Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated system for the combined purpose of electricity generation and water treatment and biofuel production. The configuration combines complementary sub-systems whereby outputs from one system are used as inputs to another creating a positive feedback mechanism that significantly increases system efficiency and output. Compensatory mechanisms between system components create a natural hedge in energy and water production against temporal variation in solar insolence levels. Secondary benefits of the invention may include carbon abatement, ground water improvements, and land regeneration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymeric matrices composed of protected amine compound residues and membranes composed from such polymeric matrices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a polymeric matrix comprising amine compound residues, acyl compound residues and protected amine compound residues.

Abstract: An inorganic membrane element and a pretreatment process are provided. The inorganic membrane element includes a tubular structure having an inner separating layer, an outer supporting layer, and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the separating and supporting layers, where the separating layer is nanoporous to selectively retain solutes while permitting the transfer of high-temperature solvents therethrough. The pretreatment process utilizes the inorganic membrane element to provide solubilized organics in concentrated form for the subsequent conversion into bio-fuels and other chemicals.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter with uniform pore sizes includes synthesizing a moiety so as to form a plurality of like platelets having a precisely sized pore extending therethrough, distributing the plurality of like platelets about a membrane having apertures therethrough, and bonding the plurality of platelets around the apertures to form precisely sized pores through the membrane. A filtration membrane is also disclosed which provides a porous membrane having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a plurality of platelets, wherein each platelet has a pore therethrough. The platelets are positioned over or in the apertures.

Abstract: A filtration media and a filter assembly therefor is provided. The filtration media comprising a membrane having an ingress side and an egress side which permit the passage of water, the ingress side including a coating of a material having a low friction coefficient, said coating preventing passage of particulate and holding the particulate on the ingress side when flow from a filter pump is present, and wherein the particulate falls off of the coating when flow from the filter is reduced.

Abstract: A separation membrane, including: a separation membrane main body having at least a base material and a separating functional layer; and a flow path material independently fixed in the thickness direction of the base material, and having a compression elasticity of 0.1-5.0 GPa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow-fiber membrane for ultrafiltration made from a hydrophobic aromatic sulfone polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer, the membrane having an open-pore separating layer on the lumen side, an adjoining supporting layer with asymmetric, sponge-like pore structure without finger pores and an outer layer adjoining the supporting layer towards the outer surface. The separating layer has a cutoff between 20 000 and 200 000 daltons, a thickness of max. 10% of the membrane thickness and an essentially isotropic pore structure. The size of the pores in the supporting layer initially increases up to a zone with maximum pore size, and then decreases towards the outer layer, and the outer layer exhibits a thickness of 10 to 30% of the wall thickness and an essentially isotropic pore structure. The mean size of the pores in the outer layer is larger than in the separating layer, but smaller than in the supporting layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses antimicrobial water treatment membranes, comprising a water treatment membrane, covalently attached to one or more antimicrobial polymers or derivatives thereof, either directly or via one or more tether molecules. There are also provided a process for preparing these antimicrobial membranes, and uses thereof in water treatment applications.

Abstract: A microfiltration apparatus and method for separating cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from a sample using a microfiltration device having a top porous membrane and a bottom porous membrane. The porous membranes are formed from parylene and assembled using microfabrication techniques. The porous membranes are arranged so that the pores in the top membrane are offset from the pores in the bottom membrane.

Abstract: A separation membrane includes a separation membrane sheet at least including a substrate and a separation functional layer, and a flow path member having a composition different from the separation membrane sheet and directly secured to the substrate by an adhesive force of at least 1 N/m on side opposite in thickness direction to the separation functional layer.

Abstract: There is provided a composite membrane, which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a composite membrane for water application(s), which may include an electronically conductive porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. Moreover, there is provided a composite membrane for gas application(s), which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. There is also provided a membrane system which may include at least one composite membrane which may include an electronically conductive asymmetric porous support and an electro-polymerized selective layer. In addition there is provided a method for the preparation of a composite membrane.

Abstract: The present application relates to a molecular exchange device (1) for use with an analysis and control apparatus and a method of manufacturing a molecular exchange device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of contacting a membrane having a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentadiene matrix with a feed solution having a) a first component with a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 g mol?1 to about 600 g mol?1 and a cross-sectional area of less than about 0.40 nm2 and b) a second component with a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 to about 600 grams g mol?1 and a cross-sectional area of greater than about 0.50 nm2 so that the feed solution is fractionated into a permeate comprising the first component and a retentate enriched in the second component.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis separation membrane includes a porous support, a separation active layer formed on the supporting layer, and a ultra hydrophilic layer formed on the separation active layer. The ultra-hydrophilic layer includes a complex metal oxide including at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Sn(IV) and Al(III), and Si, and an organic compound containing a hydrophilic group making a physical or chemical bond with Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Sn(IV) or Al(III) among the complex metal oxide. A method of manufacturing the reverse osmosis separation membrane also is provided. A reverse osmosis membrane including a single coating layer and having an improved durability, chlorine-resistance and antifouling properties may be provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a nanosieve composite membrane, a method for preparing a nanosieve composite membrane, a roll-to-roll apparatus for carrying out the method, and a method for separating a feed flow with particulate matter. The nanosieve composite of the invention comprises an inorganic nanosieve layer supported on a porous polymer membrane substrate and a metallic adhesion layer or underlayer between the inorganic nanosieve layer and the polymer substrate, wherein said polymer membrane comprises an inorganic coating such that the polymeric support is sandwiched between the inorganic coating and the inorganic sieve layer, and wherein said inorganic nanosieve layer has an average pore diameter as determined by scanning electron microscopy of 200 nm or less.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a gas filtration device including an array of parallel carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may extend between first and second substrates, and the ends of the carbon nanotubes may be embedded in the substrates and cut to expose openings at each end of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may be composed from a graphene membrane which may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores of a selected size for enabling one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules for filtering may be directed through the first openings of the array of nanotubes, and the fluid mixture may be filtered by enabling smaller molecules to pass through the discrete pores of the graphene membrane walls of the carbon nanotubes to produce in a filtrate fraction including the smaller molecules and a retentate fraction including larger molecules.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for composite membranes which may include a porous graphene layer in contact with a porous support substrate. In various examples, a surface of the porous support substrate may include at least one of: a thermo-formed polymer characterized by a glass transition temperature, a woven fibrous membrane, and/or a nonwoven fibrous membrane. Examples of the composite membranes permit the use of highly porous woven or nonwoven fibrous support membranes instead of intermediate porous membrane supports. In several examples, the composite membranes may include porous graphene layers directly laminated onto the fibrous membranes via the thermo-formed polymers. The described composite membranes may be useful for separations, for example, of gases, liquids and solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a composite semipermerable membrane and a method for producing the same. The composite semipermeable membrane comprises a microporous support membrane and a separation functional layer provided on the microporous support membrane, wherein the separation functional layer contains a condensation product produced by condensation of at least one selected from the group consisting of ions of trialkoxysilanes each having an imidazolium group and a conjugated base of a polymer having at least one acidic group. The composite semipermeable membrane achieves excellent selective separation of divalent ions over monovalent ions, and is suitable for use in various water treatment fields such as seawater desalination and drinking water production.

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

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an anisotropic polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber microporous membrane containing a polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber microporous membrane does not include macrovoids, and has mainly a net-like structure. In addition, the hollow fiber microporous membrane has a dense outer layer on an outer surface, and a homogeneous bulk layer that is internally adjacent to the outer layer and has a coarser structure than the outer layer. The porosity of the bulk layer is at least 1.5 times the membrane surface porosity of the outer layer. The dense structure of the outer layer changes substantially discontinuously into the coarse structure of the bulk layer.

Abstract: A device according to one embodiment includes a porous membrane having a surface charge and pore configuration characterized by a double layer overlap effect being present in pores of the membrane. A device according to another embodiment includes a porous membrane having a surface charge in pores thereof sufficient to impart anion or cation selectivity in the pores. Additional devices, systems and methods are also presented.

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 dispenser for a nutritional composition comprises a water reservoir, water heating means, water discharge means, a bacterial filter between the water heating means and the water discharge means such that heated water passes though the filter prior to discharge from the dispenser, and means to heat surfaces of the dispenser which come into contact with filtered water.

Abstract: The invention offers a microporous modified-polytetrafluoroethylene membrane that is a microporous membrane having a significantly small pore diameter and narrow pore-diameter distribution and that can remove microscopic foreign particles at high efficiency when used as a filtration membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating water effluent from purging or cleaning steam generator circuits. In characteristic manner, the following steps are performed: filtering the raw effluent to separate insoluble matter from the filtered effluent; and concentrating the filtered effluent to below the solubility limit of the dissolved species so as to obtain a liquid concentrate, the concentration step including at least evapo-concentration treatment and reverse osmosis treatment; the pH of the effluent being adjusted to a value in the range 5 to 6.5.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide forming polynorbornenes useful for forming pervaporation membranes, the membranes themselves and methods of making such membranes.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: The present invention relates to high cut-off hemodialysis membranes for the treatment of chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients, with the potential to improve long-term survival of these patients by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, through down-regulation of monocyte activation in the blood. Monocytes are the major circulating blood cells involved in the progression of cardiovascular disease. High cut-off hemodialysis in chronic dialysis patients results in a sustained decrease in expression of monocyte cell-surface proteins that direct the movement of these cells from the blood to the walls of blood vessels, where they promote the progression of arterial disease (atherosclerosis) that leads to cardiovascular disease (CVD); heart disease, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: A hybrid porous structured material may include a matrix including a plurality of first pores interconnected in three dimensions, and a porous material including second pores and filling wholly or partially each of the plurality of the first pores.

Abstract: A filtration membrane (4) including a porous base layer (8) arranged adjacent to a filtration layer (6) having pores (10) extending through the filtration layer (6) is provided. The filtration layer is electrically conductive and at least one compound (24, 26) is attached on the filtration layer (6), thereby providing a protective surface layer (40). The at least one compound (24, 26) is configured to be at least partially cleaved off of the filtration layer (6) by a predefined cleave-off process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a nanosieve composite membrane, a method for preparing a nanosieve composite membrane, a roll-to-roll apparatus for carrying out the method, and a method for separating a feed flow with particulate matter. The nanosieve composite of the invention comprises an inorganic nanosieve layer supported on a porous polymer membrane substrate and a metallic adhesion layer or underlayer between the inorganic nanosieve layer and the polymer substrate, wherein said polymer membrane comprises an inorganic coating such that the polymeric support is sandwiched between the inorganic coating and the inorganic sieve layer, and wherein said inorganic nanosieve layer has an average pore diameter as determined by scanning electron microscopy of 200 nm or less.

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

Abstract: A method of forming a forward osmosis membrane having a porous substrate and a rejection layer is provided. The method comprises a) forming a thin film of a polymer solution on a suitable substrate, wherein the polymer solution contains at least one polymer and optionally one or more additives in a suitable solvent, b) immersing the thin film in a coagulant bath to form the porous substrate; and c) forming a rejection layer on the porous substrate. A forward osmosis membrane is also provided.

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

Abstract: The present invention is a technique to fabricate thin-film composite perm-selective membranes by a transfer method. The composite membranes are useful in separating liquid, vapor or gaseous mixtures by selective permeation and reduce mass transfer resistance of the support layer. Selectivity and flux are improved by reduction of the mass transfer resistance of the support layer.

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

Abstract: A membrane distillation system is provided for distilling liquids. The membrane distillation system includes a heat generating means for heating a non-distilled liquid. The membrane distillation system further includes a microporous membrane that is asymmetric and vapor permeable. The microporous membrane includes a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer. The membrane distillation system further includes a supply means for delivering the heated non-distilled liquid to the hydrophilic layer of the microporous membrane. A collection means is further provided for collecting distilled liquid from the hydrophobic layer of the microporous membrane. A method of fabricating the microporous membrane for use in the membrane distillation system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a semipermeable hollow fiber membrane having an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface and an interior lumen extending along the length thereof and having the selective layer on the outer wall surface with a surface roughness below 10 nm. According to the invention the membrane has the smallest pore size on the outer wall surface, and has an outer wall surface which is smooth, continuous and homogeneous in a nanoscopic scale and four to five distinct layers of different pore size and density. Further the present invention concerns a process for manufacturing thereof and the use thereof.

Abstract: A nano porous membrane having a uniform array of nanopores etch-formed in a thin film structure (e.g. (100)-oriented single crystal silicon) having a predetermined thickness, by (a) using interferometric lithography to create an etch pattern comprising a plurality array of unit patterns having a predetermined width/diameter, (b) using the etch pattern to etch frustum-shaped cavities or pits in the thin film structure such that the dimension of the frustum floors of the cavities are substantially equal to a desired pore size based on the predetermined thickness of the thin film structure and the predetermined width/diameter of the unit patterns, and (c) removing the frustum floors at a boundary plane of the thin film structure to expose, open, and thereby create the nanopores substantially having the desired pore size.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: a microporous film formed of a crystalline polymer, which has a plurality of pores; and a hydrophilic polymer containing a hydroxyl group, which covers exposed surfaces of the microporous film, wherein the plurality of pores have a larger average pore diameter at a first surface of the film than the average pore diameter at a second surface of the film, and the average pore diameter of the pores continuously changes from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: Polymer composite membranes containing mesoporous particles which function in part as reinforcing agents, modifiers of polymer surface polarity, and membrane structure modifiers are provided. The composites provide superior resistance to internal damage and pore compaction, increased permeability to water with retention of separation fidelity, and resistance to chemical degradation and mechanical wear, along with minimal shedding of the reinforcing particles under applied pressure. These improvements in properties are particularly desirable for the water purification by membrane filtration methods.

Abstract: A porous membrane can include a nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses blend polymer membranes comprising thermally rearranged polymers derived from aromatic polyimides containing ortho-positioned functional groups and methods for making and using these blend polymer membranes. The blend polymer membranes described in the current invention are prepared by heat treatment of blend polymer membranes comprising aromatic polyimides containing ortho-positioned functional groups such as —OH or —SH groups. In some instances, an additional crosslinking step is performed to improve the selectivity of the membrane. These blend polymer membranes have improved flexibility, reduced cost, improved processability, and enhanced selectivity and/or permeability compared to the comparable polymer membranes that comprise a single polymer.

Abstract: Two-dimensional material based filters, their method of manufacture, and their use are disclosed. The filters may include at least one active layer disposed on a porous substrate. The at least one active layer may include intrinsic and/or intentional formed pores. In some embodiments, the flow resistance of the porous substrate may be selected to limit flow through defects and intrinsic pores in the at least one active layer.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, that provides enhanced oxygen delivery and supply to cells without the need for stirring or sparging. Oxygen diffusion occurs on both sides of the culture vessel, top and bottom. A gas-permeable membrane that includes perfluorocarbons in its composition allows for the rapid, enhanced and uniform transfer of oxygen between the environment of cells or tissues contained in the cell culture container apparatus and the atmosphere of the incubator in which the cell culture apparatus is incubated.

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: A method, and system, to induce remission in diseases characterized by excess production of sTNR and interleukin 2 has been developed. In the most preferred embodiment, the system consists of antibodies to sTNFR1, sTNFR2 and sIL2R immobilized in a column containing a material such as SEPHAROSE™. The patient is connected to a pheresis machine which separates the blood into the plasma and red cells, and the plasma is circulated through the column until the desired reduction in levels of sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and IL2 is achieved, preferably to less than normal levels. In the preferred method, patients are treated three times a week for four weeks. This process can be repeated after a period of time. Clinical studies showed reduction in tumor burden in patients having failed conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Abstract: Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.