Abstract: A system, module and method for continuous countercurrent spiral chromatography are disclosed. The module includes an input port for receiving an input solution, a first mixer for mixing the input solution with a recycled solution to produce a first mixed output, a stage I separator for concentrating the first mixed output to produce a stage I solid fraction, a second mixer for mixing the stage I solid fraction from the stage I separator and an optional buffer solution to produce a second mixed output, and a stage II separator for concentrating the second mixed output to produce a stage II solid fraction which exits the module. At least one separator is a spiral separator. The system includes a plurality of modules, and at least one of the plurality of modules includes a spiral separator. The method includes purifying an unpurified solution with the plurality of modules.

Abstract: Disclosed are water treatment processes enabling cations and anions to be extracted from an aqueous effluent by contacting the aqueous effluents with a hydrophobic liquid phase, also including at least one step of contacting the effluent with a hydrophobic solid membrane, in order to remove the residual hydrophobic liquid membrane in the effluent treated by coalescence on the hydrophobic solid membrane. The processes include seawater desalination processes. Also disclosed is a desalination module as well as its facility therefor, including at least one coalescer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, methods and uses for recycling at least a part of water lost during various renal replacement therapy processes, e.g. in the preparation of a fresh dialysate solution or fresh reconstitution fluid for kidney disease dialysis and hemofiltration by utilizing water from the spent fluids. The system of the invention is useful in hemodialysis and in peritoneal dialysis as well as in hemofiltration for reuse of water from filtrates and spent fluids. In addition, the system of the invention is useful in the development of a renal assist device or artificial kidney.

Abstract: In an example, a process of forming a photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer includes chemically reacting an azobenzene material that includes at least two chlorocarbonyl functional groups with an amine to form a photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer. The photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer has a polymer chain that includes a first chlorocarbonyl group disposed at a first end of the polymer chain, a plurality of repeating azobenzene monomer units, and a second chlorocarbonyl group disposed at a second end of the polymer chain.

Abstract: In an example, a composition of matter includes a particle, a photoisomerizing polymer bonded to a first portion of the particle, and a chelating material bonded to a second portion of the particle.

Abstract: The present invention is related to formulations including one or more block copolymers with low polydispersity and bifunctionalized with amines, and an ionic liquid. A method of demulsifying, dehydrating, and desalting crude oils having API gravity ranging between 8 to 30 admixes the formulation with the crude oil in an amount effective to demulsify, dehydrate and/or desalt the crude oils.

Abstract: A method for treating a deposit is disclosed, wherein the deposit comprises a hydrophobic portion and an inorganic portion, the method including but not limited to contacting the deposit with a treating material to form a treated deposit, the treating material comprising peroxygen and surfactant and contacting the treated deposit with an acid. A product resulting from using the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating one or more valuable metal cations from an ionic solution by (a) contacting the ionic solution with an activated photoisomerizable host molecule containing a photoisomerizable moiety and a host moiety, where the photoisomerizable moiety has first and second states, and where the host moiety has a greater affinity for a metal cation when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the first state (active binding state) than when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the second state (release state), so that an ion-host molecule association is formed, and (b) separating the ion-host molecule association from the ionic solution. Also disclosed are photoisomerizable host molecules, a method of recovering valuable metals from a waste stream using the photoisomerizable host molecules, and an apparatus comprising a photoisomerizable host molecule attached to a support.

Abstract: A system and method for the extraction of americium from radioactive waste solutions. The method includes the transfer of highly oxidized americium from an acidic aqueous feed solution through an immobilized liquid membrane to an organic receiving solvent, for example tributyl phosphate. The immobilized liquid membrane includes porous support and separating layers loaded with tributyl phosphate. The extracted solution is subsequently stripped of americium and recycled at the immobilized liquid membrane as neat tributyl phosphate for the continuous extraction of americium. The sequestered americium can be used as a nuclear fuel, a nuclear fuel component or a radiation source, and the remaining constituent elements in the aqueous feed solution can be stored in glassified waste forms substantially free of americium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises at least one of: a hydroxyl (—OH) group; and a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for separating two solutions mixed in dispersion into two solution phases in a liquid-liquid extraction separation cell. The arrangement includes a first guide wall extending along the whole width of the cell with respect to the vertical direction at an inclined angle. The first guide wall includes a bottom edge, which is located at a distance from the cell bottom, so that a clearance gap is formed between the bottom edge and the cell bottom. The arrangement also includes a second guide wall essentially parallel with the first guide wall and placed at a distance therefrom. Between the first guide wall and the second guide wall an uptake shaft is formed extending diagonally upwards at the inclined angle. The second guide wall is pressed tightly against the cell bottom, and includes a number of vertical slots.

Abstract: A method to at least one of separate and purify biomolecules via an aqueous two-phase extraction includes providing the biomolecules in a first aqueous phase, providing a porous material comprising pores, providing a second aqueous phase at least in the pores of the porous material, and, at least one of separating and purifying the biomolecules by partially transferring the biomolecules from the first aqueous phase to the second aqueous phase. A dissolution of the biomolecules into the second aqueous phase in the pores of the porous material occurs during the at least one of separating and purifying.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for demulsifying an emulsion including an aqueous phase and an organic phase by adding an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one quaternary organopolysiloxane or salt thereof to the emulsion, the composition optionally including at least one of quaternary epihalohydrin/polyamine copolymers or salts, and/or (poly)diallyldimethylammonium halides.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing solid matter from process liquids that are miscible with water. A brine made from water and dissolved salt and which is more dense than the process liquid is placed underneath and in contact with the mixture of process liquid and solid matter. The particles and pieces of solid matter move from the process liquid and then through the brine. In so doing the process liquid that is carried with the solid matter is displaced by the more dense brine.

Abstract: This method comprises bringing drops to be separated into contact with an interface (40) suitable for allowing an osmotic equilibrium between the content of each drop to be separated. The method comprises an osmotic flow between the drops (20A) of the first group of drops through the interface (40) in order to modify the density of each drop (20A) of the first group of drops and the separation of the drops (20A, 20B) according to the density thereof or a combination of the density and the volume in order to isolate the drops (20A) of the first group of drops from the drops (20B) of a second group of drops.

Abstract: The development and application of a novel non-polar oil recovery process utilizing a non-dispersive solvent extraction method to coalesce and recover oil from a bio-cellular aqueous slurry is described herein. The process could apply to recovery of algal oil from a lysed or non-lysed algae slurry, recovery of Omega fatty acids from a bio-cellular aqueous feed, recovery of Beta-carotene from a bio-cellular aqueous feed and for the removal from produced water in oil production and similar type applications. The technique of the present invention utilizes a microporous hollow fiber (MHF) membrane contactor. The non-polar oil recovery process described herein can be coupled to a collecting fluid (a non-polar solvent such as heptane, a biodiesel mixture or the previously extracted oil) that is circulated through the hollow fiber membrane. In cases where the biodiesel mixture or the previously extracted oil is used the solvent recovery step (e.g. distillation) can be eliminated.

Abstract: A device separating target particles in a fluid sample includes first through third multi-orifice flow fractionation (“MOFF”) channels, each including a multi-orifice segment with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends, and an alternating series of contraction channels and expansion chambers interconnected in a lengthwise direction; a first separation unit including a first separation channel which is interconnected in fluid communication with a center region of the outlet of the first MOFF channel, and first branch channels which are interconnected in fluid communication with sidewall regions of the outlet of the first MOFF channel, and respectively with inlets of the second and third MOFF channels; and buffer inlets which are connected to the inlets of the second and third MOFF channels and through which a buffer flows into the second and third MOFF channels.

Abstract: A process for fractionating the constituents of a solution obtained by extracting plant or animal material with an aqueous-organic solvent where the aqueous-organic solvent is a mixture of water and a water-miscible organic solvent, generally including the steps of contacting the solution with a near-critical fluid to produce a raffinate phase containing high polarity constituents and water, and a near-critical fluid phase containing low to medium polarity constituents, separating the near-critical fluid phase from the raffinate phase, and recovering the low to medium polarity constituents from the near-critical fluid phase and the high polarity constituents from the raffinate phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for collectively separating all the actinides (III), (IV), (V) and (VI) present in a strongly acidic aqueous phase, from the fission products, and in particular from the lanthanides, which are also present in this phase, using two extractants that operate in unconnected chemical fields. Applications: reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, especially to recover plutonium, neptunium, americium, curium and, possibly, uranium present in trace amounts, in a grouped manner but selectively with respect to the lanthanides, from a solution for dissolution of an irradiated nuclear fuel, downstream of a uranium extraction cycle.

Abstract: Hydrophobins for stabilizing phases in biphasic liquid systems.

Abstract: A split thin-flow separations device can include a fluid channel having an inlet zone, an outlet zone, and a transport region between the inlet zone and outlet zone. The inlet zone includes a sample inlet and a carrier fluid inlet which are fluidly separated by an inlet splitter to minimize mixing of fluids from respective inlets in the inlet zone. The transport region can be a substantially open channel. Similar to the inlet zone, the outlet zone can include a sample outlet and a carrier outlet which are fluidly separated by an outlet splitter to segregate portions of a fluid into each of the two outlets as the fluid enters the outlet zone. A plurality of cross-flow inducers can also be oriented along a wall of the fluid channel in the transport region. The cross-flow inducers are oriented to form a cross-flow field across the transport region.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A method for purifying a fluorinated carboxylic acid having an etheric oxygen atom and its derivative, with small decomposition and inclusion of impurities. A liquid containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fluorinated compound represented by application formulae (1) and (2) is held at a heating temperature of at most 150° C. and distilled. Further, the liquid is a liquid obtained from any of a waste liquid after an aqueous emulsion of a fluoropolymer is coagulated and the fluoropolymer is separated, an aqueous liquid obtained by cleaning an exhaust gas in a step of drying and/or a step of heat treatment of the separated fluoropolymer, and a liquid obtained by cleaning an anion exchange resin which has been brought into contact with the waste liquid or an aqueous dispersion obtained from the aqueous emulsion of the fluoropolymer, with an alkaline aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method and a device for differentiation of substances in a body fluid, such as blood, plasma or used peritoneal dialysis fluid, for example for hemodialysis. The device has a compartment having several inlets for entering a body fluid, a transition fluid and a diffusion fluid for flowing parallel with each other in laminar flow layers with substantially equal flow velocities. The transition fluid layer is interposed between the body fluid layer and the diffusion fluid layer. The compartment further has a first outlet for removing the body fluid and the transition fluid and a second outlet for removing the diffusion fluid. Pumps are arranged for controlling the flow velocities so that a marker substance, such as albumin, will not diffuse from the body fluid layer across the transition layer, during the passage of the body fluid from the inlet to the outlet of the compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating hydrophilic material from hydrophobic material, comprising: (a) a body having a first and second parallel walls defining an elongated cavity; (b) a water-absorbing material in the cavity along the first wall and having a surface essentially parallel to the second wall, thereby defining a channel between the surface and the second wall; (c) a first inlet having a first inlet end disposed in the channel, the first inlet being configured for injecting a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic material; (d) a first outlet having a first outlet end disposed in the channel proximate the surface downstream of the first inlet end and configured for removing the hydrophilic material; and (e) a second outlet having a second outlet end disposed in the channel a distance from the surface downstream of the first inlet end and configured for removing the hydrophobic material.

Abstract: The particle components may be collected by using a phenomenon that the particle components in the aqueous phase aggregate at the liquid-to-liquid interface. Both of the particle components and the dissolved components in the aqueous phase may be simultaneously collected if combined with liquid-liquid extraction phenomenon that the dissolved components in the aqueous phase are collected into the solvent phase through the liquid-to-liquid interface. The aggregation phenomenon of the particle components at the liquid-to-liquid interface may be promoted by using an emulsion flow method, a method of applying mechanical external forces (such as stirring and vibrating) or another method combining both the above-mentioned methods.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for demulsifying an emulsion including an aqueous phase and an organic phase by adding an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one quaternary organopolysiloxane or salt thereof to the emulsion, the composition optionally including at least one of quaternary epihalohydrin/polyamine copolymers or salts, and/or (poly)diallyldimethylammonium halides.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A liquid membrane matrix is disclosed in the form of an aquaporin containing bulk liquid membrane matrix (BLM), wherein said liquid membrane matrix is formed from a solution of an amphiphilic copolymer detergent wherein transmembrane proteins have been functionally incorporated and wherein said matrix further contains a stabilising oil phase. The uses of the membrane matrix include water extraction from liquid aqueous media by forward osmosis, e.g. for desalination of salt water.

Abstract: A system and process for treating a hydrocarbon feed mixture containing aromatic compounds is provided to separate the at least one aromatic compound from the hydrocarbon feed stream is provided. A supported ionic liquid membrane, which is a microporous polymeric support containing ionic liquid in its pores, is used to selectively extract aromatics. The hydrocarbon feed mixture is directed to a retentate side of the supported ionic liquid membrane. A permeate stream is drawn from the permeate, side of the supported ionic liquid membrane, which is an aromatic-rich hydrocarbon stream. An aromatic-lean hydrocarbon stream, which is the retentate portion of the original hydrocarbon feed, remains on the retentate side of the supported ionic liquid membrane.

Abstract: A system and method for the extraction of americium from radioactive waste solutions. The method includes the transfer of highly oxidized americium from an acidic aqueous feed solution through an immobilized liquid membrane to an organic receiving solvent, for example tributyl phosphate. The immobilized liquid membrane includes porous support and separating layers loaded with tributyl phosphate. The extracted solution is subsequently stripped of americium and recycled at the immobilized liquid membrane as neat tributyl phosphate for the continuous extraction of americium. The sequestered americium can be used as a nuclear fuel, a nuclear fuel component or a radiation source, and the remaining constituent elements in the aqueous feed solution can be stored in glassified waste forms substantially free of americium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and article for manipulating an amount of organic material entrained in an aqueous phase of a solvent extraction process. The method includes estimating an interfacial shear stress between an aqueous phase and an organic phase of a solvent extraction apparatus, estimating an amount of organic material entrained in the aqueous phase based on the estimated interfacial shear stress, and manipulating one or more solvent extraction process parameters to manipulate the amount of organic material entrained in the aqueous phase. The method and apparatus can be used to improve performance of and reduce operating costs associated with the solvent extraction apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid membrane system is disclosed in the form of a biochannel containing bulk liquid membrane (BLM), biochannel containing emulsion liquid membrane (ELM), and biochannel containing supported (immobilised) liquid membrane (SLM), or a combination thereof, wherein said liquid membrane system is based on vesicles formed from amphiphilic compounds such as lipids forming a bilayer wherein biochannels have been incorporated and wherein said vesicles further contain a stabilising oil phase. The uses of the membrane system include water extraction from liquid aqueous media by forward osmosis, e.g. for desalination of salt water.

Abstract: Method of contacting a first and a second immiscible liquids without mixing them, including: (a) the first liquid is placed in at least one container comprising a wall made of a solid material that is non reactive with the first and second liquids, said wall having one or more through-holes and the first liquid being non wetting vis à vis said solid material of the wall; (b) said first container is immersed in a volume of the second liquid so that the first liquid is in contact with the second liquid at the level of said through-holes; (c) the first liquid is left in contact with the second liquid for a time sufficient for mass exchange, transfer, to take place between the first and second liquids; and (d) said first container is withdrawn from the volume of the second liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glycosylated amphiphilic molecules composed of hydrophobic “tails” and hydrophilic “heads” that self align to form a membrane at the interface of a polar solvent and a non-polar liquid or a solid. The present invention is directed to a solid state membrane, typically a thin film, composed of a non-polar solid material having the hydrophobic “tail” of a glycosylated amphiphilic molecule embedded in or linked to its surface such that the hydrophilic “head” protrudes from the solid surface and presents useful properties to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: A process for separating an aqueous emulsion including an aqueous phase and an non-aqueous phase into separated aqueous and non-aqueous phases, to provide a recovered non-aqueous phase, and to provide a recovered aqueous phase containing an acceptable level of the non-aqueous phase. In the process, at least one body, and preferably two or more bodies, of polymeric material with a high surface area, typically a foam material or polymer chips, is used in a horizontal flow treatment system to break the emulsion and thus provide both the aqueous and non-aqueous phases as two separate flows. A wide range of polymers can be used in the system as the polymeric material including polyurethane, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, and polyethylene. If a very low level of non-aqueous phase in the effluent is required, for example to meet potable water standards, then a Kozlowski polyurethane, as described in U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: A trap Including: an inlet configured to receive a fluid conveying nanostructures; ionic liquid configured to trap the nanostructures; and an outlet for the fluid.

Abstract: A method for extracting at least one chemical or biological compound from a liquid phase including at least one functionalized ionic liquid, via a liquid extracting fluid that is miscible with the ionic liquid, and a microfluidic system implementing the method. The extraction method includes moving, on one surface of a microfluidic system, at least one microdrop of the liquid phase into an extraction solution that includes the extracting fluid and that is localized on the surface to obtain in output of the solution, under effect of an electric field, an extract moving away from the surface that is rich in extracting fluid and enriched in the at least one compound, and a raffinate moving on the surface that is rich in ionic liquid and deleted in the at least one compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.

Abstract: A system having a reactor for continuous processing of fluid is provided herein. The reactor, in general, includes an outer vessel to accommodate fluids to be processed or used in connection therewith, an inner vessel situated within the outer vessel to serve as an energy exchange surface, and an annular space defined between the outer and inner vessels and along which processing of the fluids can be implemented. The continuous thin film reactor can be used to perform, for example, distillation and evaporation, fluid-fluid or solid-fluid-fluid reactions, organic reactions, cooling, and desalination.

Abstract: A method and a device for differentiation of substances in a body fluid, such as blood, plasma or used peritoneal dialysis fluid, for example for hemodialysis. The device has a compartment having several inlets for entering a body fluid, a transition fluid and a diffusion fluid for flowing parallel with each other in laminar flow layers with substantially equal flow velocities. The transition fluid layer is interposed between the body fluid layer and the diffusion fluid layer. The compartment further has a first outlet for removing the body fluid and the transition fluid and a second outlet for removing the diffusion fluid. Pumps are arranged for controlling the flow velocities so that a marker substance, such as albumin, will not diffuse from the body fluid layer across the transition layer, during the passage of the body fluid from the inlet to the outlet of the compartment.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric aromatic selective membrane comprising an cross linked polyether imide membrane that comprise the reaction of a polyether amine with an dianhydride, and that may be utilized in a process for selectively separating aromatics from a hydrocarbon feedstream comprised of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and at least one alcohol, typically ethanol.