Provided are methods, devices, and kits for the isolation of extracellular vesicles using silicon nanomembranes. A method for EV isolation includes the steps of collecting a biofluid sample, contacting the biofluid sample with a pre-filtration membrane, thereby forming a first filtrate and a first retentate, optionally, washing the first retentate of the pre-filtration membrane, contacting the first filtrate from the pre-filtration membrane with a capture membrane, thereby forming a second filtrate and a second retentate, optionally, washing the second retentate, and eluting the second retentate from the capture membrane or lysing the second retentate to recover the contents.

Disclosed herein is a forward osmosis module for concentration and/or crystallization salts from an aqueous feed solution, the feed solution including seeds that surround an open semi-permeable membrane having free membrane portions forming an enclosure with a distribution pipe that introduces draw solution inside said enclosure. The feed solution penetrates into the enclosure as permeate from the feed side of the membrane to the draw solution side according to a Forward Osmosis process based on net driving pressure. The draw solution with permeate is evacuated from the enclosure via an outlet. A generator applies, at least periodically, a plurality of directional gauge pressure strokes PGs, directed from at least one of the draw solution inlet and outlet thereby effecting mechanical shaking of the free membrane portions for detachment of foulant.

Disclosed herein is a forward osmosis module for concentration and/or crystallization salts from an aqueous feed solution, the feed solution including seeds that surround an open semi-permeable membrane having free membrane portions forming an enclosure with a distribution pipe that introduces draw solution inside said enclosure. The feed solution penetrates into the enclosure as permeate from the feed side of the membrane to the draw solution side according to a Forward Osmosis process based on net driving pressure. The draw solution with permeate is evacuated from the enclosure via an outlet. A generator applies, at least periodically, a plurality of directional gauge pressure strokes PGs, directed from at least one of the draw solution inlet and outlet thereby effecting mechanical shaking of the free membrane portions for detachment of foulant.

The present invention relates to an anti-fouling, semi-permeable membrane comprising a porous support layer, a thin film composite (TFC) layer formed on a surface of the support layer, and a cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer formed on top of the TFC layer, wherein the cross-linked PVA layer is the reaction product of PVA and a cross-linking agent, said cross-linking agent being a polybasic acid comprising three or more acid groups or precursors thereof. The obtained membrane shows a high water flux and a low roughness suitable for an effective membrane notable for feed solution having a tendency of fouling the membrane.

The present invention relates to an anti-fouling, semi-permeable membrane comprising a porous support layer, a thin film composite (TFC) layer formed on a surface of the support layer, and a cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer formed on top of the TFC layer, wherein the cross-linked PVA layer is the reaction product of PVA and a cross-linking agent, said cross-linking agent being a polybasic acid comprising three or more acid groups or precursors thereof. The obtained membrane shows a high water flux and a low roughness suitable for an effective membrane notable for feed solution having a tendency of fouling the membrane.

A system and a method for water purification are provided. An exemplary system includes a multimedia filter, an ozone generator, an ozone contactor coupled to the ozone generator, and a ceramic membrane filter coupled to an air scouring system, wherein the air scouring system is coupled to the ozone generator. A storage tank is coupled to a purified water line from the ceramic membrane filter, wherein the storage tank is coupled to a backwashing line coupled to the multimedia filter.

A system and a method for water purification are provided. An exemplary system includes a multimedia filter, an ozone generator, an ozone contactor coupled to the ozone generator, and a ceramic membrane filter coupled to an air scouring system, wherein the air scouring system is coupled to the ozone generator. A storage tank is coupled to a purified water line from the ceramic membrane filter, wherein the storage tank is coupled to a backwashing line coupled to the multimedia filter.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods that can treat feeds with elevated organic levels, e.g., feeds with ≥300 Pascals (Pa) organic osmotic pressure, with one or more enhanced filter membrane modules, which may be referred to herein as membrane modules or simply modules. Preferably, a filter membrane module consistent with the present disclosure include one or more plate and frame modules, one or more spiral format modules, or a combination of plate a frame and spiral format modules. The systems and methods provided herein can provide reliable performance when used to treat feeds with elevated organic levels.

A flow plate for a humidifier, having flow fields on both mutually opposite flat sides of the flow plate is described. The flow plate proposed here has a multiplicity of through-openings, wherein the through-openings are designed such that a perpendicular projection of the through openings onto a plane oriented parallel to the plane of the flat surface of the flow plate has a non-vanishing area, so that gas passing through the through-openings effects, at least in part, mixing of a gas guided in the flow fields perpendicular to the plane of the flat surface of the flow plate. The through-openings improve the power of the humidifier, thus permitting a lower number of flow plates and therefore a more lightweight and more compact design.

A flow plate for a humidifier, having flow fields on both mutually opposite flat sides of the flow plate is described. The flow plate proposed here has a multiplicity of through-openings, wherein the through-openings are designed such that a perpendicular projection of the through openings onto a plane oriented parallel to the plane of the flat surface of the flow plate has a non-vanishing area, so that gas passing through the through-openings effects, at least in part, mixing of a gas guided in the flow fields perpendicular to the plane of the flat surface of the flow plate. The through-openings improve the power of the humidifier, thus permitting a lower number of flow plates and therefore a more lightweight and more compact design.