Zein based sorbents and methods of making zein based sorbents are disclosed. A method of making the sorbents involves the use of zein nanoparticles, the creation of an emulsion, use of a cross-linking agent, the creation of a polymeric zein solution, and hydrophobization. Certain versions include iron oxide nanoparticles and the use of magnetic properties. The zein based sorbents may have cross linking and hydrophobic functionalization. Methods of cleaning up bodies of water are also disclosed using the zein based sorbents including cyclical use of the sorbent and burning of the sorbent.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a matrix containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), comprising the steps of: 1) mixing an organic ligand precursor solution and an anionic polymer-containing solution to produce a mixed solution; and 2) adding a metal salt to the mixture solution. In addition, the present disclosure provides a matrix containing MOFs prepared according to the preparation method, and an adsorbent comprising the same. Furthermore, a method for performing fluid separation by using a matrix containing MOFs prepared according to the preparation method is disclosed.

Porous solid amine adsorbents are prepared by bringing into contact a first (e.g., dope) solution, including a water insoluble polymer and a water-soluble amine polymer, with an aqueous solution containing a multifunctional chemical agent. The first solution can be obtained by dissolving the water insoluble polymer and the water-soluble amine polymer in a polar solvent. The adsorbents can be in the form of beads, sheets, fibers, hollow fibers, etc. and can be used in the removal of acid gases, CO.sub.2, for instance, from fluid streams.

A filter apparatus for removing small molecule chemotherapy agents from blood is provided. The filter apparatus comprises a housing with an extraction media comprised of polymer coated carbon cores. Also provided are methods of treating a subject with cancer of an organ or region comprising administering a chemotherapeutic agent to the organ or region, collecting blood laded with chemotherapeutic agent from the isolated organ, filtering the blood laden with chemotherapeutic agent to reduce the chemotherapeutic agent in the blood and returning the blood to the subject.

The present invention relates to foam. In particular, the present invention relates to profiled foams and processes for profiling absorbent foam products. More particularly, the present invention relates to processes for producing a profiled absorbent polyurethane foam product, comprising the steps of foaming, curing, profiling and drying, wherein profiling occurs before drying; and absorbent aliphatic polyurethane foam products having at least one profiled surface.

The present application relates generally to filter media useful for manufacturing air filters for residential and commercial office's Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), particularly to filters and filter media comprising soybean-based materials. The present invention provides an inexpensive, effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable media for manufacturing HVAC air filters for residential and commercial buildings.

The present invention discloses a lignin-based hierarchical porous carbon with high specific surface area and preparation method and application thereof. The present invention employs maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, and hypophosphorous acid to modify a lignin, then performs a cross-linking reaction with a glutaraldehyde-triethanolamine condensate to prepare a lignin graft-copolymerized by phosphino carboxylic acid copolymer, and then dropwise adding a soluble calcium salt solution and a soluble carbonate solution into the lignin graft-copolymerized by phosphino carboxylic acid copolymer dispersion successively, co-precipitates to prepare a lignin/nano CaCO.sub.3 complex, finally obtains a lignin-based hierarchical porous carbon with high specific surface area through carbonizing at a high temperature. The preparation method of the present invention may enable nano CaCO.sub.3 to be uniformly and stably dispersed in a three-dimensional network structure of the lignin graft-copolymerized by phosphino carboxylic acid copolymer, realizing full and uniform complexation of the lignin with nano CaCO.sub.3.

Sorbent materials comprising a nanofiber composite including a polymeric material defining a continuous phase and at least one metal organic framework (MOF) material defining a discontinuous phase are provided. The at least one MOF material is dispersed throughout the continuous phase of the polymeric material. Fibrous mats comprising the sorbent materials are also provided. Water harvesting devices utilizing the sorbent materials are also provided.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a litter scoop that will work with a pelleted cat litters made from various substances such as wood shavings, bamboo, paper, coir, etc.

A method of treating wood chips to be used as a media for ameliorating oil spills on land or water involves heating in a mixture of petroleum wax and vegetable oil to remove moisture content and open the pores of the wood chip to allow the oil/wax blend to penetrate into the interior of the wood chips and subsequently grinding up the chips to a predetermined mesh size. The ground chips impregnated with wax/oil are then blended with magnetic iron ore concentrate and packaged/bagged for later distribution on an oil slick. The magnetic iron ore concentrate clings to the ground, oil/wax coated wood chips and facilitates retrieving the ground chips that have absorbed the spilled oil using a magnetic pick-up.