Porous and/or curved nanofiber bearing substrate materials are provided having enhanced surface area for a variety of applications including as electrical substrates, semipermeable membranes and barriers, structural lattices for tissue culturing and for composite materials, production of long unbranched nanofibers, and the like. A method of producing nanofibers is disclosed including providing a plurality of microparticles or nanoparticles such as carbon black particles having a catalyst material deposited thereon, and synthesizing a plurality of nanofibers from the catalyst material on the microparticles or nanoparticles. Compositions including carbon black particles having nanowires deposited thereon are further disclosed.

Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

A method and apparatus for preventing the escape of hazardous materials from fluid flow control systems of the character used by municipalities for carrying runoff storm water away from streets and populated areas.

The invention relates to a composite material for use in a face mask. The composite material comprises at least one fabric layer comprising a metallic fiber material; and at least one polymer layer laminated with the at least one fabric layer to form a single composite layer; wherein the at least one polymer layer is of substantially the same shape and size as the at least one fabric layer, such that any air stream passing through the composite layer will be effectively filtered by both the at least one fabric layer and the at least one polymer layer.

A catalyzed fabric filter substrate and a method of preparing the substrate comprising the steps of a) providing a fabric filter substrate b) providing an aqueous impregnation liquid comprising an aqueous hydrosol of one or more catalyst metal precursor compounds dispersed on nanoparticles of an oxidic metal carrier, a surfactant and a dispersing agent selected from the group of primary amines; c) impregnating the fabric filter substrate with the impregnation liquid; and d) drying and thermal activating the impregnated fabric filter substrate at a temperature below 300? C. to convert the one or more metal compounds of the catalyst precursor to their catalytically active form.

Flexible housing filters for filtration of fluids and methods of making such filters are disclosed. The filters may include one or more peripheral seals in the flexible housing.

Method for preparing a catalytic fabric filter comprising the steps of a) providing a fabric filter substrate, preferably consisting of glass fibers, having a gas inlet surface and a gas outlet surface, the gas inlet surface is coated with a polymeric membrane, preferably consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene; b) providing an aqueous impregnation liquid comprising one or more catalyst metal precursor compounds; c) impregnating the fabric filter substrate with the impregnation liquid; and d) drying and thermally activating the impregnated fabric filter substrate at a temperature below 300 C. to convert the one or more metal compounds of the catalyst precursor to their catalytically active form, wherein the drying of the impregnated fabric filter substrate in step d) is performed from the gas outlet surface.

Acid-resistant and biosoluble glass compositions and products made therefrom. The glass compositions exhibit acid resistance, durability in white water as may be used in a wet laid fabrication process, and good biosolubility. In another aspect, a glass fiber mat is made from such a glass composition, and may be used in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries, for example as a pasting material or battery separator.

A filter medium for cleaning fluids includes a filter layer (9) formed from a filter material in a pleated web with a longitudinal direction (X) and a transverse direction (Y). A plastic grid (10) forms a support layer, bears against the filter layer (9) and has linear elements (12, 14) delimiting through openings (16) between them. Two groups of linear elements (12, 14) extend approximately at right angles to one another and delimit rectangular through openings (16). The linear elements (14) having a smaller diameter (d2) are in direct contact with the filter layer (9). The linear elements (12) having a larger diameter (d1) and having a greater spacing from one another relative to the filter layer (9) rest on the smaller diameter linear elements (14).

A catalyzed fabric filter substrate and a method of preparing the substrate comprising the steps of a) providing a fabric filter substrate b) providing an aqueous impregnation liquid comprising an aqueous hydrosol of one or more catalyst metal precursor compounds dispersed on nanoparticles of an oxidic metal carrier, a surfactant and a dispersing agent selected from the group of primary amines; c) impregnating the fabric filter substrate with the impregnation liquid; and d) drying and thermal activating the impregnated fabric filter substrate at a temperature below 300? C. to convert the one or more metal compounds of the catalyst precursor to their catalytically active form.