A diffusiophoretic water filtration device includes a pressurized gas chamber receiving a pressurized gas; an inlet manifold receiving a colloidal suspension including colloidal particles in water; a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the flow chamber receiving the colloidal suspension at the inlet from the inlet manifold, the colloidal suspension flowing between the inlet and at least one outlet in a flow direction; and a horizontal sheet separating the gas chamber and the flow chamber, the sheet being made of a gas permeable membrane, the gas capable of permeating the membrane, the membrane being water impermeable, the gas being carbon dioxide and permeating the membrane upwardly from the gas chamber in a direction normal to the membrane so as to induce diffusiophoretic motion on at least some of the colloid particles opposite to or in the direction normal to the membrane, the sheet covering a top of the pressurized gas chamber. The flow chamber is a closed flow chamber having an air permeable cover and a channel structure contacting the colloidal suspension, so as to define a thickness between the cover and the horizontal sheet; and the at least one outlet has a first outlet spaced above a second outlet, the first outlet for receiving water having a higher concentration of some of the colloid particles than a second outlet.

A diffusiophoretic water filtration device includes a pressurized gas chamber receiving a pressurized gas; an inlet manifold receiving a colloidal suspension including colloidal particles in water; a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the flow chamber receiving the colloidal suspension at the inlet from the inlet manifold, the colloidal suspension flowing between the inlet and at least one outlet in a flow direction; and a horizontal sheet separating the gas chamber and the flow chamber, the sheet being made of a gas permeable membrane, the gas capable of permeating the membrane, the membrane being water impermeable, the gas being carbon dioxide and permeating the membrane upwardly from the gas chamber in a direction normal to the membrane so as to induce diffusiophoretic motion on at least some of the colloid particles opposite to or in the direction normal to the membrane, the sheet covering a top of the pressurized gas chamber. The flow chamber is a closed flow chamber having an air permeable cover and a channel structure contacting the colloidal suspension, so as to define a thickness between the cover and the horizontal sheet; and the at least one outlet has a first outlet spaced above a second outlet, the first outlet for receiving water having a higher concentration of some of the colloid particles than a second outlet.

The present invention relates to a mixed-media kinetic filtration device which uses a family of various types of media substances to enable selectable filtration and filtrate process functions. More specifically, the filtration device and related process utilizes gradient-enabled nanomechanisms to separate one or more selectable molecules from a filtrate feed and, in some cases, further process those molecules. The family of media substances may be modified, adapted, or altered through treatment, stimulation, conditioning, or other methods to create desirable characteristics and/or create different filtration or process characteristics.

The present invention relates to a mixed-media kinetic filtration device which uses a family of various types of media substances to enable selectable filtration and filtrate process functions. More specifically, the filtration device and related process utilizes gradient-enabled nanomechanisms to separate one or more selectable molecules from a filtrate feed and, in some cases, further process those molecules. The family of media substances may be modified, adapted, or altered through treatment, stimulation, conditioning, or other methods to create desirable characteristics and/or create different filtration or process characteristics.

A filter material is for the selective removal of siloxanes from a gas. The filter material contains a titanium compound, which is an organotitanate and/or a compound, which can be obtained by hydrolysis of an organotitanate. A method for the production of the filter material is also provided to use the filter material for the selective removal of siloxanes from a gas. A gas sensor is provided which includes the filter material.

A filter material is for the selective removal of siloxanes from a gas. The filter material contains a titanium compound, which is an organotitanate and/or a compound, which can be obtained by hydrolysis of an organotitanate. A method for the production of the filter material is also provided to use the filter material for the selective removal of siloxanes from a gas. A gas sensor is provided which includes the filter material.

A method of collecting a urine sample including appropriately locating hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample. Use of the hydrophobic sand including providing a barrier in the form of at least one layer of the sand; and collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating the sand with respect to the urine.

The present invention is a wet type nonwoven fabric that includes two or more kinds of fibers, wherein the wet type nonwoven fabric includes a short fiber A that is constituted of a fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer and has a fiber diameter D of from 100 to 1000 nm and the ratio of a fiber length L to the fiber diameter D, L/D, in the range of from 100 to 2500 in from 4 to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the nonwoven fabric, and a binder fiber B that has a single fiber fineness of 0.1 dtex or less in from 10 to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the nonwoven fabric.

A method for manufacturing an impregnated filter material includes preparing at least one impregnating solution comprising sulphate and phosphate; providing a filter material; and impregnating the filter material with at least one impregnating solution, at least once. In this manner, it is possible to manufacture an impregnated filter material for the removal of noxious substances and/or toxins, which includes sulphate and phosphate. The noxious substances and/or toxins can thereby be present in the form of gases and/or vapours.

An aspect of the present invention is generally directed toward an appliance that includes a water source inlet that receives intake water from a water source and a water outlet proximate a water dispensing location on a door of the appliance in fluid communication with one another via one or more water conduits spaced within the appliance. The appliance also includes a removable water filter and dispenser assembly configured to be removably engaged and disengaged with the water outlet of the appliance by hand without the use of tools. The removable water filter and dispenser assembly includes: (1) a housing that includes at least one water treatment media; and (2) a treated water dispensing outlet configured to deliver water treated by the at least one water treatment media for use or consumption.