An electrochemical system has a first reservoir receiving a feed stream. The feed stream includes a solvent and a solute different than the salt. A second reservoir receives a brine stream with a higher salt concentration higher than the feed stream. Electrodes contact a loop of redox-active electrolyte material causing reversible redox reactions. The reactions cause the loop to accept a first ion from the salt in the first reservoir and drive a second ion into the brine stream in the second reservoir. Three ionic exchange membranes of alternating type define the first and second reservoirs. A concentrate stream is output from the first reservoir, the concentrate stream having a second solute concentration greater than the first solute concentration.

A deep sludge dewatering method using electroosmosis with filter bags, including (1) placing a filter bag on a slope on which a cathode electrode is arranged; (2) injecting sludge into the filter bag, and after the filter bag is filled with the sludge, closing an inlet of the filter bag; and (3) laying an anode electrode on the filter bag filled with the sludge, and connecting the cathode electrode and the anode electrode to a DC power supply via an electric wire, and carrying out energization for electroosmosis so that water flows down the slope. The present invention can be used for recycling of the sludge produced in underground and tunnel excavation projects, and has the advantages of large processing capacity, simple process, good treatment effect and available resource recycling.

This invention relates to a hearing aid comprising at least one electroacoustic transducer; a signal processing circuitry, configured to receive from the at least an electroacoustic transducer an electrical input signal and/or to provide said at least an electroacoustic transducer with an electrical output signal; and power supply means configured to provide power to the electroacoustic transducer and to said signal processing circuitry; wherein the hearing aid further comprises at least one electroosmotic porous membrane configured to transport liquid and/or vapor outside of the hearing aid, or away from a component thereof.

Embodiments of the invention include a microfluidic device, which comprises a substrate with a channel defined therein, on an upper surface of the substrate, wherein a bottom wall of the channel comprises several contiguous steps having an asymmetric profile along a main direction of the channel, so as to form a ratchet topography. The device further comprises a lid, opposite to and at a distance from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to face the bottom wall of the channel. The bottom wall and the lid are designed to allow like sign charges to accumulate thereat, in presence of a polar liquid confined in the channel between the bottom wall and the lid, so as to allow displacement of nanoscale particles in the polar liquid, along said main direction of the channel, under application of an alternating force to said nanoscale particles, in operation of the device.

A desalination apparatus includes a membrane assembly disposed between a first fluid container and a second fluid container and in fluid contact with a first aqueous solution in the first fluid container and a second aqueous solution in the second fluid container. The membrane assembly includes a semipermeable membrane having a first side to be in fluid contact with the first aqueous solution and having a second side to be in fluid contact with the second aqueous solution; an electrode assembly disposed adjacent the second side of the semipermeable membrane and to contact the second aqueous solution; and power circuitry to apply charge to the electrode assembly to provide an ion concentration at the second side of the semipermeable membrane that is at least equal to the ion concentration on the first side of the semipermeable membrane.

This combined dehydration device continuously supplies primarily dehydrated sludge to a sludge supply part, the combined dehydration device including: a multiple rotary disk-type solid-liquid separation device and an electroosmosis dehydration device. In the multiple rotary disk-type solid-liquid separation device, a plurality of rotary shafts in which a plurality of rotary disks are fitted and mounted are arranged from the upstream side toward the downstream side and pivotally supported; while the rotary disks are rotated, water to be treated including sludge is supplied from over the rotary disks at the upstream side and is subjected to a primary dehydration treatment; and first dehydrated sludge on the rotary disks is fed and discharged from a sludge discharge part located at the most downstream portion of the rotary disks. In the electroosmosis dehydration device, a sludge supply part is provided at the upstream side of an endless filtration fabric spread between rollers.

A method of operating a membrane is provided. The membrane comprises: a porous layer; a first electrically conductive layer located on a first side of the porous layer; and a second electrically conductive layer located on a second side of the porous layer. When an electric voltage is applied between the first and second electrically conductive layer across the porous layer, the membrane prevents moisture intrusion from a first surface of the membrane towards a second surface of the membrane. The method comprises applying an electric voltage between the first and second electrically conductive layer across the porous layer to prevent moisture intrusion from the first surface of the membrane towards the second surface of the membrane when it is desired to prevent moisture intrusion from the first surface towards the second surface. A membrane system for performing the method is also provided.

A layered structure for pumping fluid by electroosmotic transport includes a first layer, wherein the first layer is made from an ion perm selective material having openings therein that permit the fluid to flow therethrough, and wherein the openings in the first layer that permit the fluid to flow therethrough create a porosity of less than 10%; and a second layer, wherein the second layer is an electroosmotic layer. The layered structure has a net fluid flow direction that extends through the first layer and the second layer, wherein the layered structure has a region that permits fluid to flow in a direction that is non-parallel to a net fluid flow direction, and wherein the region is located between the first layer and the surface of the second layer that is furthest from the first layer. An electroosmodialysis apparatus may also be provided that includes two layered structures.

A filtration device includes a first electrode provided with a plurality of first openings. a second electrode provided with a plurality of second openings and provided to face one surface of the first electrode, a filter medium provided with a plurality of apertures and provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, a filter chamber provided in contact with the other surface of the first electrode and supplied with a material to be treated containing particles to be separated and a liquid, and a third electrode facing the first electrode across the filter chamber.

A fluid pumping system may include an electroosmotic pump; and a separation member provided at least one end of the electroosmotic pump, and configured to separate the fluid and a transfer target fluid. The electroosmotic pump may include: a membrane that allows a fluid to move therethrough; and a first electrode and a second electrode which are respectively provided at two opposite sides of the membrane, and each of which is formed of a porous material or has a porous structure to allow a fluid to move therethrough; each of the first electrode and the second electrode may be made of porous carbon only; and an electrochemical reaction of the first electrode and the second electrode may take place as a cation is moved in a direction whereby a charge balance is established.