Abstract: This disclosure discloses a method and a device for the detection of heavy metal ions in water. The method includes: providing a detection material, wherein the detection material includes a hydrophilic layer which is at least partially covered by a hydrophobic layer formed from a long-chain compound selected from the group consisting of a long-chain thiol, a long-chain fatty acid and combinations thereof, and wherein a detection area is an area covered by the hydrophobic layer, and the detection area has a surface having an initial contact angle with water of more than or equal to about 120°; contacting the detection area with an aqueous solution sample; determining whether the surface of the detection area has a hydrophobicity-hydrophilicity change after contact with the aqueous solution sample; and deciding whether heavy metal ions exist in the aqueous solution sample according to the determination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a cellulose-fiber flat structure, the method including obtaining a cellulose-fiber flat structure by filtering a fine cellulose-fiber dispersion containing fine cellulose fibers having an average fiber diameter of 4 to 100 nm, using a filter material having a water permeability of not more than 100 ml/m2·s and an initial tensile modulus of 20 MPa or greater. The present invention is able to produce a cellulose-fiber flat structure by efficiently recovering fine cellulose fibers from a dispersion containing fine cellulose fibers having an average fiber diameter at the nano level. The method of producing a cellulose-fiber flat structure can also be applied to a continuous process.

Abstract: A filter intended to remove pollutants from water in developing countries can include two stages connected in series. The first stage can be coconut derived activated carbon embodied in a bamboo housing and used to remove heavy metals and pesticides. The second stage can also be coconut derived activated carbon mixed with citricidal, and used to remove bacteria. Contaminated water traverses from the first stage to the second via gravity flow, resulting in water that is free of heavy metals and bacteria.

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: Polyethyleneimine and polyalkylene biguanide ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: Process for removing asphaltenic particles from a hydrocarbon feed containing asphaltenic particles by treating the feed in a filter unit comprising a perforated tube surrounded by hollow longitudinal projections comprising a filter having openings of at most 50 micrometer diameter in which the internal space of each of the hollow projections is in fluid communication with the inside of the perforated tube and which filter is regularly subjected to cleaning by treating each of the projections with cleaning fluid wherein the flow of cleaning fluid is opposite to the direction of normal flow.

Abstract: A film using fullerene derivatives, a method for producing such films, and use of same are provided. In the film formed of hemispherical particles according to the present invention, the hemispherical particles are organized like a hexagonal close-packed structure, and are formed by specific fullerene derivatives. The hemispherical particles preferably have a bilayer membrane structure assembled to provide a flake-like surface for the hemispherical particles.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a leukocyte depletion filter that has both higher leukocyte removal performance and higher blood permeability than conventional filters. The leukocyte depletion filter according to the present invention includes a filter material having an average fiber diameter of 0.30 to 1.60 ?m and a coefficient of variation of fiber diameter of at least 0.40 but not more than 1.20.

Abstract: An immiscible lipophilic or hydrophilic liquid phase is separated respectively from a continuous hydrophilic or a lipophilic phase liquid. Fibers having hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties are formed into a filter. The separation mechanism involves coalescence of the small droplets into larger droplets as the immiscible liquid flows through the fiber filter, and release of the large immiscible droplets from the filter. With respect to separation of a hydrophilic immiscible fluid in a lipophilic continuous fluid, the hydrophobic fibers cause small water droplets to migrate towards the hydrophilic fibers whereby large droplets are formed on hydrophilic surface. The large droplets coalescence until they are so large that they are released and drained off of the filter. The filter media can be designed by mixing hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers in various proportions to achieve an optimum wettability range for separation of the immiscible liquid from the continuous phase liquid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filled polymeric membrane includes a first step of preparing a filler suspension having a solvent for a glassy polymer and nanometer-sized particles. The nanometer-sized particles in the filler suspension are aggregated in aggregates having an average aggregate size in the range between 50 nm and smaller than 200 nm. In a following step, the glassy polymer is added to the filler suspension to obtain a polymer suspension. Next, the glassy polymer is dissolved in the polymer suspension. In a next step, the polymer suspension is cast on a substrate, followed by a step of removing the solvent. A filled polymeric membrane includes aggregates of nanometer-sized filler particles. The membrane is used in pervaporation and nanofiltration.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising thin fibers and having extremely few thick fibers [number of fusion-bonded fibers] formed by fusion bonding of thermoplastic resin fibers to one another, and an apparatus for the same. The present invention relates to a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising polyolefin fibers and having (i) a mean fiber diameter of not more than 2.0 ?m, (ii) a fiber diameter distribution CV value of not more than 60%, and (iii) 15 or less fusion-bonded fibers based on 100 fibers; a production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric characterized by feeding cooling air of not higher than 30° C. from both side surfaces of outlets of slits 31 from which high-temperature high-velocity air is gushed out and thereby cooling the spun molten resin; and a production apparatus for the same.

Abstract: Filter media is treated with a composition comprising cationic fluorinated ether silanes to provide durable water- and/or oil-repellency properties.

Abstract: A method of photo-grafting onto a separation membrane a copolymer includes at least one of: and; For example, in Structure 1A, x1?2 and y1?1; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of CH3 and H; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of poly(oxyalkylene), quaternary ammonium salts, pyridinium salts, sulfonium salts, sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, alcohols, phenols, tertiary amines, aryl groups; linear, branched and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic heteroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; and siloxyl; R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic hetroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; phenyl; and siloxyl; and Z1 is 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing RAFT, ATRP or NMRP functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on a microporous substrate. A further aspect of the invention is the subsequent modification of the thin film composite polyamide membrane by controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) to yield membranes having new chemical and physical properties, e.g. antifouling and/or antibacterial properties. Further aspects of the invention are the functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on the microporous substrate itself and the membranes modified by controlled free radical polymerization.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles of high permeability and flux. Particularly useful in dialysis made from filaments produced from a composition of polysulphones and Vitamin ETPGS. This invention also includes a process for producing such articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a nonwoven fabric, which is capable of producing a nonwoven fabric showing limited elution of its additives into a solvent. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of producing a nonwoven fabric from at least one polyolefin, which is characterized by using a polyolefin obtained by polymerization of a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond with an addition of 0.001 to 0.03 parts by mass of a phenolic antioxidant represented by the following Formula (1), which is masked with an organoaluminum, and 0.001 to 0.04 parts by mass of a phosphorus-based antioxidant with respect to 100 parts by mass of the monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, the addition being made to a catalyst system, a polymerization system or a piping before or during the polymerization of the monomer.

Abstract: An electric deionized water production apparatus in which a direct current field is applied to a deionizing chamber packed with an ion-exchange material such that ions to be discharged are allowed to migrate in the direction identical or opposite to the direction of the water flow in the ion-exchange material, whereby ionic impurities adsorbed in the ion-exchange material are discharged from the system, the ion-exchange material being a mixture of a monolith-shaped organic porous ion-exchange material and ion-exchange resin particles. The electric deionized water production apparatus has a simple structure that can reduce material cost, process cost, and assembly cost, capable of accelerating migration of the adsorbed ionic impurities to facilitate discharge of the adsorbed ions and free from a deflected flow due to swelling or shrinkage accompanying an ion-exchanging reaction, and from poor contact with an ion-exchange membrane.

Abstract: A treatment device for treating a potable liquid when submerged into the potable liquid, the treatment device including a porous enclosure enclosing an interior and filter media disposed in the interior of the porous enclosure and configured to adsorb impurities from the potable liquid entering the porous enclosure to yield a purified liquid that exits the porous enclosure, the filter media including activated carbon. In some examples, the treatment device is unaffixedly disposed in the potable liquid and/or is disposable. In some examples, the treatment device includes one or more pockets in the interior of the enclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the treatment device may include a strip incorporating filter media.

Abstract: The invention consists of a mechanism the parts of which specified in the invention result in a low energy process for the removal of many and various contaminants from an aqueous solution. The principal parts of the mechanism are to drive the contaminated aqueous solution by means of gravity or low pressure through graphene oxide membrane layers stacked closely at atomic scale.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of preparing a functional chitosan scaffold and said functional chitosan scaffold for use as a filtering medium. Said method involves freeze-drying chitosan in the presence of appropriate cross-linkers and additives. The present chitosan scaffold is associated with an increased mechanical strength and elasticity and an adjustable surface polarity, porosity and morphology which enable its use in a wide range of devices, equipments and appliances in need of a filtering medium such as air or water purification system.

Abstract: This invention provides compound solutions, emulsions and gels excellent in homogeneous dispersibility and long-term dispersion stability and also excellent in the properties as cosmetics, using disarranged nanofibers not limited in either form or polymer, widely applicable and small in the irregularity of single fiber diameter. This invention also provides a method for producing them. Furthermore, this invention provides synthetic papers composed of fibers, small in pore area and uniform in pore size, using disarranged nanofibers, and also provides a method for producing them. This invention provides compound solutions, emulsions, gels and synthetic papers containing disarranged nanofibers of 1 to 500 nm in number average diameter and 60% or more in the sum Pa of single fiber ratios.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel nonwoven felt fabric, which is made of at least one low-melting-point short fiber and at least one high-melting-point short fiber of same type or different types, wherein the fabric is stiff enough to be self-sustaining and have the ability of shape maintenance. The felt fabric exhibits excellent pleatability, moldability and compressive strength. The invention also provides a method for producing the felt fabric, and a filter comprising the felt fabric used as the material of a filter medium of the filter, wherein the filter medium requires no support structure to stand alone and persistently retains its shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a macroporous copolymer having large pores, typically in the range of 5,000-200,000 ? and a typical breaking weight of at least 175 g/bead. The macroporous copolymers can be made using an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) techniques. These macroporous copolymers may also form macroporous resins. The present invention also provides methods of using the macroporous copolymers and resins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making porous cross-linked cellulose membranes and processes for coupling a chromatography ligand to cross-linked cellulose membranes. The invention provides methods for separating a first component from a second component in a solution based upon a difference in the size of the first and second components, and methods for separating target molecules from other components in a solution comprising use of membranes obtainable by the process of the invention. The method has particular utility in separating proteins from cell lysates and cultures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally bound non-woven material containing a low-shrinkage dual-component core-sheath fiber consisting of a crystalline polyester core and a crystalline polyester sheath which has a melting point at least 10° C. lower than the core, the heat-shrinkage characteristic of said fiber being less than 10% at 170° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtration device including a flat filter module and a base housing, on which the flat filter module is placed. A wall of the base housing includes a polymer cellular lightweight construction material, or a fiber composite material.

Abstract: A hybrid porous structured material may include a porous region (that forms a nanopore structure) and a non-porous region. The porous region may form a stacked structure where a plurality of spherical bodies are stacked so as to contact each other in three dimensions. The non-porous region may form a structure that fills a gap between the plurality of spherical bodies of the porous region.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes an outer filter assembly, the outer filter assembly including an outer filter layer of pleated polyester fabric arranged in a hollow cylindrical shape and first and second end caps for retaining the ends of the outer filter layer, and an inner filter assembly including a hollow cylindrical core having a side wall with a plurality of perforations defined therein, an inner filter layer of meltblown polypropylene disposed around an outer surface of the side wall of the hollow cylindrical core, and first and second end caps. The inner filter assembly is removably received within the outer filter assembly such that the hollow cylindrical core and inner filter layer extend within the hollow cylindrical shape defined by the outer filter layer. The filter assembly is adapted to be mounted in a horizontal orientation within a filtering chamber of a spa device.

Abstract: A filtration system and method are provided for removing suspended solids and other affiliated pollutants from stormwater runoff and any other contaminated water. The filtration system and method utilize a filter having a geosynthetic material. By improving or replacing a conventional filtration system, such as a sand filtration system, with a geosynthetic material, the removal efficiency of suspended solids and affiliated pollutants is maintained or improved and the lifespan of the filtration system is lengthened due to simpler cleaning processes and a reduced need for material replacements. The filter can be a retrofit filter for fitting to existing storm drains for removing suspended solids and affiliated pollutants.

Abstract: A system for collecting matter provides a low energy, low cost and nearly zero pollutant process for extracting suspended and/or dissolved matter in a medium. The system collects the matter on a material which is deployed into the medium, and the matter is extracted off the material. If the extracted matter is algae, then it can be processed into end user commercial products such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofuels, food products, crop fertilizer, animal feed and polymers. If the extracted matter is oil or bitumen, then it can be recovered at oil spills or in tar sands. If the medium is infected with a harmful algae bloom of cyanobacteria, then the system could not only harvest the algae for processing but also cut off a food source of remaining algae by additionally extracting suspended silt. This invention collects matter in an economically and environmentally viable manner.

Abstract: The separation membrane for seawater desalination pretreatment is a separation membrane for seawater desalination pretreatment used in pretreatment for seawater desalination with a reverse osmosis membrane, wherein a standard flux A is 2 m/d or more, which is defined as a maximum value of a flux that can satisfy P2?1.5×P1 where P1 and P2 represent an average intermembrane differential pressure, and a saccharide removal rate B or a granular carbon removal rate C expressed by a prescribed equation is 0.3 or more, and desirably 0.5 or more.

Abstract: A filtering machine (10) for filtering a mixture which includes entrained oily contaminant, the filtering machine (10) including a filter (14) which has an exterior housing (15) through which the mixture, in use, passes to contact filter material within the interior of the filter housing (15), and through which filtrate passes out of the filter (14), and wherein the filter material includes particles (29) of agglomerated oleophillic fibres.

Abstract: A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from epoxy-based photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A method of forming a microfilter is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer of epoxy-based photo-definable dry film disposed on a substrate, exposing the first layer to energy through a mask to form a pattern, defmed by the mask, in the first layer of dry film, forming, from the exposed first layer of dry film, a polymer layer having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the plurality of apertures having a distribution defined by the pattern, and removing the polymer layer from the substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a high repellency material. In one embodiment the method includes the steps of providing a polymeric material having an external surface including particle-like micron-scale topography, etching the external surface with a high energy treatment; and depositing a fluorochemical onto the etched external surface by a plasma fluorination process. The external surface may define a plurality of micro-tears proximate the micron-scale topography.

Abstract: Provided are substantially flat membranes that include a block or graft co-polymer and a water transport protein, such as Aquaporin-Z, or a synthetic mimic of such proteins. Also provided are methods of removing contaminants from a liquid, by contacting the liquid with a substantially flat membrane that includes a block or graft co-polymer and a water transport protein or synthetic mimic thereof. Also provided are methods of making such membranes. Further provided are compositions that include at least one active ingredient and vesicles surrounding the active ingredient, where the vesicles include a block or graft copolymer and a water transport protein or synthetic mimic surrounding the active ingredient. Also provided are methods that include administering such compositions to patients.

Abstract: A process for the primary clarification of feeds, including chemically treated flocculated feeds, containing the target biomolecules of interest such as mAbs, mammalian cell cultures, or bacterial cell cultures, using a primary clarification depth filtration device without the use of a primary clarification centrifugation step or a primary clarification tangential flow microfiltration step. The primary clarification depth filtration device contains a porous depth filter having graded porous layers of varying pore ratings. The primary clarification depth filtration device filters fluid feeds, including chemically treated flocculated feeds containing flocculated cellular debris and colloidal particulates having a particle size distribution of approximately about 0.5 ?m to 200 ?m, at a flow rate of about 10 litres/m2/hr to about 100 litres/m2/hr. Kits and methods of using and making the same are also provided.

Abstract: A filter medium of a filter element for filtering a fluid has at least one nonwoven filter layer of synthetic individual fibers. The filter layer has an increasing level of compression in a flow direction of a fluid passing through the filter medium. The filter medium has a degree of separation for particles to be filtered that increases in the flow direction of the fluid through the filter medium. The filter medium is used in a filter element for filtering fluids such as fuel or air. In a method for producing the filter medium, the synthetic fibers are deposited on a support surface in such a way that an increasing level of compression is created in a direction toward the support surface by gravity and suction acting on the fibers.

Abstract: A filter device of the present disclosure includes a first port from which a solution containing a substance is to be input, and a first flow passage communicating with the first port. A filter portion made of a plurality of fibrous substances including inorganic oxide is formed in at least one part in the first flow passage. The plurality of fibrous substances has one peak in the diameter distribution.

Abstract: A filter medium containing a nonwoven nanoweb made of aromatic polymer fibers, wherein the nanoweb has a porosity of 85% or greater, a basis weight of 5 grams per square meter or greater, a mean pore size of 0.1 to 10 ?m and a uniformity index of between 1.5 and 2.5.

Abstract: A system for treating runoff water from a plastic container includes a tray having at least one drainage hole defined in a lower surface thereof. Remediation media is positioned within the tray for absorbing at least one nutrient from the runoff water. A container support member may be connected to the tray for supporting a number of potted plants above the space within the tray that is occupied by the remediation media.

Abstract: A filtering system having a housing forming a cavity with a fluid inlet and outlet remote therefrom with a partially porous basket filled with particulate or granular polymer filtering material and the basket surrounded by a bag filter. The housing inlet receives effluent from a strainer. The particulate may be filled in a monofilament polyethylene woven mesh sleeve in the form of a removable cartridge. A pump supplied fluid to be filtered through the strainer and filter housing. The system may be mounted on a wheeled cart for portability; and, in one exemplary version, includes a wastewater reservoir connected to the strainer inlet.

Abstract: Filtration systems (40) utilize a pre-treatment method to cause scale formation to occur on particles (94) in the fluid stream (96) rather than on the filter surface and may also destroy microorganisms in the fluid stream. More specifically, but not limited to, a filtration device can be a filtration membrane, such as spiral wound filtration membrane (60), that utilizes an open feed spacer (80), such for example an embossed or printed pattern on the membrane, to create a thin feed spacer channel which replaces a conventional feed spacer mesh material. System (40) further utilizes a treatment device (54) to enable a pulsed power, magnetic, electro-magnetic, electro-static, or hydrodynamic fluid treatment scheme to condition particles in the fluid stream (96) such that scale forming elements precipitate (94) on to the particles in the fluid stream rather than on the filtration surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid vessel includes a body structure defining a cavity, an inlet structure defining a first channel, and an outlet structure defining a second channel. The body structure includes an overlay material surrounding the cavity, and includes a metal substrate surrounding the overlay material. The first channel and second channel are provided in fluid communication with the cavity. The inlet structure and outlet structure each include an overlay material surrounding the respective first channel and second channel, and include a metal substrate surrounding the respective overlay material. The overlay material of each of the body structure, the inlet structure, and the outlet structure is fused to the respective metal substrate of the body structure, the inlet structure, and the outlet structure through laser cladding.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed high loft spunbonded webs that are substantially free of crimped fibers and gap-formed fibers. The webs exhibit a solidity of from less than 8.0% to about 4.0% and a ratio of Effective Fiber Diameter to Actual Fiber Diameter of at least 1.40. Also disclosed are methods of making such webs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel adsorbent carbon supported activated alumina (CSAA) which posses both the advantageous characteristics of carbon and alumina viz., the high specific surface area associated with activated carbon and high sorption capacity of alumina towards F? Carbon supported activated alumina has an added advantage of its usage in the neutral pH unlike alumina and alumina impregnated carbon which are found to be efficient only in acidic pH. It is more efficient compared to carbon in terms of its sorption capacity towards F? and is therefore useful for the efficient removal of fluoride ions from water.

Abstract: The present invention provides to a method of producing fiber from tourmaline anion fiber; of which, polypropylene or polyethylene chip, TPE and submicrometer tourmaline particle are prepared and then rolled into submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate through granulation by double screw; then, take submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene chip, of which the content of tourmaline agglomerate accounts for 1˜10% of gross weight, and TPE for 1˜40% of gross weight; tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene are melted into composite fiber or filter material via spinning, such that the fiber or filter material can yield anion and present outstanding gas permeability and mechanical property.

Abstract: Articles comprising a fibrous support of nanofibers and an interfacially polymerized polymer layer disposed on a surface of the fibrous support are useful, e.g., as fluid separation membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a titanium oxide porous particle for blood purification, which includes a titanium oxide, in which when the titanium oxide porous particle is measured by an electron spin resonance measurement at a temperature of 10 K, a signal at a g value of around 1.96 is present, the signal being divided into two signals representing a component g1 parallel to a axis of symmetry and a component g2 vertical to the axis of symmetry, and a signal at a g value of from 2.003 to 2.004 is not substantially present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation system and a separation material for easily and rapidly separating a red blood cell-rich fraction, a white blood cell-rich fraction, and/or a platelet-rich fraction from a biological fluid containing these blood cell components without the necessity of performing centrifugation. The separation of a red blood cell-rich fraction, a white blood cell-rich fraction, and/or a platelet-rich fraction from a biological fluid can be accomplished by capturing white blood cells and platelets on a blood cell separation material by contacting the biological fluid with the blood cell separation material, thereby providing a red blood cell-rich fraction; and recovering a white blood cell-rich fraction by separating white blood cells captured from the resulting blood cell separation material using a separation solution.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system for removing contaminants from fluids includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The system also includes a fluid pump between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a filter material between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The filter material comprises a dual-valence polymer with negative valence monomer groups and positive valence monomer groups, the negative valence being stronger than the positive valence.