Disclosed are devices, methods and/or systems for use in protecting items and/or structures that are exposed to, submerged and/or partially submerged in aquatic environments from contamination and/or fouling due to the incursion and/or colonization by specific types and/or kinds of biologic organisms and/or plants, including the protection from micro- and/or macro-fouling for extended periods of time of exposure to aquatic environments.

A filter composite material is provided that includes first and second filtration membranes and a drainage material arranged therebetween. The drainage material and the filtration membranes are laminated using adhesive nets. A flat filter element is made as a blank from the filter composite material and has a geometric shape adapted to the particular end use.

Disclosed are devices, methods and/or systems for use in protecting items and/or structures that are exposed to, submerged and/or partially submerged in aquatic environments from contamination and/or fouling due to the incursion and/or colonization by specific types and/or kinds of biologic organisms and/or plants, including the protection from micro- and/or macro-fouling for extended periods of time of exposure to aquatic environments.

The invention is directed to ion capture devices and methods for ion capture.

A membrane, for example a flat sheet membrane, has posts extending from a separation layer. The posts extend through one or more supporting structures such as a substrate layer and/or a permeate carrier, between two separation layers, or both. A post may help to attach the separation layer to a supporting structure, attach two supporting structures together, strengthen a supporting structure and/or attach two separation layers together. In some examples, one or more supporting structures, which may be temporary or remain in the membrane, are made with openings for posts. A liquid containing the separating layer material is cast over the supporting structure or structures and some of the liquid flows at least part way through the openings before the liquid is solidified. A temporary supporting structure may be removed, for example dissolved. In other examples, two supporting structures are held apart in a casting knife while posts are formed.