Abstract: A nanocarbon immobilized membrane (NCIM) is disclosed. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane is sized to purify different organic-water mixtures. The nanocarbon immobilized membrane can be used to purify solvents, fuels, and other organic compounds. Data using heptane-water, octane-water, fuel-water, and paint thinner-water show 99.9% separation efficiency. High organic flux is also seen at relatively low pressure. This approach has numerous applications, including fuel purification, oil spills clean-up, separation of commercial emulsions, and solvent purification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a porous membrane having high water permeability and hydrophilicity, which is not easily affected by a treatment such as washing, the method including: preparing, as a substrate, a membrane having a plurality of pores, which includes a water-insoluble resin such as polysulfone and a water-soluble resin including a monomer unit of polyvinylpyrrolidone or a monomer unit of polyvinyl alcohol; and irradiating the substrate with an electron beam in the presence of an aqueous solvent to crosslink at least a part of the water-soluble resin.

Abstract: In a water treatment system, a pretreatment chemical is added to water stream in a pretreatment process including a coagulation, flocculation and separation to reduce amount of dissolved and/or particulate matter in the water stream. Hydrophobic conditions in the water stream are monitored upstream or downstream from adding the pretreatment chemicals. Dosing of the pretreatment chemical to the water stream is controlled based on the monitored hydrophobic conditions. Thereby a membrane fouling in subsequent membrane filtration stage can be minimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a highly aligned and closely packed electrospun fiber assembly, wherein the fibers have at least an extension part or pore on the surface thereof. The invention also relates to a microtube array membrane (MTAM), comprising fiber assembly of the present disclosure. The invention also relates to the applications of these electrospun fiber assemblies in biological applications, and method of manufacturing these electrospun fiber assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a porous film through aqueous phase separation, the method comprising: i) providing an aqueous solution comprising a responsive copolymer, and optionally a charged polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers in the responsive copolymer is a responsive monomer; ii) forming the aqueous solution into a thin layer and contacting the thin layer of aqueous solution with an aqueous coagulation solution in which the responsive copolymer is not soluble, or contacting the thin layer of aqueous solution with an aqueous coagulation solution in which a complex comprising the responsive copolymer and the charged polymer is not soluble; and iii) allowing solvent exchange between the aqueous solution and the aqueous coagulation solution to produce a porous film. The invention further relates to porous films or membranes thus obtained.

Abstract: Isoporous block copolymers of cross-linked structures, and methods of preparing, which are resistant to harsh solvent conditions from organic, acidic or basic materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A polyarylene ether copolymer comprising i) at least one block comprising in polymerized form A) isosorbide, isomannide, isoidide or a mixture thereof and B) at least one unit comprising at least one difunctional compound comprising at least one dichlorodiaryl sulfone, a dichlorodiaryl ketone or a mixture thereof and ii) at least one block comprising in polymerized form C) at least one polyalkylene oxide, a process for its preparation and its use in the preparation of coatings, films, fibers, foams, membranes or molded articles.

Abstract: Treatment methods for reduction of (1?3)-?-D-glucan leachables from cellulose-containing filter materials are described.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes as may be used in separating gaseous materials from one another and methods of forming the membranes are described. The separation membranes include polymer-grafted nanoparticles (GNPs) as a platform and a relatively small amount of free polymer. The free polymer and the polymer grafted to the nanoparticles have the same chemical structure and similar number average molecular weights. The gas separation membranes can exhibit high ideal selectivity and can be used in a variety of applications, such as carbon capture.

Abstract: When a polymer gel has excellent mechanical strength and an ability to maintain surface wetness for a longer time, the polymer gel may be very widely applied to a variety of fields. The present disclosure provides example embodiments of a polymer gel having excellent mechanical strength and an ability to maintain surface wetness for a longer time. Further, the present disclosure provides example embodiments of a method of preparing the polymer gel.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature responsive adsorbent prepared by immobilizing a copolymer containing at least N-isopropylacrylamide to a base material surface. The copolymer has at least a strong cation exchange group. In addition, the copolymer contains the strong cation exchange group in an amount of 0.01 to 5 mol % relative to N-isopropylacrylamide in terms of monomer.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature responsive adsorbent prepared by immobilizing a copolymer containing at least N-isopropylacrylamide to a base material surface. The copolymer has at least a strong cation exchange group. In addition, the copolymer contains the strong cation exchange group in an amount of 0.01 to 5 mol % relative to N-isopropylacrylamide in terms of monomer.

Abstract: A method of making a monomer solution of styrene sulfonic acid or the pyridine salt of styrene sulfonic acid or mixtures of both in an organic solvent, said solution being suitable for producing cation exchange membranes. The method comprises the steps of dissolving a metal salt of styrene sulfonate in said organic solvent and pyridinium styrene sulfonate. The mixture solution is reacted under conditions that generate a salt byproduct precipitate and the reactant product solution is collected. Embodiments of the present invention provide for cation exchange membranes and processes for their manufacture. Membranes made by the processes described herein combine low resistance and high permselectivity which make them highly effective for membrane components in desalination of water by electrodialysis (ED), as a power generating sources in reverse electrodialysis and as separators in fuels cells.

Abstract: Gas separation membrane compositions including at least one crosslinked polymer, gas separation membranes made of such compositions, methods for making such gas separation membranes, and methods of using such membranes to separate gases are described. In one embodiment, the crosslinked polymer includes polyarylene ethers (PAE).

Abstract: To provide a reverse osmosis membrane where both salt rejection rate and water permeability required for wastewater treatment are achieved in a high level in spite of using the materials having excellent resistance to chemicals (resistance to alkali and to chlorine). A reverse osmosis membrane for wastewater treatment comprising a sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) polymer containing a constituting component represented by the following formula [I], characterized in that, in a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum where water molecules in the membrane are measured using the reverse osmosis membrane in a water-containing state, the relation between the chemical shift A (ppm) of spectral peak top derived from bound water and the chemical shift B (ppm) of spectral peak top derived from bulk water satisfies (B?0.36)?A<(B?0.30): wherein X is H or a univalent cationic species and n is an integer of 10 to 50.

Abstract: A membrane may include a polymer matrix and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, In Chemical Formula 1, A is a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C10 aromatic cyclic group, m is an integer of 0 to 5, and n is 0 or 1, provided that m and n are not simultaneously 0 (e.g., when A is an unsubstituted benzene group). A separation membrane for water treatment may include the membrane. A water treatment device may include the separation membrane for water treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a porous substrate at least partially coated with a coating layer prepared from curing a coating composition (C), the coating composition (C) comprising at least one curable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) polymer. The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing a composite as afore-described, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a coating composition (C) comprising at least one curable perfluoropolyether (PFPE) polymer; (b) depositing said coating composition (C) on a porous substrate; and (c) crosslinking said coating composition (C) to form a porous substrate at least partially coated.

Abstract: Membranes including functionalized carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds and/or graphene oxide immobilized in or on the membranes are disclosed. The membranes including the immobilized nanocarbons increase interactions with water vapor to improve desalination efficiency in membrane distillation. The membranes may be deployed in all modes of membrane distillation such as air gap membrane distillation, direct contact membrane distillation, vacuum membrane distillation and other separations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis membrane including a porous support including a polysulfone layer; and a polyamide active layer formed on the porous support, wherein a concentration of sulfur (S) detected on a surface of the polyamide active layer is 1.8×10?3 units or less on average or a concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) detected on the surface of the polyamide active layer is 7×10?3 units or less on average, and a method of manufacturing a reverse osmosis membrane, the method including forming a porous support; and forming a polyamide active layer on the porous support by interfacially polymerizing a polyfunctional amine solution including a carbodiimide compound, and a polyfunctional acid halide compound solution.

Abstract: A membrane including a polyarylnitrile copolymer is presented. The polyarylnitrile copolymer includes structural units having a formula (I) and at least one terminal group having a formula (II): wherein “a” is 0, 1, 2, or 3; “m” is an integer having a value of 35 to 150; R1 is independently at each occurrence a hyrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12 aromatic radical; R2 and R3 are independently a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12 aromatic radical; L is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and Ar is independently at each occurrence a residue of an aromatic diol or a residue of an aromatic dihalide.

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 polymeric membrane on a support, wherein the polymeric membrane includes a crosslinked polymer covalently bound to a molecular cage compound. An interfacial polymerization method for making the polymeric membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a filter that is modified by a polymer-carbon based nanomaterial nanocomposite intended to significantly enhance the performance of filtration, separation, and remediation of a broad variety of chemicals, heavy metal ions, organic matters, and living organisms. Polymeric materials, such as but not limited to poly-N-vinyl carbazole (PVK), are combined with (1) graphene (G) and/or graphene-like materials based nanomaterials and (2) graphene oxide (GO) chemically modified with a chelating agent such as but not limited to EDTA. The nanocomposite is homogenously deposited on the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high permeability, UV cross-linkable copolyimide polymers and membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations, as well as methods for making and using these membranes. The invention provides a process for separating at least one gas from a mixture of gases using the high permeability copolyimide membrane or the UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane, the process comprising: (a) providing a high permeability copolyimide membrane or a UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane which is permeable to said at least one gas; (b) contacting the mixture on one side of the high permeability copolyimide membrane or the UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane to cause said at least one gas to permeate the membrane; and (c) removing from the opposite side of the membrane a permeate gas composition comprising a portion of said at least one gas which permeated said membrane.

Abstract: A resilient anion exchange membrane including a porous matrix impregnated with a cross-linked homogenous ion-transferring polymer that fills the pores and substantially covers the surfaces of the porous matrix. The cross-linked homogenous ion-transferring polymer formed by polymerizing a homogeneous solution including (i) a hydrophilic ionic monomer selected from a group consisting of 3-methacryloylaminopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride, 3-acrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, 2-acryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof, with (ii) a hydrophobic cross-linking oligomer selected from a group consisting of polyurethane oligomer diacrylate, polyester oligomer diacrylate, epoxy oligomer diacrylate, polybutadiene oligomer diacrylate, silicone diacrylate, dimethacrylate counterparts thereof, polyurethane oligomers having three or more vinyl groups, polyester oligomers having three or more vinyl groups, and mixtures thereof.

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 in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a filtration material and a method for fabricating the same. The filtration material includes a supporting layer, and a composite layer, wherein the composite layer includes an ionic polymer and an interfacial polymer. Particularly, the ionic polymer and the interfacial polymer are intertwined with each other, resulting from ionic bonds formed between the ionic polymer and the interfacial polymer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane for blood processing having high blood compatibility and storage stability and membrane performance that rarely deteriorates even if irradiation sterilization treatment is applied, and provide a blood processing apparatus having the membrane installed therein. The present invention is also directed to providing a separation membrane for blood processing having satisfactory air-bleeding during priming treatment of the blood processing membrane, and providing a blood processing apparatus having the membrane installed therein. The present invention provides a separation membrane for blood processing, comprising a polysulfone polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and a polymer having a hydroxy group in a side chain and having a solubility of 0.5 g or less in water (100 g) at 20° C., in which the content of the polymer falls within a specific range, and a blood processing apparatus having the membrane installed therein.

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: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for gas separation and/or nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a separating layer with intrinsic microporosity. The separating layer is suitably formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. Suitably, at least one of the monomers used in the interfacial polymerisation reaction should possess concavity, resulting in a network polymer with interconnected nanopores and a membrane with enhanced permeability. The support membrane may be optionally impregnated with a conditioning agent and may be optionally stable in organic solvents, particularly in polar aprotic solvents. The top layer of the composite membrane is optionally capped with functional groups to change the surface chemistry. The composite membrane may be cured in the oven to enhance rejection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a water treatment membrane having high chlorine resistance and high permeability, the method including: forming an aqueous amine solution layer on a porous support, using an aqueous amine solution including a fluorine compound having an epoxy group in a terminal thereof and an amine compound; and forming a polyamide layer containing the fluorine compound by bringing an organic solution containing acyl halide into contact with the aqueous amine solution layer, and a water treatment membrane manufactured using the same.

Abstract: A method comprises disposing, on a porous support membrane, an aqueous mixture comprising a crosslinkable polymer comprising a poly(meth)acrylate and/or poly(meth)acrylamide backbone, thereby forming an initial film layer, wherein the crosslinkable polymer comprises a side chain nucleophilic amine group capable of interfacially reacting with a multi-functional acid halide crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked polymer; contacting the initial film layer with a mixture comprising i) the multi-functional acid halide crosslinking agent, ii) an optional accelerator, and iii) an organic solvent, the organic solvent being a non-solvent for the crosslinkable polymer; and allowing the crosslinkable polymer to interfacially react with the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a composite filtration membrane comprising an anti-fouling selective layer comprising the crosslinked polymer.

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: 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: The present disclosure describes an additive that may be used in the manufacture of thin-film polyamide composite membranes. Thin-film polyamide composite membranes are used in filtration processes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. The additive may be an amino-siloxane compound. The amino-siloxane compound includes repeated groups of silicon bonded to oxygen with at least one amine functional group. Optionally, the amino-siloxane compound may also include a hydrophilic group. The additive reacts with an aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a thin polyamide film on a porous substrate.

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: A polymeric membrane for separating oil from water has a pore size of 0.005 ?m to 5 ?m, a thickness of 50 ?m to 1,000 ?m, a water contact angle of 0° to 60°, an oil contact angle of 40° to 100°. The membrane contains a hydrophobic matrix polymer and a functional polymer that contains a hydrophobic backbone and side chains. The side chains each have an oleophobic terminal segment and a hydrophilic internal segment. The weight ratio of the matrix polymer to the functional polymer is 99:1 to 1:9. Also disclosed is a method of making the above described membrane.

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: A chlorine resistant polyamide is formed from the reaction product of an amine and an acid chloride monomer wherein both the amine and the acid chloride monomer are modified with electron-withdrawing groups that exhibit sufficient activity to (i) minimize any chlorination on both the amine and acid chloride and (ii) minimize N-chlorination. A membrane is made from the polyamide for use, for example, in a desalination unit.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide forming various polycycloalkyl polynorbornene polymers and copolymers which are useful for forming pervaporation membranes, the membranes themselves and methods of making such membranes.

Abstract: There is provided a reverse osmosis membrane including a porous support; a polysulfone layer formed on the porous support and having pores formed in a surface thereof, pores having a diameter of 40 nm or greater accounting for less than 0.5% of total pores; and an active layer.

Abstract: A conformal coating that resists fouling by waterborne contamination in aquatic environments, a method for fabricating the coating, and a filter having such a coating are disclosed. The coating comprises a hydrophilic polymer and a surfactant wherein the surfactant undergoes a phase change upon exposure to a saline solution. Also disclosed are in situ methods for regenerating anti-fouling filters having the fouling resistant coating.

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: [Problems] To provide a novel hydrophilized separation membrane for use in the treatment of a liquid, which comprises an aromatic ether polymer, is less likely to be degraded by sterilization with a high energy ray and has a controlled pore size and a high water permeability. [Means for Solving Problems] A porous separation membrane for use in the treatment of a liquid which is produced by a wet film formation process using an aromatic ether polymer and a hydrophilizing agent. The separation membrane can be used for medical purposes or in a pharmaceutical of food.

Abstract: A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing a resilient ion exchange membrane. The process comprises the steps of (1) selecting a porous matrix, (2) saturating the porous matrix with a homogenous solution comprising a mixture of: (i) a hydrophilic ionic monomer, (ii) a hydrophobic cross-linking oligomer and/or a comonomer, (iii) a free radical initiator, and (iii) a solvent for solubilizing the hydrophilic ionic monomer, the hydrophobic cross-linking oligomer and/or comonomer, and the free radical initiator into a homogenous mixture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane, the method including: forming a first coating layer by coating an aqueous amine solution on a surface of a microporous support to have a thickness of 20 ?m to 30 ?m; removing an excess of the aqueous amine solution from the microporous support; and forming a second coating layer by coating an aliphatic hydrocarbon-based organic solution including acyl halide on the first coating layer to have a thickness of 10 ?m to 30 ?m.

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: The present invention is directed to ultrafiltration membranes comprising a membrane substrate layer (S) based on a sulfonated polyaryleneethersulfone polymer and to a method for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to ultrafiltration processes making use of said membrane.

Abstract: Provided is a composite semipermeable membrane, comprising: a microporous support membrane which comprises a substrate and a porous support, and a polyamide separation functional layer formed on the microporous support membrane, wherein the polyamide has an irreversible heat absorption, which is measured using temperature modulated DSC, of 275 J/g or more at a temperature in the range of ?20 to 150° C. in the first heating process. Provided is a high-performance composite semipermeable membrane having high chemical durability, high water permeation and high rejection.