Membranes suitable for use in membrane distillation are provided. Such membranes may include nano-fibrous layers with adjustable pore sizes. The membranes may include a hydrophobic nanofibrous scaffold and a thin hydrophilic protecting layer that can significantly reduce fouling and scaling problems.

An article includes a substrate, a ceramic barrier coating, and a layer of networked ceramic nanofibers. The ceramic barrier coating is disposed on the substrate and has a porous columnar microstructure. The layer of networked ceramic nanofibers is disposed on the ceramic barrier layer and seals the pores of the porous columnar microstructure.

The present invention provides portable devices and systems for electrofocused blow spinning, and methods for using the same. The devices of the invention are convenient to carry and use and are able to aerodynamically spin a variety of materials in a mobile setting.

The apparatus for producing ultrafine fibers includes a nozzle portion, a laser irradiation unit, and a drawing chamber. The nozzle portion has an inlet for feeding a raw fiber, a first jet outlet which communicates with the inlet and jets a first drawing gas stream for delivering and drawing the raw fiber, and a second jet outlet which is arranged in the periphery of the first jet outlet and jets a second drawing gas stream. The laser irradiation unit on which the nozzle portion is installed irradiates a laser light to the raw fiber delivered from first jet outlet to melt the raw fiber. The drawing chamber draws the melted raw fiber by using the first drawing gas stream and the second drawing gas stream which are jetted from the nozzle portion.

Membranes suitable for use in membrane distillation are provided. Such membranes may include nano-fibrous layers with adjustable pore sizes. The membranes may include a hydrophobic nano fibrous scaffold and a thin hydrophilic protecting layer that can significantly reduce fouling and scaling problems.

It is described a nonwoven cellulose fiber fabric directly manufactured from a lyocell spinning solution. The fabric comprises a network of substantially endless fibers. The fabric exhibits a water holding capability of at least 850 mass percent. Further, the fabric comprises a mass per unit area which is smaller than 25 gram per square meter. It is further described a method and a device for manufacturing such a fabric, a product or composite comprising such a fabric, and various use applications for such a fabric.

It is described a nonwoven cellulose fiber fabric directly manufactured from a lyocell spinning solution. The fabric comprises a network of substantially endless fibers. The fabric exhibits a water holding capability of at least 850 mass percent. Further, the fabric comprises a mass per unit area which is smaller than 25 gram per square meter. It is further described a method and a device for manufacturing such a fabric, a product or composite comprising such a fabric, and various use applications for such a fabric.

The invention refers to the use of a parent solution (A) during a method for producing fibers for a fiber fleece by a so-called solution blow spinning. Water is used as solvent for the parent solution (A). At least one water-soluble polymer and preferably exactly one water-soluble polymer is dissolved in the water of the parent solution (A). The parent solution (A) additionally contains at least one surfactant and optionally plasticizer for the used at least one polymer respectively. By means of a parent solution (A) it is possible to produce fibers (24) by solution blow spinning.

The invention refers to the use of a parent solution (A) during a method for producing fibers for a fiber fleece by a so-called solution blow spinning. Water is used as solvent for the parent solution (A). At least one water-soluble polymer and preferably exactly one water-soluble polymer is dissolved in the water of the parent solution (A). The parent solution (A) additionally contains at least one surfactant and optionally plasticizer for the used at least one polymer respectively. By means of a parent solution (A) it is possible to produce fibers (24) by solution blow spinning.

Disclosed is a double-flow nozzle according to the present invention, the double-flow nozzle including: a body portion provided with a space portion defined at an inner side thereof; a first discharge pipe provided at the body portion and discharging a first fluid being supplied to the space portion; and a second discharge pipe discharging a second fluid while being in a state inserted into the first discharge pipe, wherein the first discharge pipe, in a state spaced apart by a predetermined gap from an outer surface of the second discharge pipe, includes a plurality of swirl-generating flow passages spaced apart by a predetermined interval from each other and arranged along a circumferential direction of the second discharge pipe.