Methods for making multiple walled nested coaxial nanostructures and devices incorporating the coaxial nanostructures are disclosed. The coaxial nanostructures include an inner nanostructure, a first outer nanotube disposed around the inner nanostructure, and a first annular channel between the inner nanostructure and the first outer nanotube. The coaxial nanostructures have extremely high aspect ratios, ranging from about 5 to about 1,200, or about 300 to about 1200.

A system includes a product having one or more active membranes for transporting liquid by aid of an electric field. A humidity sensor provides information about wetting or moisture conditions near the active membrane. An electronic control circuit is designed to provide a voltage to the active membrane only when a certain humidity level is detected. An external electronic device provides an interface between a user and the product, wherein the interface includes a display to allow monitoring of the functions of the product.

A microfabricated filtration membrane including a substrate containing a plurality of micropores, an ion-selective layer, and at least two conductive layers configured to apply a voltage across the micropores. The geometry of the conductive layers matches the geometry of the micropores (or nanopores).

According to the method and device for a membrane-based processing of ambient water-group species, the species are captured in a space environment by an ionic liquid disposed on a presenting face of a semipermeable membrane. To seamlessly process the captured species for in-situ resource utilization without need of moving parts, they are urged to pass through the membrane by a predetermined electric potential difference applied between opposite sides of the membrane via electrode contacts; an initial storage envelope is provided by an impermeable membrane attached to a back face of the semipermeable membrane. The device can be stowed in a manner of rolled plastic and deployed by unrolling. The device can also be configured as a scientific instrument to monitor a flux of ambient water-group species impinging in the space environment using electrical measurements.

Systems, methods and devices are provided for electro-osmotic propulsion in a microfluidic environment. These systems, methods and devices can include a body having a channel comprising a pair of open ends, and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the body, wherein the electrodes are configured to generate a voltage and cause an electro-osmotic flow of a fluid through the channel. In many of the embodiments, an on-board power supply coupled to the body is provided for generating voltage across the electrodes. In some embodiments, the channel comprises a cylindrical shape having a circular cross-sectional area.

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.

Methods and systems for filtering of biological particles are disclosed. Filtering membranes separate adjacent chambers. Through osmotic or electrokinetic processes, flow of particles is carried out through the filtering membranes. Cells, viruses and cell waste can be filtered depending on the size of the pores of the membrane. A polymer brush can be applied to a surface of the membrane to enhance filtering and prevent fouling.

Methods and systems for filtering of biological particles are disclosed. Filtering membranes separate adjacent chambers. Through osmotic or electrokinetic processes, flow of particles is carried out through the filtering membranes. Cells, viruses and cell waste can be filtered depending on the size of the pores of the membrane. A polymer brush can be applied to a surface of the membrane to enhance filtering and prevent fouling.

A system includes a product having one or more active membranes for transporting liquid by aid of an electric field. A humidity sensor provides information about wetting or moisture conditions near the active membrane. An electronic control circuit is designed to provide a voltage to the active membrane only when a certain humidity level is detected. An external electronic device provides an interface between a user and the product, wherein the interface includes a display to allow monitoring of the functions of the product.

According to the method and device for a membrane-based processing of ambient water-group species, the species are captured in a space environment by an ionic liquid disposed on a presenting face of a semipermeable membrane. To seamlessly process the captured species for in-situ resource utilization without need of moving parts, they are urged to pass through the membrane by a predetermined electric potential difference applied between opposite sides of the membrane via electrode contacts; an initial storage envelope is provided by an impermeable membrane attached to a back face of the semipermeable membrane. The device can be stowed in a manner of rolled plastic and deployed by unrolling. The device can also be configured as a scientific instrument to monitor a flux of ambient water-group species impinging in the space environment using electrical measurements.