Composite structures composed of inorganic membranes or polymer membranes supported on a multilayered woven wire mesh substrate are provided. Also provided are methods of making the composite structures and methods of using the composite structures as separation membranes. The mesh substrates are composed of a stack of two or more layers of woven wire mesh, wherein the different mesh layers in the stack have different mesh sizes. The multilayered mesh structure can support a defect-free, or substantially defect-free, membrane and has sufficient mechanical strength to allow the supported membranes to be used for chemical separations.

Disclosed herein are rolled-membrane microfluidic diffusion devices and corresponding methods of manufacture. Also disclosed herein are three-dimensionally printed microfluidic devices and corresponding methods of manufacture. Optionally, the disclosed microfluidic devices can function as artificial lung devices.

Disclosed herein are rolled-membrane microfluidic diffusion devices and corresponding methods of manufacture. Also disclosed herein are three-dimensionally printed microfluidic devices and corresponding methods of manufacture. Optionally, the disclosed microfluidic devices can function as artificial lung devices.

A monolithic separation membrane structure according to the present invention includes a porous support body and a separation membrane. The porous support body has a plurality of filtration cells opening at both end surfaces, a plurality of water collecting cells closed on the both end surfaces, a plurality of discharge flow paths running through the plurality of water collecting cells and opening on an outer peripheral surface, and a monolithic base body including the outer peripheral surface. The separation membrane is formed on inside surfaces of the plurality of filtration cells. The plurality of filtration cells includes a first filtration cell and a second filtration cell which are adjacent to each other. The plurality of water collecting cells include water collecting cell which is adjacent to the first filtration cell and are separated from the second filtration cells. A thickness of a first partition wall of the base body between the first filtration cell and the water collecting cell is thicker than a thickness of a second partition wall of the base body between the first filtration cell and the second filtration cell.

A monolithic separation membrane structure according to the present invention includes a porous support body and a separation membrane. The porous support body has a plurality of filtration cells opening at both end surfaces, a plurality of water collecting cells closed on the both end surfaces, a plurality of discharge flow paths running through the plurality of water collecting cells and opening on an outer peripheral surface, and a monolithic base body including the outer peripheral surface. The separation membrane is formed on inside surfaces of the plurality of filtration cells. The plurality of filtration cells includes a first filtration cell and a second filtration cell which are adjacent to each other. The plurality of water collecting cells include water collecting cell which is adjacent to the first filtration cell and are separated from the second filtration cells. A thickness of a first partition wall of the base body between the first filtration cell and the water collecting cell is thicker than a thickness of a second partition wall of the base body between the first filtration cell and the second filtration cell.

A filtration system includes at least one spiral wound first filter section in fluid communication with at least one spiral wound second filter section. The first and second filter sections include: (i) a filtration membrane; (ii) a feed spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a feed flow channel; and (iii) a permeate spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a permeate flow channel. A thickness of the feed flow channel in the first filter section is different than a thickness of the feed flow channel in the second filter section, and/or an effective volume of the first filter section is different than an effective volume of the second filter section. A method of filtering a feed flow is also disclosed.

A filtration system includes at least one spiral wound first filter section in fluid communication with at least one spiral wound second filter section. The first and second filter sections include: (i) a filtration membrane; (ii) a feed spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a feed flow channel; and (iii) a permeate spacer located adjacent the filtration membrane and defining a permeate flow channel. A thickness of the feed flow channel in the first filter section is different than a thickness of the feed flow channel in the second filter section, and/or an effective volume of the first filter section is different than an effective volume of the second filter section. A method of filtering a feed flow is also disclosed.

Systems and methods are provided that obtain the same or better level of performance by using lower operating flow rates and pressures within the system. This extends the life of system components and lower energy consumption. In one embodiment, gas separation (or sieve) beds that are used to separate gaseous components are provided that have lower flow and pressure requirements compared to conventional beds. The sieve beds include, for example, a diffuser having low solid area in cross-section and maximum open area for flow while providing adequate mechanical properties to contain sieve material and support filter media. In another embodiment, systems and methods are provided having an indicator when a component has been serviced or repaired. This provides an indication whether the component has been tampered with in any manner. This allows the manufacturer to determine if the component was serviced, repaired, or tampered with outside the manufacturer's domain.

A permeable membrane tube to separate mixed fluids is provided, including a cyclone generator configured to cause fluid entering the permeable tube to flow in a spiral direction. The cyclonic generator may be a plug positioned at the fluid entrance of the membrane tube. The fluid passes through the permeable membrane tube, which has a center axis along a length of the tube, and flows in the spiral direction thereby separating the fluid into first and second portions, wherein the first portion comprises fluid having a greater density than the second portion and the first portion is directed to an inner surface of the tube.

A permeable membrane tube to separate mixed fluids is provided, including a cyclone generator configured to cause fluid entering the permeable tube to flow in a spiral direction. The cyclonic generator may be a plug positioned at the fluid entrance of the membrane tube. The fluid passes through the permeable membrane tube, which has a center axis along a length of the tube, and flows in the spiral direction thereby separating the fluid into first and second portions, wherein the first portion comprises fluid having a greater density than the second portion and the first portion is directed to an inner surface of the tube.