Integral Or Coated Layers Patents (Class 210/490)
-
Publication number: 20120061314Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a liquid filter member that includes a layer of polymeric nano fibers overlying a microporous membrane. A pressure drop of the filter member is substantially the same, or is less than, a pressure drop of the microporous membrane and the filter member has a particle retention in the presence of surfactant that is greater than the particle retention of the microporous membrane alone under the same test conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Wai-ming Choi, Kiminori Kataoka
-
Publication number: 20120061323Abstract: A light weight oriented net or netting assembly is provided for oil capture and containment. The netting assembly is made by biaxially stretching or orienting starting materials to form a pattern of oriented strands and integral junctions that, while being light in weight, is also strong enough to be used to capture and remove oil from contaminated water without an outer stabilizing jacket. The assembly is preferably made from oriented polypropylene netting that is folded, gathered, bunched and/or otherwise layered upon itself on the order of 16-64 times and then crimped in one or more locations to secure the netting layers in a bow tie or tubular configuration that forms net cavities and an open cell structure to capture and contain oil that has been dispersed in water. Oil in the netting assembly can then be removed, such as by pressing or other removal process, after which the netting assembly may be reused.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Matthew David STEWART, Brian Edward Connelly, Daniel Charles Habicht
-
Patent number: 8132676Abstract: Hydrophilic membrane particularly suited for blotting applications, preferably Western blotting. A pre-wet hydrophobic membrane substrate, preferably made of PVDF, is contacted with a monomer solution and subjected to a UV-initiated free radical polymerization step to render the substrate permanently hydrophilic. The resulting membrane exhibits low background fluorescence, high protein binding, excellent retention of protein sample spot morphology, and extended dynamic range (high signal-to-noise ratio, enhanced sample detectability). The membrane demonstrates comparable or higher performance in Western blotting applications than conventional nitrocellulose Western blotting membranes, particularly for protein detection at low sample concentrations, and is directly water-wettable, eliminating the need for an alcohol pre-wet step prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: EMD Millipore CorporationInventors: Antoni Peters, Philip Goddard, John Charkoudian, Neil Soice, Dave Brewster, Anja Dedeo
-
Publication number: 20120048798Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Joy Cheng, Ratnam Sooriyakumaran, Ankit Vora
-
Publication number: 20120048799Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Young-Hye Na, Alshakim Nelson, Ratnam Sooriyakumaran, Ankit Vora
-
Patent number: 8123992Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Millipore CorporationInventor: Willem Kools
-
Patent number: 8123940Abstract: A filtration unit for the selective elimination of a target substance from a biological fluid comprising an external envelope, wherein the envelope encloses a filtering medium comprising: an upstream structure for eliminating at least the target substance comprising a stack of layers that are arranged to allow the flow of fluid through the layers in one direction comprising a non-woven material, and particles interposed between at least some of the layers, wherein the particles have an affinity for the target substance; and a downstream structure for retaining the particles comprising at least one layer of porous material.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Maco PharmaInventors: Chryslian Sumian, David Godard
-
Publication number: 20120043274Abstract: A forward osmosis membrane for seawater desalination and a method for preparing the same. The forward osmosis membrane has a composite membrane structure including a nonwoven fabric layer, a hydrophilic polymer layer, and a polyamide layer. The hydrophilic polymer layer formed on the nonwoven fabric layer facilitates an inflow of water from the feed water to the draw solution to enhance flux and realize high water permeability in the direction of osmosis. The polyamide layer not only secures contamination resistance and chemical resistance but also minimizes the back diffusion of salts of the draw solution in the direction of reverse osmosis. Hence, the forward osmosis membrane of the present invention is greatly useful for desalination of high-concentration seawater.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: Woongjin Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung Dae Chi, Bong Jun Cha, Jong Hwa Lee, Doo Ri Kim, Su Jeong Lim
-
Patent number: 8118910Abstract: A layered filter membrane with improved anti-clogging characteristics is provided. In one embodiment, a filter membrane includes multiple polymer layers, each with different pore diameters formed by stretching the polymer layers. Furthermore, the multiple filter layers are coupled together before being stretched and the different pore sizes are formed during co-stretching of the filter layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nusrat Farzana, David Kazemi
-
Publication number: 20120024774Abstract: A filter medium for removing particles from a fluid flow has a pre-filter layer and a fine-filter layer joined to each other in the flow direction. A first supporting layer is attached to the unfiltered side of the pre-filter layer and a second supporting layer is attached to the filtered side of the fine-filter layer in order to absorb the longitudinal and transverse forces in the event of tensile loading. The traverse force absorbing layer has a greater bending stiffness in a traverse direction while the longitudinal force absorbing layer has a greater bending stiffness in a longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBHInventors: Heiko Wyhler, Jochen Reyinger, Klaus Gehwolf
-
Publication number: 20120024787Abstract: The present invention provides porous media or membranes having a surface coating that includes a cross-linked terpolymer which has a superior combination of properties, including heat stable biomolecule resistant adsorptive properties, resistance to strong alkaline solutions, and low levels of extractable matter. In some preferred embodiments, the porous media is a porous membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: Millipore CorporationInventors: John Charkoudian, Neil P. Soice
-
Publication number: 20120018370Abstract: There is provided a silica membrane 1 formed on a porous substrate. A desorbed ionic strength of water having a temperature of 500° C. in a temperature-programmed desorption analysis of water of the silica membrane is 2,000,000/g. The silica membrane 1 is manufactured by allowing a silica sol having a water concentration of 0.03 to 3 mass % to adhere to a porous substrate by an ethanol solvent, drying the silica sol by sending air having a dew point of ?70 to 0° C., and firing the dried silica sol at 200 to 400° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Naoko TAKAHASHI, Kouta Asai
-
Publication number: 20120012528Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the modification of metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide surfaces of an inorganic matrix with an organometallic reagent for obtaining an organic functionalized matrix suitable for filtration processes. The method involves the direct covalent binding of organic functional groups by allowing a pre-treated matrix to react with organometallic reagents in the present of a suitable solvent. The present invention further relates to an organic functionalized matrix obtainable or obtained by carrying out a method according to the invention. The invention also provides various uses of a surface-modified matrices as described herein in various industrial applications, including for instance in filtration and/or adsorption and/or separation processes, or as support, e.g. for catalyst systems or for enzyme systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicants: UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN, VITO NVInventors: Anita Buekenhoudt, Kenny Wyns, Vera Meynen, Bert Maes, Pegie Cool
-
Publication number: 20120012520Abstract: Disclosed are a forward osmosis membrane capable of ensuring resistance to microorganisms, improving water flux by forward osmosis, and minimizing reverse solute flux by maximizing tortuosity of the membrane, and a method for fabricating the same. The disclosed method for fabricating a forward osmosis membrane includes: preparing a filler material including a non-cellulose polymer, an organic solvent for dissolving the non-cellulose polymer, and a pore-forming agent for inducing pore formation in the non-cellulose polymer; coating the filler material on an osmosis membrane backing; and immersing the osmosis membrane backing coated with the filler material in water, so that the organic solvent and the pore-forming agent are evaporated, and pores are formed in the non-cellulose polymer as the non-cellulose polymer is solidified.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Seock Heon LEE, Young Beom YU, Sun Keun SEO
-
Patent number: 8097171Abstract: A novel composite of glass fiber paper and reinforcing material that is useful for high speed manufacturing of devices comprising it is disclosed. The composite is formed by pressing into a glass fiber paper, having multimodal (at least bi-modal) composition, a hydrophilic reinforcing material. The composite has anisotropic separation properties that are particularly useful for preparing a fluid fraction from whole blood. The preferred glass fiber paper comprises glass fibers such that there are a plurality of short fibers (6) having large diameters and long fibers (2) with smaller diameters. The preferred glass fiber paper also exhibits partial ordering. There are many more of the long fibers (2) with smaller diameters than of the short fibers (6) having large diameters. Also disclosed are several blood separator device designs for efficiently separating the fluid fraction of blood from whole blood using the composite.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Akers Biosciences, Inc.Inventors: David Milunic, Donald Russell
-
Patent number: 8097160Abstract: Even when a membrane sheet contains an inorganic material, the membrane sheet and a support plate are properly deposited by a laser emission. In a manufacturing method of a flat membrane element lapping a membrane sheet performing solid-liquid separation on a support plate supporting the membrane sheet and emitting a laser to a mutual joint portion to deposit the membrane sheet and the support plate, when the membrane sheet contains an inorganic material, the support plate is formed by a material having laser penetration and the laser is emitted from the support plate side to the joint portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Kiyokazu Takemura, Makoto Oonishi, Mitsuru Hatanaka, Takashi Fujimoto, Tatsuaki Tagashira
-
Patent number: 8092918Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices, as well as methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: GE Osmonics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Kurth, Isaac K. Iverson, Philip M. Rolchigo, Steven D. Kloos, Leonard T. Hodgins
-
Publication number: 20110297609Abstract: 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).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventor: Jin Hu
-
Patent number: 8070859Abstract: A non-porous membrane suitable for use in removing dissolved oxygen in a fuel deoxygenator device in an aircraft is produced by solvent casting. A first membrane layer is deposited on a substrate. A second membrane layer is deposited on top of the first membrane layer. Subsequent membrane layers may be deposited on top of the second membrane layer as desired. The resulting non-porous membrane allows little or no leaking of fuel across the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Zidu Ma, Louis J. Spadaccini, He Huang, Harry Cordatos, Foster Phillip Lamm, Ingo Pinnau
-
Publication number: 20110284454Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: William E. Mickols, Chunming Zhang, Christopher T. Hamilton
-
Publication number: 20110284477Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is described. The treatment system can include an aerobic digestion system, an anaerobic digestion system, and a ventilation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: PRESBY PATENT TRUSTInventor: David W. Presby
-
Patent number: 8061531Abstract: A membrane bag comprising a volume for permeate collection, wherein the volume is completely enclosed in seamless membrane substance; a filtration unit comprising at least one above-described seamless membrane bag; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in a membrane bioreactor; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in water filtration or waste water purification; and the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag for the filtration or separation of a mixture of fluids, vapors and particles.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: De Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderrzoek (VITO) N.V.Inventors: Willem Mues, Bart Cobben, Wim Doyen, Walter Adriansens, Bart Molenberghs
-
Patent number: 8061532Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Millipore CorporationInventor: Willem Kools
-
Publication number: 20110278242Abstract: A fluid purification system, comprising: a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block, comprising: a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: Selecto, Inc.Inventor: Ehud Levy
-
Patent number: 8057672Abstract: Provided is a disposable multi-layered filtration device for the separation of blood plasma which can be applied to a biochip and appropriate for disposal uses. The filtration device for the separation of blood plasma includes: an upper substrate including a blood inlet; an intermediate substrate including a filtering unit for extracting blood plasma from blood flowing through the blood inlet; and a lower substrate including an air outlet, wherein the upper substrate, the intermediate substrate, and the lower substrate are stacked and adhered.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Kwang Hyo Chung, Yo Han Choi, Dae Sik Lee, Ju Hyun Jeon, Moon Youn Jung, Seon Hee Park
-
Patent number: 8057574Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Mullette, Joachim Muller, Neeta Patel
-
Patent number: 8052868Abstract: A fuel filter device includes a bag-shaped filter member and is adapted to be attached to communicate an inner space of the filter member with a fuel suction opening in a fuel tank. The filter member is configured in a multilayer structure. At least one layer of the filter member is configured to serve as an inhibition layer having a structure to prevent water in a fuel tank form coming into the inner space of the filter member by a pressure applied to the filter member when the water is frozen.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Hiroji Sato, Yasushi Ueki, Shigeru Takahashi, Takaya Ogawa
-
Publication number: 20110266223Abstract: A hollow fiber includes a lumen, a polymeric membrane defining the lumen, and a porous tubular substrate, a circumferential surface of which is in contact with a circumferential surface of the polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first polymer having monomers each containing an imidazole group.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Qian Yang, Kai Yu Wang, Tai-Shung Chung
-
Publication number: 20110266220Abstract: A method of separating components of mixtures of chemical compounds uses a nonporous membrane of copolymer of a perfluorinated cyclic or cyclizable monomer, and a 4 carbon dicarboxyl-containing comonomer, such as maleic anhydride. Optionally, the membrane composition includes an acyclic fluorinated olefin termonomer. The membranes provide a remarkably high selectivity of water relative to organic solvents and inorganic acids compared to dipolymer membranes of perfluorinated comonomers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: CMS TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Daniel Campos, Jonathan Lazzeri, Stuart M. Nemser
-
Publication number: 20110259825Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Rob Kreiter, Hessel Lennart Castricum, Jaap Ferdinand Vente, Johan Evert Ten Elshof, Maria Dirkje Anna, Henk Martin Veen
-
Publication number: 20110259796Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Ruijun Chen, William J. Martin
-
Publication number: 20110253645Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter composed of a multi-ply filter medium, which comprises at least one non-woven stiffening layer, at least one filtration layer, at least one covering layer and where necessary at least one non-woven microfibre layer, the non-woven stiffening layer comprising fibres of synthetic polymers and the fibres being both partially oriented and oriented fibres.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Christian Hassmann, Hans-Jürgen Meitinger, Kurt Plotz, Jürgen Umminger, Michael Schops
-
Patent number: 8038887Abstract: Nanoporous membranes comprising single walled, double walled, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix material were fabricated for fluid mechanics and mass transfer studies on the nanometer scale and commercial applications. Average pore size can be 2 nm to 20 nm, or seven nm or less, or two nanometers or less. The membrane can be free of large voids spanning the membrane such that transport of material such as gas or liquid occurs exclusively through the tubes. Fast fluid, vapor, and liquid transport are observed. Versatile micromachining methods can be used for membrane fabrication. A single chip can comprise multiple membranes. These membranes are a robust platform for the study of confined molecular transport, with applications in liquid and gas separations and chemical sensing including desalination, dialysis, and fabric formation.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Olgica Bakajin, Jason Holt, Aleksandr Noy, Hyung Gyu Park
-
Publication number: 20110240552Abstract: A method for producing a crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: placing a first crystalline polymer in a metal mold, and compressing the first crystalline polymer to form a first preforming body; placing a second crystalline polymer in a metal mold, and compressing the second crystalline polymer to form a second preforming body; extruding the first and second preforming bodies to form first and second extrusion bodies, respectively; rolling the first and second extrusion bodies to form first and second crystalline polymer films, respectively; heating a surface of the first crystalline polymer film or second crystalline polymer film, or both to perform asymmetric heating to give temperature gradient in a thickness direction thereof; drawing each of the first crystalline polymer film and the second crystalline polymer film; laminating the drawn first and second crystalline polymer films to form a laminate; and heating the laminate to perform heat setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Ishizuka, Nobuhiro Nishita
-
Publication number: 20110240550Abstract: A separation matrix comprises a porous surface layer; and a bulk porous support, wherein both the porous surface layer and the bulk porous support comprising a block copolymer. The block copolymer comprises A-B or A-B-A repeating units, wherein A and B at each occurrence are two different blocks of oligomer, or polymer. A structural unit of block A is derived from one or more atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)-active monomer or oligomer and a structural unit of block B is derived from a thermoplastic ATRP-active macro initiator. A poly dispersity index of the block copolymer is at least about 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: David Roger Moore, Hongyi Zhou, Matthew Jeremiah Misner, Xiaohui Chen, Lifeng Zhang, Daniel Joseph Brunelle, Minglin Ma
-
Publication number: 20110240553Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: a laminate of two or more layers including a layer containing a first crystalline polymer and a layer containing a second crystalline polymer, the laminate having a plurality of pores each piercing through the laminate in a thickness direction thereof, wherein the first crystalline polymer has higher crystallinity than crystallinity of the second crystalline polymer, and the layer containing the first crystalline polymer has the maximum thickness thicker than the maximum thickness of the layer containing the second crystalline polymer, and wherein at least one layer in the laminate has a plurality of pores whose average diameter continuously or discontinuously changes along with a thickness direction of the laminate at least at part thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi ISHIZUKA, Nobuhiro NISHITA
-
Publication number: 20110240551Abstract: A method for producing a crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: placing a first crystalline polymer in a metal mold, and compressing the first crystalline polymer to form a first preforming body; placing a second crystalline polymer in a metal mold, and compressing the second crystalline polymer to form a second preforming body; extruding each of the first preforming body and the second preforming body to form a first extrusion body and a second extrusion body, respectively; laminating the first extrusion body and the second extrusion body to form a laminate; rolling the laminate; heating a surface of the laminate to perform asymmetric heating to thereby give a temperature gradient in a thickness direction of the laminate; and drawing the laminate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi ISHIZUKA, Nobuhiro NISHITA
-
Patent number: 8028842Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane, kit, and method of making a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane includes a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer includes one or more hydrophilic monomers having a sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer and a second monomer and one or more hydrophobic monomers having a non-sulfonated third monomer and a fourth monomer. The sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer introduces a sulfonate into the hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer prior to polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: James E. McGrath, Ho Bum Park, Benny D. Freeman
-
Patent number: 8029857Abstract: Disclosed are compaction resistant thin film composite membranes having a porous polymeric support; a semi-permeable polymer film polymerized on the porous polymeric support; and particles, of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles, dispersed in the porous polymeric support. Also disclosed are methods of making compaction resistant membranes by polymerizing a polymer film on a porous polymeric support with particles of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles dispersed therein, the particles having been selected to improve flux flow characteristics over time of the semi-permeable membrane. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Asim K. Ghosh, Jodie M. Nygaard
-
Publication number: 20110226689Abstract: A separation membrane including a separation-functional layer is provided, wherein the separation-functional layer contains a polyvinylidene fluoride-type resin having a melt viscosity of 3,300 Pa·s or more, and also the separation-functional layer has a three-dimensional network structure. A separation membrane is provided having high virus removal performance, high pure water permeability, and high physical durability and high chemical strength, which can also be used in the field of water treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Kenji Komori, Toshiyuki Ishizaki, Kenta Iwai, Xunyao Fu, Shinichi Minegishi, Nao Minaki
-
Patent number: 8017050Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with dopamine to form a polydopamine coated membrane with a high water flux and a high hydrophilicity.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas SystemInventors: Benny D. Freeman, Ho Bum Park, Bryan D. McCloskey
-
Patent number: 8011517Abstract: A composite membrane includes a filtration membrane with a surface; and a layer on the surface of the filtration membrane. The layer includes a polymer including a poly(ethylene glycol) moiety cross-linked with an ammonium salt or a precursor of an ammonium salt.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert David Allen, James Lupton Hedrick, Young-Hye Na, Alshakim Nelson, Ratnam Sooriyakumaran
-
Patent number: 8011518Abstract: To provide a crystalline polymer microporous film including: a laminate consisting of two or more crystalline polymer layers formed of crystalline polymers; and multiple pores penetrating through the laminate in the thickness direction thereof, wherein an average pore size of each of the crystalline polymer layer changes along the thickness thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Hirohisa Hokazono, Toshiki Taguchi, Hidetaka Okada
-
Patent number: 8012349Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for preparing and separating biological analytes. In one embodiment, one or more filtration devices or filter plate wells can be formed by clamping a filter sheet between first and second plates having at least one connecting cavity. First and second moveable core pins positioned on opposed sides of the sheet can be moved to remove portions of the sheet. A molten plastic can be injected to fill the volume between the cores and cavities and to form a liquid-impermeable sleeve wall or walls, each being separately sealed at the bottom to the perimeter of the sheet portion, each having liquid permeable regions of said removed and sealed sheet portion, and each remaining open at the top. Various exemplary configurations for filtration devices or filter plate wells are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Orbital Biosciences, LLCInventor: William F. Bowers
-
Publication number: 20110210059Abstract: A non-pleated depth filter element in the form of a tubular ring of depth filter media is provided. Multiple wraps of sheets, some including fine fibers, are employed. The depth filter element has particular applications to liquid filtration applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: CLARCOR INC.Inventors: Thomas B. Green, Lei Li, John A. Krogue
-
Patent number: 8006438Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filtering screen having a top surface and a bottom surface. A skeletal structure is attached to the filtering screen and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the filtering screen contacts the top surface of the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure forms a plurality of downward extending channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventor: Edward A. Higginbotham
-
Publication number: 20110198288Abstract: The present application is generally directed towards polyacrylonitrile— (PAN—) based, amphophilic graft copolymers, for example, for the production of membranes for liquid filtration. In one aspect, the present invention provides systems and methods for preparing high flux, fouling resistant nanofiltration membranes whose pore size can be readily tuned. In some cases, microphase separation of a graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and hydrophilic side-chains is used. In some cases, nanochannels of tunable width are formed, which may give the membrane permselective properties and/or anti-fouling character. In some cases, a copoylmer may be used as an additive in the immersion precipitation casting of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes. In certain instances, the additive can segregate to the membrane exterior and/or pore surfaces, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2007Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Anne M. Mayes, Ayse Asatekin Alexiou
-
Publication number: 20110198274Abstract: A filter for fuels and lubricants for use in engines, such as internal combustion engines, includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet for fuels, lubricants and other fluids, which contains a multiplicity of layers of a thin, non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric includes in a first part made of permanently elastic fibers and, in a second part, flexible, soft strips, which are at least twice as wide as the permanently elastic fibers and with the average distance between the fibers and the strips being a multiplicity of the width of the flexible, soft strips.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventor: Horst Weiland
-
Publication number: 20110198281Abstract: Embodiments of multi-layer three-dimensional structures and formation methods provide structures with effective feature (e.g. opening) sizes (e.g. virtual gaps) that are smaller than a minimum feature size (MFS) that exists on each layer as a result of the formation method used in forming the structures. In some embodiments, multi-layer structures include a first element (e.g. first patterned layer with a gap) and a second element (e.g. second patterned layer with a gap) positioned adjacent the first element to define a third element (e.g. a net gap or opening resulting from the combined gaps of the first and second elements) where the first and second elements have features that are sized at least as large as the minimum feature size and the third element, at least in part, has dimensions or defines dimensions smaller than the minimum feature size.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Michael S. Lockard, Adam L. Cohen, Vacit Arat, Dennis R. Smalley
-
Patent number: 7997424Abstract: Even when a membrane sheet contains an inorganic material, the membrane sheet and a support plate are properly deposited by a laser emission. In a manufacturing method of a flat membrane element lapping a membrane sheet performing solid-liquid separation on a support plate supporting the membrane sheet and emitting a laser to a mutual joint portion to deposit the membrane sheet and the support plate, when the membrane sheet contains an inorganic material, the support plate is formed by a material having laser penetration and the laser is emitted from the support plate side to the joint portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Kiyokazu Takemura, Makoto Oonishi, Mitsuru Hatanaka, Takashi Fujimoto, Tatsuaki Tagashira