An electrochemical membrane module for selectively removing pollutants and a preparation method thereof are provided. A Ti/SnO.sub.2—Sb substrate electrode is coated with a MI—TiO.sub.2 sol-gel by means of a dip-coating method, and then sintered to obtain a molecular imprinting type Ti/MI—TiO.sub.2/SnO.sub.2—Sb coated electrode; the coated electrode is adhered to a ceramic micro-filtration membrane using epoxy resin glue to obtain a Ti/MI—TiO.sub.2/SnO.sub.2—Sb MI-anodic conductive composite membrane; the MI-anodic conductive composite membrane is used as an anode, and a titanium mesh is used as a cathode, so that the electrochemical membrane module capable of selectively removing pollutants is obtained. The invention effectively combines an electrochemical micro-filtration membrane and a molecular imprinting technique. When the electrochemical membrane module is used, suspended particles and refractory organics in the sewage are removed, and a highly selective removal of certain refractory pollutants can be achieved.

A biofouling/biofilm removal system includes a filtration module configured to separate a permeate from a feed; a first inert electrode placed at an inlet of the filtration module; a second inert electrode placed at an outlet of the filtration module; and a power source configured to apply a current between the first and second electrodes. The inlet is configured to receive the feed and the outlet is configured to discard a concentrate, and the current applied between the first and second electrodes initiates electrochemical reactions inside the feed and along a biofilm formed in the filtration module, but not into the permeate.

Electrodialysis cell systems for water deionization is provided. Also provided are methods for using the electrodialysis cell systems. The cells use the forward and reverse reactions of a redox mediator and the combined operations of a deionization cell and an ion-accumulation cell to enable sustainable deionization with a significantly decreased operating voltage, relative to conventional deionization cells. The cells have applications in seawater desalination, water purification, and wastewater treatment.

Methods and apparatus for use in a water treatment system to separate charged compositions from the water stream are provided. An electric filtration cell may include a fluid passageway, a filtration membrane, and a first and second electrode, configured to provide an oscillating electric field across the filtration membrane to separate charged compositions on a first side of the membrane. A water treatment system may be provided to separate charged compositions from a water stream. The water treatment system may include an electromagnetic field (EMF) device to generate an electromagnetic field within a passageway. The water treatment system may further include a filtration membrane and a first electrode and a second electrode, configured to provide an oscillating electric field across the filtration membrane to separate charged compositions. In one embodiment, the system is configured to separate struvite and/or vivianite on a first side of the membrane. In another embodiment, the system is configured to separate salt on a first side of the membrane.

An apparatus and a method for producing carbon, oxygen and optionally nitrogen from treated flue gases are provided. The apparatus provides a thermo-dielectric-electric field that splits molecules of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into carbon and oxygen and nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen. The carbon is recovered in a variety of solid forms, and oxygen and nitrogen are recovered as gases.

A target analyte is extracted out of a sample fluid in a sample fluid passage by diffusing the target analyte through a supported liquid membrane to a product fluid passage. Extraction of the target analyte is accelerated by applying an electric field across and perpendicular to the supported liquid membrane with electrodes. Passage of selected ions across an exchange membrane extending between one of the electrodes and the supported liquid membrane is inhibited.

The present invention relates to a method for the at least temporary retention of charged biologically active substances such as endotoxins, viruses, and proteins from liquids, and optional later release for better determination. The object is achieved by a method for the at least temporary separation and/or detection of charged biologically active substances in a liquid by means of electrosorption and/or electrofiltration, comprising the following steps: a. providing a polymer membrane with a flat and porous metal coating at least on a first side of the polymer membrane; b. providing a counterelectrode; c. applying a voltage between the metal coating of the polymer membrane and the counterelectrode; d. bringing the polymer membrane and the counterelectrode into contact with the liquid, with the contacting being performed such that the liquid generates at least one connection between the polymer membrane and the counterelectrode.

An apparatus, comprising a film (103) comprising a network of conductive and/or semi-conductive high aspect ratio molecular structures is presented. The apparatus also comprises a frame (102) arranged to support the film (103) at least at least two support positions so that a free-standing region (101) of the film (103) extends between the at least two support positions. The two or more electrical contact areas electrically coupled to the film (103), and these electrical contact areas are arranged to pass electric charge across the free-standing region (101) of the film (103) at a current between 0.01 and 10 amperes.

A 3D nanopore device for characterizing biopolymer molecules includes a first selecting layer having a first axis of selection. The device also includes a second selecting layer disposed adjacent the first selecting layer and having a second axis of selection orthogonal to the first axis of selection. The device further includes an third electrode layer disposed adjacent the second selecting layer, such that the first selecting layer, the second selecting layer, and the third electrode layer form a stack of layers along a Z axis and define a plurality of nanopore pillars.

A device for decomplexation and enhanced removal of copper based on self-induced Fenton-like reaction constructed by electrochemistry coupled with membrane separation is disclosed. The device includes a reactor, two electrocatalytic anodes capable of generating hydroxyl radicals, an electrocatalytic cathode membrane assembly, a direct current power supply, an aeration system, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The device of the present invention has a simple construction. Using this device to treat industrial wastewater containing copper complexes under specific conditions allows the decomplexation and the removal of the industrial wastewater containing the copper complexes to be simultaneously realized at a low consumption and a high efficiency. The coupling of electrochemistry with membrane separation can be achieved to protect the cathode from being contaminated by pollutants in the sewage and prolong the service life of the electrode.