Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a separator including a polyolefin porous film; a porous layer containing a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin; and a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate for each of which the result of a scratch test in the width direction and the result of a scratch test in the flow direction are each within a predetermined range, the polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin containing an ?-form polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin in an amount of not less than 35.0 mol %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane distillation system comprising a flat-sheet composite mixed matrix hydrophilic/hydrophobic membrane having at least a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer. The hydrophilic layer comprises a hydrophilic polymer and inorganic nanoparticles having high thermal conductivity. The hydrophobic layer comprises fluorinated surface-modifying macromolecules (SMM). Also disclosed is a phase inversion method for manufacturing the membrane.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a separator including a polyolefin porous film; a porous layer containing a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin; a positive electrode plate having a capacitance falling within a specific range; and a negative electrode plate having a capacitance falling within a specific range. The polyolefin porous film has a given piercing strength, having a value of not less than 0.00 and not more than 0.54, the value being represented by the following expression: |1?T/M|, where T and M are distances at which a critical load is reached in a scratch test in which the polyolefin porous film is moved in transverse and machine directions, respectively, under a constant load of 0.1N. The polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin contains an ?-form polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin in an amount of not less than 35.0 mol %.

Abstract: Photoactive polymer coatings and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a polymer coating comprises a polymer matrix having a porous structure extending throughout the polymer matrix, wherein the porous structure is present at an exposed surface of the polymer coating creating a roughened surface, and a modified support particle disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the modified support particle includes a substituted phthalocyanine and a support particle. In some embodiments, the substituted phthalocyanine is a halogenated phthalocyanine.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which satisfies four requirements is provided. A porous layer contains ?-form polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin in an amount of not less than 35.0 mol % with respect to 100 mol % of a total amount of (i) the ?-form polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin and (ii) ?-form polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin. A porous film has a temperature rise ending period of 2.9 sec·m2/g to 5.7 sec·m2/g with respect to an amount of a resin per unit area when the porous film is impregnated with N-methylpyrrolidone containing water in an amount of 3% by weight and then (ii) irradiated, at an output of 1,800 W, with a microwave having a frequency of 2,455 MHz. A positive electrode plate has a capacitance of 1 nF to 1000 nF per measurement area of 900 mm2. A negative electrode plate has a capacitance of 4 nF to 8500 nF per measurement area of 900 mm2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for separating sugars and acids with reduced energy consumption, including a step of diffusively dialyzing a first acid hydrolysate obtained by saccharifying biomass with an acid solution, thereby preparing a second acid hydrolysate wherein the concentration of the acid solution contained in the acid hydrolysate is decreased; and a step of electrolyzing the second acid hydrolysate, thereby separating sugars from the acid solution, which is advantageous in that less energy is consumed, the separated acid solution can be recycled directly without further treatment due to high concentration and loss of sugars can be minimized.

Abstract: A polyolefin microporous membrane is disclosed. The membrane includes at least one microporous membrane layer, where the microporous membrane layer has an air permeability between about 100 sec/100 cc and about 220 sec/100 cc, a pin puncture strength of at least 550 gf, and a crystallization half time t1/2 of from 10 to 35 minutes when subjected to isothermal crystallization at 117° C. The air permeability and the pin puncture strength are normalized to a thickness of 16 ?m.

Abstract: 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 invention is the use of a compound comprising two or more covalently bonded polymerisable vinyl groups and one or more covalently bonded ionic groups selected from a quaternary ammonium group; a quaternary phosphonium group; or a tertiary sulphonium group, as an ionic cross-linker. The cross-linkers of the invention may be used to form an ionomer membrane. Methods for forming the cross-linkers of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing microporous membranes includes stretching a multi-layer layer extrudate having first and second layers, the first layer including a first polyolefin and a first diluent, and the second layer including a second polyolefin and a second diluent, the second polyolefin including polypropylene in an amount of 1.0 wt. % to 40.0 wt. %, the polypropylene having an Mw>0.9×106 and a ?Hm?100.0 J/g; removing at least a portion of the diluents to produce a dried membrane having a first length and a first width; stretching the membrane by a first magnification factor of 1.1 to 1.5 and stretching the membrane by a second magnification factor of 1.1 to 1.3; and reducing the width.

Abstract: With the subject invention, a method is provided for preparing a filter membrane including the steps of dispersing a liquid which is generally hydrophobic into the pores of a porous membrane, and applying a solution containing lipids onto at least a first surface of the porous membrane containing the liquid. Advantageously, the subject invention allows for filter membranes to be prepared which can be stored for periods of time without degradation in performance. The subject invention may have applicability in various contexts, but is well-suited for preparing filter membranes for permeability screening, particularly Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA).

Abstract: A moisture-permeable separating membrane material includes a porous fluororesin membrane, a continuous moisture-permeable resin layer formed on the surface of the porous fluororesin membrane, and a textile layer for reinforcing the porous fluororesin membrane and the continuous moisture-permeable resin layer. The textile layer contains a flame retardant in the inside of each fiber and the surface of each fiber has been treated with a flame retardant. The moisture-permeable separating membrane material makes it possible to improve flame retardancy without deteriorating heat exchange characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially 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 multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially 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 multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for use in fluid purification, particularly to a membrane for use in fluid purification, the membrane comprising a porous basal layer in the form of polysulfone (PSF); a multitude of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed within the basal layer; and a top layer in the form of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The disclosure extends to a method of manufacturing the device.

Abstract: Described herein are mixed matrix filtration membranes and related, compositions, methods and systems and in particular mixed matrix filtration membranes with an embedded polymer network and/or embedded polymeric micro/nanoparticles functionalized with a functionalization polymer covalently and/or non covalently linked to the micro/nanoparticles and related compositions, methods, and systems.

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: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PVDF porous film and method for producing it, which has high water permeability and high chemical resistance to washing chemicals and the like that has been difficult to realize with conventional polymer porous films, and which can be used over a prolonged period of time, and a method of producing the same and the like. Namely, the present invention provides a porous film in which the degree of crystallization of the PVDF resin is 50% or more but not more than 90%, and the product of the degree of crystallization of the PVDF resin and the specific surface area of the film is 300 (%·m2/g) or more but not more than 2000 (%·m2/g).

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: PURPOSE: To provide a polymeric porous hollow fiber membrane which exhibits excellent fractionation performance and excellent permeability in treatment of a variety of aqueous fluids and also shows sufficient strength when incorporated into a module or used to treat a fluid, and which is excellent in aging stability in these performances and characteristics and is also excellent in membrane performance recoverability by washing, and which is especially suitable for treatment of a polyphenol-containing beverage and is expected to effectively harmonize the flavor of such a beverage.

Abstract: Synthetic membranes for the removal, isolation or purification of substances from a liquid. The membranes include at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer. 5-40 wt.-% of particles having an average particles size of between 0.1 and 15 ?m are entrapped. The membrane has a wall thickness of below 150 ?m. Methods for preparing the membranes in various geometries, and use of the membranes for the adsorption, isolation and/or purification of substances from a liquid are explored.

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: A filtration media and a filter assembly therefor is provided. The filtration media comprising a membrane having an ingress side and an egress side which permit the passage of water, the ingress side including a coating of a material having a low friction coefficient, said coating preventing passage of particulate and holding the particulate on the ingress side when flow from a filter pump is present, and wherein the particulate falls off of the coating when flow from the filter is reduced.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane that can be used in treatment in various aqueous fluids such as water purification, beverage treatment, seawater clarification, and that has excellent fractionation characteristics and permeability, while deterioration of its performance due to passage of time is minimized, and that has excellent recovery of the membrane-separation characteristics by cleaning. The main feature of the hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane of the present invention is that the specific surface area of the membrane surface to which raw water is supplied falls within the range from not less than 1.10 to not greater than 1.55. The present invention also provides a process for producing a hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane, wherein a heat treatment is conducted under the condition that the membrane having a residual organic solvent content of not greater than 300 mg/g.

Abstract: Use of a porous hollow fiber membrane for producing a clarified biomedical culture medium by a method including a filtration step of distributing a biomedical culture medium over the porous hollow fiber membrane, a tube wall of the hollow fiber membrane being constituted of a blend of a hydrophobic polymer and polyvinylpyrrolidone. A content of the polyvinylpyrrolidone is not lower than 0.2% by mass and not higher than 3% by mass relative to a total mass of the porous hollow fiber membrane, and, when the tube wall is divided in a membrane-thickness direction equally into three regions, a content of the polyvinylpyrrolidone in an outer circumferential region including an outer face is higher than a content of the polyvinylpyrrolidone in an inner circumferential region including an inner face, and an average pore size in the inner face is larger than an average pore size in the outer face.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for composite membranes which may include a porous graphene layer in contact with a porous support substrate. In various examples, a surface of the porous support substrate may include at least one of: a thermo-formed polymer characterized by a glass transition temperature, a woven fibrous membrane, and/or a nonwoven fibrous membrane. Examples of the composite membranes permit the use of highly porous woven or nonwoven fibrous support membranes instead of intermediate porous membrane supports. In several examples, the composite membranes may include porous graphene layers directly laminated onto the fibrous membranes via the thermo-formed polymers. The described composite membranes may be useful for separations, for example, of gases, liquids and solutions.

Abstract: A treatment system and a method for removal of at least one halogenated compound, such as PCBs, found in contaminated systems are provided. The treatment system includes a polymer blanket for receiving at least one non-polar solvent. The halogenated compound permeates into or through a wall of the polymer blanket where it is solubilized with at least one non-polar solvent received by said polymer blanket forming a halogenated solvent mixture. This treatment system and method provides for the in situ removal of halogenated compounds from the contaminated system. In one embodiment, the halogenated solvent mixture is subjected to subsequent processes which destroy and/or degrade the halogenated compound.

Abstract: A method for forming a filter in a fluid flow path in a microfluidic device is provided. The method includes introducing a photopolymerization reaction solution into the microfluidic device; and performing polymerization of photopolymerization reaction solution to form a filter in the fluid flow path in a microfluidic device.

Abstract: The Invention relates to a membrane formed from a blend of high molecular weight polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) (>580,000 Mw) with low molecular weight PVDF (<580,000 Mw). Porous membranes of average pore size from 5 nm to 100 microns made from the blend show improved water permeability compared to membranes formed from a single Mw PVDF.

Abstract: A fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymeric membrane comprising a copolymer comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and vinylidene fluoride is disclosed. The fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymeric membranes of the invention are especially useful in gas separation processes in air purification, petrochemical, refinery, and natural gas industries.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to gas separation membranes and, in particular, to high selectivity fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer-comprising polymeric blend membranes for gas separations. The polymeric blend membrane comprises a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer and a second polymer different from the fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer. The fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymers in the current invention are copolymers comprising 10 to 99 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene-based structural units and 1 to 90 mol % vinylidene fluoride-based structural units. The second polymer different from the fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer is selected from a low cost, easily processable glassy polymer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an anisotropic polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber microporous membrane containing a polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber microporous membrane does not include macrovoids, and has mainly a net-like structure. In addition, the hollow fiber microporous membrane has a dense outer layer on an outer surface, and a homogeneous bulk layer that is internally adjacent to the outer layer and has a coarser structure than the outer layer. The porosity of the bulk layer is at least 1.5 times the membrane surface porosity of the outer layer. The dense structure of the outer layer changes substantially discontinuously into the coarse structure of the bulk layer.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a composite membrane excellent in both durability and moisture permeability. The present invention provides a composite membrane formed by laminating a layer of a moisture-permeable resin on one surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane, the composite membrane being characterized in that the layer of the moisture-permeable resin is included in a reinforcing porous membrane.

Abstract: A hydrophilic filtration membrane having high chemical resistance, high strength, high water permeability and high blocking performance, and being superior in fouling resistance is provided. A hydrophilic filtration membrane containing a hydrophilic polyethersulfone having a contact angle of 65 to 74 degree, a molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000, and the number of hydroxy groups of 0.6 to 1.4 per 100 polymerization repeating units. The hydrophilic filtration membrane may additionally contain a polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,300,000.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes comprising a microporous material. The microporous material comprises: (a) a polyolefin matrix present in an amount of at least 2 percent by weight, (b) finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble silica filler distributed throughout said matrix, said filler constituting from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of said coated microporous material substrate, (c) at least 20 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the coated microporous material, and (d) at least one coating composition applied to at least one surface of the membrane to adjust the surface energy of the membrane.

Abstract: A separation membrane includes a membrane comprising a polymer, characterized in that a functional layer is formed on the surface in one side of the membrane, the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface of the preceding functional layer is 0.1% (by atomic number) or more but not more than 10 (% by atomic number), and the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface opposite to the functional layer is not more than 10 (% by atomic number). A separation membrane module suffering from little sticking of organic matters, proteins, platelets and so on is provided with the separation membrane as a built-in membrane.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

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 hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fiber membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possesses on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to 25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow-fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient for cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCCC?5·10?5·UFRAlb3?0.004·UFRAlb2+1.081·UFRAlb?0.25.

Abstract: Polyethyleneimine and polyalkylene biguanide ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: A separation membrane includes a membrane comprising a polymer, characterized in that a functional layer is formed on the surface in one side of the membrane, the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface of the preceding functional layer is 0.1% (by atomic number) or more but not more than 10 (% by atomic number), and the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface opposite to the functional layer is not more than 10 (% by atomic number). A separation membrane module suffering from little sticking of organic matters, proteins, platelets and so on is provided with the separation membrane as a built-in membrane.

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: An extracorporeal filtration and detoxification system and method generally comprise separating ultrafiltrate from cellular components of blood, treating the ultrafiltrate independently of the cellular components in a recirculation circuit, recombining treated ultrafiltrate and the cellular components, and returning whole blood to the patient. A recirculation circuit generally comprises an active cartridge including active cells operative to effectuate a selected treatment; in some embodiments, the active cells are the C3A cell line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hydrophobic solid surfaces, and more particularly to polyvinylidene fluoride (PIMP) membranes having a superhydrophobic surface. The invention also relates to the process for preparing these membranes and also to the industrial applications thereof. The PVDF membranes according to the invention comprise a superhydrophobic surface comprising a structure that is porous on the nanometer scale and interconnected crystalline nodules of micrometer size.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

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