Polymer-based membranes and methods for fabricating membranes are described. The methods include forming a casting solution featuring a plurality of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based solvent, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based modifying agent, dispersing the casting solution to form a first element, generating a plurality of active sites on a surface of the first element, and forming a polymer-based membrane by exposing the surface of the first element to a fluorosilane composition to form a fluorosilane layer on the surface, where the fluorosilane composition includes a silane compound having at least one alkyl substituent that includes between 9 and 21 fluorine atoms.

Polymer-based membranes and methods for fabricating membranes are described. The methods include forming a casting solution featuring a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based solvent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based modifying agent, dispersing the casting solution to form a first element, generating a plurality of active sites on a surface of the first element, and forming a polymer-based membrane by exposing the surface of the first element to a fluorosilane composition to form a fluorosilane layer on the surface, where the fluorosilane composition includes a silane compound having at least one alkyl substituent that includes between 9 and 21 fluorine atoms.

Embodiments relate generally to a filter, for example, for attachment onto a gas detector device or a gas sensor, and attempt to improve the efficiency and service life of the filter. Embodiments typically comprise a dustproof membrane and a waterproof membrane. Some embodiments may also comprise a splash-proof cap and/or features to reduce negative pressure on the filters.

The present disclosure relates to nanocomposites of CuO/Cu.sub.2O and continuous flow solar reactors. The nanocomposites can be utilized as a photocatalyst and can be incorporated into photoelectrochemical devices. The described devices, systems, and methods can be used for converting CO.sub.2 into one or more alcohols and other small organics with the use of solar energy and electricity. Other embodiments are described.

A hollow fiber membrane and methods of making the hollow fiber membrane are described. The membrane includes a hydrophobic polymer such as polysulfone, a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and a fluropolymer additive, and optionally a stabilizer, for instance, to stabilize the fluoropolymer additive in the membrane, particularly during conditioning or E-beam sterilization or both. Further conditioning improvements to membrane manufacturing are disclosed. The membrane may be incorporated into a dialysis filter for use in hemodialysis and related applications. The membrane has improved hemocompatibility, charge stability, or middle molecule clearance compared to conventional membranes. Also disclosed is a method of evaluating membrane charge stability.

A method and system for electrochemically regenerating hydroxide (MOH) and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) from an alkali metal carbonate (M.sub.2CO.sub.3) via an electrochemical reactor that can replace a conventional thermochemical causticizing operation in a DAC system. The electrochemical reactor comprises: a cathode having an inlet for receiving an electrolyte feed stream comprising MOH, M.sub.2CO.sub.3 and H.sub.2O, and an outlet for discharging an electrolyte product stream comprising MOH, M.sub.2CO.sub.3, H.sub.2O and H.sub.2; a porous hydrophilic transport barrier in adjacent contact with the cathode; a porous hydrophilic anode in adjacent contact with the transport barrier configured and operable to generate CO.sub.2 in the presence of MOH while suppressing their recombination; a porous hydrophobic CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 separation barrier in adjacent contact with the anode; and a product gas exit channel in adjacent contact with the CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 separation barrier and for discharging an anode product stream comprising at least CO.sub.2.

The invention is a modular, flexible, thermal, insulating, multilayered enclosure utilizing membrane distillation technology. The enclosure has a heat conducting layer, an insulation layer, and a layer of hydrophobic, polymeric hollow fiber membranes between the insulation layer and conductive layer. The enclosure is wrapped around a heat exhaust to absorb and transfer heat to the hollow fiber membranes to facilitate membrane distillation enabling production of potable water.

The present invention relates to a porous membrane including a plurality of through-type pores, and when the porous membrane is used, a particle to be analyzed and a reactive particle may be reacted one-to-one, thereby increasing the efficiency and accuracy of particle analysis.

A photothermal distillation membrane comprising a tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-trichlorosilane (FTCS) fluoro-silanized, polydopamine (PDA) coated, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing a FTCS-PDA-PVDF membrane. A tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl-trichlorosilane (FTCS) fluoro-silanized, polydopamine (PDA) containing bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) aerogel membrane is also disclosed, as well as a process for synthesizing a FTCS-PDA/BNC aerogel membrane.

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus that uses a brine from a well that is used to both generate electricity and recover valuable minerals present in the brine. The method and apparatus uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from the brine to concentrate the brine that is then used to recover the minerals.