A diagnostic chip for detecting biomarkers and trace amounts of nanoparticles in chemical mixtures or in water. The diagnostic chip includes one or more inputs, where a sample containing differently sized particles is introduced into at least one of these inputs. Furthermore, the diagnostic chip includes multiple separation regions, where the sample is pressurized as it passes through the separation regions. Each separation region includes a deterministic lateral displacement array, where the deterministic lateral displacement array in two or more of these separation regions has a different etch depth profile. In this manner, the diagnostic chip effectively detects biomarkers and trace amounts of nanoparticles in chemical mixtures or in water.

The present disclosure provides an improved filtration membrane suitable for filtration of blood in vivo. The improved filtration membrane is resistant to breakage with minimal areal penalty due to presence of a system of supports on the backside of the membrane. The minimal areal penalty is achieved by using supports that provide a hierarchical scaffolding that comprises ribs of two different heights as disclosed herein.

A method for making a filter membrane includes: forming a polymer layer; applying a plurality of nanoparticles on the polymer layer, the nanoparticles being self-assembled to form a closed pack arrangement on the polymer layer; heating the nanoparticles such that a portion of the polymer layer contacting the nanoparticles is softened so that the nanoparticles are sunk into the polymer layer; and removing the nanoparticles from the polymer layer so that the polymer layer is formed with a plurality of pores penetrating the polymer layer and being arranged in a honeycomb pattern.

A biocompatible polymeric membrane includes pores (106) defined between two material layers, where the first membrane material layer (101) includes strips, and the second membrane material (104) binds to each of the plurality of first membrane material layer strips (101) includes a plurality of windows (105) exposing each of the first membrane material strips (101). The biocompatible polymeric filtration membrane comprises pores (106) defined by uniform passages defined by the first membrane material layer strips (101) and the second membrane material layer (104) within each window (105).

In at least one embodiment, a microporous membrane having a moderate to high water vapor permeability and high liquid water penetration resistance is disclosed. The microporous membrane may be used in building applications, including as or as part of a building wrap, a rain screen, a roofing underlayment, a flashing, a sound proofing material, or an insulation material. The microporous membrane may include at least one thermoplastic polymer, at least one filler, and at least one processing oil. The microporous membrane may be flat or may have ribs. The microporous membrane may include at least one scrim component. A method for forming the microporous membrane is also disclosed.

There is provided an inorganic hierarchical porous membrane comprising at least two layers, wherein each layer of the at least two layers comprises a different average pore size as compared to another layer of the at least two layers, and wherein the membrane comprises a patterned surface. There is also provided a method of forming the membrane.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a production method for a porous membrane including pores, and concave portions having an average opening diameter greater than an average pore diameter of the pores on at least one of a pair of main surfaces, the method including a step of forming the concave portion on a surface to be the main surface.

The present technology provides micro fabricated filtration devices, methods of making such devices, and uses for microfabricated filtration devices. The devices may allow diffusion to occur between two fluids with improved transport resistance characteristics as compared to conventional filtration devices. The devices may include a compound structure that includes a porous membrane overlying a support structure. The support structure may define a cavity and a plurality of recesses formed in a way that can allow modified convective flow of a first fluid to provide improved diffusive transport between the first fluid and a second fluid through the membrane.

The disclosed porous membranes and freestanding composites containing the porous membranes have a solution-cast three-dimensional polymer matrix defining interconnecting pores that provide overall first major surface-to-second major surface fluid permeability. The porous membranes and freestanding composites can be used to separate lead-acid battery electrodes. The porous membranes and freestanding composites can have high porosity and low electrical resistance while having both excellent flexibility and mechanical strength. This can reduce the probability of damage to the separators during battery assembly and also allow production of battery separators with a high overall height, but a minimal backweb thickness.

A hollow fiber membrane of the present invention is a hollow fiber membrane having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface has a zebra stripe pattern in which dense portions and porous portions are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction, and the outer surface has a maximum pore size of about 1 μm or less (≤about 1 μm), and wherein the hollow fiber membrane has a water permeability (flux) of ≥about 1,300 LMH/bar to ≤about 5,000 LMH/bar.