The invention provides devices and methods for detecting viruses, bacteria, and other analytes of interest in a fluid sample. The fluid sample flows through a first microfluidic channel to a nanoporous or microporous membrane on which are disposed ligands, such as antibodies, specific for the analyte. If the analyte of interest is captured by the ligand, it clogs the pores of the membrane, preventing the fluid sample from passing through the membrane and diverting the fluid into a second channel. Detecting movement of the fluid sample in the second channel signals the presence of the analyte in the fluid sample, while failure of the fluid sample to move in the second channel signals absence of the analyte in the fluid sample.

A composite filter cartridge, comprising a filter cartridge body provided with two filter devices. Each filter device is respectively provided with a support component which fixes the filter device, and the filter devices are arranged in a linear manner and fixed with respect to one another. Each filter device is respectively provided with an independent housing, a filter module and a filter water channel, the filter module and the filter water channel being arranged within the housing, the filter water channel sequentially comprising a water inlet cavity and a water outlet cavity, the water inlet cavity and the water outlet cavity being connected via the corresponding filter module.

The present invention discloses a sack comprising a second container and a first container, an activated carbon filter that is positioned between said first and second containers and a sealable rubberized zipper and the activated carbon filter is positioned such that it may absorb at least a portion of odor and moisture from items stored inside sack. In addition, an antimicrobial material may be infused into the material of the sack.

Provided is an face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer preferably comprising a hydrophobic material (e.g. water-repelling fibers), (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) a graphene foam layer disposed in the mask body between the outer layer and the inner layer or embedded (totally or partially) in the outer layer or the inner layer. The foam pore wall graphene surfaces may be deposited with an antiviral or anti-bacteria compound.

Provided is an face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer preferably comprising a hydrophobic material (e.g. water-repelling fibers), (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) a graphene layer disposed in the mask body, wherein the graphene layer comprises a plurality of discrete single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. The graphene layer may be disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer or embedded (totally or partially) in the outer layer or the inner layer.

An improved process is provided to prepare vodka with excellent properties comprising mixing water and ethyl alcohol, treating the mixture with activated coal, filtering, and, optionally, adding sugar. The mixture of water and alcohol is cooled down to a temperature of at least about −18° C., at which temperature the mixture is maintained for at least about 4 hours, particularly at least about 8 hours. The resulting mixture is then cold-filtered at the low-temperature and allowed to gradually adapt to room temperature. The optional sugar is added to the filtrate and the obtained vodka product mixture may be filtered again before bottling. The vodka may comprise an alcoholic strength by volume of between about 37.5 vol % and about 50 vol %, particularly of about 40 vol %, and between about 1 and about 2 g/l sugar.

A virus protection device 16 for protecting a user from a virus 14 includes a first flexible electrode 22 and a second flexible electrode 24 both formed of graphene and connected to a battery. The electrodes 22,24 are configured in a fractal arrangement and define a fractal-like structure 25 comprises a main branch 27 of electrodes 22, 24 and a plurality of side branches 28, secondary branches 30, tertiary branches 32, and subsequent branches 34 extending outwardly from the branch 27. The branches 27,28 30, 32 and 34 together form multiple nodes of flexible opposed positive electrodes 36.1 and negative electrodes 36.2 which are spaced an equal distance apart from one another, to define predetermined spaces there between, through which electrical current is capable of flowing between the electrodes 36.1, 36.2 for incapacitating viruses contacting the device 16 or passing through the spaces between the electrodes 36.1 and 36.2.

An in situ system of filter rejuvenation has a fluid inlet on a first side of a reaction chamber, a fluid outlet disposed on a second side of the reaction chamber, a filtration chamber with a first wall comprising a ceramic glass material with a pass-band in the infrared spectrum. The filtration chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so that a fluid introduced into the inlet passes through the filtration chamber and exits through the fluid outlet. The system has at least one infrared heating element configured to transmit infrared energy within the pass-band of the ceramic glass material to heat the filter medium disposed within the filtration chamber to a temperature of at least 260° C., which can gasify contaminants without combustion.

A method of filtering water contained in a squeezable bottle includes filling the squeezable water bottle with water; screwing a portable filtration apparatus onto the squeezable water bottle, the portable filtration apparatus includes a cap piece, the cap piece having a mouthpiece and a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion is configured to screw onto the squeezable bottle; and a filter fluidly connected to the cap piece, wherein the filter comprises a plurality of hydrophilic hollow fibers and hydrophobic hollow fibers, the hydrophobic fibers are configured to allow air to flow into the squeezable bottle; flowing a filtrate out through the mouthpiece from the filter in response to a pressure differential between an inside portion of the squeezable bottle and an outside portion of the squeezable bottle.

A method and system for water-priming carbon micropore filter media using negative pressure. The method includes placing dry filter elements in a polymer bag, applying a vacuum of no more than approximately 33 kPa above zero pressure, and heat-sealing the bag using a heat-set bar; submerging, by a consumer, the vacuum-sealed bag with its the filter elements in water; the filters in the vacuum sealed bag are at least partially submerged, puncturing the bag to form one or more small openings in the bag below the water line. Breeching the vacuum causes the water to flow through the openings into the bag and the filter(s) to equalize the pressure between the water and the previously vacuum environment of the plastic bag, causing the surrounding water to quickly flow into the micro-pores of the filter media, thereby priming the carbon filter for use in the gravity-fed water-purification system.