Abstract: A method for stretching a hollow fibre while making a stretched filtering membrane from a precursor involves wrapping the hollow fibre around a structure and modifying the structure such that at least portions of the hollow fibre are forced to elongated. For example, the hollow fibre may be wrapped around around two or more supports and the distance between adjacent supports increased. This produces first portions of the hollow fibre stretched to a first elongation and porous to a first porosity and second portions of the hollow fibre that are not stretched or are stretched to a second elongation less than the first elongation and that remain non-porous or become porous to a second porosity which is less than the first porosity. The membrane may be made into a module with second portions of the membranes located at points where the membranes exit the potting material or at turns in loops of the fibres, if any. In various embodiments, the fibre is potted into modules before or after it is stretched.

Abstract: A slip casting mold includes a water absorption layer having self water absorption capability and substantial water resistance. With the water saturation percentage of the water absorption layer being controlled, a slurry layer is deposited in the slip casting mold mainly under capillary attractive forces of the slip casting mold. The water absorption layer comprises an open porous body which is manufactured by stirring a mixture of an epoxy compound having at least one epoxy ring in one molecule, a hardener for reacting with the epoxy compound to harden the epoxy compound, a filler for developing self water absorption capability and mold releasability, and water into an O/W-type emulsion slurry, and casting the emulsion slurry into a mold impermeable to water, hardening the emulsion slurry in the mold while containing water.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a negatively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating having fixed negative charges. The crosslinked coating can be prepared, e.g., from a polymerized composition comprising an unsaturated monomer having an anionic group, an N-(hydroxymethyl)- and/or N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamide, a hydrophilic unsaturated monomer, and an initiator. The present invention further provides, in some embodiments, a negatively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating prepared from a polymerized composition comprising an unsaturated monomer having an anionic group, an N-(hydroxymethyl)- or N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamide, a polysaccharide, and an initiator. The membranes of the present invention are suitable for use in ion exchange chromatography, for example, in the separation and purification of positively charged species such as proteins.

Abstract: The present Application relates to a process for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes from polyacrylonitrile using malic acid as additives, with said membrane of molecular weight ranging between 80 to 180K, showing high purification and water permeating ability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming liquid spinning solution into a solid formed product whereby the solution is passed through at least one tubular passage (17) having walls formed at least partly of semipermeable and/or porous material. The semipermeable and/or porous material allows parameters, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions, water, salts and low molecular weight, of the liquid spinning solution to be altered as the spinning solution passes through the tubular passage(s).

Abstract: Reinforced, laminated, impregnated, and materials with composite properties as cross linked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel structures in bulk or cellular matrix forms that can take essentially any physical shape, or can have essentially any size, degree of porosity and surface texture. They have a wide range of physical properties, unusual and unique combinations of physical properties and unique responses to stress fields, which allows for their use in many end use applications.

Abstract: A porous sheet is provided suitable for use as a substitute for natural leather for shoes, clothes, and a fiber composite sheet. The porous sheet is formed of an elastic polymer, has a thickness of 10 to 500 ?m, and has 500 to 15,000 fine pores mm2 inside, the fine pores having an average pore diameter of 1 to 20 ?m, and which has a breaking strength of 1 to 15 N/mm2 and a breaking elongation of 100 to 500%. A fiber composite sheet is also provided, wherein the porous sheet is laminated on a substrate made of a fiber aggregate as a main component.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a method for producing water-insoluble polysaccharides. A method for making the water-insoluble bio-compatible gel includes activating the hydroxyl-containing polysaccharides with the activating agent to form activated polysaccharides, and cross-linking the activated polysaccharides, under moderate conditions producing different shapes of the water-insoluble bio-compatible gel. The water-insoluble bio-compatible gels, films, porosities, powders, sheets, fibers and spheres of this invention may be applied to various medical and cosmetic uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic charged microporous membrane comprising a porous hydrophobic substrate and a coating comprising a charge-providing agent. The present invention further provides a hydrophilic charged membrane comprising a porous hydrophobic substrate and a hydrophilic charge-providing agent distributed within the substrate. The present invention further provides a filter as well as a filter device comprising the inventive hydrophilic charged membrane. The present invention further provides a process for treating a fluid containing bacterial contaminants such as endotoxins comprising contacting the membrane with the fluid to provide a bacterial contaminant depleted fluid.

Abstract: A claim is laid to a permeable composite, a process of production of the composite as well as the use of this composite. The composite essentially contains a perforated and permeable carrier, on and in or on or in which another component that essentially contains metallic compounds with elements from group III to VI of the periodic system is stabilized. Stabilization of the component on or in the carrier is carried out by heating a suspension consisting of the component suspended in a metallic oxide sol that has been applied onto or into or onto and into the carrier. In this way, it is possible to produce a permeable composite that is ideally suited for use in filtration and membrane technologies under very mild conditions either by heating for a short time or warming for a longer time.

Abstract: A microporous gas permeable membrane having an ultraphobic liquid contact surface. In the invention, ultraphobic surface is provided on the liquid contact surface of the membrane. In an embodiment of the invention, the ultraphobic surface includes a multiplicity of closely spaced microscale to nanoscale asperities formed on a substrate. When liquid at or below a predetermined pressure value is contacted with the ultraphobic liquid contact surface of the membrane, the liquid is “suspended” at the tops of the asperities, defining a liquid/gas interface plane. The area of the liquid/gas interface plane includes the area of the ultraphobic surface as well as the combined area of the micropores, so that the gas transfer rate and efficiency of the membrane is enhanced over prior membranes wherein the liquid/gas interfacial area is limited to only the area of the micropores.

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

Abstract: A method for casting-in-place composite and/or non-filled structures which are useful as sorptive or reactive media or for size-based separations. Any particular housing size or configuration can be used, and the inclusion of a large amount of adsorptive particles in polymer is achieved while still maintaining the membrane three dimensional structure. In a first preferred embodiment, the composite structures comprise particles entrapped within a porous polymeric substrate, and are cast in-place into a housing such as a pipette tip, thereby providing an effective platform for micromass handling. With the appropriate selection of particle chemistry, virtually any separation or purification operation can be conducted, including selective bind/elute chromatography operations, on sample mass loads less than 1 microgram in volumes of a few microliters, as well as larger mass loads' and volumes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing foamed material, especially poly(meth)acrylimide foams, which are foamed from polymer plates produced according to the casting method. The two-step method consists of a pre-heating step and at least one foaming step. The product obtained has a significantly smaller compressive strain, measured according to DIN 53425(ASMD 621), than prior art products.

Abstract: An in-mold foam molding equipment, includes at least a movable partition member for dividing a molding space formed by a pair of molds into divided spaces,

Abstract: The preparation and use of novel porous poly(aryl ether) articles is disclosed. The porous articles are prepared from blends of poly(aryl ether) polymers with polyimides by selectively decomposing the polyimide phase. The preferred reagents used to decompose the polyimide phase include monoethanolamine and tetramethylammonium hydroxide. The porous articles can be configured as a single layer or as a multilayer article. The porous articles of the present invention are unique that at least one of the layers exhibits a narrow pore size distribution. The articles of the present invention can be used as a porous media for a broad range of applications, including porous membranes for fluid separations, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and gas separation, as a battery separators, and as a sorption media.

Abstract: A foamed thermoplastic resin sheet has a foaming ratio of not less than 2.5, and cells, existing in an interior part which extends inward from a depth of 20 percent a whole thickness of the sheet from the front and rear surfaces thereof respectively in a thickness direction thereof and from 15 percent a width of the sheet from both side edges respectively, satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2): 0.5≦D/C≦0.9  (1) 0.5≦E/C≦0.9  (2) where C represents a mean cell diameter in the thickness direction of the foamed thermoplastic resin sheet, D represents a mean cell diameter in an extrusion direction (MD) of the same, and E represents a mean cell diameter in the width direction (TD) of the same. The foamed thermoplastic resin sheet thus arranged has a high foaming ratio, and is formed thick.

Abstract: An indicator comprising a porous resin material, and a liquid retained in the pores of the porous resin material, in which the whiteness of the porous resin material is at least 80, and the whiteness of the porous resin material is at least 20 larger than that of the indicator. This indicator displays information such as a period through the change of a color tone, and the like, well maintains the displaying properties, and suffers from less variation of displayed periods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtration media having both hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties. The filtration media are produced using a fluorothermoplastic material, such as a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene. The invention also relates to methods of preparing such filtration media using casting solution phase inversion.

Abstract: High flux porous hollow fiber membranes are produced from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers by extruding a heated solution of the polymer having a lower critical solution temperature directly into a cooling bath to form the porous membrane by liquid-liquid phase separation. Extrusion can be conducted either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: High flux porous hollow fiber membranes are produced from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers by extruding heated solution of the polymer having a lower critical solution temperature directly into a cooling bath to form the porous membrane by liquid-liquid phase separation. Extrusion can be conducted either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for fabricating polymeric hollow fibers. Specifically, a removable solid core fiber is provided for coating one or more layers of a polymeric membrane-forming material thereon. After treating the polymeric membrane-forming material layer to form a solidified polymeric membrane having a permanent tubular shape, the solid core fiber is selectively removed, leaving an elongated lumen inside the solidified polymeric membrane, which forms a high quality polymeric hollow fiber that is substantially free of deformation defects. The solid core fiber can be made of a removable substrate material, such as water-soluble polymers polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or polyethylene glycol (PEG), which are subsequently and selectively removable by water. Alternatively, the solid core fiber can be coated with a removable substrate material, which imparts removability to such solid core fiber.

Abstract: EVAL microporous hydrophilic hollow fiber membranes are formed from a casting dope that includes low and high molecular weight pore-formers. Post-fabrication treatment includes stretching, hot water soaking and crosslinking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing microporous films. The method utilizes a casting surface and a condensing surface. The condensing surface is spaced from the casting surface to form a gap. The distance between the surfaces forming the gap is relatively small and is preferably less than 3 cm. A material, capable of forming microporous films through thermally induced phase separation processes, is cast onto the casting surface, preferably through conventional extrusion practices. The material contains at least one evaporative component that generally flashes off upon formation of the microporous material and condenses on the condensing surface.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition for powder molding comprising 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin-based resin(A) and 10 to 1000 parts by weight of a specific hydrogenated vinyl aromatic compound-conjugated diene-based block copolymer(B), a powder of the thermoplastic elastomer composition, a method for powder molding the same, a molded article obtained by the method for powder molding, and a multi-layer molded article containing the molded article as one layer.

Abstract: A molded resin laminate in which the dimensional accuracy and the strength are excellent at a bent portion and a method for producing the same are provided. One, in which an average diameter of small cells existing in a region on a side of a resin cover to be formed into a surface layer is smaller than an average diameter of large cells existing in a region on a side of a base resin component to be formed into a base layer, is used as a foamed resin component to be formed into an intermediate layer of the molded resin laminate. After the base resin component is molded with a molding machine, the base resin component is held on a male mold of a forming machine different from the molding machine described above. A sheet-shaped laminate, which is obtained by joining the foamed resin component and the resin cover, is arranged between the base resin component and a female mold. Subsequently, the forming machine is subjected to mold clamping.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a negatively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating having fixed negative charges. The crosslinked coating can be prepared, e.g., from a polymerized composition comprising an unsaturated monomer having an anionic group, an N-(hydroxymethyl)- and/or N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamide, a hydrophilic unsaturated monomer, and an initiator. The present invention further provides, in some embodiments, a negatively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating prepared from a polymerized composition comprising an unsaturated monomer having an anionic group, an N-(hydroxymethyl)- or N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamide, a polysaccharide, and an initiator. The membranes of the present invention are suitable for use in ion exchange chromatography, for example, in the separation and purification of positively charged species such as proteins.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.

Abstract: Diffuse reflective materials proximate to a structure formed by thermally induced phase separation of a thermoplastic polymer and a diluent providing enhanced flexibility and reflectivity especially in the visible wavelengths of 380-730 nanometers are described. Such materials find a wide variety of application among combinations with other reflective layers. The diffuse reflective articles are useful in backlight units of liquid crystal displays, lights, copy machines, projection system displays, facsimile apparatus, electronic blackboards, diffuse white standards, photographic lights and the like.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for preparing an improved melt-strength polyolefin blend by incorporating a polyolefin/clay nanocomposite product. The nanocomposite-modified polyolefin blend is used to form articles through processing operations that involve stretching and/or drawing, such as thermoforming, melt spinning, blow molding and foaming. The addition of the nanocomposite product to the polyolefin blend improves the sag resistance of the polyolefin and broadens the processing window of the operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides integral porous membranes comprising an amorphous halopolymer, as well as processes for preparing the membranes, and devices comprising the membranes. An example of an amorphous halopolymer is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtration media having both hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties. The filtration media are produced using a fluorothermoplastic material, such as a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene. The invention also relates to methods of preparing such filtration media using casting solution phase inversion.

Abstract: This invention provides a filter medium 1 comprising at least 5,000 thermoplastic synthetic resin monofilaments 2 of 0.03 to 0.001 mm in diameter aligned in parallel orderly in a tape-like form, said monofilaments being linked with each other in the longer direction thereof to form a plurality or number of linkage band portions crossing therewith at almost right angles in substantial width direction thereof so as to keep the thus aligned monofilaments in parallel.

Abstract: Microporous particles for stabilizing thermoplastic compositions comprising comprising a stabilizer are provided. Each of the porous microparticles has a plurality of preformed pores into which the stabilizing agent is loaded and from which the stabilizing is subsequently released to the processing environment of use.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyolefin porous film, including: a step of melt-kneading a resin which contains a polyolefin with a viscosity-average molecular weight of 300,000 or more as a main ingredient, together with a non-reactive gas using an extruder(s) (melt-kneading step); a step of forming the melt-kneaded resin into a non-porous solid resin form having an arbitrary shape (forming step); and a step of making the non-porous solid resin form porous (making-porous step).

Abstract: A microporous membrane is produced by cooling a solution comprising a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1×105 or more and a solvent therefor, to form a two-phase gel, said microporous membrane comprising a polymer phase comprising said vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer, and intercommunicating voids which have an average pore size measured by the half-dry method of 0.005 to 5 &mgr;m and range from one side of the membrane to the other side, and said microporous membrane having as its internal structure a percolation structure in which the polymer phase forms an isotropic network structure by three-dimensional branching in arbitrary directions, the voids are formed by surrounding by said polymer phase of the network structure and intercommunicate with one another, and the ratio of the maximum pore size measured by the bubble point method to the average pore size measured by the half-dry method is 2.0 or less.

Abstract: Method for the production of a biocompatible polymer-ceramic composite material with a predetermined porosity, designed and determined a priori, which includes a first phase (a) of the production of a suspension of a bioceramic material in distilled water, a second phase (b) in the which a compact of the bioceramic material containing a desired quantity of water is obtained from the suspension, and a third phase (c) in the which the compact is mixed with a polymeric material and/or a liquid monomer.

Abstract: A filter material comprising at least one nonheatsealable ply and at least one heatsealable ply which comprises fibers of synthetic material and contains an adhesion promoter, and also processes for producing same.

Abstract: A release-controlled pipe and a related manufacturing method comprise several main steps, which are mixing a formulation, first hot melt extrusion and cooling, grinding into pieces, second hot melt extrusion, molding and cooling. The present invention includes the steps of first mixing elastomer pellets and a binder, then pouring the formulation into a melt extruder for extruding and shaping a rod-like extrudate. Then the rod-like extrudate is ground into pieces and placed into a water-filled container and another dry container. The mixture of dry ground pellets, wet ground pellets including water, and a small amount of lubricant is poured into a melt extruder for extruding, and a release-controlled pipe is shaped via a pipe die head and gathered by a winder after cooling.

Abstract: A cation exchange membrane wherein a plain weave reinforced cloth is embedded in a fluorinated polymer having a sulfonic acid group and/or a carboxylic acid group, characterized by possessing therein a tubular path which is formed in a direction of a warp and a weft of the plain weave reinforced cloth and has a cross section flat to a direction of thickness of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a porous material having interconnected pores. One or more kinds of bioresorbable polymers and a low molecular weight oligomer are dissolved in an organic solvent to form a bioresorbable polymer solution. The bioresorbable polymer solution is then exposed to a coagulant to form a porous material. The low molecular weight oligomer is soluble in the coagulant, and the bioresorbable polymer is insoluble in the coagulant.

Abstract: An at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane is disclosed. The at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane may include at least two different membrane pore size layers or the pore sizes may have about the same pore size. Apparatus and processes for fabricating at least a two layer unsupported, continuous, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention uses supercritical and near supercritical fluid technology for the processing of polymer-containing formulations without induced foaming, giving benefits of either reduced melt viscosity and/or lower melt temperatures. Its application is particlarly beneficial to difficult to process materials, including unplasticised PVC, polycarbonate, PTFE, UHMWPE and polymers containing high loadings of fillers of organic origin. Shear and thermally sensitive materials can also be processed using this method with less risk of degradation, due to the lower shear input and reduced processing temperatures necessary. The production of foamed ceramic materials and metallic components by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of producing porous films having a high porosity and excellent air permeability, even though they have a small film thickness and a high strength, and a process of producing battery separators.

Abstract: Porous membranes of (per)fluorinated amorphous polymers having a porosity in the range 5-500 nm, preferably 20-100 nm, measured by an atomic force electronic microscope; the membrane pore average size distribution being narrow, about 80%-90% of the pores have a size ranging from minus 5 nm to plus 5 nm of the value of the distribution maximum peak.

Abstract: A foam core structural laminate material is made by reacting a polymer matrix material with a blowing agent contained on a dry fiber preform within a mold. The laminate material formed therefore has a fiber reinforced core material and a foamed outer region. To add toughness to the laminate material, a glass fiber matting may be introduced to the mold such that the dry fiber preform is centrally located within the mold and the matting is located along the outer periphery.

Abstract: This invention provides a method which is capable of continuously supplying an HIPE into a plurality of mold elements and allowing quantity manufacture of porous products of a complicated shape without entailing occurrence of a molding flash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nacreous polymer sheet comprising voided polyester polymer wherein said sheet has voids of a length to height ratio of greater than 9:1, voids of a length of between 10 and 100 micrometer and a number of voids in the vertical direction is greater than 6.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous ceramic article involves a step of kneading raw materials including a raw material for a ceramic and a processing aid, to prepare a body, a step of forming the body, to prepare a ceramic formed product, a step of drying the formed product, to prepare a ceramic dried article, and a step of firing the ceramic dried article, to preparing a porous ceramic article, characterized in that the processing aid is a starch having been subjected to a crosslinking treatment or a material comprising a starch having been subjected to a crosslinking treatment and a foamed resin. The method allows the production of a porous ceramic article which is suppressed in the deformation during drying and is excellent in dimensional accuracy.