Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature, followed by any of membrane distillation or forward osmosis (FO), may be combined with a subsequent process of ceramic ultra-filtration (UF filtration) employed to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature followed by ultra-filtration (UF filtration) may be combined with forward osmosis (FO) to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated installation procedure for assembling a disposable flow path: providing a disposable flow path comprising tubing and a plurality of sensors onto a re-usable instrument; qualifying said tubing and said plurality of sensors to be on the flow path based on a standard; and determining if the tubing and the plurality of sensors comply with characteristics and performance according to limits for specifications or acceptance criteria.

Abstract: This disclosure describes examples of a filter media for use in filter devices, e.g., pulse filter cartridges found in power generating systems. Embodiments of the filter media include a base media and a membrane, which partially covers one or both sides of the base media. In one embodiment, the membrane covers a membrane area of at least one side of the base media, wherein the membrane area is less than a total area of the side on which the membrane is disposed.

Abstract: Liquid membrane systems are provided for use in pervaporation techniques that achieves high selectivity, ensure stability and prevent contamination of the fermentation broth. Tri-n-octylamine (TOA), tri-laurlyamine or tri-decylamine as a liquid membrane is immobilized in the pores of a hydrophobic hollow fiber substrate having a nanoporous hydrophobic coating on the broth side. The liquid membrane in the coated hollow fibers demonstrate high selectivity and reasonable mass fluxes of solvents in pervaporation. The mass fluxes were substantially increased with the same selectivity of solvents when an ultrathin liquid membrane was used. The addition of butanol into the feed solution increases membrane selectivity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting microbial contaminants, such as bacteria and fungi, in fluids such as drinking water, pharmaceutical solutions and tissue culture media are provided. More particularly, provided are filtration devices for capture and processing of microorganisms from fluids, and improved methods for recovery, lysis and detection of microorganisms based on a combination of physical disruption with small beads and lysis solutions.

Abstract: A desalination and minerals extraction process includes a desalination facility fluidly coupled to a minerals extraction facility. The desalination facility includes a nanofiltration membrane section producing a first tailings stream and a reverse osmosis membrane section producing a second tailings stream and a desalinated water outlet stream from an inlet feed stream. The extraction facility produces at least one mineral compound, an extraction tailings stream, and a second desalinated water outlet stream. At least one of the first tailings stream and the second tailings stream is fed into the extraction facility. In certain exemplary embodiments, a natural gas combined cycle power unit supplies power to at least one of the desalination facility and the extraction facility. In certain exemplary embodiments, the extraction tailings stream is recycled into the desalination facility and there are no extraction tailings streams or desalination tailings streams discharged into the environment.

Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.

Abstract: Guanidinyl ligand-functionalized polymers, methods of making the same, and substrates bearing a grafted coating of the ligand-functional polymers are described. The grafted polymer has the requisite affinity for binding neutral or negatively charged biomaterials, such as cells, cell debris, bacteria, spores, viruses, nucleic acids, endotoxins and proteins, at pH's near or below the pI's of the biomaterials.

Abstract: A method for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid such as a blood fluid includes placing a first surface of at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide and at least one acid gas other than carbon dioxide can pass in fluid in contact with the fluid. The membrane limits or prevent passage of the fluid therethrough. A carrier or sweep gas including the acid gas other than carbon dioxide is passed over a second surface (which is typically opposite the first surface) of the membrane so that the acid gas other than carbon dioxide can pass through the membrane into the fluid, and carbon dioxide from the fluid can pass from the liquid, through the membrane, and into the sweep gas.

Abstract: The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing biofuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for removing moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing the integrity of a microporous membrane using a colloid solution containing metal particles or metal compound particles that can accurately determine the integrity of a virus removal membrane formed of hydrophilized synthetic polymer that has been subjected to protein solution filtration, and to provide a method of producing the colloid solution. The colloid solution comprises a solvent and metal particles dispersed in the solvent, and the solvent comprises components (A) and (B), (A) and (C), or (A), (B), and (C), wherein the component (A) is an anionic polymer having a sulfonic acid group, the component (B) is at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surfactant having a polycyclic structure in a hydrophobic moiety and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and the component (C) is a water-soluble polymer having a pyrrolidone group.

Abstract: A method of producing desalinated water and recovering minerals from the feedwater uses membrane separation and electrodialysis brine concentration. This process can recover all of the minerals as high purity industrial minerals, including capturing the calcium and sulfate as agricultural grade gypsum and boron as high purity boric acid. In addition the process allows the use of low cost lime or dolime to produce valuable magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: A system and method are provided, including an integrated single-use kit, for processing whole blood to produce platelet rich plasma. A two stage spinning membrane separator, has a first stage for receiving whole blood and separating substantially all red blood cells from plasma and platelets, and a second stage for further separating platelet rich plasma from plasma. A first waste container is in fluid communication with the first stage of the separator for receiving separated red blood cells, while a second waste container is in fluid communication with the second stage of the separator for receiving separated plasma. An outlet line is in fluid communication with the second stage of the separator for receiving platelet rich plasma, and a reinfusion container is removably connected to the outlet line for receiving platelet rich plasma from the second stage of the separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enriching a homogenous catalyst from a process flow comprising said homogenous catalyst as a component, wherein the process flow is conducted over at least one membrane and wherein the membrane wholly or partially comprises a polymer that has planar polymer units connected to one another via a rigid link and wherein the linker is contorted, such that at least one planar polymer unit is connected to at least one second planar polymer unit via the link, in a non-co-planar arrangement. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing tridecanal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for filtering water according to its isotopic forms. In some embodiments, a stream of water comprising at least two distinct isotopic forms of water may be directed into one or more filtration modules comprising a graphene oxide membrane. The graphene oxide membrane(s) may be used to separate the stream into a permeate and a retentate, wherein the permeate comprises an increased concentration of light water relative to the retentate.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for dehydrating a water containing source of formaldehyde in which water is separated from the water containing source of formaldehyde using a zeolite membrane. In certain aspects, the water containing source of formaldehyde includes a separation enhancer having a relative static permittivity ranging from 2.5 to 20, and the water containing source of formaldehyde may further include methanol. In certain aspects, (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester may be produced using the dehydrated source of formaldehyde.

Abstract: A two-layered osmosis membrane contains a support layer and a rejection layer. The support layer, in which a mesh is embedded, is made of a phase separation polymer and has a thickness of 50 to 200 ?m. The rejection layer, which adheres to the support layer, is made of a thin film composite polymer and has a thickness of 0.05 to 3 ?m. The mesh, which is embedded in the support layer, has an open area of 30 to 70%, a mesh size of 60-300 mesh, and a thickness of 45-150 ?m. Also disclosed is a method of making the above described membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for desalination of salt water based on an engineered acoustic field that causes constructive and destructive interference at pre-computed spatial positions. The engineered acoustic field can cause high-pressure and low-pressure regions where desalination membranes are located. The induced pressure from the acoustic field can force pure water through the membranes leaving ionic and dissolved molecular species behind.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an organic polymers-separation membrane filter capable of physically separating organic polymers based on their molecular stereostructure difference without giving rise to chemical changes in them and without selecting their chemical compositions. The organic polymers-separation membrane filter comprising an ultrafilter membrane is characterized in that a path taken by a nano permeation pore has a narrower path portion having a width narrower than that of the rest, wherein organic polymers capable of changing in their stereostructure are passed through the path while their width is transformed into a configuration along the narrower path portion, thereby separating the organic polymers. In the ultrafilter membrane, particulate materials are mutually coupled together in its thickness and planar directions. The particulate materials comprise a protein.

Abstract: A method for treating spent abrasive slurry obtained from cutting a body of a substrate material into wafer-like slices, the slurry comprising a lubricant fluid, unspent abrasive particles and fines, is disclosed, method comprising separating the spent slurry in a first sedimentation step into a solids concentrate comprising unspent abrasive particles and a solids depleted slurry; and subsequently separating the solids depleted slurry by cross-flow filtration into a fines containing fraction and a solids and fines depleted regenerated lubricant fluid.

Abstract: An aggregate-removing filter material efficiently removes aggregates that are contained in a blood product for transfusion and may cause transfusion reactions without clogging, and exhibits excellent quality stability, and a blood product filtration method uses a filter apparatus that includes the aggregate-removing filter material and a leukocyte-removing filter material. The aggregate-removing filter material includes short fibers having a fineness of 0.7 to 4.0 dtex and a fiber length of 1 to 80 mm, and a ground fabric that includes long fibers, a fiber axis of the long fibers being oriented in a planar direction of the ground fabric, the short fibers being entangled with the ground fabric so that the aggregate-removing filter material has a total weight per unit area of 10 to 80 g/m2, and a layer of the short fibers forming a three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A separation apparatus using a membrane for diafiltration, which provides precise fractionation of a target substance by monitoring and regulating permeability of the target substance based on measurement values and analytical values indicating separation status, such as physical values and concentration of a permeate liquid, a circulating liquid and an internal circulating liquid in a membrane device. A diafiltration process including adding a cleaning liquid to an treating liquid which contains multiple target substances and extracting a target substance into the permeate liquid supplied from a membrane separation apparatus to fractionate the target substance from other target substances remaining in a residual liquid.

Abstract: A ceramic membrane for separating oil from water. The membrane contains a ceramic substrate having pore channels, and carbon nanotubes extending from surfaces of the ceramic substrate, wherein the ceramic substrate has a thickness of 0.1 to 50 mm and a porosity of 5 to 95%, the pore channels have a diameter of 0.001 to 20 ?m, and the carbon nanotubes constitute 0.01 to 40% by weight. Also disclosed are a method of preparing this membrane and a method of using it.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating plasma by which plasma can be separated from a small amount of whole blood cell sample without centrifugation is disclosed. This apparatus includes a blood channel through which blood flows; and a plasma channel through which plasma separated from said blood flows. The plasma channel is arranged at least partially in parallel with said blood channel and the blood channel and the plasma channel are at least partially in contact with each other along the longitudinal direction of the channels. Blood is made to flow at a flow rate at which blood cell components in the blood flowing through the blood channel axially accumulate and at which hemolysis does not occur. The plasma moves to the plasma channel after being separated into a blood cell layer and a plasma layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a liquor comprising tobacco solutes, the method comprising extracting tobacco solutes from tobacco by flowing an extraction solvent through tobacco to form a tobacco solutes-rich extraction solvent and a tobacco solutes-poor tobacco, and forming tobacco solutes-rich liquor by flowing the tobacco solutes-rich extraction solvent through an entrapment solvent, wherein the tobacco solutes comprise nicotine and at least one tobacco flavor compound and/or tobacco aroma compound and the liquor comprises the tobacco solutes dissolved in the entrapment solvent. A preferred extraction solvent comprises a supercritical fluid. Also provided are cigarettes and cigarette components comprising extracted tobacco solutes such as flavor compounds, aroma compounds and nicotine. Further, tobacco from which aroma compounds and/or nicotine have been extracted can be used in cigarettes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying low molecular weight hydridosilane solutions, in which a solution to be purified comprising a) at least one low molecular weight hydridosilane, b) at least one solvent and c) at least one impurity selected from the group of the compounds having at least 20 silicon atoms and/or the group of the homogeneous catalyst systems is subjected to a crossflow membrane process with at least one membrane separation step using a permeation membrane.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ceramic separation membrane. This ceramic separation membrane includes a porous substrate, and a separation layer formed on the substrate. The separation layer is a laminate having an outermost layer positioned on the most surface side, and a base layer positioned in a lower layer than the outermost layer and made of zeolite. The outermost layer is a layer made of a siliceous material containing 90 mol % or more of silica, an organic material-containing amorphous silica material having a Si-Cn-Si (wherein n is 1 or 2) bond and a Si/C ratio of 0.5 to 2, or a carbonaceous material containing 90 mass % or more of carbon. The outermost layer is different from the base layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new water purification method and system using reverse osmosis. In particular, the present invention provides methods and water purification systems using an ion exchange resin and absorbent media for pretreatment of water being fed to a reverse osmosis treatment system, where the pretreatment reduces fouling of, or deposits or chemical attack on the membrane surfaces and passageways. Particularly, a macroporous resin having an average pore diameter in the range of 1,000 to 500,000 Angstroms and a crush strength or Chatillon value of at least 24 g/bead (710 ?m bead diameter) is used.

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: An apparatus and method for desalinating fluids produced or returning from a subterranean formation using pressure from a subterranean formation. Fluid from a formation is sent to a liquid/liquid separator for separating water from the fluid and then to a reverse osmosis unit, one or more of which are configured to operate from pressure delivered from a subterranean formation. The liquid/liquid separator operates under pressure and includes oleophilic materials for extracting oil from the formation fluid.

Abstract: A system for separating solids from fluid including a solid-laden fluid including a base fluid, a first separator configured to receive the solid-laden fluid and separate the fluid into a solids portion and an effluent, and a membrane separator configured to receive the effluent and separate the effluent into a permeate and a concentrate is disclosed. A method for separating solids from fluid including obtaining a solid-laden fluid, wherein the solid-laden fluid comprises a base fluid, feeding the solid-laden fluid through a centrifuge, removing at least a portion of high gravity solids from the solid-laden fluids, flowing the solid-laden fluid through a membrane separator, removing at least a portion of low gravity solids from the solid-laden fluid, and collecting a permeate from the membrane separator is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of concentrating an analyte that is in liquid and method of detecting an analyte in a liquid are disclosed. Methods of screening a liquid for the presence of an analyte are also disclosed. Processes comprising continuously collecting a sample of fluid throughout the process and analyzing the sample are disclosed as are processes comprising treating ultrafilter membranes. Devices and systems for concentrating an analyte that is in liquid and for screening a liquid for an analyte are disclosed as well as devices and systems for concentrating an analyte from a continuous sample are disclosed.

Abstract: In a nanofiltration system for removing sulfate impurity from an aqueous brine stream and for recovering the brine, introducing a dilution stream upstream of the feed stream inlet of a nanofiltration module in the system dilutes the feed stream. This increases the amount of brine salt and water obtained in the permeate stream without substantially diluting the concentration of sulfate in the pass stream and hence results in enhanced recovery of brine while efficiently removing sulfate impurity. The system and process is especially suitable for recovering brine and removing sulfate impurity from a brine stream in a brine electrolysis plant. In a conventional system, the heat exchanger typically used to cool the feed stream can be omitted if the dilution stream is provided at a temperature suitably lower than that of the feed stream.

Abstract: A process for recovering solvents from inorganic and organic solutions is disclosed. The process utilizes a polymer capable of selectively extracting the solvent from the inorganic or organic solution. Introduction of the polymer into the solvent solution creates formation of a polymer-rich phase and a solute-rich phase. The recovered solvent may be separated from the polymer-rich phase by heating the polymer-rich phase to at least the cloud point of the polymer. The polymer and/or solute may be recycled for further use in the solvent recovery process.

Abstract: A system to reduce scaling within or downstream of an electrolytic cell includes sulfate removal membranes located upstream of one or more electrolytic cells which are arranged to receive a permeate feed stream from the sulfate removal membranes. The membranes can be nanofiltration membranes. The saline feed stream, permeate feed stream, or both may be de-aerated streams. The electrolytic cells may be part of an electro-chlorination unit and can be divided electrolytic cells.

Abstract: Provided is a ceramic separation filter having excellent separation performance and such acid resistance. The ceramic separation filter includes a porous substrate and a separation membrane disposed on the substrate. The separation membrane is a zeolite laminate including an outermost layer made of zeolite that is located on an outermost surface side and an underlayer made of zeolite that is located below the outermost layer, and the outermost layer of the separation membrane has a value of Si/Al ratio that is larger than a value of Si/Al ratio of the underlayer of the separation membrane. The thickness of the outermost layer of the separation membrane preferably is ½ or less of the thickness of the underlayer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for separating plasma from whole blood. The method combines size exclusion filtration through a separation membrane and erythrocyte (RBC) agglutination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of separating a fluid emulsion stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an aqueous stream, by contacting the stream with a microporous membrane to yield a hydrocarbon product stream and an aqueous product stream. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix, and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has a mean pore size less than 1.0 micron, and the purities of the product streams are independent of the flux rate of the aqueous product stream and the pore size of the membrane.

Abstract: A method is provided of regenerating solvents used to remove gaseous contaminants from gaseous mixtures of various compositions with significantly reduced energy required, where one exemplary method includes directing a solution with the solvents and the preferentially absorbed and/or dissolved gaseous contaminants through a filter comprising a membrane having pre-determined diffusion rates so that a substantial portion of the gaseous contaminants pass through the filter, permitting the passage of the gaseous contaminants through the membrane for further processing, and recirculating the separated solvent so that it may be used again to remove new gaseous contaminants. In some cases, it may be desired to permit some of the solvent to pass through the membrane along with the gaseous contaminant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of a resist composition for lithography, comprising, at least: a filtering step for filtering a resist composition for lithography by a filter therethrough, wherein in the filtering step, a colloidal, sol is passed through the filter from upstream thereof to adsorb colloidal particles to the filter, and then the resist composition for lithography is passed through the filter, thereby removing fine particles in the resist composition for lithography therefrom. There can be provided a resist composition for lithography capable of decreasing occurrences of defects such as coating defects and pattern defects.

Abstract: A method for filtering blood including: withdrawing blood from an adult patient; performing ultrafiltration by filtering the withdrawn blood in a filter having an active filter membrane surface of no greater than 0.2 meters squared (m2) to remove ultrafiltrate from the blood, wherein the filter membrane blocks the passage of blood molecules having a molecular weight of at least 60,000 Daltons, wherein an amount of the removed ultrafiltrate is an effective therapeutic amount for treating a fluid overload condition of the patient; infusing the ultrafiltrated blood into the adult patient, and pumping the ultrafiltrate from the filter a rate no greater than one liter per hour.

Abstract: A process for operating a cooling tower (10), said process comprising: introducing a feed solution into a cooling tower, evaporating solvent from the feed solution to produce a concentrated solution, removing a portion of the concentrated solution as blow-down, passing at least a portion of the blow-down through a first membrane in a nanofiltration unit (14), such that at least some of the solute in the blow-down are retained as a concentrated blow-down solution on the retentate-side of the first membrane, contacting at least a portion of the concentrated blow-down solution (42) with one side of a second membrane (12) and contacting a solution having a lower solute concentration than the combined concentrated blow-down solution and the return from the cooling tower with the opposite side of the second membrane, such that solvent flows across the second membrane to dilute the concentrated blow down solution by direct osmosis, and re-introducing the diluted blow-down solution to the cooling tower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for optimization of dilution of a viscous starting material to isolate and/or concentrate the product of interest from the starting source material such that the process minimizes the volume of diluent and the total volume of the waste stream generated during the process as well as maximizing the yield of desired product. The system employs cross-flow filtration modules with sub-channels that are equidistant to the inlet and outlet of said modules and such modules are characterized by optimal channel height, optimal transmembrane pressure, etc., which are selected in order to achieve the best combination of product quality and production yield.

Abstract: A method of removing unwanted molecules from blood includes (i) directing a flow of blood from a patient through a first hemofilter, (ii) removing a volume of fluid from the blood using the first hemofilter, (iii) combining a volume of first substitution fluid with an outflow from the first hemofilter, the volume of first substitution fluid being substantially equal to the volume of fluid removed from the blood using the first hemofilter, (iv) directing the combined first hemofilter outflow and the first substitution fluid volume from the first hemofilter through a second hemofilter, (v) combining a second substitution fluid with outflow from the second hemofilter, and (vi) returning the combined second hemofilter outflow and the second substitution fluid volume from the second hemofilter to the patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to an asymmetric composite membrane containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes within a single membrane layer, where the carbon nanotubes are randomly oriented within the polymeric matrix and the composite membrane is formed by phase inversion. This invention also relates to a method for producing the composite membrane which includes: coating a surface with a film of a polymer solution containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes dissolved in at least one solvent; immersing the coated surface in a non-solvent to affect solvent/non-solvent demixing resulting in phase inversion to form a carbon nanotube-containing membrane; and optionally, removing the carbon nanotube-containing membrane from the surface. The invention also relates to a desalination method using the composite membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of contacting a membrane having a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentadiene matrix with a feed solution having a) a first component with a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 g mol?1 to about 600 g mol?1 and a cross-sectional area of less than about 0.40 nm2 and b) a second component with a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 to about 600 grams g mol?1 and a cross-sectional area of greater than about 0.50 nm2 so that the feed solution is fractionated into a permeate comprising the first component and a retentate enriched in the second component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the separation/capture of specific cells and/or contaminants, as well as the determination, monitoring, and treatment of cancer. Moreover, some embodiments are directed to methods, systems and devices for removing cancer, stem and/or tumor cells in vivo or in vitro from a bodily fluid to prevent or impede the proliferation of a cancer. Some embodiments provide a blood-compatible filter comprising, for example, a membrane provided with a number of openings (preferably precise) which yield minimal detrimental effect both quantitatively and qualitatively on cells present in the bodily fluid during the separation process. For example, in some embodiments, a majority percentage of circulating tumor cells are captured by a filter while a majority percentage of leukocytes, for example, are allowed to pass, where the passed leukocytes retain their vitality.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes one or more acoustic microfilters through which is flowed a mixture of a fluid and a particulate to selectively filter particles from the fluid. Also included are one or more phononic crystal units coupled to the acoustic microfilter(s) to further selectively filter particles from the fluid. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved performance, including improved sieving characteristics, providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The improved sieving characteristics are due to a narrow pore size distribution of the membranes created in the production process. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions.