A permeable microcapsule embedded fabric acts as a sorbent that creates mold-able, variable geometry fabrics for static or dynamic use. The fabric is composed of micro encapsulated solvent spheres held together by structural members. The fabric provides an excellent means to absorb and separate gases and/or liquids, particularly to separate carbon dioxide from flue gases.

A method for removing microorganisms from liquid samples and a nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium that simultaneously exhibits high liquid permeability and high microorganism retention. Microorganisms such as bacteria, particularly B. Diminuta, are removed from a liquid by passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. Another method for removing microorganisms such as bacteria and Mycloplasma, includes passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a microorganism LRV greater than about 8, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. The filtration medium can be in the form of a fibrous electro spun polymeric nanofiber liquid filtration medium mat.

The present invention relates to a porous membrane suitable for use in high pressure filtration method.

Described in the present application are methods of producing silane-crosslinked polymer membranes at moderate temperatures using acid catalysts that, in certain embodiments, result in membranes with unexpectedly high permeabilities and selectivities. In certain embodiments, grafting and crosslinking of the silanes occur by immersing a preformed membrane in a solution comprising a silane and an acid catalyst. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, grafting of silanes to a polymer occurs in the presence of acid catalyst in solution and subsequent casting and drying produces crosslinked membranes. In certain embodiments, an acid catalyst is a weak acid catalyst. Also described in the present application are asymmetric crosslinked polymer membranes with porous layers. In certain embodiments, crosslinked cellulose acetate membranes have permeability up to an order of magnitude greater than the permeability of unmodified cellulose acetate membranes. The membranes have porous layers with a high porosity due to their processing in moderate conditions.

A membrane filter including a thin film having a nanometer order thickness as a base, which is easy to increase in size, and which has sufficient strength. The membrane filter is formed by laminating a thin film having a thickness of 1 to 1,000 nm with a support film which is a porous film having a thickness of 1 to 1,000 ?m, which is made of a photosensitive composition or a cured product of the photosensitive composition, and has a plurality of hole portions penetrating in the thickness direction.

A permeable microcapsule embedded fabric acts as a sorbent that creates mold-able, variable geometry fabrics for static or dynamic use. The fabric is composed of micro encapsulated solvent spheres held together by structural members. The fabric provides an excellent means to absorb and separate gases and/or liquids, particularly to separate carbon dioxide from flue gases.

Described in the present application are methods of producing silane-crosslinked polymer membranes at moderate temperatures using acid catalysts that, in certain embodiments, result in membranes with unexpectedly high permeabilities and selectivities. In certain embodiments, grafting and crosslinking of the silanes occur by immersing a preformed membrane in a solution comprising a silane and an acid catalyst. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, grafting of silanes to a polymer occurs in the presence of acid catalyst in solution and subsequent casting and drying produces crosslinked membranes. In certain embodiments, an acid catalyst is a weak acid catalyst. Also described in the present application are asymmetric crosslinked polymer membranes with porous layers. In certain embodiments, crosslinked cellulose acetate membranes have permeability up to an order of magnitude greater than the permeability of unmodified cellulose acetate membranes. The membranes have porous layers with a high porosity due to their processing in moderate conditions.

A polyolefin microporous membrane is disclosed. The membrane includes at least one microporous membrane layer, where the microporous membrane layer has an air permeability between about 100 sec/100 cc and about 220 sec/100 cc, a pin puncture strength of at least 550 gf, and a crystallization half time t.sub.1/2 of from 10 to 35 minutes when subjected to isothermal crystallization at 117? C. The air permeability and the pin puncture strength are normalized to a thickness of 16 ?m.

A polyvinylidene difluoride membrane is provided. The polyvinylidene difluoride membrane including polyvinylidene difluoride having a melt viscosity of 35 to 60 (k poise), and the surface of the polyvinylidene difluoride membrane has a pore size of 0.1 ?m to 5 ?m. A method of manufacturing a porous polyvinylidene difluoride membrane and a method of purifying brine are also provided. The method of purifying brine includes the above-mentioned polyvinylidene difluoride membrane.

Provided are a porous film having excellent surface smoothness and a method for producing the same. The surface roughness of a porous film of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethersulfone, polyimide and/or polyamide-imide is Ra 30,000 ? or less. The opening diameter of the porous film is preferably from 100 nm to 5000 nm. The method for producing a porous film preferably includes a step for kneading a varnish containing fine particles and at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyether sulfone, polyamic acid, polyimide, polyamide-imide precursor, and polyamide-imide. The varnish preferably has a viscosity at 25? C. of 0.1-3 Pa.Math.s, a solids fraction concentration of 10-50 mass %, and a fine particle average particle size of 10-5000 nm.