Abstract: In the step of extracting and removing a porogen from a thermosetting resin sheet 1 containing the porogen, the porogen is extracted and removed by bringing the thermosetting resin sheet 1 into contact with a first liquid that has a relatively low temperature, and subsequently bringing the thermosetting resin sheet 1 into contact with a second liquid that has a relatively high temperature. Preferably, the temperatures of the first liquid and the second liquid are lower than or equal to the glass-transition temperature of the thermosetting resin sheet 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite separation membrane with improved separation performance, particularly with an increased permeation flux. The composite separation membrane of the present invention includes a porous support (2) and a separation functional layer (1) formed on this support (2). The separation functional layer (1) is a polyamide membrane having a “double-folded structure” including a first layer portion (11) with a plurality of projections (15a, (15b . . . ) and a second layer portion (12) that covers at least one or some (15c and 15d) of these projections. Some projections (15a and 15b) of the first layer portion (11) extend upward and branch to form the second layer portion (12). There is a vacant space (13) between the first layer portion (11) and the second layer portion (12).

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: 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 composite semipermeable membrane having a polyamide separation-functional layer on a porous support layer, wherein the polyamide separation-functional layer has a yellow index of 10 to 40, and the actual length of the polyamide separation-functional layer per 1 ?m-length of the porous support layer is from 2 ?m to 5 ?m, or a composite semipermeable membrane having on a porous support layer a polyamide separation-functional layer prepared by polycondensation of polyfunctional amines with polyfunctional acid halides, wherein the polyamide separation-functional layer is formed by the steps of (A) interfacial polycondensation in which polyfunctional amines and polyfunctional acid halides are brought into contact at 40° C. to 70° C. and subsequent (B) heat treatment at 70° C. to 150° C. The composite semipermeable membrane according to the present invention has high boron removal performance and high water permeation performance.

Abstract: A process for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane that includes: (A) providing a polyamine, a polyfunctional acid halide, and a flux increasing additive having the formula Z+B? where Z+ is an easily dissociable cation and B? is a beta-diketonate; (B) combining the polyamine, polyfunctional acid halide, and flux increasing additive on the surface of a porous support membrane; and (C) interfacially polymerizing the polyamine and the polyfunctional acid halide, and flux increasing additive on the surface of the porous support membrane to form a reverse osmosis membrane comprising (i) the porous support membrane and (ii) a discrimination layer comprising a polyamide. The reverse osmosis membrane is characterized by a flux that is greater than the flux of the same membrane prepared in the absence of the flux increasing additive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thin film composite membrane (TFC membrane) comprising a substrate layer (S) based on a sulfonated polymer, e.g. a sulfonated polyarylether, and a polyamide film layer (F) and further to a method for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to osmosis processes, in particular to forward osmosis (FO) processes, using said membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a reverse osmosis membrane is described. The method includes aligning a plurality of carbon nanotubes at the interface of two liquids, the first liquid being an aqueous layer, and the second layer being an organic layer that is immiscible to the aqueous layer, forming a thin layer selective membrane around the aligned carbon nanotubes at the interface of the two liquids, and bonding the thin layer selective membrane/carbon nanotube composite onto a structural support layer.

Abstract: Improved methods for reducing boron concentration in seawater or brackish water, while simultaneously maintaining or improving the salt rejection of membrane and flow performance of polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes include contacting the water with a composite membrane comprising moieties derived from an aromatic sulfonyl halide, a heteroaromatic sulfonyl halide, a sulfinyl halide; a sulfenyl halide; a sulfuryl halide; a phosphoryl halide; a phosphonyl halide; a phosphinyl halide; a thiophosphoryl halide; a thiophosphonyl halide, an isocyanate, a urea, a cyanate, an aromatic carbonyl halide, an epoxide or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the composition has a pH of 0.8 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A polymeric membrane includes an active layer over a support, wherein the active layer includes at least two chemically distinct polyamide films. A first one of the films is in contact with the support, and a second one of the films is not in contact with the support. The second polyamide film is crosslinked with the first polyamide film at an interface therewith, and the second polyamide film includes a structure having a side chain group including an ammonium salt.

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 porous membrane may have a high concentration of spherical fillers with a polymer binder. The polymer binder may have an affinity for the filler materials and may hold the filler materials together in a porous structure with high tortuosity and consistent pore size. The membrane may be manufactured with a reinforcing web, such as non-woven web. The membrane may be greater than 50% porous with a less than 1 micron pore size. Within the pore walls that may be less than 0.02 microns in width, a densely packed filler material may have an average diameter of less than 0.005 microns.

Abstract: A selective membrane having a high fouling resistance. In one embodiment, the selective membrane is a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane having a hydrophilic coating made by covalently bonding a hydrophilic compound to the polyamide membrane, the hydrophilic compound including (i) a reactive group that is adapted to covalently bond directly to the polyamide membrane, the reactive group being at least one of a primary amine and a secondary amine; (ii) a non-terminal hydroxyl group; and (iii) an amide group. In another embodiment, the hydrophilic compound includes (i) a reactive group adapted to covalently bond directly to the polyamide membrane, the reactive group being at least one of a primary amine and a secondary amine; (ii) a hydroxyl group; and (iii) an amide group, the amide group being linked directly to the hydroxyl group by one of an alkyl group and an alkenyl group.

Abstract: Articles comprising a fibrous support of nanofibers and an interfacially polymerized polymer layer disposed on a surface of the fibrous support are useful, e.g., as fluid separation membranes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a matrix comprising a modified sulfonamide polymer, processes for producing the same and uses thereof. In particular, the matrix comprises sulfonyl compound residues and aliphatic amine compound residues, and further comprises acyl compound residues and amine compound residues having at least two amine moieties, wherein the aliphatic amine compound residues and amine compound residues are different.

Abstract: A permselective asymmetric hollow fiber membrane for the separation of toxic mediators from blood, a process for the preparation of such a membrane, and the use of such a membrane in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and hemofiltration for treatment of toxic mediator-related diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofibre membrane layer having a basis weight of 0.01-50 g/m2 and a porosity of 60-95%, comprising a nanoweb made of polymeric nanofibres with a number average diameter in the range of 50-600 nm, consisting of a polymer composition comprising a semicrystalline polyamide having a C/N ratio of at most 5.5. The invention also relates to water and air filtration devices comprising such a nanofibre membrane layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous barrier compositions comprising color change indicators and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

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: An interfacial polymerization process (IFP) for preparing a highly permeable TFC RO membrane by contacting on a porous support membrane for IFP, a polyfunctional acyl halide monomer and a polyamine monomer and recovering a highly permeable thin film (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. At least one of solutions may contain nanoparticle additives which may release ions into solution and at least one of the solutions may contain additional ions from a second additive. The presence of the nanoparticle additives during IFP may increase the hydrophilicity and/or permeability of the recovered membrane compared to a control membrane. The presence of the additional ions from the second additive may also increase the permeability of the recovered membrane.

Abstract: The present invention the manufacture of a membrane for gas and liquid separations in which a polymer layer is applied directly to a tricot fabric instead of the conventional cloth or glass or metal substrate.

Abstract: Processes for manufacturing a thin film composite membrane comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes include contacting under interfacial polymerization conditions an organic solution comprising a polyacid halide with an aqueous solution comprising a polyamine to form a thin film composite membrane on a surface of a porous base membrane; at least one of the organic solution and the aqueous solution further including multi-walled carbon nanotubes having an outside diameter of less than about 30 nm.

Abstract: A polyamide membrane comprising reaction product of an anhydrous solution comprising an anhydrous solvent, at least one polyfunctional secondary amine and a pre-polymer deposition catalyst; and an anhydrous, organic solvent solution comprising a polyfunctional aromatic amine-reactive reactant comprising one ring. A composite semipermeable membrane comprising the polyamide membrane on a porous support. A method of making a composite semipermeable membrane by coating a porous support with an anhydrous solution comprising an anhydrous solvent, a polyfunctional secondary amine and a pre-polymer deposition catalyst, to form an activated pre-polymer layer on the porous support and contacting the activated pre-polymer layer with an anhydrous, organic solvent solution comprising a polyfunctional amine-reactive reactant to interfacially condense the amine-reactive reactant with the polyfunctional secondary amine, thereby forming a cross-linked, interfacial polyamide layer on the porous support.

Abstract: The present invention provides sintered polymeric materials and methods of making the same which are useful in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sintered polymeric material comprising at least one plastic and at least one elastomer.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide polymers suitable for use as medical materials. The present invention provides a polymer useful as a medical material having the general formula -(A)1-(B)m—(C)n—??(I) in which A is derived from an alkoxyalkyl (alkyl)acrylate monomer; B is derived from a monomer containing a primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary amine group; C is derived from a non-ionic monomer; and 1+m+n=100,0<1, m, n<100.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a permselective asymmetric hollow fibre membrane for the separation of toxic mediators from blood, comprised of at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer. Further, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of such a membrane, and the use of said membrane in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and hemofiltration for treatment of toxic mediator-related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention generally related to a nanofabricated membrane including polymerized proteoliposomes. The nanofabricated membrane is a bio-nano fused selective membrane using protein-incorporated uv-crosslinkable liposomes with a chemical reactive biocompatible interstitial matrix. In the present invention, internally UV-crosslinked protein-incorporated proteolipsomes are used because the proteoliposomes made by natural lipids have a short life time and a weak resistance to the circumstantial stresses such as a high and low temperature, pressure, ionic strength etc. Furthermore, the proteo-vesicles made by amphiphilic block copolymers provide less consistency in accomplishing proper functionality batch to batch because of the inevitable polydiversity of the polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric membrane includes an active layer on a support. The active layer includes at least two chemically distinct crosslinked, polyamide films, and the films are crosslinked with each other at an interface.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices, as well as methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.

Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and biguanide compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a biguanide-type compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more biguanide functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: Disclosed are compaction resistant thin film composite membranes having a porous polymeric support; a semi-permeable polymer film polymerized on the porous polymeric support; and particles, of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles, dispersed in the porous polymeric support. Also disclosed are methods of making compaction resistant membranes by polymerizing a polymer film on a porous polymeric support with particles of a size in the range of microparticles and nanoparticles dispersed therein, the particles having been selected to improve flux flow characteristics over time of the semi-permeable membrane. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: An agent for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises an ionic macromolecule having a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater; a process for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises treating a permeable membrane with the agent; a permeable membrane which is treated in accordance with the process; and a process for water treatment which comprises using the permeable membrane are disclosed. By using the above agent, an increased rejection of inorganic electrolytes and organic compounds soluble in water can be maintained for a long time easily and safely at the location of the use of the membrane without extreme decrease in the flux of permeation in the membrane separation using a selective permeable membrane such as a nano filtration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: The invention discloses a filtration material for desalination, including a support layer, and a desalination layer formed on the support layer, wherein the desalination layer is a fiber composite membrane and includes at least one water-swellable polymer. The water-swellable polymer is made of hydrophilic monomers and hydrophobic monomers, and the hydrophilic monomers include ionic monomers and non-ionic monomers, and the ionic monomers include cationic monomers and anionic monomers.

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

Abstract: A modified polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same. The present invention includes many embodiments including methods comprising contacting a polyamide membrane with certain modifiers, including but not limited to certain oxazoline and/or thiazoline-based compounds, derivatives and polymers thereof. In one embodiment, the surface of a polyamide membrane is coated with a solution including a polyoxazoline and optionally a polyalkylene oxide material, followed by optional heating. Preferred embodiments may exhibit improved performance, e.g. increased rejection of certain species, (e.g. sodium chloride and/or boric oxides such as boric acid or various borate salts), reduced fouling, improved antimicrobial properties, and/or improved storage stability.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed towards polyacrylonitrile— (PAN—) based, amphophilic graft copolymers, for example, for the production of membranes for liquid filtration. In one aspect, the present invention provides systems and methods for preparing high flux, fouling resistant nanofiltration membranes whose pore size can be readily tuned. In some cases, microphase separation of a graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and hydrophilic side-chains is used. In some cases, nanochannels of tunable width are formed, which may give the membrane permselective properties and/or anti-fouling character. In some cases, a copoylmer may be used as an additive in the immersion precipitation casting of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes. In certain instances, the additive can segregate to the membrane exterior and/or pore surfaces, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for easily producing a long porous thermosetting resin sheet which has no resin coating film on the surface. Also disclosed are a porous thermosetting resin sheet produced by the method, and a composite semipermeable membrane having excellent chemical resistance and practical water permeability and salt-blocking property. The porous thermosetting resin sheet can be produced by forming a cylindrical or columnar resin block which is composed of a cured product of a thermosetting resin composition containing a thermosetting resin, a curing agent and a porogen; then forming a long thermosetting resin sheet by cutting the surface of the resin block at a certain thickness; and then removing the porogen from the thermosetting resin sheet.

Abstract: Membranes for filtration by size exclusion are formed from open-ended nanotubes embedded in a polymeric matrix. The matrix forms a layer whose thickness is substantially less than the average length of the nanotubes, allowing the nanotubes to be randomly oriented throughout the matrix while providing channels extending through the layer for the selective passage of molecular species or particles based on size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for water filtration comprising contacting a water stream with a membrane comprising a polysulfone having structural units of Formula I wherein X is OH, NR1R2, or OR3; R1 and R2 are independently at each occurrence hydrogen, a C1-C5000 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, a polypeptide, a combination thereof, or R1 and R2 taken together form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic ring or a 5-membered aromatic ring; R3 is a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; B? and C? are independently at each occurrence a nitro group, C1-C20 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; and q and r are independently at each occurrence 0 to 4.

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

Abstract: A modified polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same. The present invention includes many embodiments including methods comprising contacting a polyamide membrane with certain modifiers, including but not limited to certain oxazoline and/or thiazoline-based compounds, derivatives and polymers thereof. In one embodiment, the surface of a polyamide membrane is coated with a solution including a polyoxazoline and optionally a polyalkylene oxide material, followed by optional heating. Preferred embodiments may exhibit improved performance, e.g. increased rejection of certain species, (e.g. sodium chloride and/or boric oxides such as boric acid or various borate salts), reduced fouling, improved antimicrobial properties, and/or improved storage stability.

Abstract: Composite membranes that exhibit long-term resistance to biofouling comprise a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide discriminating layer having an external surface, the discriminating layer comprising a branched poly(alkylene oxide) (PAO) polymer attached to its external surface. The branched PAO polymer typically has the structure of a molecular comb or brush, and is made by polymerization of a PAO macromonomer of the following formula: RO—[(CHR?)n—O]m—V in which R is hydrogen or a C1-20 aliphatic or aromatic group, V is any group containing a polymerizable site, each R? is independently hydrogen or a short chain alkyl group, n is an integer of 1-6, and m is an integer of 1 to about 200. The ? end group can be either polymerized or copolymerized.

Abstract: A selective membrane having a high fouling resistance. In one embodiment, the selective membrane is a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane in which a hydrophilic coating is applied to the polyamide layer of the membrane, the hydrophilic coating being made by covalently bonding a hydrophilic compound to residual acid chlorides of the polyamide membrane, the hydrophilic compound including (i) at least one reactive group that is adapted to covalently bond directly to the polyamide membrane, the at least one reactive group being at least one of a primary amine and a secondary amine; and (ii) at least one non-terminal hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices.

Abstract: A modified polyamide membrane and method for making and using the same. The present invention includes many embodiments including methods comprising contacting a polyamide membrane with certain modifiers, including but not limited to certain oxazoline and/or thiazoline-based compounds, derivatives and polymers thereof. In one embodiment, the surface of a polyamide membrane is coated with a solution including a polyoxazoline and optionally a polyalkylene oxide material, followed by optional heating. Preferred embodiments may exhibit improved performance, e.g. increased rejection of certain species, (e.g. sodium chloride and/or boric oxides such as boric acid or various borate salts), reduced fouling, improved antimicrobial properties, and/or improved storage stability.