The present disclosure relates to multi-layer composite articles including at least two nonwoven web layers. Each or the layers may be a spunbonded web, and each may include biodegradable materials. The multi-layered composites of the present disclosure are particularly well suited for air filtration, as they can combine a high dust holding capacity with sufficient strength, dimensional stability, and a relatively low pressure drop.

A method for controlling fiber cross-alignment in a nanofiber membrane, comprising: providing a multiple segment collector in an electrospinning device including a first and second segment electrically isolated from an intermediate segment positioned between the first and second segment, collectively presenting a cylindrical structure, rotating the cylindrical structure around a longitudinal axis proximate to an electrically charged fiber emitter; electrically grounding or charging edge conductors circumferentially resident on the first and second segment, maintaining intermediate collector electrically neutral; dispensing electrospun fiber toward the collector, the fiber attaching to edge conductors and spanning the separation space between edge conductors; attracting electrospun fiber attached to the edge conductors to the surface of the cylindrical structure, forming a first fiber layer; increasing or decreasing rotation speed of the cylindrical structure to alter the angular cross-alignment relationship between aligned nanofibers in adjacent layers, the rotation speed being altered to achieve a target relational angle.

The present application relates to biodegradable and ecofriendly fabrics and methods for making the same. The fabrics are made from PLA fibers and/or yarns, and have one-way or two-way filtration characteristics and/or moisture management characteristics with controlled porosity and smooth or textured surface, the moisture management characteristics arise from a combined effect of material properties and fabric structure.

A filter media can include a fiber coated with a barrier coating that is substantially non-reactive to reactive species, and a photocatalytic coating disposed on the barrier coating, wherein the photocatalytic coating generates reactive species in response to illumination with optical radiation.

The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a base layer having an outer surface and a first thickness and a material that includes a plurality of cellulose nanofibers in physical contact with the outer surface, where the composition has an average filtration efficiency of less than or equal to 90% for particles having a characteristic length between about 50 nm and about 100 μm and the composition is characterized by an average inhalation resistance of less than or equal to 35 mm H.sub.2O as measured across the first thickness and the material.

A durable, reusable, anti-fog, blister-free, sealed face mask that does not slip off the user's face during speech or high-performance activity. The face mask is constructed with anti-viral and antimicrobial wicking, breathable, stretch materials and has an optional filtration membrane. The materials can comprise sustainable recycled materials.

A method for efficiently producing PHA comprising: inoculating PHA fermentation strains into a fermentation medium for fermentation under the condition of being capable of producing PHA through fermentation; subjecting the fermentation broth to a solid-liquid separation to obtain fermentation supernatant and thallus precipitate; breaking the cell walls of the thallus precipitate, and subjecting the wall-broken products to a plate and frame filtration to prepare PHA; pre-coating a filter cloth for the plate and frame filtration with a PHA layer; at least part of the water of the fermentation medium is PHA process wastewater. The method utilizes the PHA process wastewater as at least part of the water of the fermentation medium, and filters and separates the broken thallus with the plate and frame filtration equipment pre-coated with PHA layer to prepare PHA, thereby recycling the high-salt wastewater, reducing costs, and potentially separating PHA on a large scale for industrial production.

The present invention falls within the area of polymeric materials applied to the sector of manufacturing materials for use in filters for filtration equipment such as ventilators and for protective masks. In particular, the invention relates to multilayer filters for ventilators and protective masks which can be biodegradable and which comprise filtration materials based on ultrafine fibers obtained by electrohydrodynamic and aerohydrodynamic processing and which exercise passive FFP1, FFP2, N95 and FFP3 protection and which can also be washable and have active antimicrobial properties.

Disclosed is a method and device for inactivating or killing airborne bacteria, fungi, molds and viruses by passing the air through a filter material formed of a fabric having particles of zinc disposed in discrete physically isolated locations, wherein the particles of zinc and oxygen from the air form half cells of a battery whereby to create an electrical field that inactivates or kills airborne bacteria, fungi, molds and viruses passing through the filter material.

A cartridge for applying an electromagnetic field (EMF) to at least one toxin in a wound in the skin of a person or animal is provided. The cartridge includes a power supply, a controller coupled to the power supply and providing a voltage between about 0.2V and 3V to an array of electrodes configured to transmit the EMF to the skin about the wound site. A cartridge for applying an ultrasonic field to at least one toxin in a wound in the skin of a person or animal is also provided. The ultrasonic cartridge may include a power supply, a controller coupled to the power supply and providing a voltage to at least one sonotrodes configured to transmit the ultrasonic field to the skin about the wound. The cartridge may also include a sensor for measuring the resistance or impedance in the tissue to be treated and the controller can adjust the ultrasonic field based on the impedance or resistance.