Abstract: The invention discloses a method for synthesizing hollow structured freestanding membrane having pore size of 2 to 200 nm which provides long-term stability that makes it viable for many practical applications such as protein separation and drug delivery.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that certain membranes, which include side chains or molecular “brushes” having, for example, tertiary amino functional groups, can be used as highly effective filters to capture viruses/virus particles from liquids without removal of proteins. New methods based on this discovery include removing viruses from liquids such as blood or plasma, removing viruses from pharmaceuticals, concentrating and/or purifying viruses, e.g., for use in gene therapy, and producing recombinant viruses in new bioreactors. The invention also includes new methods of therapy or adjunct therapy for viral infections, in which a patient's blood or plasma is filtered through the membranes to remove viruses to reduce the viral load. The invention also includes new bioreactors and viral filters containing the membranes.

Abstract: Measurement in the frequency range 3 mHz–106 Hz of the dielectric characteristics of emeraldine base polyaniline dissolved in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) and cast into bulk free-standing polymer films shows features similar to those reported by others and which are a result of microphase separation into reduced and oxidized repeat units. However, upon confinement into the cylindrical pores, of average diameter 20 nm, of a porous membrane such features of microphase separation do not occur. The microphase separation observed in the bulk polymer is suppressed by strong pinning of the charge carriers due to interactions of the polymer with pore walls together with constrained chain packing and a non-uniform rate of evaporation of the NMP solvent from the pores. This enhances the bulk conductivity after doping by reducing the internal intra-chain disorder introduced by microphase separation.

Abstract: A package assembly comprising a sealed water-impermeable bag enclosing: a spiral wound filtration element comprising a piperazine-based membrane, and an aqueous solution comprises a substantially non-oxidizable buffer having capacity to sequester at least 0.0025 moles per liter of hydrogen ions. The assembly preferably further includes a reducing agent. The assembly provides improved preservation for piperazine-based membranes and elements incorporating such membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the following: a method for step-by-step alkylation of primary polymeric amines by step-by-step deprotonation with a metallo-organic base and a subsequent reaction with an alkyl halide; a method for modifying tertiary polymeric amines with other functional groups; polymers with secondary/tertiary amino groups and with quaternary ammonium groups; polymers with secondary/tertiary amino groups and other functional groups, especially cation exchanger groupings; membranes consisting of the above polymers, either non-crosslinked or ionically or covalently cross-linked; acid-base-blends/membranes, and a method for producing same, consisting of basic polymers with polymers containing sulphonic acid, phosphonic acid or carboxyl groups; the use of ion exchanger polymers as membranes in membrane processes, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positively charged microporous membrane having a protein binding capacity of about 25 mg/ml or greater comprising a hydrophilic porous substrate and a crosslinked coating that provides a fixed positive charge to the membrane. The present invention further provides a positively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating comprising pendant cationic groups. The membranes of the present invention find use in a variety of applications including ion-exchange chromatography, macromolecular transfer, as well as detection, filtration and purification of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, endotoxins, and the like.

Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic polymer comprising the repeating structural unit of the formula I —O—Ar1(SO3R)n—C(CF3)2—Ar1(SO3R)n—O—Ar2—(X—Ar2)m—, ??(I) in which Ar1 and Ar2 are, independently of one another, divalent aromatic or heteroaromatic radicals which are optionally substituted by one or more monovalent organic groups which are inert under the conditions of use, R is hydrogen, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion or an ammonium ion, n is an integer from 0 to 3, m is 0, 1 or 2 and X is a —CO—, —O—, —CpH2p—, —CpF2p— or —S— group, in which p is an integer from 1 to 10, is described. Membranes with high proton conductivities can be produced from this polymer and are preferably used in fuel cells.

Abstract: A filter for processing a biological fluid is disclosed comprising at least two filter elements wherein the surface of one filter element is substantially non-hydroxylated and has a nitrogen-to-oxygen ratio in the range of from at least 0.01 to less than about 1.00, and the surface of the other filter element is hydroxylated relative to the bulk of the element.

Abstract: AGE precursors can be removed from blood, plasma or PBS buffer using a modified polymeric shaped body that can be produced by reaction of diaminoguanidine and/or triaminoguannidine with a staring polymeric shaped body carrying R—X residues, where R is an alkylene group that may or may not be substituted with a hydroxyl group and contains from 1 to 3 carbon atom, and X is a group that is substituted during the reaction by carrying residues Y, on to with diaminoguanidine, or with a starting polymeric shaped body during the reaction which diaminoguanidine and/or triaminoguannidine are added during the reaction.

Abstract: Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positively charged microporous membrane having a protein binding capacity of about 25 mg/ml or greater comprising a hydrophilic porous substrate and a crosslinked coating that provides a fixed positive charge to the membrane. The present invention further provides a positively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating comprising pendant cationic groups. The membranes of the present invention find use in a variety of applications including ion-exchange chromatography, macromolecular transfer, as well as detection, filtration and purification of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, endotoxins, and the like.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of composite reverse osmosis membrane modules arranged in multi-stages, each of the modules including a porous support and a polyamide skin layer formed on the porous support. In this apparatus, the module at the final stage is supplied with some of permeated water obtained from at least one module preceding the module at the final-stage, and a rest of the permeated water is discharged from or recovered in the apparatus along with permeated water obtained from the final-stage module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positively charged microporous membrane having a protein binding capacity about 25 mg/ml or greater comprising a hydrophilic porous substrate and a crosslinked coating that provides a fixed positive charge to the membrane. The present invention further provides a positively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating comprising pendant cationic groups. The membranes of the present invention find use in a variety of applications including ion-exchange chromatography, macromolecular transfer, as well as detection, filtration and purification of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, endotoxins, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane comprising a bridged polymer which is produced by a selected process. The membrane of the invention displays a significantly improved fracture toughness (elongation at break/tensile strength) with virtually unchanged swelling behavior.

Abstract: A polyamide skin layer is formed on a porous support by reacting an aromatic compound having at least two reactive amino groups with a polyfunctional acid halide compound having at least two reactive acid halide groups. Then, the polyamide skin layer is treated with a free chlorine aqueous solution containing bromine compound. The resultant composite reverse osmosis membrane has a high rejection for substances that are not ionized at the pH range where the membrane is normally used.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method for regenerating inorganic porous particles, a method for purifying water and a continuous water purification device, which can be easily applied as a recycling system of water in special environments such as space environment, by safely removing impurities contained in water and water vapor with a usage of a compact facility without using any chemicals. The method for regenerating inorganic porous particles is characterized in that adsorbed products such as ammonia and/or amines, are reduced by heating to 100-200° C. under a reduced pressure of 10 Pa or less. The method for purifying water and the continuous water purification device are characterized in that a dense membrane having cationic groups and/or a composite membrane in which a hydrophilic membrane is layered on a surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane is used as a permeable membrane are used as a permeable membrane.

Abstract: A filter for removing microorganisms from a fluid is provided by the invention. The filter includes a substrate having a reactive surface, and a polymer covalently bonded to the reactive surface of the substrate. The polymer includes a plurality of cationic groups for attracting microorganisms. Faucet mounted filters and pour through filters containing the polymer coated substrate are provided. Also disclosed are methods for using and manufacturing filters for removing microorganisms from a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationically charge-modified membranes and methods of preparing such membranes. In one major aspect of the invention, the membranes are hydrophobic membranes that are treated with one or more polymeric wetting agents to render the membranes substantially hydrophilic, followed by treatment with one or more charge-modifying agents, the agents causing the membranes to possess a fixed formal positive charge. In another major aspect of the invention, a cationic membrane is formed from casting in a film a mixed polymer solution comprising a sulfone polymer and a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and a cationic imidazolinium compound, and quenching the film in an aqueous bath to produce a coagulated membrane. The membrane can be further cationically charge-modified with one or more charge-modifying agents.

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 nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes that may be used in a number of commercial applications in which a contaminant, such as salt, must be separated from a feed fluid, such as brackish water, to yield a purified product fluid, as well as a method for manufacturing such membranes. According to embodiments of the invention, an aqueous amine solution including an amine, an organic acid (e.g., propionic acid) and a non-amine base is applied to the surface of a porous substrate. A second solution containing an acyl halide and an organic solvent immiscible in water is then applied to the aqueous amine solution to cause interfacial polymerization to occur. The resulting membranes exhibit superior salt rejection and flux properties.

Abstract: A method for preparing and regenerating a chemically activated or polyamino acid functionalized membrane includes the steps of permeating the silica-based membrane with a solution of silane and a solvent so as to react methoxy groups of the silane with silanol groups of the membrane to incorporate epoxide groups and attaching a polyamino acid to the membrane by reacting a terminal amine group of the polyamino acid with one of the epoxide groups on the membrane. The membrane is regenerated after metal entrapment by utilizing helix-coil properties of polyamino acids.

Abstract: A method for preparing a chemically activated or polyamino acid functionalized membrane includes the steps of permeating a silica-based membrane with a solution of silane and a solvent so as to react methoxy groups of the silane with silanol groups of the membrane to incorporate epoxide groups and attaching a polyamino acid to the membrane by reacting a terminal amine group of the polyamino acid with one of the epoxide groups on the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane which can be used in membrane filtration processes and which has a reduced tendency to fouling is a polysulphone or a plyether sulphone and a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide substituted diamine and can be made by a phase inversion process in the presence of pore modifying agents such as an alcohol, glycerol or glycol to give a membrane which has a pore size of 0.1&mgr; to 1 micron and is hydrophilic.

Abstract: A polymeric composite may be used for forming fluid separation membranes. The fluid separation membranes may go through a separation selectivity maximum as a function of operating conditions (e.g., temperature and/or pressure). The membranes may be formed from polyamide or poly (pyrrolone-imide). Polyamides may be formed by the condensation of a tetraamine, a tetraacid, and a diamine. Poly (pyrrolone-imides) may be formed by the condensation of a polyamide.

Abstract: Selective, water-permeable membranes for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration are prepared by interfacially polymerizing on a microporous support an essentially monomeric bipiperidine reactant, and an essentially monomeric amine-reactive polyfunctional aromatic or cycloaliphatic acyl halide having on the average at least about 2 acyl halide groups per reactant molecule. The polymerization is optionally carried out in the presence of a monomeric amine salt, which can increase the flux rate of the resulting membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane which is characterized in that it is a composite semipermeable membrane in which there is formed by polycondensation on top of a microporous support membrane a crosslinked polyamide ultra-thin membrane layer from polyfunctional amine, polyfunctional acid halide and polyfunctional acid anhydride halide, and the flow of water permeate at an operating pressure of 0.3 MPa, a temperature of 25° C. and a pH of 6.5 lies in the range from 0.8 to 4.0 m3/m2.day and, furthermore, the percentage humic acid removal is at least 98%; a method for the production thereof; and a water purification method employing same.

Abstract: A leukocyte-removing filter medium for removing leukocytes from a leukocyte-containing fluid, wherein said filter medium has, at least on its surface, hydrophilic basic groups containing at least one nonionic hydrophilic portion and at least one basic portion, in which said hydrophilic portion(s) is located nearer to the end of the hydrophilic basic group than said basic portion(s) is.

Abstract: A composite membrane and method for making the same, comprising a porous support and a polyamide surface. The subject membrane provides improved flux and/or rejection rates. The subject membrane is further capable of operating at lower operating pressures. The subject method includes reacting a polyfunctional amine with a polyfunctional acyl halide to form a polyamide. The method includes the step of contacting a complexing agent with the polyfunctional acyl halide prior substantial reaction between the polyfunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional amine. The subject process is easily adapted to commercial scale manufacturing processes and is particularly suited for making nanofiltration and reverse osmosis composite membranes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyion complex separation membrane with a double structure, which is applicable in the separation process of a water-soluble mixture having ionic molecules or particles by means of reverse osmotic pressure for the purposes of recovering expensive ionic organic materials such as anionic emulsifiers from the waste water. More particularly, this invention relates to said membrane having anionic polymers, as substrate, which is immersed into a cationic polymer solution containing a multivalent ion cross-linking agent, by which a cross-linkage within the internal of the separation membrane is achieved, thereby forming an ion complex between ionic polymers of opposite ion at the surface of the separation membrane to yield a stable separation membrane of a double structure.

Abstract: An apparatus providing for metal ion/nitrate entrapment comprises a chemically activated, microfiltration, composite polymer and silica-based membrane including a polyamino acid attached thereto through reaction of a terminal amine group of the polyamino acid with the membrane. A method for preparing such a chemically activated or polyamino acid functionalized membrane includes the steps of permeating the silica-based membrane with a solution of silane and a solvent so as to react methoxy groups of the silane with silanol groups of the membrane to incorporate epoxide groups and attaching a polyamino acid to the membrane by reacting a terminal amine group of the polyamino acid with one of the epoxide groups on the membrane.

Abstract: There is provided a leukocyte eliminating filter capable of exhibiting an excellent performance of eliminating leukocyte and platelet, which can be obtained through a simple process comprising the steps of coating a substrate constituting the filter with a polymer having a chemical structure represented by any one of the following formulas (I) and (II), and heat-drying the coated polymer: wherein R1, R3, R4, R5R6 and R7 may be the same or different and are individually hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is CONH2 or COOH; R8 is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and x is an integer of 3 or 4.