifying said water stream in a non-batch process, a mixing system capable of producing a stream of dialysate from mixing one or more dialysate components with the water stream in a non-batch process, and a dialyzer system. The dialyzer may be a microfluidic dialyzer capable of being fluidly coupled to the stream of dialysate and a blood stream.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer hydrogel for an osmosis solute may include cross-linking polymerizing a zwitterionic monomer (including an anionic group and a cationic group) and a temperature-sensitive monomer. Example embodiments also relate to a draw solute for forward osmosis including polymer hydrogel manufactured according to the method, and a forward osmosis water treatment device and method using the forward osmosis draw solute.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluid movement and volumes of fluid between a subject and a controlled compliant flow path. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the controlled compliant flow path. An extracorporeal flow path is in fluid communication with the controlled compliant flow path across a semi-permeable membrane where the extracorporeal flow path has a first terminal end and a second terminal end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting a medical therapy device that delivers any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The system has a base module that has at least one segment of a controlled compliant flow path and at least one pair of jumpered ports configured on the base module. One or more components have connections connectable to the jumpered ports of the base module to provide for fluid communication between the segment of the controlled compliant flow path in the base module and a flow path defined by the one or more components. The base module is connected to the one or more components that define a flow path configurable for carrying out in part at least one function performed during any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration or hemofiltration.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes: a recycle line that brings a part of salt-enriched membrane separation concentrated water 26 back to the rear flow side of a pretreatment apparatus 12; a water discharge line that discharges the remained concentrated water into a sea area; and a control apparatus 31 that controls to adjust the ratio between the discharging amount of the discharging membrane separation concentrated water to be discharged into a sea area and the supplying amount of supplying seawater. A pH is set to be equal to or less than 7.3 by adding acid 21. The salt 18 is obtained from the dryer 19, and produced water (fresh water) 29 is obtained by combining evaporated water 28 supplied from the evaporator 16 with the permeated water 24 supplied from the reverse osmosis membrane apparatus 25.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the storage of potential energy that may be readily converted to electrical power delivered to a customer or grid distribution are disclosed. This method may involve the use of salinity gradients, or as they may be also described, osmotic pressure gradients or differences between two solutions, to produce hydraulic pressure in a concentrated solution, allowing for the generation of power.

Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements and methods for operating fluid treatment arrangements may include fluid treatment assemblies and manifold assemblies that direct fluids to and/or from the fluid treatment assemblies.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manipulating a membrane element within a pressure vessel including a central axis, a distal end, a proximal end and an inlet disposed at the proximal end. The membrane element has a membrane element front face with at least one fluid opening and a membrane element rear face. The membrane element is received within the pressure vessel such that the membrane element front face faces the proximal end, with a possibility to be moved along the central axis by an axial force applied to the membrane element front face. The method includes disposing a fluid-tight element in the pressure vessel to form a fluid chamber at the proximal end between the inlet and the fluid-tight element, and introducing fluid into the fluid chamber to displace the membrane element along the central axis in the direction towards the distal end of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.

Abstract: A filter-anchor for placement on a sea floor is provided. It includes a filter housing for filtering sea water prior to entry into a water desalinization system. The filter housing has an exterior, an interior chamber, at least one inlet for providing the sea water to the interior chamber, and at least one outlet for enabling filtered water to be pumped from the interior chamber. A sand filter is disposed in the filter housing. The filter housing has at least one water conduction outlet conduit for filtered water to be pumped to the desalinization system. A wave energy conversion system utilizing the filter anchor is also provided to effect the pumping of the filtered water to the desalinization system. A method of anchoring a wave energy conversion system and providing filtered water to a desalinization system is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.

Abstract: A potable water producing system for disposition at a body of salt water and a method of producing potable water is provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration-anchor system. The AWECS is in the form of a floating articulated barge housing a desalination system including a reverse osmosis membrane. The filtration-anchor system is submerged in the body of salt water and includes a sand filter to filter the adjacent salt water and to provide the filtered salt water to the desalination system on the articulated barge. The action of the waves on the articulated barge provides energy to pump the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis member to produce potable water. Moreover, the action of the waves on the articulated barge effects the shaking of the reverse osmosis filter, thereby rendering it self-cleaning.

Abstract: Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved performance, including improved sieving characteristics, providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The improved sieving characteristics are due to a narrow pore size distribution of the membranes created in the production process. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions.

Abstract: A description is given of a multistage process for treating water, wherein a water stream is purified in a membrane separation stage and a downstream deionization unit having at least one concentrate chamber and at least one diluate chamber, wherein the water stream is separated in the membrane separation device into a concentrate stream and at least two permeate streams of different electrical conductivity, and wherein at least the permeate stream having the highest electrical conductivity is fed at least partially into the at least one concentrate chamber and at least the permeate stream having the lowest electrical conductivity is fed at least partially into the at least one diluate chamber of the downstream deionization unit.

Abstract: A separation module and method are disclosed for processing a liquid sample and providing high conversion by operating a single-pass tangential-flow process without a recirculation loop. In one embodiment, the separation module includes three reservoirs and has at least one long, thin channel with a large ratio of channel membrane area to: channel void volume; volume of a sample feed reservoir; and volume of the feed sample. In another embodiment, the separation module includes an external feed reservoir, an external retentate reservoir fluidly and a first vacuum source adapted to apply a first vacuum to the separation element disposed within the housing. The single-pass TFF separation element and single-pass process provides high conversion while operating with relatively low pressure sources. Certain embodiments disclosed herein can be used for the separation of blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for monitoring the supply of substitution fluid upstream or downstream of a dialyser or filter arranged in an extracorporeal blood stream. One embodiment provides, for the detection of predilution or postdilution, for measuring the pressure in the blood stream downstream of the dialyser or filter, predilution or postdilution being recognized on the basis of the change in pressure following the shutting off and/or starting up of the substituate pump provided for conveying the substitution fluid. Another embodiment provides for recognizing predilution or postdilution on the basis of the comparison of the oscillating pressure signal attributable to the substituate pump to a characteristic reference signal. The characteristic reference signal to which the pressure signal of the substituate pump is compared is preferably the oscillating pressure signal of a blood pump arranged in the blood stream for conveying the blood upstream of the dialyser or filter.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes an ultrafiltration pump that pumps fluid from a pump inlet to a pump outlet, and a calibration fluid container. The container including a bottom, an upstanding sidewall, a container inlet and a container outlet, the bottom and the upstanding sidewall defining a container interior. The container may be to the atmosphere. At least the container outlet being disposed in the sidewall proximate to the bottom. The first end of a first hose is fluidly coupled to the pump inlet, and the second end of the first hose is removably, fluidly coupleable to the container outlet. The first end of a second hose is fluidly coupled to the pump outlet, and the second end of the second hose is removably, fluidly coupleable to the container inlet. In this way, a calibration process may be performed when the second ends of the first and second hoses are fluidly coupled to the container outlet and the container inlet, respectively.

Abstract: A membrane element is provided between a pair of water collecting cases. Water collecting spaces in which permeate having penetrated through the membrane element is collected are formed in the water collecting cases. The water collecting case of one membrane module and the water collecting case of the other membrane module are coupled via coupling portions. The coupling portions have flow holes. The water collecting space of the water collecting case of the one membrane module and the water collecting space of the water collecting case of the other membrane module communicate with each other via the flow holes of the coupling portions.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the manufacture of a porous membrane, said process comprising the following steps: (i) providing a composition [composition (F)] comprising: —at least one fluoropolymer [polymer (F)] comprising recurring units derived from at least one (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) having formula (I) wherein: —R1, R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and —RX is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one functional group selected from a hydroxyl, a carboxyl, an epoxide, an ester and an ether group, and —at least one poly(alkylene oxide) (PAO); (ii) processing said composition (F) to provide a film; (iii) treating the film so obtained with an aqueous composition to provide said porous membrane.