Abstract: Hydrogen generation assemblies and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a feed stream in a fuel processing assembly, and heating, via one or more burners, a hydrogen generating region of the fuel processing assembly to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. The method additionally includes generating an output stream in the heated hydrogen generating region of the fuel processing assembly from the received feed stream, and generating a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream in a purification region of the fuel processing assembly from the output stream. The method further includes separating at least a portion of the carbon dioxide gas from the byproduct stream to generate a fuel stream having a carbon dioxide concentration less than the byproduct stream, and feeding the fuel stream to the one or more burners.

Abstract: A low cost, high selectivity asymmetric polyimide/polyethersulfone (PES) blend hollow fiber membrane, a method of making the membrane and its use for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations such as deep desulfurization of gasoline and diesel fuels, ethanol/water separations, pervaporation dehydration of aqueous/organic mixtures, CO2/CH4, CO2/N2, H2/CH4, He/CH4, O2/N2, H2S/CH4, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins separations, and other light gas mixture separations. The polyimide/PES blend hollow fiber membrane is fabricated from a blend of a polyimide polymer and PES and showed surprisingly unique gas separation property with higher selectivities than either the polyimide hollow fiber membrane without PES polymer or the PES hollow fiber membrane without PES polymer for gas separations such as for H2/CH4, He/CH4, H2S/CH4, CO2/CH4 separations.

Abstract: A membrane system includes a first membrane and a second membrane. At a given temperature and pressure: the first membrane has a permeation rate for a first gas and a selectivity for a gas mixture comprising the first gas a second gas different from the first gas; the second membrane has a permeation rate for the first gas and a selectivity for the gas mixture; the permeation rate of the first membrane is greater than the permeation rate of the second membrane; and the selectivity of the second membrane is greater than the selectivity of the first membrane.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for utilizing hydrostatic and/or hydraulic pressure to generate energy and to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen are disclosed herein. A representative industrial system can comprise a storage tank containing fluid, a separator piston having a first separator compartment configured to be fluidically coupled to the storage tank and a second separator compartment, and a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier includes a first compartment, and a second compartment fluidically coupled to the second separator compartment. The second compartment of the pressure intensifier includes a pressure concentrator having a housing, a piston head member including arms, a plurality of cylinders each defined in part by the housing, and a drive piston head portion. Pressurized water may be depressurized by sending it through fine bore friction channels to produce water vapor and/or steam, which may then be injected into plasma reactors that separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode protective layer forming method is disclosed. The method includes forming primary defects in a carbon-based protective layer material via a formation step. The primary defects are configured to transport fuel cell products and/or reactants representing a transported portion of a total fuel cell products and/or reactants. The difference between the total fuel cell products and/or reactants and the transported portion is an untransported portion. The method further includes activating secondary defects in the carbon-based protective layer material via an activation step. The secondary defects are configured to transport a portion of the untransported portion of the total fuel cell reactants and/or products. The activation step is different than the formation step.

Abstract: An apparatus/system for generating a high-purity nitrogen gas using a fuel cell includes; a fuel cell that operates by taking in air or a gas containing nitrogen and oxygen, and a fuel gas; a dehumidification mechanism that reduces moisture or water vapor content in an exhaust gas that is extracted from the fuel cell and has a lower oxygen concentration than air; and a filtering mechanism which includes a filter using fibers having different degrees of permeation for nitrogen and oxygen and converts the exhaust gas having a reduced moisture or water vapor content into a gas having an increased nitrogen concentration. The filter recovery ratio is higher when an oxygen concentration of a gas to be filtered is lower. The dehumidification mechanism is a pump unit including a water seal pump to provide an adiabatic expansion chamber in which the exhaust gas extracted from the fuel cell expands adiabatically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the effectiveness of an oxygen removal unit for a fuel supply system. The method includes contacting a tube bundle with a repair liquid at 20 to 40° C. for less than two hours. The tube bundle includes tubes having an air permeable, non-porous polymer layer with discontinuities. The repair liquid includes a solvent and a curable thermoset material. The curable thermoset material is deposited in the discontinuities of the air permeable, non-porous polymer layer and cured. Also disclosed is a fuel system oxygen removal unit including a tubular bundle formed of tubes having an air permeable, non-porous polymer layer disposed on a microporous support wherein the air permeable, non-porous polymer layer includes discrete segments of a cured thermoset material.

Abstract: Plant and method for the separation of a gas mixture containing a plurality of gaseous components, comprising first and second membrane-based separation stages and a third gas separation stage with adsorption with oscillating pressure, the first, second and third gas separation stages acting in combination to obtain a first final flow of gas enriched in a first component of the initial gas mixture, for example methane, and a second final flow of gas, enriched in a second component of the initial gas mixture, for example carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A membrane including a polymer substrate having pore channels and a metal-organic framework disposed on the polymer substrate. Methods of producing the membrane are described. Methods of separating gases using the membrane are also provided.

Abstract: Synthesis gas containing nitrogen as the majority component is processed to increase the hydrogen to carbon dioxide ratio. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other contaminants are subsequently removed by a purification unit to produce a purified hydrogen gas stream. A recycle stream within the purification unit helps achieve a hydrogen purity greater than 99.9 percent, and hydrogen recovery greater than 99 percent.

Abstract: A hybrid nitrogen gas generation system includes a membrane nitrogen gas generator and a pressure swing absorption nitrogen generator. A gas comprising nitrogen is purified to a first nitrogen purity using one of the membrane nitrogen gas generator and the pressure swing absorption nitrogen generator. The gas is either bypassed around the other of the membrane nitrogen gas generator and the pressure swing absorption nitrogen generator to provide the gas having the first nitrogen purity or the gas is purified to a second nitrogen purity using the other of the membrane nitrogen gas generator and the pressure swing absorption nitrogen generator.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a process for purifying a hydrogen gas for use in a fuel cell. The process involves taking a hydrogen feed stream from a high-pressure tank and passing it through a purifier comprising an adsorbent to provide a purified hydrogen stream which is sent to a fuel cell. A particular adsorbent which can be used is a metal-organic framework composition. The adsorbent can be housed in a device such as a canister or cartridge having an inlet and outlet port.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide containing fluid is flowed through a membrane in an open position. The membrane encapsulates an adsorbent bed operating at a first temperature. The adsorbent bed adsorbs at least a portion of the carbon dioxide of the carbon dioxide containing fluid. The membrane is adjusted to a closed position, thereby isolating the adsorbent bed and preventing fluid flow into and out of the membrane. The adsorbent bed is heated to a second temperature, thereby desorbing the carbon dioxide captured from the carbon dioxide containing fluid. The membrane is adjusted to the open position. The adsorbent bed is cooled to the first temperature.

Abstract: A mesoporous isoporous asymmetric material includes at least one diblock or multiblock copolymer, wherein the material has a transition layer having a thickness of at least 300 nm and a low macrovoid density, and the material has a sub-structure adjacent to said transition layer and said sub-structure comprises a high macrovoid density. A method for producing mesoporous isoporous asymmetric materials having macrovoids can include: dissolving at least one diblock or multiblock copolymer in a solution, the solution having one or more solvents and one or more nonsolvents, to form a polymer solution; dispensing the polymer solution onto a substrate or mold, or through a die or template; removing at least a portion of solvent and/or nonsolvent from the polymer solution to form a concentrated polymer solution; and exposing the concentrated polymer solution to a nonsolvent causing precipitation of at least a portion of the polymer from the concentrated polymer solution.

Abstract: A membrane device is presented that can used for a wide range of applications from once-through filtration, crossflow filtration, molecular separation, gas/liquid absorption or reaction, gas dispersion into liquid, and degassing of liquid. The device comprises a thin flat sheet membrane that allows certain fluid or molecules go through while blocking others. The membrane sheet is fixed on a supporting structure with mini channel on two sides of the membrane for respective feed and sweep flows. The membrane sheet is sealed with gaskets with two cover plates that the membrane sheet can be replaced or cleaned. The cover plate provides connection ports to connect the feed fluid to the feed channels on one membrane surface and to connect the sweep fluid to the sweep channels on the other surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A resin composition includes 100 parts by weight of a fluorine-containing compound and 1 part by weight to 15 parts by weight of a compound of Formula (1); in Formula (1), m and n are individually an integer of 10 to 100; and the fluorine-containing compound includes tetrafluoroethylene homopolymer, perfluoroalkoxy alkane or a combination thereof. Moreover, also provided is an article made from the resin composition, which comprises a prepreg, a resin film, a laminate or a printed circuit board, wherein the article achieves improvement in at least one of the following properties: dielectric constant, dissipation factor, Z-axis coefficient of thermal expansion, MIT bending resistance and tensile strength.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream may be contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a gas stream. C3/C4 hydrocarbons are absorbed from the gas stream with the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The gas stream may be contacted with an H2/hydrocarbon separation membrane to separate the PSA tail gas stream and form an H2-rich permeate stream and an H2 depleted non-permeate residue stream.

Abstract: A process for recovering sulfur from a sour gas is provided. The process includes the steps of: providing the sour gas to a membrane separation unit having a carbon dioxide-selective membrane that comprises a perfluoropolymer, wherein the sour gas comprises carbon dioxide and at least 1 mol % hydrogen sulfide; separating the sour gas using the carbon dioxide-selective membrane in the membrane separation stage to obtain hydrogen sulfide-enriched gas and hydrogen sulfide-stripped gas, wherein the hydrogen sulfide-enriched gas has a hydrogen sulfide concentration of at least 20 mol %, and wherein the hydrogen sulfide-stripped gas comprises carbon dioxide; and processing the hydrogen sulfide-enriched gas in a sulfur recovery unit to obtain sulfur.

Abstract: A microporous membrane for filtering and a method for preparing the same, a flat filtering element and a gas filtering article are disclosed. The microporous membrane is composed of following raw materials in parts by weight: 100-110 parts of polyethylene, 27-30 parts of acrylonitrile, 0.1-0.2 parts of dicumyl peroxide, 2-4 parts of plasticizer, 1-2 parts of antimonous oxide, 0.8-1 part of zinc borate, 1-2 parts of antioxidant, 0.8-2 parts of heat stabilizer, 1-2 parts of octylisothiazolinone, 1-3 parts of calcium propionate, 0.7-2 parts of triglycidyl isocyanurate, 4-6 parts of diacetone alcohol, 0.7-1 part of oleic diethanolamide, 0.5-1 part of sodium myrastate and 1-2 parts of glycolic acid.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeable membrane device is provided that includes a porous ceramic layer having a material that includes zirconia, Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), ?/Al2O3, and/or YSZ— ?/Al2O3, and a porous Pd film or porous Pd-alloy film deposited on the a mesoporous ceramic layer.

Abstract: A dual pressure process for the synthesis of ammonia from a make-up gas, wherein the make-up gas is reacted in two steps in series, the second step operating at a greater pressure than the first step, and wherein a portion of the effluent of the first step is recycled back to the first step, said portion containing unreacted make-up gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas separation membrane including: a supporting membrane; and a separation functional layer which is provided on the supporting membrane and includes a crosslinked polyamide obtained by polycondensation of a polyfunctional amine and a polyfunctional acid halide, in which, in the crosslinked polyamide, the number A of terminal amino groups, the number B of terminal carboxy groups, and the number C of amide groups satisfy (A+B)/C?0.66.

Abstract: A pass or tube or a section thereof or “U” bend in a coil in a paraffin cracker having section having a pore size in the metal substrate from about 0.001 to 0.5 microns over coated with a dense metal membrane permits the permeation of one or more of H2, CH4, CO and CO2 from cracked gases moving the reaction equilibrium to the production of ethylene and reduces the load on the down-stream separation train of the steam cracker.

Abstract: An ultrathin high permselectivity carbon molecular sieve membrane (CMSM) for industrial gas separations is provided. The CMSM includes porous metal or ceramic supports to provide superior stability at high temperatures, pressures and chemical environments. The CMSM also offers the potential for cost-effective gas processing while overcoming disadvantages found in alternative media that are fragile and susceptible to shock due to thermal cycling and prone to end-sealing problems under industrial conditions.

Abstract: A method of forming a reverse osmosis membrane 1 of the present invention includes a coating membrane forming step of forming a coating membrane which is soluble in a predetermined solvent on a surface of a porous support substrate 2 that is insoluble in the solvent, a carbon membrane forming step of forming a carbon membrane 3 on the coating membrane by a physical vapor deposition which deposits carbon as a target material under an atmosphere where rare gas and nitrogen gas are contained, and a removing-by-dissolving step of removing the coating membrane by dissolving the same in the solvent after formation of the carbon membrane 3.

Abstract: A method for filtering gas includes providing a gas filtration structure, and the gas filtration structure includes a porous support and a first gas filtration film pair on the porous support, wherein the first gas filtration film pair includes a first hydrogen permeation layer and a first calcinated layered double hydroxide (c-LDH) layer, and the first hydrogen permeation layer is disposed between the porous support and the first c-LDH layer. The method also provides a hydrogen-containing mixture gas over the first gas filtration film pair, and collects hydrogen under the porous support.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing a catalyst layer by an in-situ sol-gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane, and a fuel cell including the catalyst layer prepared thereby. Addition of silica mitigates specific adsorption of sulfonate groups contained in a Nafion ionomer on a Pt catalyst layer in a high-voltage region where the role of a catalyst predominates, resulting in improvement of ORR performance.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.

Abstract: An olefin hydration process and reactor are provided, where an integrated membrane selectively removes alcohol product from the reactor, thereby allowing for increased yields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting a hydrogen separation membrane from particulate contaminants in the process of producing or purifying hydrogen by using the separation membrane. The protection layer, wherein a cermet is formed by coating a ceramic and a metal able to cause surface movement of hydrogen molecules and hydrogen atoms to the surface of the separation membrane, plays the role of blocking contact between the separation membrane and particles (contaminant or catalyst) contained in the gas. In this way, it is possible to improve the durability of the hydrogen separation membrane and to minimize effects on the hydrogen permeability of the separation membrane.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a first separator and a second separator sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assembly. The first and second separators have flat surfaces stacked on the electrolyte electrode assembly. The electrolyte electrode assembly includes an anode having a plurality of anode projections. The anode projections contact the first separator and form a fuel gas channel between the anode and the first separator. Further, the electrolyte electrode assembly includes a cathode having a plurality of cathode projections. The cathode projections contact the second separator and form an oxygen-containing gas channel between the cathode and the second separator.

Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic compounds, especially polar compounds such as alcohols. The processes include a membrane-based dehydration step, using a membrane that has a dioxole-based polymer selective layer or the like and a hydrophilic selective layer, and can operate even when the stream to be treated has a high water content, such as 10 wt % or more. The processes are particularly useful for dehydrating ethanol.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described herein for the design and manufacture of hydrogen generation apparatuses and systems. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. Some methods described herein pressing together a first end plate, one or more intermediate plates, and a second end plate using a press to form a hydrogen purifier module, and placing a plurality of clips around the hydrogen purifier module to hold the first end plate, the one or more intermediate plates, and the second end plate together.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.

Abstract: Perovskite materials of the general formula SrCeO3 and BaCeO3 are provided having improved conductivity while maintaining an original ratio of chemical constituents, by altering the microstructure of the material. A process of making Pervoskite materials is also provided in which wet chemical techniques are used to fabricate nanocrystalline ceramic materials which have improved grain size and allow lower temperature densification than is obtainable with conventional solid-state reaction processing.

Abstract: A method of making a polybenzoxazole (PBO) membrane from a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane is provided. These membranes are useful in the separation of gas mixtures and liquid mixtures. The PBO membrane is made by fabricating a self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer membrane comprising both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups; cross-linking the polymer to form a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane by heating the membrane at 250° to 300° C. under an inert atmosphere; and thermal heating the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane at a temperature from about 350° to 500° C. under an inert atmosphere to convert the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane into a PBO membrane. A membrane coating step may be added by coating the selective layer surface of the PBO membrane with a thin layer of high permeability material.

Abstract: This invention relates to self-cross-linkable and self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymers, their membranes and methods for making and using these polymers and membranes. The self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer described in the present invention comprises both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups. The self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide was formed via heating the self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer at ?300° C. The self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide membranes exhibit high selectivity in separation of mixtures of gases and liquids.

Abstract: The hydrogen separation membrane module according to the present invention is used for separating hydrogen from a gas to be treated containing hydrogen, and is provided with a tubular hydrogen separation membrane being selectively permeable to hydrogen, a casing for the hydrogen separation membrane, an insertion member being arranged on the inside of the hydrogen separation membrane and having an outer surface that defines a flow path of the gas to be treated together with an inner surface of the hydrogen separation membrane, a gas supply port for supplying the gas to be treated to the inside of the hydrogen separation membrane, a gas discharge port for discharging a non-permeating gas that does not permeate the hydrogen separation membrane, from a downstream side of the flow path, and a hydrogen discharge port provided in the casing, for discharging hydrogen having permeated the hydrogen separation membrane.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for perforated graphene monolayers and membranes containing perforated graphene monolayers. An example membrane may include a graphene monolayer having a plurality of discrete pores that may be chemically perforated into the graphene monolayer. The discrete pores may be of substantially uniform pore size. The pore size may be characterized by one or more carbon vacancy defects in the graphene monolayer. The graphene monolayer may have substantially uniform pore sizes throughout. In some examples, the membrane may include a permeable substrate that contacts the graphene monolayer and which may support the graphene monolayer. Such perforated graphene monolayers, and membranes comprising such perforated graphene monolayers may exhibit improved properties compared to conventional polymeric membranes for gas separations, e.g., greater selectivity, greater gas permeation rates, or the like.

Abstract: A device for trapping flammable gases such as hydrogen comprises active means (3) inside a casing (1) which is closed except for openings which are plugged by filters (2) that normally allow only the gases that are to be trapped to pass through them. The trapping maintains a reduced pressure inside the casing, which continually draws in the gases produced outside. The trap can operate without any maintenance and for long periods of time, even in a completely enclosed environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method and an apparatus for cryogen-free concentration of a hyperpolarized noble gas in a continuously flowing stream of gas. The method comprises the following steps: providing a mixture of gases containing hyperpolarized noble gas and at least one process gas; passing the prepared gas mixture as a continuously flowing stream of gas through a gas separation device with a semipermeable membrane in order to separate the gases; and concentrating the hyperpolarized noble gas in the gas separation device, in which at least part of the at least one process gas or the hyperpolarized noble gas is separated from the continuously flowing stream of gas by means of the semipermeable membrane. It also provides for the use of a continuous stream of gas with concentrated hyperpolarized noble gas for magnetic resonance spectroscopy or magnetic resonance tomography.

Abstract: There is provided polymer derived ceramic materials, to make porous polymeric derived ceramic membranes. These polymeric derived ceramic membranes are useful for separating gas and in particular for the generation of hydrogen. Hydrogen separation devices and power generation devices use the present polymeric derived ceramic membranes.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymeric material includes: providing a polymeric matrix having at least one polymer and at least one porogen; and degrading the at least one porogen at a temperature T?1.1 Tg, where Tg is a glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix. The degrading step includes exposing the polymeric matrix to thermal degradation, chemical degradation, electrical degradation and/or radiation degradation, wherein the polymeric material has a permeability at least 1.2 times a permeability of the polymeric matrix for a gas, and a selectivity of the polymeric material is at least 0.35 times a selectivity of the polymeric matrix for a gas pair. The method preferably provides gas separation membranes that exceed Robeson's upper bound relationship for at least one gas separation pair. Novel polymeric materials, gas separation membranes and fluid component separation methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high permeability, UV cross-linkable copolyimide polymers and membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations, as well as methods for making and using these membranes. The invention provides a process for separating at least one gas from a mixture of gases using the high permeability copolyimide membrane or the UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane, the process comprising: (a) providing a high permeability copolyimide membrane or a UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane which is permeable to said at least one gas; (b) contacting the mixture on one side of the high permeability copolyimide membrane or the UV cross-linked copolyimide membrane to cause said at least one gas to permeate the membrane; and (c) removing from the opposite side of the membrane a permeate gas composition comprising a portion of said at least one gas which permeated said membrane.

Abstract: Hydrogen selective coatings, coated articles and methods for their formation and for hydrogen separation or purification. The coatings are formed by atomic layer deposition of suitable metal oxides with desirable hydrogen activation energy or hydrogen flux, e.g., silicon dioxide, and can be borne on a nonporous, thin-film metal or cermet substrate, e.g., a palladium sheet or layer. The coated substrate may include a porous support for the sheet or layer. The coated article may be used as a purification membrane and the coating can protect the metal layer from contaminants in the gas or process stream from which hydrogen is being purified. In some embodiments, the coated article can provide such protection at elevated temperatures in excess of 300° C.; and in other embodiments, can provide protection at temperatures in excess of 600° C. and even in excess of 800° C.

Abstract: A system and method for taking a sample of hydrogen gas and conditioning that sample so that extremely low levels of contamination can be more accurately detected. Initially a sample of hydrogen gas is captured and isolated in a collection chamber. A hydrogen permeable membrane is provided having a first side and a second side. The first side of the hydrogen permeable membrane is exposed to the gas sample held within the collection chamber. The hydrogen gas contained within the gas sample begins to permeate through the hydrogen permeable membrane and exit the collection chamber. This causes the pressure of the gas sample within the collection chamber to decrease. Since contaminants remain in the collection chamber, the concentration of contaminants within the remaining sample increases exponentially. The residual pressure within the collection chamber is measured and converted into a contaminant level reading.

Abstract: The present invention discloses high performance cross-linked polyimide asymmetric flat sheet membranes and a process of using such membranes. The cross-linked polyimide asymmetric flat sheet membranes have shown CO2 permeance higher than 80 GPU and CO2/CH4 selectivity higher than 20 at 50° C. under 6996 kPa of a feed gas with 10% CO2 and 90% CH4 for CO2/CH4 separation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a membrane of proton-electron conducting ceramics that is useful for the conversion of a hydrocarbon and steam to hydrogen has a porous support of M?-Sr1-z?M?z?Ce1-x?-y?Zrx?M??y?O3-?, Al2O3, mullite, ZrO2, CeO2 or any mixtures thereof where: M? is Ni, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Zn, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, alloys thereof or mixtures thereof; M? is Ba, Ca, Mg, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb; M?? is Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb; z? is 0 to about 0.5; x? is 0 to about 0.5; y? is 0 to about 0.5; and x?+y?>0; for example, Ni—SrCe1-x?Zrx?O3-?, where x? is about 0.1 to about 0.3. The porous support is coated with a film of a Perovskite-type oxide of the formula SrCe1-x-yZrxMyO3-? where M is at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Mo, W, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb, x is 0 to about 0.15 and y is about 0.1 to about 0.3.

Abstract: A modular ductwork assembly decontaminates an air stream circulating within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The assembly includes one or more of (a) an ionizing module for removing particulates from the air stream, (b) a sterilization module for neutralizing airborne pathogens present in the air stream, (c) an ozone treatment module for neutralizing pathogens or odoriferous or gaseous constituents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air stream, optionally (d) baffles for slowing and disrupting the flow rate and promoting turbulence in the air stream traveling through the modules, optionally (e) a fan module for directing a treated air stream, optionally (f) an ozone sensor, optionally (g) a monitoring or ozone control means, and optionally (h) a means of delivering and repurposing generated ozone. Each of the modules is arranged substantially adjacent to at least one of the other modules.

Abstract: Membranes of the invention comprise a hybrid silica film on a organic polymer support. The silica comprises organic bridging groups bound to two or more silicon atoms, in particular at least 1 of said organic bridging groups per 10 silicon atoms. The membranes can be produced by dry chemistry processes, in particular plasma-enhanced vapour deposition of bridged silane precursors, or by wet chemistry involving hydrolysis of the bridged silane precursors. The membranes are inexpensive and efficient for separation of small molecules and filtration processes.