In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a porous ceramic structure includes a three-dimensional printed structure having predefined features, where the three-dimensional structure has a geometric shape. The average length of the features may be at least 10 microns. The three-dimensional structure includes a ceramic material having an open cell structure with a plurality of pores, where the pores form continuous channels through the ceramic material from one side of the ceramic material to an opposite side of the ceramic material.

The invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for conditioning a zirconium oxide sorbent module for use in dialysis after recharging. The devices, systems, and methods can provide for conditioning and recharging of zirconium oxide in a single system, or in separate systems.

This invention relates to a method of using MOF adsorbents to remove elemental impurities from feed streams comprising active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The process involves contacting the feed stream comprising API and elemental impurities with the MOF at purification conditions to obtain a purified stream with provides an API which has a concentration of the elemental impurity below its permitted daily exposure. The process can be carried in a batch mode where the MOF and feed stream are admixed in a vessel for a given amount of time or continuously by flowing the feed stream through a column or adsorbent bed containing the MOF adsorbent.

Crosslinked polymers made up of polymerized units of cyclic diaminoalkane, aldehyde and bisphenol-S or melamine. A method for removing heavy metals, such as Pb(II) from an aqueous solution or an industrial wastewater sample with these crosslinked polymers is introduced. A process of synthesizing the crosslinked polymers is also described.

A method of storing energy is disclosed. The method comprises heating a material that comprises a CO.sub.2 sorbed product and an additive to desorb CO.sub.2 from the material and to convert the CO.sub.2 sorbed product to a CO.sub.2 sorbent. The additive is selected such that it at least partially prevents during heating (i) sintering of the CO.sub.2 sorbent and/or the CO.sub.2 sorbed product; and (ii) the formation of a crust on the material, the crust minimising or preventing the CO.sub.2 sorbent and CO2 from reacting with one another to form the CO.sub.2 sorbed product in a subsequent CO.sub.2 absorption step. Also disclosed is a composition used to sorb and desorb CO.sub.2 in a thermal battery, and a system for implementing the method, the system using the composition.

A method of storing energy is disclosed. The method comprises heating a material that comprises a CO.sub.2 sorbed product and an additive to desorb CO.sub.2 from the material and to convert the CO.sub.2 sorbed product to a CO.sub.2 sorbent. The additive is selected such that it at least partially prevents during heating (i) sintering of the CO.sub.2 sorbent and/or the CO.sub.2 sorbed product; and (ii) the formation of a crust on the material, the crust minimising or preventing the CO.sub.2 sorbent and CO2 from reacting with one another to form the CO.sub.2 sorbed product in a subsequent CO.sub.2 absorption step. Also disclosed is a composition used to sorb and desorb CO.sub.2 in a thermal battery, and a system for implementing the method, the system using the composition.

A humidity controlling material includes: a first particle; and a second particle. The first particle includes: a first humidity controlling liquid containing a hygroscopic substance; and a first holding portion holding the first humidity controlling liquid. The second particle includes: a second humidity controlling liquid containing the hygroscopic substance; and a second holding portion holding the second humidity controlling liquid. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are formed of a polymeric material. The first humidity controlling liquid includes a first indicator a color of which changes according to an amount of moisture contained in the first humidity controlling liquid. The second humidity controlling liquid includes a second indicator a color of which changes, in a transition range different from a transition range of the first indicator, according to an amount of moisture contained in the second humidity controlling liquid.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a macromolecular composition comprising indene-derivatives. The invention also relates to the macromolecular compositions per se, and to methods of using the macromolecular compositions. The macromolecular compositions are useful for undergoing subsequent reactions with small molecules.

A method for separating N.sub.2 from a hydrocarbon gas mixture containing N.sub.2 comprising the steps of: i) providing a bed of adsorbent selective for N.sub.2; (ii) passing the hydrocarbon gas mixture through the bed of adsorbent to at least partially remove N.sub.2 from the gas mixture to produce: (a) N.sub.2-loaded adsorbent and (b) N.sub.2-depleted hydrocarbon gas mixture; iii) recovering the N.sub.2-depleted hydrocarbon gas mixture; iv) regenerating the N.sub.2-loaded adsorbent by at least partially removing N.sub.2 from the adsorbent; and v) sequentially repeating steps (ii) and (iii) using regenerated adsorbent from step (iv); wherein the adsorbent comprises a pyrolized sulfonated macroporous ion exchange resin.

The invention discloses a food container for preserving freshness of food, comprising a container body having a cavity adapted for containing food items; a lid detachably secured on the container body to close the cavity of the container; and one or more food preserving elements capable of absorbing food spoiling gas to preserve freshness of the food items. The one or more food preserving elements are disposed inside the cavity and/or into a material of the food container to preserve the food items for an extended period of time and remove odors.