Abstract: A virus removal membrane includes cellulose, and a primary-side surface through which the protein-containing solution is to be applied and a secondary-side surface from which a permeate that has permeated the virus removal membrane is to be flowed, wherein a bubble point is 0.5 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less; and when a solution containing gold colloids having a diameter of 30 nm is applied through the primary-side surface to the virus removal membrane to allow the virus removal membrane to capture the gold colloids for measurement of brightness in a cross section of the virus removal membrane, a value obtained by dividing a standard deviation of a value of an area of a spectrum of variation in the brightness by an average of the value of the area of the spectrum of variation in the brightness is 0.01 or more and 0.30 or less.

Abstract: High permeability curly fibers with enhanced fiber strength are produced by mercerizing cellulosic fibers. The fibers have relatively high values for curl, kink level, wet tensile strength, and bulk density when compared with current fibers. The disclosed fibers can be used in a wide range of applications including paper products such as filters.

Abstract: A hand-carry gravity-driven water filter with high throughput and water disinfection performance is formed. Membranes used for this water filter can be fabricated using electrospun method and non-solvent induced phase inversion method. A novel composite membrane structure (interwoven composite structure) was designed for further enhances water permeability and mechanical strength. The composite membrane can be composed of nanofibers with different diameter from the same polymer or different polymers. Membrane porosity and surface pore size can be controlled. Silver nanoparticles can be in-situ loaded on the surface of the membranes. The developed filter is effective for removal of a wide range of contaminants (e.g., pathogens, suspended solids and heavy metals). The purification process can be carried out under the drive of gravity (with an option for mechanically-enhanced filtration) without electricity.

Abstract: A process includes removing air bubbles from extracorporeal blood via chemical entrapment of nitrogen (N2) gas.

Abstract: A thin film composite polyamide membrane having a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer comprising a reaction product of m-phenylene diamine (mPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC), characterized by the thin film polyamide layer having a critical strain value of less than 10%. In another embodiment, the thin film polyamide layer has a modulus of greater than 0.75 (GPa). In yet another embodiment, the thin film polyamide layer has an equilibrium swelling value of at least 45%. In another embodiment, the thin film polyamide layer has a thickness of at least 230 nm.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane including a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer characterized by having a dissociated carboxylate content of at least 0.45 moles/kg at pH 9.5 and a method for making a composite polyamide applying a polar solution comprising a polyfunctional amine monomer and a non-polar solution comprising a polyfunctional amine-reactive monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is characterized by the non-polar solution comprising at least 0.025 wt % of an acid compound including at least one carboxylic acid moiety and at least one amine-reactive moiety selected from acyl halide and anhydride.

Abstract: A thin film composite polyamide membrane comprising a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer characterized by possessing an azo (—N?N—) content of from 0.75% to 0.95%, as measured by pyrolysis gas chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane, in particular to a hollow fiber membrane comprising a membrane, comprising at least two layers, wherein the at least two layers each comprise at least one layer forming material comprising at least one polymer and the at least two layers differ from each other with respect to the layer forming material, wherein the at least two layers are at least partly covalently and delamination free bonded to each other. The present invention relates furthermore to a method of production of the said membrane as well as to its use.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane and a membrane made from the method are provided. The method comprises coupling a vesicle to a support substrate, the vesicle comprising a plurality of water channels; and partially embedding the vesicle coupled to the support substrate in a layer of material that is substantially impermeable to water to form the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphene derivative composite membrane and method for fabricating the same. The graphene derivative composite membrane comprises a support membrane made of porous polymer and a plurality of graphene derivative layers disposed on the support membrane wherein the distance between adjacent graphene derivative layers is about 0.3˜1.5 nm and the total thickness of the plurality of graphene derivative layers is more than 100 nm.

Abstract: A membrane filter 26 is disclosed comprising cellulous material 23 allowing the transition of fluid therethrough, and, in a substantially dry state, said membrane comprising also a salt of deoxycholic acid. Optionally, the air side of the membrane (the side facing away from the screen or belt used to manufacture the membrane) faces the sample fluid during use of the membrane. A method of manufacture of the membrane material is disclosed also, employing deoxycholic acid as a surfactant, to improve the recovery rate of the membrane filter in use.

Abstract: A hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane including cellulose acetate, characterized in that the filtration rate and the salt rejection rate when an aqueous solution having sodium chloride concentration of 1,500 mg/L is filtered from outer side to inner side of the hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane at 25° C. and 1.5 MPa pressure are 180 to 350 L/m2/day and 90.0 to 99.0%, respectively and the outer diameter, the inner diameter and the hollow rate of the hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane are 100 to 280 ?m, 50 to 200 ?m and 24 to 42%, respectively. The hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane preferably has a dense layer near the outer surface, and thickness of the dense layer is 0.1 to 7 ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel type of filter media that offers efficient disinfection effects, while achieving a low water pressure drop and a high water flow rate when in use. Specifically, the filter media of the invention comprises a microorganism-killing membrane containing electro spun nanofiber fabrics loaded with biocidal nano-particles. The filter media of the invention is adhesive-layer free and contains at least one thermal binding layer that are made of spunbonded nonwoven polymeric fabrics. The invention also provides a water-purification cartridge and a portable water system thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to an asymmetric composite membrane containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes within a single membrane layer, where the carbon nanotubes are randomly oriented within the polymeric matrix and the composite membrane is formed by phase inversion. This invention also relates to a method for producing the composite membrane which includes: coating a surface with a film of a polymer solution containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes dissolved in at least one solvent; immersing the coated surface in a non-solvent to affect solvent/non-solvent demixing resulting in phase inversion to form a carbon nanotube-containing membrane; and optionally, removing the carbon nanotube-containing membrane from the surface. The invention also relates to a desalination method using the composite membrane.

Abstract: A pore diffusion type flat membrane separation apparatus X including a plurality of flat membranes 7 and a plurality of flat plate-like supports 1 arranged alternately with each other, each flat membrane 7 defining a plurality of pores and configured to separate a predetermined dispersed substance contained in a solution by a pore diffusion technique, each flat plate-like support 1 having a flow conduit 2 on one or both faces thereof. A ratio between a spatial volume of the flow conduit 2 and a membrane area of the flat membrane 7 is set from 0.04 to 0.4 cm. The flat plate-like support 1 includes, in at least two positions in a lateral face thereof; water conduits 3 in communication with the flow conduit 2, so that flow directions of the solution in the flow conduits 2 of upper and lower flat plate-like supports 1 across the flat membrane 7 may be substantially same directions. The flat plate-like support 1 and the flat membrane 7 can be assembled with and disassembled from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sugar-immobilized polymer substrate for removing a virus, the polymer substrate allowing efficient removal of a hepatitis virus or the like in a fluid, and a method for removing a virus. In particular, the present invention provides a sugar-immobilized polymer substrate for removing a hepatitis virus or the like, the polymer substrate allowing, in the case of an application to blood of a living body, reduction in the amount of blood taken out of the body, reduction in the removal amount of blood useful components, low invasiveness, and shortening of the operation cycle; and a method for removing a virus. A hollow fiber membrane according to the present invention can be used as a module having a function of effectively removing a virus and a function of not removing useful plasma components.

Abstract: Membranes are made from polymers and heat treated so that they have at least two zones with pores of different sizes. Pores with a smaller size have a lower molecular weight cut off than pores with a larger size. Zones with pores of different sizes may also be made by coating portions of membranes with polymer coatings. Membranes with pores of different sizes may be used in dialyzers for hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, and other hemodialysis procedures. The membranes may also be used in other separation processes.

Abstract: A separation membrane for water treatment, comprising a porous layer that is obtained by a phase separation method using a solution containing a resin and at least one of either an N,N-disubstituted isobutylamide or an N-monosubstituted isobutylamide.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous membrane, the method comprising: casting a polymer solution, in which a polymer is dissolved in a mixture of a good solvent, a poor solvent and a non-solvent, over a support, so as to form a casted polymer solution; drying the casted polymer solution, so as to form a cast film; and subjecting the cast film to a phase separation, wherein the porous membrane is produced under a condition where a temperature of a casted surface is lower than a temperature of the polymer solution, and each of a temperature change of the polymer solution and a temperature change of the casted surface is kept within ±3.0° C.

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: 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: Oligo- or polyurethane compounds of the formula (I) wherein k and n independently are numbers from 1 to 100, m is from the range 1-100, (X) is a block of formula (II) and (Y) is a block of the formula (III), (A) is a residue of an aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanate linker, (B) is a residue of a linear oligo- or polysiloxane containing alkanol end groups, and optionally further containing one or more aliphatic ether moieties, and (C) is an aromatic oligo- or polysulfone block, may advantageously be used as anti-adhesion additives in polymer compositions e.g. for membranes; related oligo- or polyurethanes wherein m is 0 are especially suitable for the preparation of antimicrobial water separation membranes.

Abstract: Provided is a semipermeable membrane having at least a separating functional layer, wherein azo compounds are retained in the separating functional layer, and the separating functional layer has a yellow index of 10 to 40. Also provided is a method of producing the semipermeable membrane. The present invention provides a semipermeable membrane having not only high water permeability but also high rejection performance even for substances that are nondissociative in the neutral range, such as boric acid, and showing high durability and a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: A fluorine resin polymer separation membrane and a manufacturing method of the same, which are excellent in a virus-eliminating property, further excellent in water permeability, chemical strength (chemical resistance), physical strength, and an antifouling property, and particularly suitable for practicable use as a filtration membrane for the elimination of viruses, are provided. A fluorine resin polymer separation membrane includes a layer having a three-dimensional network structure and a layer having a spherical structure, in which the layer having a three-dimensional network structure does not substantially contain micro-voids having a void diameter of 5 ?m or more, and the fluorine resin polymer separation membrane has filtration performance represented by the elimination rate of 80% or more of dextran having molecular weight of 75,000. The layer having a three-dimensional network structure is formed by the solidification with a polymer solution containing a fluorine resin polymer and cellulose ester.

Abstract: A spin column device, which contains a rigid porous filter that retains its shape during centrifugation, chromatography methods using the device to isolate a desired substance, e.g., a biological molecule, from other substances in a mixture, and kits containing the device with one or more reagents for use in the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a high flux, high salt rejection cellulose acetate desalination membrane. In this method, cellulose acetate polymer is dissolved in a first solvent such as methylene chloride or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran to produce a solution. Further steps involve stirring the solution, and thereafter permitting the solution to settle, for a time sufficient for a majority of the cellulose acetate to precipitate out of the solution to form a cellulose acetate precipitate. Next, the cellulose acetate precipitate is stirred into an excess methanol. Thereafter, the cellulose acetate is filtered out and used in making the desalination membrane.

Abstract: A spin column device, which contains a rigid porous filter that retains its shape during centrifugation, chromatography methods using the device to isolate a desired substance, e.g., a biological molecule, from other substances in a mixture, and kits containing the device with one or more reagents for use in the method.

Abstract: A separation membrane including a separation-functional layer is provided, wherein the separation-functional layer contains a polyvinylidene fluoride-type resin having a melt viscosity of 3,300 Pa·s or more, and also the separation-functional layer has a three-dimensional network structure. A separation membrane is provided having high virus removal performance, high pure water permeability, and high physical durability and high chemical strength, which can also be used in the field of water treatment.

Abstract: Described is the application of layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly techniques to electrospun nanofibers in order to fabricate novel, breathable electrospun fiber-based chemical and biological detoxifying protective fabrics and filters. The combination of layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly and electrospinning technique allows one to take advantage of high specific surface area, light weight and breathability of electrospun fiber mats while simultaneously providing the versatility to incorporate different functional polyelectrolytes to achieve multifunctional coatings for both chemical and biological protection together. The functionalized fiber mats can be incorporated into breathable chemical and biological protective fabrics, filters and masks. In addition, LbL electrostatic coating of porous non-woven materials provides the versatility to generate multifunctional polymer-based membrane materials for other applications.

Abstract: A charged porous polymeric membrane comprises a porous polymeric membrane substrate comprising a polymeric membrane material and a first polymer having a first functional group, the first polymer is compatible with the membrane material, and a charged polymer has a second functional group, the charged polymer can react with the first polymer to bond the charged polymer to the first polymer, forming a charged coating on the membrane outer and inner surfaces. The membrane may be a microporous or an ultrafiltration membrane. The membrane may be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or tubular membrane. Methods of manufacturing the membranes and method of using of the membranes to remove viral particles from contaminated water are further described.

Abstract: A membrane for gas separation includes a porous support layer and a separation layer. The separation layer comprises a mixture of one or more saccharide derivatives and one or more homopolymers. The saccharide derivative(s) may have a cyclic structure with five or six ring atoms, or a linear structure, or may include monosaccharide derivatives which are bound via glycoside bonds, and the number of monosaccharides bound in this manner may be 2 to 1,000. A membrane can be produced by preparing a homogeneous solution which comprises a saccharide derivative and a homopolymer in a solvent; and pouring the homogenous solution onto a support layer. The membrane may be used in a gas separation module the operation of which makes use of the membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a granulocyte adsorbent comprising a polymer compound having an unsubstituted hydroxyl group and a hydroxyl group in which H has been substituted with at least one substituent R, a method for producing such adsorbent, a device for adsorbing granulocytes and a system for removing granulocytes using such adsorbent, and body fluid or a cell suspension from which granulocytes have been removed using such adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses fluoropolymer coated membranes and methods for making and using these membranes. The fluoropolymer coated membranes described in the current invention are prepared by coating a porous asymmetric membrane layer with a thin layer of fluoropolymer coating. The porous asymmetric membrane layer comprises an asymmetric cellulosic membrane, an asymmetric polymer membrane, or an asymmetric molecular sieve/polymer mixed matrix membrane with a low selectivity and high permeance. The fluoropolymer coating improves the selectivity of the porous asymmetric membrane layer and maintains the membrane performance with time.

Abstract: A pore diffusion type flat membrane separation apparatus X including a plurality of flat membranes 7 and a plurality of flat plate-like supports 1 arranged alternately with each other, each flat membrane 7 defining a plurality of pores and configured to separate a predetermined dispersed substance contained in a solution by a pore diffusion technique, each flat plate-like support 1 having a flow conduit 2 on one or both faces thereof. A ratio between a spatial volume of the flow conduit 2 and a membrane area of the flat membrane 7 is set from 0.04 to 0.4 cm. The flat plate-like support 1 includes, in at least two positions in a lateral face thereof water conduits 3 in communication with the flow conduit 2, so that flow directions of the solution in the flow conduits 2 of upper and lower flat plate-like supports 1 across the flat membrane 7 may be substantially same directions. The flat plate-like support 1 and the flat membrane 7 can be assembled with and disassembled from each other.

Abstract: A method for preparing polymeric membranes is disclosed, which has the following steps: (a) forming a casting solution by dissolving cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polyether-sulfone (PES) in a solvent mixture containing n-methyl pyrroridone (NMP) and hydrogen chloride (HCl); (b) forming a membrane from said casting solution; and (c) recovering said membrane. The method of present invention provides an asymmetrical, microporous, polymeric membrane with a high recovery rate of nucleic acids and desirable bulk and surface properties. Also, the membrane so-produced is useful to the application of material separations by filtration and the like, especially the condensation of nucleic acids from a crude sample by filtration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of cellulose hydrate ultrafiltration membranes having improved filtration performance and the ultrafiltration membranes produced by the process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cellulosic microporous filtration membrane with upper and lower porous protective layers with a porous sponge-type intermediate layer between the two protective layers, wherein the sponge-type structure consists of two isotropic regions having different pore sizes.

Abstract: The invention relates to charged filtration membranes and their use for separation of a protein from solvent, low molecular weight solutes or a mixture of proteins. Modification of the membranes to generate charge includes modification of membrane pores to alter charge within a pore and alter the size of a pore. Consequently, the protein is separated from other solutes in a mixture based on size as well as net protein charge and membrane charge.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulose compound hollow fiber membrane having high mechanical strength and is hardly degraded by microorganisms, wherein a cellulose compound is comprised as a membrane material, the thickness of the membrane is 50 to 500 &mgr;m, a dense membrane surface having an average pore diameter of 0.001 to 0.05 &mgr;m exists on the internal and/or external surface thereof, the inside of the membrane is composed of a three-dimensional network-like porous structure having voids with an average pore diameter of 0.05 to 2 &mgr;m, and 70% by weight or more of the membrane material is cellulose acetate propionate or cellulose acetate butyrate.

Abstract: A pore plugging material, for pH dependent membrane diffusion, in which cyclic olefins having phosphazene-functional moieties provide predictable erosion properties when used to plug pores in separation barriers and other porous membranes. Specific properties of the polymers are dependent on several factors, including molecular weight and identity of side groups attached to the phosphazene moiety. However, as a class, phosphazene-functional cyclic olefins provide both predictable erodibility and uniformly benign hydrolysis products and are, therefore, uniquely suitable as pore plugging polymers for separation barriers and membranes of all kinds. The invention, therefore, embraces the provision of a pH-sensitive erodible pore plugging material for pores in separation barriers and membranes of all kinds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer membranes for separating olefins from paraffins which have the similar molecular size and close boiling point. More particularly, it relates to a silver salt-containing facilitated transport membrane for olefin separation, and also a method for producing the same. An object of the present invention is to provide a silver salt-containing facilitated transport membrane for olefin separation having improved stability, and also a method for preparing the same, which exhibits no deterioration in membrane performance even when operated for an extended period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the removal of leucocytes from blood which comprises bringing blood that comprises infected leucocytes into contact with an adsorbent carrier that has a greater affinity for infected, activated and/or defective leucocytes than for uninfected leucocytes especially cellulose acetate. The method can be used in the apheresis treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic organisms, for example, HIV, HCV or malaria. It is especially useful for treatment of HIV.

Abstract: To provide a cellulose acetate semipermeable membrane having a high filtration rate and high mechanical strength and which is hardly degraded by microorganisms, the present invention provides a cellulose acetate semipermeable membrane containing a cellulose acetate having an &agr;-cellulose content of not less than 99% by weight, a 6 wt/vol % viscosity of 20 to 220 mPa·s at 25±1° C. and an acetylation degree of 58 to 62%. The cellulose acetate semipermeable membrane is suitable particularly as a hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: Novel solid phase reaction supports are disclosed. The solid phase reaction supports include (a) a solid phase carrier having a multiplicity of NH2 functional groups; (b) a coupling compound covalently bonded to an NH2 group of the solid phase carrier; and (c) a receptor compound coupled to the solid phase carrier through the coupling compound. The coupling compound is preferably ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid or a diketo compound structurally similar to ascorbic acid or dehydroascorbic acid. The solid phase carrier is preferably made of cellulose.

Abstract: Novel solid phase reaction supports are disclosed. The solid phase reaction supports include (a) a solid phase carrier having a multiplicity of NH2 functional groups of the Formula (I): in which R1 and R2 are each H, or R1 is H and R2 is an alkyl or acyl substituent with a degree of substitution ≦1 or R1 is an alkyl or acyl substituent with a degree of substitution ≦1, and R2 is H, or R1 and R2 are each a substituent with a degree of substitution ≦2 and R3 is an aromatic substituent containing at least one free amino group having a substitution degree ≦1; (b) a coupling compound covalently bonded to an NH2 group of the solid phase carrier; and (c) a receptor compound coupled to the solid phase carrier through the coupling compound.

Abstract: A method for producing a tobacco filter material which is either (A) a coating process for coating the surface of a fibrous or particulate cellulose with a cellulose ester having an average substitution degree of about 2.0 to about 2.6 to give a coated cellulose, and wet webbing the coated cellulose into a sheet, or (B) a treating process for treating a naturally-occurring or regenerated cellulose fiber or particle with an organic acid and an organic acid anhydride or organic acid halide in a liquid phase to give a cellulose derivative.

Abstract: Supported separation membranes are disclosed wherein the permselective membrane is integral with a polymeric support of non-woven fibers having a particular air permeability, the integral membranes exhibiting far superior lifetimes and retention capability, especially for microorganisms.