Vesicles formed from a block copolymer comprising at least one (poly)2-C.sub.1-3alkyl-2-oxazoline block and at least one polybutadiene block; and membranes comprising such vesicles. Block copolymers comprising at least one (poly)2-C.sub.1-3alkyl-2-oxazoline block and at least one polybutadiene block, provided that the copolymer is not the diblock copolymer consisting of 40 butadiene units and 190 2-methyl-2-oxazoline units terminated by a hydroxy group, are novel, and also form part of the invention.

Elastic microfiltration membranes are provided. These membranes may be used in a membrane bioreactor. Due to the elastic nature of the membranes, removal of fouling materials is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency and longevity of the membranes. Methods for forming such membranes and uses of the membranes are also provided, including their use in membrane bioreactors.

Elastic microfiltration membranes are provided. These membranes may be used in a membrane bioreactor. Due to the elastic nature of the membranes, removal of fouling materials is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency and longevity of the membranes. Methods for forming such membranes and uses of the membranes are also provided, including their use in membrane bioreactors.

The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for preparing membrane protein nanosheets and two-dimensional crystals. In particular, the methods employ a solvent. A mixture of a polymer and a membrane protein is solubilized in the solvent, applied to a substrate, and subsequently dried to form the nanosheet or two-dimensional crystal. Applicants have surprisingly found that the membrane proteins maintain their structure when exposed to solvents during the short processing time utilized.

The present disclosure describes compositions and methods for preparing membrane protein nanosheets and two-dimensional crystals. In particular, the methods employ a solvent. A mixture of a polymer and a membrane protein is solubilized in the solvent, applied to a substrate, and subsequently dried to form the nanosheet or two-dimensional crystal. Applicants have surprisingly found that the membrane proteins maintain their structure when exposed to solvents during the short processing time utilized.

A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel.

The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.

A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.

A degasser for at least partially degassing a gas-containing liquid, in particular for a sample separation device, includes a liquid accommodation volume for accommodating the gas-containing liquid during degassing, a negative pressure chamber in which a negative pressure, compared to the liquid accommodation volume, is to be generated, a gas permeable membrane separating the liquid accommodation volume from the negative pressure chamber and arranged so that ultrasound forces at least part of gas of the gas-containing liquid to move through the membrane by a combination of the negative pressure and the ultrasound, and an ultrasound source including an electroactive material and configured for generating ultrasound for actuating the gas-containing liquid and/or the gas permeable membrane.

A degasser for at least partially degassing a gas-containing liquid, in particular for a sample separation device, includes a liquid accommodation volume for accommodating the gas-containing liquid during degassing, a negative pressure chamber in which a negative pressure, compared to the liquid accommodation volume, is to be generated, a gas permeable membrane separating the liquid accommodation volume from the negative pressure chamber and arranged so that ultrasound forces at least part of gas of the gas-containing liquid to move through the membrane by a combination of the negative pressure and the ultrasound, and an ultrasound source including an electroactive material and configured for generating ultrasound for actuating the gas-containing liquid and/or the gas permeable membrane.

The present disclosure relates to a composite membrane in which a rubbery polymer is introduced into a gutter layer to suppress the physical aging of the highly permeable composite membrane, and more particularly, to a composite membrane comprising a porous support layer; a gutter layer on the porous support layer; and an active layer on the gutter layer, wherein the gutter layer comprises a blend of poly(l-trimethlsilyl-l-propyne) (PTMSP) and a rubbery polymer and a method for preparing the same. The composite membrane according to the present disclosure has high permeation performance and a remarkable decline in physical aging leading to a decrease in permeability over time and thus has very high industrial applicability.