Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane in which a polyamide separation functional layer is formed on a porous support membrane includes a substrate and a porous support, wherein a standard deviation of a membrane thickness of the separation functional layer is 2.00 nm or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofiltration membrane having a porous support membrane, the surface of the support membrane being coated with polymer particles which are prepared by emulsion polymerization and which have an average particle diameter of less than 70 nm, preferably between 30-60 nm, more preferably between 40-50 nm.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composite membrane module includes preparing a single membrane module to which a hollow fiber support layer is potted; and forming an active layer on a surface of the hollow fiber support layer through interfacial polymerization by bringing a surface of the hollow fiber support layer into contact with a first solution comprising an amine and a second solution comprising an acyl halide (in that order). The method can form an active layer having a uniform thickness and good processability. A composite hollow fiber membrane module prepared by the method exhibits a good salt rejection rate.

Abstract: A cartridge having at least one layer containing sodium zirconium phosphate and at least one layer containing a combination of acid zirconium phosphate and alkaline hydrous zirconium oxide is described. Methods of using the cartridge for water purification are also described.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and oxy-substituted phenyl compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an oxy-substituted phenyl compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more oxy-substituted phenyl functional groups.

Abstract: A hollow porous membrane with a reduced cost and excellent separation characteristic, water permeability, and mechanical strength and a process of producing the hollow porous membrane with an excellent adhesive property between a support and a porous membrane layer at a low cost are provided. The hollow porous membrane includes a porous membrane layer in which dense layers are disposed in the vicinities of an outer surface and an inner surface. In the process of producing the hollow porous membrane, membrane-forming dopes of a first membrane-forming dope and a second membrane-forming dope, which contain the material of the porous membrane layer and a solvent, are successively applied and stacked onto the outer circumferential surface of a hollow support and the applied membrane-forming dopes are simultaneously coagulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane distillation system comprising a flat-sheet composite mixed matrix hydrophilic/hydrophobic membrane having at least a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer. The hydrophilic layer comprises a hydrophilic polymer and inorganic nanoparticles having high thermal conductivity. The hydrophobic layer comprises fluorinated surface-modifying macromolecules (SMM). Also disclosed is a phase inversion method for manufacturing the membrane.

Abstract: A filter media that inhibits the formation of static charge in a liquid flowing through the filter media comprises a filtration layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and comprising a non-conductive fibrous material having a plurality of fibers, the fibrous material comprising a metal layer deposited on at least a portion of the fibers through at least a portion of the thickness of the filtration layer. The filter media or a filter apparatus incorporating the filter media does not require means for dissipating static charge from the fluid and, therefore, does not require grounding.

Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane containing a crystalline polymer microporous film containing a crystalline polymer, and having an asymmetric pore structure; fluorine alcohol covering at least part of an exposed surface of the crystalline polymer microporous film; and a crosslinking agent, wherein the fluorine alcohol is crosslinked with assistance of the crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and biguanide compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a biguanide-type compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more biguanide functional groups.

Abstract: Multi-layer membrane devices with reduced performance variability, and method of reducing performance variability of such devices. The variability is reduced by combining two or more membranes with similar pore sizes, and carefully selecting the upstream membrane based upon its performance rating, in order to control the performance of the overall device. Selective layering reduces the capacity range of the device when compared to random layering, with the mean capacity greater than overall population mean. The flux range also can be reduced, with the mean near the overall population mean. The LRV range also can be reduced, with the mean LRV near or higher than the overall population mean.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of a three-dimensional polymer matrix including tungsten disulfide nanopowder coated on and embedded within a solid porous support for removing water soluble and micro-particulate mercury species from waste water including dental effluent. The solid porous support can be regenerated upon washing with an appropriate chelating ligand for reuse.

Abstract: A composition comprises a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate comprising two or more poly(meth)acrylate backbones covalently linked to a bridging group, the backbones comprising i) respective first repeat units, each of which comprises a first side chain ester moiety comprising a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) chain segment, ii) respective second repeat units, each of which comprises a second side chain ester moiety directly linked to the bridging group through a linking group selected from the group consisting of carbamate groups, urea groups, and thiocarbamate groups, and iii) respective third repeat units, each of which comprises a hydrophobic side chain moiety not directly linked to any bridging group. Composite filtration membranes having a selective layer that comprises the composition exhibit useful anti-fouling and/or salt rejection characteristics.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and acetophenone compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an acetophenone compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more acetophenone functional groups.

Abstract: A zeolite membrane excellent in separation performance and having an acid resistance, and a separation membrane employing the zeolite membrane are provided. A zeolite membrane comprising a layer wherein at least two different types of zeolite crystals are present in mixed state, wherein at least two types of the above at least two different types of zeolite crystals are detectable by an X-ray pattern obtained by X-ray diffraction under the conditions that (A) the output of X-ray is 1.2 kW, (B) an X-ray bulb of copper (Cu) is employed, and (C) the wavelength of X-ray is 1.54058 A. As an alternative, the zeolite membrane comprising a first layer containing zeolite crystals and a second layer containing different type of zeolite crystals from the zeolite crystals of the first layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer constitute a laminate structure, and the thickness of the laminate structure is at most 20 pm.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic membrane structures having a beneficial combination of throughput and a selectivity. Methods of making and using the membrane structures.

Abstract: A microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica of the invention has an average pore diameter of less than 0.6 nm, and comprises bridging organosilane moieties of the formula ?O1.5Si—CHR—SiO1.5? or ?O1.5Si—CH(CH3)—SiO1.5?. The membrane can be used in the separation of hydrogen from mixtures comprising hydrogen and CH4, CO2, CO, N2, and the like, and in the separation of water from alcohols having 1-3 carbon atoms, optionally in the presence of an inorganic or organic acid.

Abstract: A method comprises disposing, on a porous support membrane, an aqueous mixture comprising a crosslinkable polymer comprising a poly(meth)acrylate and/or poly(meth)acrylamide backbone, thereby forming an initial film layer, wherein the crosslinkable polymer comprises a side chain nucleophilic amine group capable of interfacially reacting with a multi-functional acid halide crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked polymer; contacting the initial film layer with a mixture comprising i) the multi-functional acid halide crosslinking agent, ii) an optional accelerator, and iii) an organic solvent, the organic solvent being a non-solvent for the crosslinkable polymer; and allowing the crosslinkable polymer to interfacially react with the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a composite filtration membrane comprising an anti-fouling selective layer comprising the crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: A method of making a water vapor transport membrane is described. The method can include providing two sheets, each sheet comprising a support layer with an ionomer layer thereon; applying a solvent to at least one sheet; and contacting the ionomer layers of the two sheets to form a composite membrane comprising a composite ionomer layer between the two support layers. A composite membrane is also described.

Abstract: A bioartificial kidney equivalent and a process for producing the bioartificial kidney equivalent. The hybrid bioartificial kidney comprises human proximal and distal renal tubule cells grown on particular synthetic membranes.

Abstract: A water-proof sound-transmitting membrane 10 includes a polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 1 and has a surface density of 1 to 20 g/m2. The polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane 1 includes a first porous layer 1a, and a second porous layer 1b stacked on and integrated with the first porous layer 1a by a binding force acting between polytetrafluoroethylene matrices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat gasket with filter elements. In order to fulfil the increased requirements with respect to cleanliness, there is an increased demand for the integration of filter elements in flat gaskets. The corresponding filter elements mainly serve for picking of impurities accrued during production as well as other residues circulate via the operational fluids, especially during the initial period of operation of an internal combustion engine or a vehicle.

Abstract: A polyamide membrane including reaction product of an anhydrous solution comprising an anhydrous solvent, at least one polyfunctional secondary amine and a pre-polymer deposition catalyst, and an anhydrous, organic solvent solution comprising a polyfunctional aromatic amine-reactive reactant having one ring. A composite semipermeable membrane including the polyamide membrane on a porous support.

Abstract: A potable water system (10) comprises a supply line (18) and a water-purification device (20) incorporated thereinto. The water-purification device (20) comprises a microorganism filter (40) having a housing (42) and replaceable cartridge (42). The cartridge's filter media (50) includes a microorganism-capturing membrane (e.g., comprising an electropositive material) and a microorganism-killing membrane (e.g., comprising a biocidal material).

Abstract: A microchannel device is provided, the microchannel device containing a microfluidic channel including a sub fluidic channel in which at least one filtration diaphragm is provided, wherein the microfluidic channel has at least a supply port, a first discharge port and a second discharge port, the supply port and the first discharge port are connected through the filtration diaphragm, the supply port and the second discharge port are connected without the filtration diaphragm, and the filtration diaphragm is provided parallel to a fluidic channel direction of the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are modular filter-in-filter elements, namely an outer filter element and an inner filter element which may be assembled to form a filter cartridge for use in separation methods and systems. The outer filter element typically functions as a coalescing element and the inner element typically functions as a particulate filter element. The disclosed filter cartridges may be structured for separating water from a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel as the fuel moves through the cartridge from outside to inside.

Abstract: A sorbent polymer is provided that interacts or reacts with aqueous urea to aid the regeneration of a dialysate liquid. The sorbent polymer may include one or more specific functional groups bonded thereto. Such specific functional groups are selected from carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters, carboxylates, amides, dicarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acid esters, and dicer boxylates to produce the desired urea sorbent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separation functional layer on a microporous support, and in which the separation functional layer is made of a condensation product of a polymer that has acidic groups and a trialkoxysilane groups having an imidazolium structure in side chains. The composite semipermeable membrane has excellent selective separation performance for divalent ions over monovalent ions, while exhibiting excellent long-term durability. Also disclosed is a method for producing the composite semipermeable membrane. The composite semipermeable membrane is suitable for uses in various water treatment fields such as the desalination of seawater and the production of drinking water. In addition, the composite semipermeable membrane does not deteriorate as much as conventional composite semipermeable membrane even in cases where the membrane is sterilized by having chlorine-containing raw water permeate therethrough continuously or intermittently.

Abstract: Forward osmosis membranes include an active layer and a thin support layer. A bilayer substrate including a removable backing layer may allow forward osmosis membranes with reduced supporting layer thickness to be processed on existing manufacturing lines.

Abstract: A tubular support for use with a hollow fiber membrane is made with an apparatus that comprises a forming machine and an ultrasonic welding machine. The apparatus may also include a coating nozzle for depositing a dope on the support. In operation, filaments are formed into a tubular structure in which the filaments cross each other in radial and circumferential directions, for example a braid. The filaments are ultrasonically welded together at intersections between them. The support is combined with a polymeric membrane wall to form a hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composite semipermeable membrane which has excellent chemical resistance, separation performance, and water permeability, and the composite semipermeable membrane has the following structure. The present invention provides a composite semipermeable membrane in which an separation function layer is formed on a microporous supporting membrane, wherein the separation function layer is formed from (A) a silicon compound in which a reactive group having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a hydrolyzable group are directly bonded to silicon atoms, and (B) a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group other than the silicon compound, by condensation of the hydrolyzable group of the silicon compound (A) and polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated group of the silicon compound (A) and the ethylenically unsaturated group of the compound (B) having the ethylenically unsaturated group.

Abstract: Versions of the invention include compositions and methods for making them that include a polymeric porous membrane with one or more atmospheric pressure microwave plasma modified surfaces. The modified porous membrane is stable, non-dewetting, and retains its mechanical strength.

Abstract: A hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fiber membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possesses on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to 25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow-fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient for cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCCC?5·10?5·UFRAlb3?0.004·UFRAlb2+1.081·UFRAlb?0.25.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a desalination treatment membrane includes a desalting membrane and a base material disposed in close contact with the desalting membrane, the base material being subjected to a silane coupling treatment.

Abstract: A combination of acid zirconium phosphate and alkaline hydrous zirconium oxide are utilized as ion-exchange materials, for example, in sorbent dialysis. The combination provides for dialysate regeneration while maintaining constant and controlled levels of Na+, HCO3?, and pH.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane includes a porous support, a polyamide active layer formed on the porous support, and a coating layer including a copolymer including an amphoteric ionic compound and glycidyl (meth)acrylate. The coating layer makes a chemical bond with the polyamide active layer. A method of manufacturing the reverse osmosis membrane also is disclosed.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating comprising a combination of polyalkylene oxide and imidazol compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an imidazol compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more imidazol functional groups.

Abstract: A filter system for removing contaminants from oil based industrial liquids and the like includes a support tube with a permeable sidewall through which the industrial liquid flows in an inside out direction. A multilayer coalescence media surrounds the support tube, and includes at least one layer of a non-woven fibrous material that is partially wettable by the dispersed water in the industrial liquid, and commences coalescence of the same to form small primary water droplets, and at least one sheet of a precisely woven monofilament fabric stacked on the downstream side of the non-woven material. The woven fabric is substantially wettable by the dispersed water, and has a fixed open mesh with uniformly sized and spaced apart pore openings which continue to coalesce the primary water droplets into large water drops which fall from the filter for collection along the bottom of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis membrane including: a porous support; a polysulfone layer formed on the porous support; and a polyamide active layer formed on the polysulfone layer, wherein the polyamide active layer is formed through interfacial polymerization between an amine compound and an acyl halide compound, and the acyl halide compound includes a monofunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional acyl halide, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and triazine compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a triazine compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtration article comprising a first layer comprising porous PTFE for fluid filtration (e.g., a PTFE membrane), and a second layer comprising strands of fluoropolymer fibers arranged to form a stable knit. The knit layer comprises interlocking regions that are each defined by corresponding sets of at least two interlocking loop portions of the fluoropolymer fiber strands. In filtration article embodiments, the fluoropolymer fiber strands may be twisted and/or have a rounded outer configuration. The knit layer provides improved dimensional stability as a support layer for the filtration layer and/or as a drainage layer.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane comprising a porous support membrane on which a separating functional polyamide layer resulting from the polycondensation reaction of polyfunctional aromatic amines with polyfunctional acid halides is formed, wherein the separating functional polyamide layer has carboxy groups, amino groups, phenolic hydroxyl groups, and azo groups, wherein XA, the ratio of the amino groups (molar equivalent of the amino groups/(molar equivalent of the azo groups+molar equivalent of the phenolic hydroxyl groups+molar equivalent of the amino groups)) on a feed water contact surface of the separating functional polyamide layer (an A surface), is in the range 0.5 or less, and XB, the ratio of the amino groups (molar equivalent of the amino groups/(molar equivalent of the azo groups+molar equivalent of the phenolic hydroxyl groups+molar equivalent of the amino groups)) on a permeate-side surface of the separating functional polyamide layer (a B surface), i.e.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane assembly is provided. The method comprises forming an inorganic membrane layer disposed on a substrate, and forming a plurality of macropores in the substrate at least in part using anodization. Further, a membrane assembly is provided. The membrane assembly comprises a filtering membrane that is coupled to an anodized substrate comprising a plurality of macropores.

Abstract: This invention relates to heterogenous pore polymer nanotube membranes useful in filtration, such as reverse osmosis desalination, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and gas separation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to nano-filters and methods of forming same, and methods of filtration. The nano-filter includes a substrate and at least one nanowire structure located between an inlet and an outlet. The nanowire structure may include a plurality of vertically stacked horizontal nanowires.

Abstract: A separation membrane includes a membrane comprising a polymer, characterized in that a functional layer is formed on the surface in one side of the membrane, the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface of the preceding functional layer is 0.1% (by atomic number) or more but not more than 10 (% by atomic number), and the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface opposite to the functional layer is not more than 10 (% by atomic number). A separation membrane module suffering from little sticking of organic matters, proteins, platelets and so on is provided with the separation membrane as a built-in membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming microporous membranes. More specifically, vapor induced phase separation techniques are used for forming multizone microporous membranes having improved material throughput.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite materials, more specifically to composite membrane materials on the basis of polymeric materials used for the purification of a liquid, in particular drinking water. The novel composite material for the purification of a liquid by filtration is formed from a polymeric membrane in the form of a fibrillar-porous matrix comprising a hydrophilic polymer and a metallic antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A filter and a method of forming a suture structure. The filter includes layered structure(s) interior to the filter. Each layered structure includes a carbon structure comprising carbon and a coating on a surface of the carbon structure. Each layered structure may further include a heparin layer that includes heparin and is on the coating. The coating of the filter includes cellulose, PMMA, PEMA, or PHEMA. The carbon structure may include an activated charcoal layer or carbon nanotube(s). The layered structure is configured to remove a contaminant flowing through the filter. The method of forming the suture structure includes forming a film on a suture that has been previously formed on a mammal. The film includes both a coating on the suture and a heparin layer that includes heparin and is on the coating. The coating of the suture structure includes cellulose, PMMA, PEMA, or PHEMA.

Abstract: A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A microfilter comprising two or more polymer layers formed from photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures or open areas each extending through the polymer layer. Methods of forming apertures in one or more layers of photo-definable dry film are also disclosed. Filter holder designs and methods appropriate to hold microfilters to collect the rare cells and to perform of assays in the filter holder are provided. Microfiltration chip designs and methods appropriate to collect the rare cells and to perform assays in the microfluidic chips are provided. The invention also describes the use of the microfilter, filter holder and microfilter chips to collect rare cells from body fluids and perform assays, and these rare cells can be used for medical and biological research applications.