Methods of manufacturing ion exchange membranes and ion exchange coated electrodes are described herein. Such membranes and electrodes can be used in, for example, desalination processes.

Bioartificial ultrafiltration devices comprising a scaffold comprising a population of cells enclosed in a matrix and disposed adjacent a plurality of channels are provided. The population of cells provides molecules such as therapeutic molecules to a subject in need thereof and is supported by the nutrients filtered in an ultrafiltrate from the blood of the subject. The plurality of channels in the scaffold facilitate the transportation of the ultrafiltrate and exchange of molecules between the ultrafiltrate and the population of cells.

A biocompatible polymeric membrane includes pores defined between two material layers, where the first membrane material layer includes strips, and the second membrane material binds to each of the plurality of first membrane material layer strips includes a plurality of windows exposing each of the first membrane material strips. The biocompatible polymeric filtration membrane comprises pores defined by uniform passages defined by the first membrane material layer strips and the second membrane material layer within each window.

It can be difficult to remove atomically thin films, such as graphene, graphene-based material and other two-dimensional materials, from a growth substrate and then to transfer the thin films to a secondary substrate. Tearing and conformality issues can arise during the removal and transfer processes. Processes for forming a composite structure by manipulating a two-dimensional material, such as graphene or graphene-base material, can include: providing a two-dimensional material adhered to a growth substrate; depositing a supporting layer on the two-dimensional material while the two-dimensional material is adhered to the growth substrate; and releasing the two-dimensional material from the growth substrate, the two-dimensional material remaining in contact with the supporting layer following release of the two-dimensional material from the growth substrate.

Atomic layer deposition is utilized to deposit a coating on a membrane. The coated membrane exhibits a tightly bound hydration layer upon exposure to water. The resultant coated membrane is oleophobic.

The present invention concerns gas-separation membranes. In some embodiments, the membranes comprise nano- or microislands or non-continuous metal layers suitable to adsorb, react with and/or otherwise retain at least one of the gases to be separated from a mixture of gases. In one embodiment, the membrane comprises a porous graphene membrane on which Pt or Pd nanoislands are deposited using a mesh, while the nanoislands are suitable to retain and bind to H.sub.2 while letting helium pass in a H.sub.2/He gas mixture. In another embodiment CO.sub.2 is separated from a H.sub.2/CO.sub.2 mixture. The membranes exhibit both, high selectivity and permeance and can be operated at room temperature.

An apparatus for enhanced anti-fouling of a submerged surface includes a bath of a feed liquid that includes water; a fouling structure in contact with the feed liquid; and a gas feed configured to introduce a gas into contact with the fouling structure and the feed liquid to separate the fouling structure from the feed liquid with a gas layer.

Provided are nanoporous silicon nitride membranes and methods of making such membranes. The membranes can be part of a monolithic structure or free-standing. The membranes can be made by transfer of the nanoporous structure of a nanoporous silicon or silicon oxide film by, for example, reactive ion etching. The membranes can be used in, for example, filtration applications, hemodialysis applications, hemodialysis devices, laboratory separation devices, multi-well cell culture devices, electronic biosensors, optical biosensors, active pre-concentration filters for microfluidic devices.

A platinum-carbon electrocatalyst material comprising a carbon support having a minimum BET surface area of 1000 m.sup.2/g, a nitrogen content of at least 2.5 weight percent, which is present in the form of pyridine, pyridone or pyrrole, a phosphorous content of at least 3 weight percent, which is present in the form of phosphate and phosphonate, and a plurality of platinum nanoparticles dispersed on the carbon support having a maximum average particle diameter of 1.5 nm.

(57) Abstract: Bioartificial ultrafiltration devices comprising a scaffold comprising a population of cells enclosed in a matrix and disposed adjacent a plurality of channels are provided. The population of cells provides molecules such as therapeutic molecules to a subject in need thereof and is supported by the nutrients filtered in an ultrafiltrate from the blood of the subject. The plurality of channels in the scaffold facilitate the transportation of the ultrafiltrate and exchange of molecules between the ultrafiltrate and the population of cells.