Abstract: A method and system for purification of helium and CO2 from a stream containing at least Helium, CO2, nitrogen or methane uses a combination of cryogenic, membrane and adsorption technologies.

Abstract: A sampling device is provided for concentrating a liquid specimen sample, including a filtration assembly, which includes a tubular container and a plunger. The plunger includes a plunger head and a plunger rod that is shaped so as to define an internal plunger space having a plunger-space proximal opening through a proximal end of the plunger rod. The sampling device is configured such that a filter is removable from the tubular container via the plunger-space proximal opening while the plunger head is within the tubular container. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A porous cylindrical support for use in supporting a zeolite membrane has a generally cylindrical inside surface having a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction and a generally cylindrical outside surface that surrounds the inside surface. A zeolite membrane is formed on the outside surface. A maximum value A and a minimum value B of a support thickness in a circumferential direction satisfy (A?B)/(A+B)?0.3 in at least part of the support in the longitudinal direction, the support thickness being a radial distance between the inside surface and the outside surface. By reducing a variation in support thickness, it is possible to improve uniformity in the thickness of the zeolite membrane formed on the support.

Abstract: A porous structure having pores communicating with each other is provided. The porous structure includes a porous structure portion A comprising a resin A and a porous structure portion B comprising a resin B. The porous structure portion A and the porous structure portion B are continuously integrated, and the resin A and the resin B are composed of different constituents.

Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise a selective polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the selective polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes can comprise multi-walled carbon nanotubes wrapped in a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or a copolymer thereof, such as poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate). The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases. As such, the membranes can be for the selective removal of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen and/or nitrogen.

Abstract: Provided is a porous hollow fiber membrane made of a thermoplastic resin, wherein a membrane thickness is 0.050 mm or larger and 0.25 mm or smaller, and when a strength coefficient is defined as K=(compressive strength)/((membrane thickness)/(inside diameter/2))3, K=1.7 or more.

Abstract: An aromatic polysulfone resin having a repeating unit represented by Formula (I) and a repeating unit represented by Formula (II), in which a ratio (m:n) of a molar content (m) of the repeating unit represented by Formula (I) to a molar content (n) of the repeating unit represented by Formula (II) is 1:2,000 to 1:200. wherein hydrogen atoms of phenylene groups of Formulae (I) and (II) may be each independently substituted with an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a halogen atom.

Abstract: The invention discloses a sterile syringe (100) comprising a barrel (1) having internal surfaces (2), a plunger (3) movable within the barrel, a non-sliding seal (7) between the barrel and the plunger defining a sealed volume (8) and at least one filter (9) allowing only filtered gases to enter the sealed volume such that the syringe maintains its sterility even after several uses. The filters could be positioned on different locations on the syringe like on the non-sliding seal, the barrel, the barrel flange or the plunger handle.

Abstract: Spiral wound reverse osmosis devices with reduced lateral leakage and thereby increased salt rejection are made by compacting a microporous layer within a composite reverse osmosis membrane longitudinally along its lengthwise periphery. Means and method for causing longitudinal indentations in composite membranes during manufacturing operations are disclosed and described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a porous monolayer polymer membrane, to a porous monolayer polymer membrane, and to the use of the polymer membrane for filtration.

Abstract: A method of making a hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve is comprised of heating a hollow polymer fiber to a carbonization temperature in an atmosphere that is non-oxidizing to form a hollow fiber carbon molecular sieve, wherein during at least a portion of the heating a tensile force is applied to the hollow polymer fiber. The method may improve the separation of gases similar in size such a propylene from propane.

Abstract: One or more parameters indicative of a request to segment the memory device into multiple partitions for use by a host system are received. Responsive to receiving the one or more parameters indicative of the request to segment the memory device into multiple partitions, a first partition is configured with one or more configuration settings based on the one or more parameters. Configuring the first partition includes determining a memory type from multiple memory types based on the one or more parameters, and configuring the first partition to operate as the determined memory type. The memory types define a number of bits that a memory cell of the first partition is to store.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to carbon fibers having high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, as well as a process for the manufacture of such carbon fiber. The process comprises spinning a polymer/solvent solution into a solvent/water bath in the range of 78%-85% solvent, thereby producing a dense fiber structure, and subsequently carbonizing the polymer precursor fiber at a lower than typical carbonization temperature to form carbon fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the gas-phase production of carbon nanotube (CNT)-nanoparticle (NP) hybrid materials in a flow-through pyrolytic reactor specially adapted to integrate nanoparticles (NP) into CNT material at the nanoscale level, and the second generation CNT-NP hybrid materials produced thereby.

Abstract: Accordingly, it is an object of this disclosure to provide a blend polymeric membrane to provide the separation of CO2 from a gaseous mixture. The blend polymeric membrane comprises a blend of polyphosphazene and polymers of intrinsic microporosity. Further, the present disclosure also provides a method of use for the blend polymeric membrane for the separation of gases in a gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A binder-free, self-supporting electrode including an electrochemically active material in the absence of a binder and a current collector is claimed. The electrochemically active material is a self-supporting transition metal oxide. A method of regenerating the electrode to restore capacity of the electrode is also claimed.

Abstract: Provided is a separation membrane that is suitable for use in separating one or more hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon mixture. More specifically, the separation membrane includes a porous support for which acid content is not substantially detected by ammonia temperature programmed desorption in a temperature range of higher than 450° C. and not higher than 600° C. and a porous separation layer containing a zeolite that is disposed on the porous support.

Abstract: A membrane assembly is provided. The membrane assembly includes a non-metallic, porous substrate. A graphene oxide membrane is formed over the non-metallic, porous substrate. A chemical linker interface covalently binds the graphene oxide membrane to the non-metallic, porous substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a segmented thermoplastic elastomer that can be a polyurethane, polyurea, or polyurethane-urea comprising soft segments and hard segments, wherein the soft segments are made of polyolefin diols or polyolefin diamine that may have 0 to 1000 carbon atoms in the main chain, wherein each carbon atom in the main chain may have 0 to 2 side chains and each side chain may have 0 to 30 carbon atoms, the hard segment is made of a diisocyante and a chain extender, the hard segments make up 10-60% of the elastomer and the soft segments make up the rest, the number-average molecular weight of the elastomer is 5×103-1000×103 g/mol, the ultimate elongation of the elastomer is 100-1000%, the Young's modulus is 1 to 3,000 MPa, and the ultimate tensile strength is 10-100 MPa. Also disclosed are a method for preparing the segmented thermoplastic elastomer and use of segmented thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling molecular translocation in solid-state nanopores by edge field leakage. The system dramatically reduces (by orders of magnitude) and controls the fast electrophoretic velocity of molecules to realize sensitive and selective solid-state nanopore sensors for polynucleotides and sequencing platforms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and processes for measuring, monitoring, processing, and visualizing biological data including blood glucose levels. In various embodiments, a biomarker monitoring fitness system may facilitate one or more of the monitoring of fitness data including blood glucose levels measured by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor for an individual user or group of users, the prediction of carbohydrate intake needs or insulin delivery needs during physical activity of a user and the active indication thereof to the user and/or a delivery system of the user, and the collection and management of de-identified and identifiable user fitness data including blood glucose data.

Abstract: A porous support includes a base body, a supporting layer, and a topmost layer. The supporting layer is disposed between the base body and the topmost layer, and makes contact with the topmost layer. A ratio of a porosity of the topmost layer to a porosity of the supporting layer is greater than or equal to 1.08. A ratio of a thickness of the topmost layer to a thickness of the supporting layer is less than or equal to 0.9.

Abstract: A graphene adsorbing material, a preparation method therefor and application thereof, and a cigarette filter tip and a cigarette are provided. The graphene adsorbing material comprises a fiber carrier, graphene and doped elements wherein the graphene and the doped elements are loaded on the fiber carrier and the doped elements comprise at least one of Al, Si and Fe. The graphene adsorbing material is obtained by contacting the fibers with the graphene material to load the graphene material on the fibers. By introducing the graphene and the doped elements in the fiber carrier, harmful substances with a type of fused aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene in smoke can be specifically adsorbed, filtered and removed; while nicotine and the other harmless substances are retained, and thus the smoking taste of a cigarette is not affected.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical assembly. The optical assembly comprises: a first optical film comprising a first surface; an adhesive disposed on the first surface of the first optical film; and a second optical film comprising a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second optical film comprises a plurality of microstructures, wherein the plurality of microstructures are bonded to the adhesive; wherein the adhesive is made of a first material and the plurality of microstructures are made of a second material, wherein the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristic of the first material is configured with respect to the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristic of the second material such that the adhesive force between the adhesive and the plurality of microstructures of the second optical film is greater than 100 g/25 mm and the optical gain of the optical assembly is greater than 1.5.

Abstract: Thin film composite membranes and methods of fabricating thin film composite membranes are disclosed. A thin film composite membrane can include nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots. The graphene oxide quantum dots can be doped with nitrogen to increase the performance of the thin film composite membrane. Other particulate compounds can be further integrated with the thin film composite membrane including zeolites, titanium oxides, and sulfur oxides. The thin film composite membranes can be used for various applications including desalination.

Abstract: An improved method for concentrating dispersions of graphene oxide, coating a substrate with a layer of a graphene oxide solution, and producing a supported graphene membrane stabilised by controlled deoxygenation; and graphene-based membranes that demonstrate ultra-fast water transport, precise molecular sieving of gas and solvated molecules, and which show great promise as novel separation platforms.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods of marker based direct integrity testing of at least one membrane comprising: (a) dosing a feed fluid of a loop with at least one marker comprising at least one challenge particle, the loop comprising: the feed fluid; a pump comprising an outlet stream; a membrane module comprising the at least one membrane and a membrane module outlet stream, wherein the membrane module is in fluid communication with the outlet stream; a marker recycle stream in fluid communication with the membrane module outlet stream and the pump; and a means to measure particle concentrations; (b) circulating the feed fluid through the membrane module at least once to produce a filtrate comprising a filtered at least one marker; (c) measuring a filtrate particle concentration of the filtered at least one filtered marker in the filtrate to produce a filtrate concentration measurement; and (d) calculating a log removal value from the filtrate concentration measuremen

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent of an embodiment includes a solid resin compound containing a structural unit expressed by the following formula (1). X in the formula (1) is a halogen element.

Abstract: A method produces a metal-organic framework on a surface of another metal-organic framework. One embodiment comprises contacting the first metal-organic framework with a ligand and solvent solution; wherein the first metal-organic framework comprises a first ligand and a first metal; wherein the ligand and solvent solution comprises a second ligand that is different from the first ligand in the first metal-organic framework; and allowing the second ligand from the ligand and solvent solution to exchange with the first ligand present in the first metal-organic framework for a period of time suitable to produce the second metal-organic framework on the surface of the first metal-organic framework.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a self-healing hydrogel-filled separation membrane for water treatment includes soaking a porous support comprising pores in a monomer solution to fill the pores with the solution, removing the excessively filled monomer solution from the porous support, and forming a hydrogel in the pores by crosslinking the monomer. The separation membrane does not require an additional repair process when damage occurs to the separation membrane and can exhibit superior self-healing effect and physical stability.

Abstract: Provided are a carbon film having excellent electrical conductivity and a method of producing this carbon film. The carbon film has a film surface glossiness at 60° of at least 2 and not more than 500. The method of producing the carbon film includes forming a carbon film by removing a solvent from a fibrous carbon nanostructure dispersion liquid containing the solvent and one or more fibrous carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a polyarylene ether sulfone polymer by converting a reaction mixture (RG) comprising a dihalogen component (A1), a dihydroxy component (B1) and potassium carbonate (C1) having a volume-average particle size of <25 ?m. The present invention further relates to the polyarylene ether sulfone polymers obtainable by said method, to products obtainable from said polyarylene ether sulfone polymer and to membranes formed from said polyarylene ether sulfone polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a ceramic filter for a beverage, the ceramic filter requiring a permeation time ranging from 3 seconds to 15 seconds in a case where 150 ml of hot water having a temperature of 90° C. is introduced, having a total pore volume of 0.230 to 0.270 cm3/g, and having a median pore diameter of 100 to 160 ?m. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the ceramic filter.

Abstract: A gas separation asymmetric membrane includes a porous layer having gas permeability; and a compact layer having gas separation capability which is formed on the porous layer in which the gas separation asymmetric membrane is formed using a polyimide compound which has a structural unit represented by Formula (I) and at least one structural unit selected from a structural unit represented by Formula (II) or a structural unit represented by Formula (III) and in which the viscosity, at 25° C., of a solution obtained by dissolving the polyimide compound in N-methylpyrrolidone at a concentration of 5% by mass is in a range of 2.2 to 22.0 mPa·sec, in the formula, X1 represents a group having a structure represented by Formula (I-a) or (I-b).

Abstract: A lancet magazine is disclosed which includes a housing and a plurality of lancets each of which is enclosed in a sterile chamber of the housing, wherein the chambers each have a puncturing opening which is closed with a foil, wherein the lancets include a sample receiving device for receiving body fluid and the chambers each include a further opening which is closed with a membrane that is permeable to gas and fluid and includes a lower side that faces the lancet and serves to receive body fluid from the sample receiving device and an upper side that serves to transfer body fluid to a test field arranged on the membrane.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: An electrode-composite separator assembly for a lithium battery includes: an electrode; and a composite separator, wherein the composite separator includes: a copolymer including a first repeating unit represented by Formula 1, a second repeating unit represented by Formula 2, and a third repeating unit represented by Formula 3; at least one selected from an inorganic particle and an organic-inorganic particle; and at least one polymer selected from a fluorinated polymer and a heat-resistant polymer, wherein Formulas 1-3 are Also a lithium battery including the electrode composite separator assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing graphene which comprises subjecting expanded graphite to high speed homogenization to prepare a feed solution and then subjecting the same to high pressure homogenization, thereby increasing the degree of dispersion of expanded graphite in the feed solution and so improving the efficiency of high pressure homogenization. Therefore, the present method has features that the efficiency of graphene preparation is excellent and the size of graphene to be prepared is uniform, compared with a conventional process.

Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide in blood plasma includes removing blood from a patient and treating or processing at least blood plasma of the blood by flowing the blood plasma on one side of at least one semi-permeable membrane and flowing a dialysate on the other side of the at least one semi-permeable membrane. The dialysate has a concentration of bicarbonate less than the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood plasma before treating the blood plasma and has a composition such that the blood plasma strong ion difference that results from treating the blood plasma in conjunction with an achieved reduction in blood plasma CO2 concentration results in a blood plasma pH that does not change by more than +/?0.5 during treatment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical assembly. The optical assembly comprises: a first optical film comprising a first surface; an adhesive disposed on the first surface of the first optical film; and a second optical film comprising a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second optical film comprises a plurality of microstructures, wherein the plurality of microstructures are bonded to the adhesive; wherein the adhesive is made of a first material and the plurality of microstructures are made of a second material, wherein the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristic of the first material is configured with respect to the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristic of the second material such that the adhesive force between the adhesive and the plurality of microstructures of the second optical film is greater than 100 g/25 mm and the optical gain of the optical assembly is greater than 1.5.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods in which multivalent ions are selectively retained in an aqueous stream. According to certain embodiments, multiple separations may be used to process an aqueous feed stream containing solubilized monovalent ions and solubilized multivalent ions to produce a stream enriched in the solubilized multivalent ions. The separations may be arranged, according to certain embodiments, to enhance the overall separation process such that the product stream contains—relative to the initial aqueous feed stream—a high amount of solubilized multivalent ions, a high amount of water from the aqueous feed stream, and/or a high ratio of solubilized multivalent ions to solubilized monovalent ions.

Abstract: A metal-organic compound containing polymer matrix includes a polymer and a three-dimensional metal-organic framework includes a polydentate organic linker. The metal-organic compound containing polymer matrix is configured to continuously produce nitric oxide when exposed to a physiological fluid including a nitric oxide-releasing compound via a catalytic reaction catalyzed by the three-dimensional metal-organic framework.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous non mechanical valve which retards or prevents the passage of bodily fluids and is resistant to being occluded or blocked by exposure to the surgical fumes or aerosols encountered during surgical procedures.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to macroporous photonic crystal membranes, structures including macroporous photonic crystal membranes, devices including macroporous photonic crystal membranes, methods of using macroporous photonic crystal membranes, methods of making macroporous photonic crystal membranes, and the like.

Abstract: A mixed matrix membrane which is porous and has a cross section resembling a sponge. The membrane includes nanoparticle fillers which are also porous. The membrane may be freestanding or supported on a substrate. Methods of making the membrane by spin casting or solvent casting are described. Methods of separating a gas/organic vapor using the membrane are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of membranes based on ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymers having a melting temperature not exceeding 200° C. The process relies on the diffusion induced phase separation of the ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer from a solution and comprises the steps of providing a solution comprising an ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer having a melting temperature not exceeding 200° C. in a solvent; casting the polymer solution into a film; immersing the film in a non-solvent bath to precipitate the polymer. Membranes made of compositions comprising an ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer having a melting temperature not exceeding 200° C. and at least one second polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polygraphene membrane includes adding graphite and sodium nitrate into sulfuric acid to form a first mixture; adding potassium permanganate solution into the first mixture to form a second mixture; adding hydrogen peroxide solution to the second mixture to form a mixture including soluble manganese ions; filtering the mixture including soluble manganese ions to form an aqueous suspension; centrifuging the aqueous suspension; performing ultrasonication of the suspension to obtain graphene oxide sheets; acylating the graphene oxide sheets to prepare an acylated graphene oxide sheet; and polymerizing the acylated graphene oxide sheets to prepare polygraphene.

Abstract: A method of restricting diffusion of miscible materials across a barrier, including, forming a 2-dimensional material on a substrate surface, wherein the 2-dimensional material includes one or more defects through which a portion of the substrate surface is exposed, forming a plug selectively on the exposed substrate surface, and forming a cover layer on the plug and 2-dimensional material, wherein the cover layer material is miscible in the substrate material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are organ chips that can be individually used or integrated together to form different microphysiological systems, e.g., for use in cell culturing, drug screening, toxicity assays, personalized therapeutic treatment, scaffolding in tissue repair and/or replacement, and/or pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamics studies.