Abstract: A spray coating apparatus is provided, wherein a nozzle is arranged to traverse a fabric in one direction whilst simultaneously spraying and oscillating in another direction. The fabric is spray coated with a first pass having a spray zone having uneven distribution in the direction of oscillation, and particularly with a greater density of fluid coverage toward the centre of the spray zone than an edge. The nozzle forming a second and subsequent pass that is off-set from the first and each subsequent pass respectively. The second and each subsequent pass being arranged to overlap with a portion of the previous pass, thereby providing an improved distribution of the spray coating. Moreover, because the spray coating is incremental, the method is easily adaptable to integrate with an ink jet printing process.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a water purification membrane is presented. The method includes stacking a plurality of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets to create the water purification membrane, the stacking involving layer-by-layer assembly of the plurality of GO nanosheets and forming a plurality of nanochannels between the plurality of GO nanosheets for allowing the flow of a fluid and for rejecting the flow of contaminants. The method further includes cross-linking the plurality of GO nanosheets by 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride on a polydopamine coated polysulfone support.

Abstract: A thin-film filter includes thin-film part having a film surface and a rear film surface arranged at the rear side of the film surface, a plurality of through holes, being formed to penetrate the thin-film part from the film surface to the rear film surface, the through holes are formed along by a slanting direction being made an acute angle or an obtuse angle with the film surface, and stripes-formed inner wall surfaces. The stripes-formed inner wall surfaces include stripe-like parts formed along by the slanting direction. The stripes-formed inner wall surfaces are formed inside the respective through holes.

Abstract: Foam wall structures and methods for making them are described. The wall structures include a frame, a mesh mechanically fastened to a front surface of the frame, a foam panel at least partially abutting and overlying the mesh, and a foam layer disposed in a cavity defined by the frame, the mesh, and the foam panel. Buildings that include such wall structures are also described.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane of the present invention is a hollow fiber membrane having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface has a zebra stripe pattern in which dense portions and porous portions are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction, and the outer surface has a maximum pore size of about 1 ?m or less (?about 1 ?m), and wherein the hollow fiber membrane has a water permeability (flux) of ?about 1,300 LMH/bar to ?about 5,000 LMH/bar.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fabricating thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. In some implementations, an apparatus is used to remove excess first solution from a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution. In some implementations, the method and apparatuses include flowing a gas, for example, compressed gas or ambient air, past a surface of a hollow fiber that has been immersed in a first solution prior to immersion in a second solution. In some implementations, the gas is flowed past the surface under positive pressure, while in other implementations the gas is flowed under negative pressure, for example, vacuum. The apparatuses and devices can be used to produce thin film composite hollow fiber membranes without pressing or damaging the hollow fiber.

Abstract: A foaming formulation is provided herein. The foaming formulation includes at least one foaming agent in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight based on a total weight of the foaming solution. The foaming formulation further includes a synthetic strength additive having a cationic functional group in an amount from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight based on a total weight of the foaming solution. The foaming formulation further includes water.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a coating on a substrate comprising one or more steps of crushing a dried layer of a foamed aqueous coating composition, wherein the aqueous coating composition comprises a collection of multi-stage copolymer particles having a weight average diameter of 2-20 ?m, wherein said multi-stage copolymer particles comprise a core having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 20° C. or less. Also provided is a coated substrate made by that process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an air box with an integrated air filter to communicate air flow from an exterior of the air filter to an air intake of an automobile engine. The air filter comprises a filter material that surrounds at least a portion of an interior cavity of the air filter. An end cap is affixed to a distal end of the filter material, and a wire support extends along at least a portion of the exterior surface of the filter material. The air box comprises a housing portion and a mount portion. The housing portion is configured to direct air drawn through the filter material into the interior cavity of the air filter and then into the air intake of the automobile engine. The mount portion is configured to support the air box and the air filter once installed within an automobile engine bay.

Abstract: Embodiments of protocol converters (PCs), and related techniques, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a PC may include reception logic to receive Extensible Markup Language (XML) data transmitted by an Application Function (AF), conversion logic to convert the XML data into a Diameter Protocol (DP) message, and provision logic to provide the DP message for transmission to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF). Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method of forming a silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer having covalent Si—O—Si bonds by cross-linking terminal silanol groups. The method includes positioning a substrate in a chamber. The substrate has one or more trenches including a width of 10 nanometers (nm) or less, and an aspect ratio of 2:1 or greater. The aspect ratio is defined by a ratio of a depth to the width of the one or more trenches. A silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer is disposed over the one or more trenches. The silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer has terminal silanol groups. The substrate is heated, and the silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer is exposed to an ammonia or amine group-containing precursor distributed across a process volume.

Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method for monitoring structural integrity of a hardened cement. An aramide capsule, a cement, and a water to form a cement slurry. The cement slurry is set to form a hardened cement, where the aramide capsule is embedded in the hardened cement. Imperfections of the hardened cement are detected by measuring electrical resistivity of the hardened cement. The aramide capsule is formed by interfacial polymerization using a surfactant, a dispersed monomer, a crosslinker such that a semi-permeable membrane is formed surrounding a core.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a mortar slurry and a method for preparing a hardened mortar. The method includes the steps of: mixing an aramide capsule, a cement, a silica, and a water to form a mortar slurry; and allowing the mortar slurry to set to form the hardened mortar, where the aramide capsule is embedded in the hardened mortar. A continuous solvent and a surfactant are mixed to produce a continuous phase. A dispersed solvent and a dispersed monomer are mixed to produce a dispersed phase. The continuous solvent and a crosslinker are mixed to produce a crosslinker solution. The continuous phase and the dispersed phase are mixed to form a mixture having an emulsion such that the dispersed phase is dispersed as droplets in the continuous phase, where an interface defines the droplets of the dispersed phase dispersed in the continuous phase. The crosslinker solution is added to the mixture such that the crosslinker reacts with the dispersed monomer.

Abstract: There is provided a functional layer including a layered double hydroxide. The functional layer further contains titania.

Abstract: Paper with increased strength and increased resistance against greases whose nature is that the paper contains 0.1%-40% of the weight share of biopolymeric starch whose primary particles have the sizes of 1 to 750 nanometres.

Abstract: An integrated hydrocarbon trap and air filter in the soundtube of a vehicle for use in conjunction with the engine's air intake system is disclosed. The trap and air filter comprises a housing body having first and second ends. The housing includes hydrocarbon-adsorbing media and air filter media. The hydrocarbon-adsorbing and air filter trap are incorporated into a soundtube. A first soundtube portion connects the housing to the engine's air intake system while a second soundtube is open to ambient and connects the housing to a vehicle body structure such as a fender. Selection of the body diameter, thickness, and length, the dimensions and type of both air filter media and hydrocarbon-adsorbing media and position of the air filter media, NVH media, and space relative to the trap media and location of the integrated hydrocarbon trap and air filter along the soundtube provide superior tunability and adaptability.

Abstract: Porous biocompatible structures suitable for use as medical implants and methods for fabricating such structures are disclosed. The disclosed structures may be fabricated using rapid manufacturing techniques. The disclosed porous structures have a plurality of struts and nodes where no more than two struts intersect one another to form a node. Further, the nodes can be straight, curved, portions that are curved and/or portions that are straight. The struts and nodes can form cells which can be fused or sintered to at least one other cell to form a continuous reticulated structure for improved strength while providing the porosity needed for tissue and cell in-growth.

Abstract: A method of forming a visible flexible facing layer for creating a visible appearance of a facing wall-surface of a walled structure, comprises the steps of: a] providing a flexible porous support substrate on a support; and b] creating a wet mixture using a powdered aggregate. A further step c] applies the wet mixture to the flexible support substrate using a control template to form a plurality of spaced-apart wall-tile slips which at least in part permeate the flexible porous support substrate; and step d] cures the wall-tile slips to the flexible porous support substrate to form a tile sheet of the visible flexible facing layer. A step e] folds the visible flexible facing layer for storage and/or transportation. A method of matching existing brick-or stone-work of a wall of a building to a visible flexible facing layer, and a visible flexible facing layer are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are urethane foam: which heightens toner charge amount (Q/M); by which toner is sufficiently absorbed in the surface layer of a toner-conveying roller to give a sufficient toner conveying ability; and by which a good image can be obtained with a low cost, and a toner-conveying roller using the same. Also provided are urethane foam in which substrate urethane foam is impregnated with one or more powders selected from the group consisting of silicone powder and silica powder, and a toner-conveying roller using the same. Preferred are urethane foam wherein said powder is bound with said substrate urethane foam via a binder, and a toner-conveying roller using the same.

Abstract: The present inventions is concerned with an apparatus and a method of improving the accuracy of coating a ceramic or metallic honeycomb body, which can usually be used as a catalyst in automotive exhaust mitigation. The invention achieves to directly test whether the coating slurry in the coating chamber is ready to be submitted to the monolith or needs to be replaced before coating the monolith.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for space surveillance are disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves scanning, by at least one sensor on at least one satellite in inclined super-geostationary earth orbit (super-GEO), a raster scan over a field of regard (FOR). In one or more embodiments, the scanning is at a variable rate, which is dependent upon a target dwell time for detecting a target of interest. In at least one embodiment, the target dwell time is a function of a range from at least one sensor to the target of interest and a function of a solar phase angle. In some embodiments, the axis of inclination of the inclined super-GEO is a function of the solar phase angle.

Abstract: A method of making garment material, the method having the steps: applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32); applying a foam (38) of the polymeric material to the substrate (32); allowing the coagulant (34) to coagulate some of the foam (38); and removing uncoagulated foam (38) from the substrate (32) to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate (32).

Abstract: A process for making a composite membrane comprising the steps: (i) providing a moving poriferous support (1) impregnated with a curable composition, wherein the composition is present in the pores of the support and on a surface of the support; (ii) scraping or squeezing the poriferous support and thereby removing at least some of the curable composition (2) from the surface of the support; and (iii) after performing step (ii), irradiating the support, thereby curing the composition present therein. Composite membranes are also claimed having a surface layer thickness of below 0,5 microns.

Abstract: A polymeric membrane for separating oil from water has a pore size of 0.005 ?m to 5 ?m, a thickness of 50 ?m to 1,000 ?m, a water contact angle of 0° to 60°, an oil contact angle of 40° to 100°. The membrane contains a hydrophobic matrix polymer and a functional polymer that contains a hydrophobic backbone and side chains. The side chains each have an oleophobic terminal segment and a hydrophilic internal segment. The weight ratio of the matrix polymer to the functional polymer is 99:1 to 1:9. Also disclosed is a method of making the above described membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous cellulose gel having a high mechanical strength capable of being operated at a higher flow rate, and a method for producing the same. To a suspension liquid of cellulose particles, a crosslinking agent in an amount of from 4 to 12 times the amount of the cellulose monomer in terms of moles and an alkali in an amount of from 0.1 to 1.5 times the amount of the crosslinking agent in terms of moles are added continuously dropwise or added dividedly over a prescribed period of time, whereby flow rate characteristics of a resulting porous cellulose gel can be enhanced. According to the invention, the production efficiency of a polymer substance, such as a nucleic acid and a protein can be enhanced.

Abstract: A conductive elastic member includes a polymer foamed body having elasticity and including an open cell structure having a sheet shape including a plurality of pores vertically connecting upper and lower sides without skin layers, conductive elastic rubber coating layers formed by adhering liquid elastic rubber including conductive particles mixed therein to the upper and lower sides of the polymer foamed body and inner surfaces of the pores by hardening, a conductive polymer cover layer formed by adhering liquid elastic polymers including conductive particles mixed therein to an upper side of the conductive elastic rubber coating layer formed on the upper side of the polymer foamed body by hardening the polymers, and a conductive base material adhered to a lower side of the conductive elastic rubber coating layer formed on the lower side of the polymer foamed body by hardening the elastic rubber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cosmetic applicator formed of a substrate and an application element comprising one or more application areas that are cohesively maintained on the substrate in a gapless, side-by-side formation in the presence of wet and/or dry binders. The substrate is subjected to a wetting agent that provides a better bind for the cosmetic slurries as they are printed onto their respective application area. The cosmetic compositions of each cosmetic application area may be different. Various cosmetic effects may be provided to end-users in a portable application.

Abstract: A membrane having a refined surface as well as to a process and an apparatus for producing such a membrane, and which is useful, in particular, for rapid diagnostic tests for identifying specific analytes in liquid media.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for detecting drugs of abuse or other compounds in saliva. The invention thus provides a device for detecting the presence of one or more analytes in a saliva sample, comprising: (a) One or more pre-treatment regions for specifically or non-specifically removing at least a part of the fraction of the saliva sample interfering with detection of the one or more analytes; and (b) A detection region comprising a biosensor surface, the surface comprising: molecules capable of specifically binding the one or more analytes; or the one or more analytes and/or analyte analogs.

Abstract: A method for increasing the solubility of a hydrocarbon compound comprising an aliphatic or arene moiety substituted with at least one acyl halide and at least one carboxylic acid functional group within a hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the method includes the step of preparing a solution comprising: at least 80 v/v % of the hydrocarbon solvent, the hydrocarbon compound, and a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound, wherein the concentration of the hydrocarbon compound is greater than its solubility limit within the solvent but less than its solubility limit in the solution and the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method includes the step of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and a tetraacyl acyl halide monomer represented by Formula (I) to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer; wherein A is selected from: oxygen (—O—); carbon (—C—); silicon (—Si—); each of which may be unsubstituted or substituted, e.g. with alkyl groups of 1-4 carbon atoms; or a carbonyl group (—C(O)—), X is the same or different and is selected from a halogen, and Y is selected from halogen and hydroxide.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane and a membrane made from the method are provided. The method comprises coupling a vesicle to a support substrate, the vesicle comprising a plurality of water channels; and partially embedding the vesicle coupled to the support substrate in a layer of material that is substantially impermeable to water to form the membrane.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane including a porous support and a thin film polyamide layer characterized by having a dissociated carboxylate content of at least 0.45 moles/kg at pH 9.5 and a method for making a composite polyamide applying a polar solution comprising a polyfunctional amine monomer and a non-polar solution comprising a polyfunctional amine-reactive monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is characterized by the non-polar solution comprising at least 0.025 wt % of an acid compound including at least one carboxylic acid moiety and at least one amine-reactive moiety selected from acyl halide and anhydride.

Abstract: Described is a liquid separation device comprising a porous support structure further comprising polymeric hollow fibers; an inorganic mesoporous silica membrane disposed on the porous support structure, wherein the inorganic mesoporous silica membrane is free of defects; and wherein the inorganic mesoporous silica membrane has a network of interconnected three-dimensional pores that interconnect with the porous support structure; and wherein the inorganic mesoporous silica membrane is a silylated mesoporous membrane. Also described are methods for making and using the liquid separation device.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.

Abstract: A forward osmosis membrane for seawater desalination and a method for preparing the same. The forward osmosis membrane has a composite membrane structure including a nonwoven fabric layer; a hydrophilic polymer layer; and a polyamide layer. The hydrophilic polymer layer formed on the nonwoven fabric layer facilitates an inflow of water from the feed water to the draw solution to enhance flux and realize high water permeability in the direction of osmosis. The polyamide layer not only secures contamination resistance and chemical resistance but also minimizes the back diffusion of salts of the draw solution in the direction of reverse osmosis. Hence, the forward osmosis membrane of the present invention is greatly useful for desalination of high-concentration seawater.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: A semi-permeable film includes a nanoporous material and a polymer matrix. The nanoporous material includes a nanoporous core and a coating layer that is disposed on a surface of the nanoporous core. The coating layer may include a particle selected from a metal hydroxide particle, a metal oxide particle, and a combination thereof. A separation membrane may include the semi-permeable film. Example embodiments also relate to a method of manufacturing the semi-permeable film and the separation membrane.

Abstract: A preparation method of a homogeneous-reinforced PVDF hollow fiber membrane includes steps of: a) preparing a reinforced matrix membrane, wherein a PVDF hollow fiber membrane is utilized as the reinforced matrix membrane; b) preparing a PVDF casting solution, wherein mass fractions of the PVDF casting solution are: PVDF 6˜20 wt %; hydrophilic polymers or hydrophilic inorganic particles 0.6˜2 wt %; pore-forming agent 6˜10 wt %; and solvent 68˜87.4 wt %; mixing the above solutes in a water bath with a temperature of 70˜90° C.

Abstract: An adjustable body support system for accommodating the needed or desired support of multiple users. The system comprises an enclosure for housing a first support member and a second support member in respective first and second chambers. The first support member has a first foam layer secured to a second foam layer, wherein the first and second foam layers have different support characteristics. The second support member has a third foam layer secured to a fourth foam layer, wherein the third and fourth foam layers have different support characteristics. The first and second support members are removable from and securable in the first and second chambers, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments for a tubular ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane and methods for manufacturing the tubular ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter material which is used, in particular in filters or as a filter for treating and/or purifying gas, in particular for clean room environments. The filter material comprises at least one activated carbon, in particular with reactive and/or catalytic finishing and the activated carbon is present in the form of discrete activated carbon particles, preferably in a spherical and/or grain form. The activated carbon comprises and/or is provided with at least one metal component which contains at least one metal-containing ionic liquid (IL), containing in particular metal ions, preferably based on a metal compound.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a reverse osmosis membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane manufactured thereby. The method includes forming a polysulfone layer by applying a solution including a mixed solvent containing two or more solvents having different solubility parameter values to a surface of a porous support; and forming an active layer on the polysulfone layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis membrane including a porous support including a polysulfone layer; and a polyamide active layer formed on the porous support, wherein a concentration of sulfur (S) detected on a surface of the polyamide active layer is 1.8×10?3 units or less on average or a concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) detected on the surface of the polyamide active layer is 7×10?3 units or less on average, and a method of manufacturing a reverse osmosis membrane, the method including forming a porous support; and forming a polyamide active layer on the porous support by interfacially polymerizing a polyfunctional amine solution including a carbodiimide compound, and a polyfunctional acid halide compound solution.

Abstract: A membrane comprises: a porous base membrane; a polyol layer comprising polyols and a metalorganic compound; and a polyamide film layer sandwiched between the porous base membrane and the polyol layer. A method of making the membrane is also described.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis membrane including: a porous support; a polysulfone layer formed on the porous support; and a polyamide active layer formed on the polysulfone layer, wherein the polyamide active layer is formed through interfacial polymerization between an amine compound and an acyl halide compound, and the acyl halide compound includes a monofunctional acyl halide and a polyfunctional acyl halide, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an intermediate filtering membrane comprising: a filtering membrane having a charged or polar surface; and a transiently coupled charged compound, wherein the charged compound has an opposite charge to the membrane charge. Likewise, provided herein are methods and kits utilizing the intermediate membrane for various filtering membranes operations.