Abstract: A method for deionization of a solution, the method comprising functionalizing plural apertures of a graphene sheet to repel first ions in the solution from transiting through the functionalized plural apertures. The non-transiting first ions influence second ions in the solution to not transit through the functionalized plural apertures. The graphene sheet is positioned between a solution flow path input and a solution flow path output. Solution enters the solution flow path input and through the functionalized plural apertures of the graphene sheet, resulting in a deionized solution on the solution flow path output side of the graphene sheet and a second solution containing the first ions and second ions on the solution flow path input side of the graphene sheet.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a parameter of a fluidic sample by microdialysis, the device comprising a permeable membrane, wherein the permeable membrane has a first surface to be brought in contact with the fluidic sample to traverse the permeable membrane (300), wherein the permeable membrane has a second surface to be brought in contact with a dialysis fluid, and wherein the first surface is smoother than the second surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filtration module having at least one membrane layer and a spacer layer, wherein the spacer includes: a polymeric matrix; and a biocide physically embedded into or attached to the polymeric matrix. Moreover, the invention provides a method for reducing the concentration of bacteria in water, by contacting water with the filtration module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation membrane for water treatment having high water flux and membrane contamination preventing characteristics, and a manufacturing method thereof. The separation membrane for water treatment according to the present invention includes a nanofiber wherein the separation membrane has a surface electric charge. According to the present invention, a separation membrane for water treatment having high water flux and membrane contamination preventing characteristics, and a manufacturing method thereof may be implemented.

Abstract: A method for producing a component, and a component, in particular a micromechanical and/or microfluidic and/or microelectronic component, is provided, the component including at least one patterned material region, and in a first step the patterned material region is produced in that microparticles of a first material are embedded in a matrix of a second material, and in a second step the patterned material region is rendered porous by etching using a dry etching method or a gas-phase etching method.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophilic membranes which are supplemented or treated with a non-ionic surfactant and processes for preparing such membranes. The membranes are particularly suitable for plasma separation or for haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration, but can also advantageously be used in other applications. Accordingly, the invention is further directed to the use of such membranes for plasma separation, plasma filtration, micro filtration, plasma therapy, haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration or cell filtration applications, respectively. The treated hydrophilic membranes show excellent biocompatibility, such as reduced platelet drop and decreased TAT levels.

Abstract: Hydrophobic, asymmetric membranes are formed integrally from elastomeric polymers. The membranes have a dense, discriminating layer and a thick, porous support layer and require no other support. The membranes of the invention provide an economic advantage over prior art composite membranes used for separating target organics from a mixture. Using the methods of the invention it is possible to separate two or more organic components wherein discrimination is made on the basis of molecular size.

Abstract: A separation membrane is provided containing hydrophilic molecules and having, as formed on at least one surface of a feed side and a permeate side thereof, a height difference of from 80 ?m to 2000 ?m, in which a weight of the hydrophilic molecules in a bone-dry separation membrane is from 0.1% to 40% based on a weight of the bone-dry separation membrane from which the weight of the hydrophilic molecules has been subtracted.

Abstract: A dope solution for membrane production comprising polyethersulfone having high strength, high water permeability, a high rejecting ability and excellent contamination resistance, a separation membrane, and a process for producing the separation membrane are provided. The dope solution for membrane production contains a polyethersulfone and a solvent for thermally induced phase separation selected from the group consisting of 3-pyridinemethanol, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one, 4-benzylpiperidine, trimethyl phosphate, 1,3-dioxolane-2-one and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a porous nanoscale membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane can be used as a filtration device to screen agents that disrupt or prevent molecular interactions. In one embodiment, the membrane allows for screening agents that disrupt or prevent molecular interactions using a small sample volume with efficient high-throughput screening applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the number of leukocytes in blood through treating the blood in an arrangement of a plurality of fibers based on organic polymers, whereby the blood is channeled along the fibers and whereby the reduction in leukocytes from the blood occurs essentially through adsorption on the fibers, characterized in that the plurality of fibers based on organic polymers is fixed in a housing with an inlet arrangement and an outlet arrangement, and that the blood is channeled via the inlet arrangement into the housing, flows through the housing with the plurality of fibers made from organic polymers, and exits the housing via the outlet arrangement, that the arrangement of the fibers shows a high degree of order, that the blood flows along the external surface of the fibers, and that the fibers cause a generation of the complement activation product C5a in a concentration of at least 10 ?g per m2 of fiber surface.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is described. The treatment system can include an aerobic digestion system, an anaerobic digestion system, and a ventilation system.

Abstract: A filter device including at least one filter chamber between a filter plate and a counter plate when the device is closed, into which chamber a suspension can be inducted on a cake side of a filter cloth through at least one filling shoe anchored in the filter plate and clamping the cloth with the filter plate in a sealing manner. The suspension permeates the cloth to the filtrate side, wherein the suspension solid content deposits on the cloth as a filter cake, and the filter and counter plates are offset from each other when the device is open, and the cake is removable from the chamber. In order to simplify the disassembly of the cloth, the shoe is movably anchored in the filter plate, and the shoe is automatically lifted off from the filter plate and the clamping of the filter cloth is released when the device is opened.

Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic compounds, especially polar compounds such as alcohols. The processes include a membrane-based dehydration step, using a membrane that has a dioxole-based polymer selective layer or the like and a hydrophilic selective layer, and can operate even when the stream to be treated has a high water content, such as 10 wt % or more. The processes are particularly useful for dehydrating ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules including membrane sheets with regions (70,72) having different permeabilities. Said regions are arranged either axially or radially or both.

Abstract: A nanoporous material is disclosed having a plurality of lamellae. Through each lamella is an array of penetrating pores. Adjacent lamellae are spaced apart by an intervening spacing layer. The spacing layer comprises an array of spacing elements integrally formed with and extending between the adjacent lamellae. The spacing layer has interconnected porosity extending within the spacing layer. Such a nanoporous material can be manufactured using block copolymer materials. First, a morphology is formed comprising a three dimensional array of isolated islands in a continuous matrix. The islands are formed of at least one island component of the block copolymer and the matrix is formed of at least one matrix component of the block copolymer. Next, channels are formed in the matrix between at least some of the islands. The island component is then selectively removed to leave the matrix with an array of interconnected pores.

Abstract: Microfiltration membranes achieve high retention of bacteria and viruses by pore-size exclusion by the diameters of the fibers in the scaffold layer. The membranes have a high permeation flux as compared with conventional commercial micro filtration membranes under the same applied pressure. Ultra-fine nanofibers (fiber diameters from 3 nanometers to 50 nanometers and lengths from about 100 nanometers to about 5000 nanometers) are infused into, or deposited onto the surface of fibrous filtration media. Negatively charged ultra-fine nanofibers can include polysaccharide nanofibers prepared by a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)INaBrINaCIO oxidation system in aqueous solution. Ultra-fine polysaccharide nanofibers having a large number of carboxylate groups are produced. (0.7-1.0 mmol/g cellulose) The carboxylate groups are negatively charged, and can interact with positively charged polymers/molecules by forming a complex.

Abstract: A gel film or an isolated gel film comprising sheets of graphene or chemically converted graphene at least partially separated by a dispersion medium, such as water, and arranged in a substantially planar manner to form an electrically conductive matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separation membrane having a plurality of concavoconvex parts which have a height difference of from 100 ?m to 2000 ?m and are formed on at least one surface of the separation membrane, in which an average value d1 of a minimum thickness and an average value d2 of a maximum thickness in the concavoconvex parts satisfy the following relational expression 0.8?d1/d2?1.0.

Abstract: Example embodiments herein relate to a semi-permeable film including a nanoporous material and a polymer matrix. The nanoporous material includes a nanoporous core and a coating layer that is disposed on a surface of the nanoporous core. The coating layer may include a particle selected from a metal hydroxide particle, a metal oxide particle, and a combination thereof. A separation membrane may include the semi-permeable film. Example embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing the semi-permeable film and the separation membrane.

Abstract: Stabilized surfactant-based membranes and methods of manufacture thereof. Membranes comprising a stabilized surfactant mesostructure on a porous support may be used for various separations, including reverse osmosis and forward osmosis. The membranes are stabilized after evaporation of solvents; in some embodiments no removal of the surfactant is required. The surfactant solution may or may not comprise a hydrophilic compound such as an acid or base. The surface of the porous support is preferably modified prior to formation of the stabilized surfactant mesostructure. The membrane is sufficiently stable to be utilized in commercial separations devices such as spiral wound modules. Also a stabilized surfactant mesostructure coating for a porous material and filters made therefrom. The coating can simultaneously improve both the permeability and the filtration characteristics of the porous material.

Abstract: Membranes with localized asymmetries, devices including the membranes, and methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high performance polybenzoxazole membranes prepared from aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) membranes by thermal cyclization and a method for using these membranes. The polybenzoxazole membranes were prepared by thermal treating aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) membranes in a temperature range of 200° to 550° C. under inert atmosphere. The aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) membranes used for making the polybenzoxazole membranes were prepared from aromatic poly(o-hydroxy amide) polymers comprising pendent phenolic hydroxyl groups ortho to the amide nitrogen in the polymer backbone. In some embodiments of the invention, the polybenzoxazole membranes may be subjected to an additional crosslinking step to increase the selectivity of the membranes.

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

Abstract: A grafted nonwoven substrate is disclosed having average fiber sizes of 0.7 to 15 microns, and a void volume of 50 to 95%, and a polymer comprising cationic aminoalkyl(meth)acryloyl monomer units grafted to the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The article may be used as a filter element to purify or separate target materials, such as oligonucleotides or monoclonal antibodies (MAb), from a fluid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioartificial devices and systems that mimic kidney or nephron function and methods of making them.

Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. A first surface charge material is deposited on an end portion of the nanochannels. The first surface charge material includes a surface charge to electrostatically influence ions in an electrolytic solution such that the nanochannels reflect ions back into the electrolytic solution while passing a fluid of the electrolytic solution. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.

Abstract: A micro fluidic system comprising at least one tube (1), a membrane (3) and at least one fitting member (4). The fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and an end part (2) of the tube(s) (1), thereby fitting the membrane (3) to the end part(s) (2). The fitting member(s) (4) is/are made from a shrinkable material, and it/they is/are fitted tightly around the membrane (3) end part(s) (2). This is obtained by causing the shrinkable material to shrink, e.g. by heating the material, while the fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and the end part(s) (2). It is an advantage that the fitting member (4) is made from a shrinkable material because this provides the possibility of fitting the membrane (3) tightly to the end part(s) (2) in an easy and cost effective manner. The micro fluidic system is very suitable for use in a probe, such as a dialysis probe. Also claimed is a method of manufacturing the micro fluidic system.

Abstract: Hydrophilic porous substrates, methods of making hydrophilic porous substrates from hydrophobic polymers are disclosed.

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 renal therapy blood cleaning system includes: a blood filtering device in communication with an extracorporeal circuit; a first pump configured to pump fluid to the blood filtering device; a second pump configured to pump fluid from the blood filtering device; a balance chamber in fluid communication with first and second lines, the first and second lines in fluid communication with the first and second pumps, respectively, the balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and spent fluid; a plurality of valves; and a control scheme programmed to operate the plurality of valves to enable spent fluid taken from the balancing chamber through one of the first and second lines to be recirculated to the balance chamber through the other of the first and second lines to compensate for a volume of fresh fluid delivered to the blood filtering device.

Abstract: A separation membrane is usable in a water treatment apparatus that performs water treatment using a reverse osmosis membrane. The separation membrane includes a plurality of island-like portions and a plurality of fiber-like portions extending from the island-like portions and having a width smaller than that of the island-like portions, and an area of the fiber-like portions at a membrane surface is set to be larger than that of the island-like portions. A water treatment unit includes: a casing; the aforementioned separation membrane mounted in the casing; and a cleaning device attached to the casing and capable of cleaning the separation membrane. The water treatment apparatus includes: a first water treatment unit capable of performing pretreatment of water to be treated; and a second water treatment unit capable of performing main treatment of the water to be treated. The first water treatment unit includes the aforementioned water treatment unit.

Abstract: A spherical dialysis chamber with a heavier cap (the density of cap material is higher than that of the dialyzer) or the distribution of weight is such that it is higher weight distribution is towards the cap, so that it tilts always towards the bottom of the container containing the dialysis buffer.

Abstract: The invention relates to oil-tolerant water-filtration membranes comprising a microporous hydrogel coated on a porous polymeric support membrane, useful in separating hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon emulsions from a water sample. The oil-tolerant water-filtration membranes comprising a hydrophilic microporous crosslinked polymeric hydrogel coated on at least one side of a porous polymeric support membrane. The water-filtration membrane having a first face corresponding to the discrimination layer and a second face corresponding to the porous support, applying pressure to a water solution, having at least one solute, at the first face of the water-filtration membrane, and collecting purified water at the second face of water-filtration membrane. Polymeric membranes have many advantages over ceramics, including inexpensive manufacture and the ability to be manufactured into very compact (high surface area) elements.

Abstract: An inorganic membrane having an improved pore structure. The membrane has a mean pore size of up to about 100 nm and a mean particle size in a range from about 10 nm to about 100 nm. In one embodiment, the membrane comprises ?-alumina and is formed by providing a coating slip comprising ?-alumina; applying the coating slip to a support surface to form a coating layer; drying the coating layer; and firing the dried coating layer at a temperature of at least about 1000° C. to convert at least a portion of the ?-alumina to ?-alumina and form the inorganic membrane.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method for separating a liquid mixture in which a permeation performance enhances, and a composition of the liquid mixture containing a hydrocarbon liquid and an alcohol liquid at supply and a composition after membrane permeation are changed by a separating operation, and a device for separating a liquid mixture. The liquid mixture containing the hydrocarbon liquid and the alcohol liquid is used as a supply mixture liquid, and at least part of the supply mixture liquid is, in a liquid state, brought into contact with a membrane supply side of a separation membrane, and discharged in a vapor state through a membrane permeation side of the separation membrane, whereby a composition of a mixture vapor which is balanced with the supply mixture liquid becomes different from a composition of a vapor on the membrane permeation side.

Abstract: Versions of the invention include electron beam treated microporous halocarbon membranes, particularly fluoro-carbon membranes, and methods for treating one or more surfaces of a polymeric porous halocarbon membrane with electron beams. The modified porous membrane is stable, resists dewetting, and retains its mechanical properties and chemical inertness.

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: Described herein is a method for altering the characteristics of a membrane comprising a dielectric material. The method comprises heating the membrane and applying an electric field in a direction out of the plane of the membrane to at least a portion of the dielectric material. At least a portion of the dielectric material becomes aligned with the applied electric field. In some embodiments, the membrane is piezoelectric and application of an electric signal to the membrane causes out of plane movement of the membrane. Also disclosed are membranes and systems and apparatuses comprising such membranes.

Abstract: There is provided a zeolite separation membrane-provided article having gaps or pores larger than pores inherent to zeolite crystals and controlled within an appropriate range and being capable of achieving both high permeability and high separability for components with small difference in adsorption properties or a component having a smaller molecular diameter than the diameter of the pores, a method for producing the same, a method for separating mixed fluids, and a device for separating mixed fluids. The zeolite separation membrane-provided article is provided with a zeolite membrane having an N2 gas permeation speed at room temperature of 1.0×10?6 mol·m?2·s?1·Pa?1 or more and a permeation speed ratio of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene/N2 at room temperature of 0.17 or more and being free from dyeing caused by the impregnation with Rhodamine B.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separation membrane comprising—an elongated substrate having fluid permeability and a separation layer formed at the surface of said substrate—wherein the aforementioned separation layer comprises a predetermined thickness section having a predetermined thickness and thin sections each positioned on the outside of both edges in the widthwise direction of said predetermined thickness portion and having a thinner thickness than the aforementioned predetermined thickness, and there is a separation-layer-lacking section, at which only the aforementioned substrate is present and the aforementioned separation layer is absent, between the outside edges in the widthwise direction of each of said thin sections and the outer edges in the widthwise direction of the aforementioned substrate. The separation membrane can be produced by using coating bar having a protrusion on both the left and right ends of the surface that contacts a macromolecule solution for forming the separation layer.

Abstract: The nanocomposite membrane includes a composite of carbon nanotubes coated or chemically bonded with metal oxide nanoparticles. This composite is embedded within a polymeric matrix via interfacial polymerization on a polysulfone support. The metal oxide particles are selected to exhibit catalytic activity when filtering pollutants from water in a water treatment system, or for separating a gas from a liquid, or for selectively separating particles or ions from solution for reverse osmosis (e.g., for desalination systems), or other filtration requirements. A method of fabricating the nanocomposite membrane is also included herein.

Abstract: A method for separating electrolyte-containing water from an organic phase by means of permeation on a hydrophobic separating means. The permeated organic solution is substantially depleted in water and the retained water is enriched with electrolytes.

Abstract: A grafted nonwoven substrate is disclosed having average fiber sizes of 0.7 to 15 microns, and a void volume of 50 to 95%, and a polymer comprising cationic aminoalkyl(meth)acryloyl monomer units grafted to the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The article may be used as a filter element to purify or separate target materials, such as oligonucleotides or monoclonal antibodies (MAb), from a fluid mixture.

Abstract: A grafted nonwoven substrate is disclosed having average fiber sizes of 0.7 to 15 microns, and a void volume of 50 to 95%, and a polymer comprising anionic monomer units grafted to the surface of the nonwoven substrate. The article may be used as a filter element to purify or separate target materials, such as monoclonal antibodies (MAb), from a fluid mixture.

Abstract: A system for liver dialysis makes use of a high cut-off hemodialysis membrane for removing water-soluble and protein-bound toxins from the blood of a person in need. A high cut-off hollow fiber hemodialysis membrane has improved potential to remove albumin-bound toxins and inflammatory mediators.

Abstract: A method of improving the blood compatibility of a blood-contacting surface includes immobilizing carbonic anhydrase on the surface, wherein the surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the surface based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a UV irradiation assisted method of surface modification, which comprises: introducing a functional group L onto the surface of a polymer material P through the photochemical reaction of a photosensitive group X under UV irradiation, wherein the photosensitive group X comprises at least one xanthone unit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods to use nanoparticles as non-optical tags for detecting a change in mass. chemical sensing or bio-sensing events or reaction upon conjugation of nanoparticles onto a thermoresistor heat sensor. Particularly described is the use of metal nanoparticles in thermal sensors, thermal bio-sensors, and sensing pixel arrays for multiple analyte sensing. In addition, an asymmetric filter is disclosed that allows size separation of molecules from nanoparticles. The asymmetric filter is a porous membrane that is designed to have a small pore size in one size and a large pore size on the other side.

Abstract: A particulate filter is provided for passing through select permeate particles in a fluid medium from inflow to outflow regions while restraining reticulate particles. The filter includes a coarse-grain ceramic porous substrate, an intermediate-grain porous ceramic layer, a fine-grain ceramic porous membrane, and a channel there-through. The substrate opens into the outflow region as an outflow cavity. The intermediate-grain porous ceramic layer is disposed on the substrate. The fine-grain ceramic porous membrane is disposed on the layer and opens into the inflow region containing the medium as an inflow cavity. The channel directionally expands and connects the inflow and outflow cavities together by a substantially funnel-shape passage. The inflow cavity permits the permeate particles and the medium but obstructs the reticulate particles.