A retaining material that can sufficiently maintain the function of retaining a pollution control element in a pollution control device at high temperature. In one aspect, the retaining material has a mat shape and contains inorganic fiber material, with the retaining material containing: a surface layer containing inorganic colloid particles; and an internal region positioned further to the inside than the surface layer, impregnated with inorganic colloid particles and organic binder; wherein the surface layer contains inorganic colloid particles at a higher concentration than the internal region; and the amount of inorganic colloid particles in the internal region is 1 mass % to 10 mass % based on the total mass of the retaining material.

The invention provides an antimicrobial fiber which exhibits excellent antimicrobial properties even without the addition of antimicrobial agents and can remain antimicrobial even after repeated washing. The antimicrobial fiber comprises a fiber having on a surface thereof a polyacetal copolymer (X) containing oxyalkylene groups, the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups in the polyacetal copolymer (X) being 0.2 to 5 mol % relative to the total of the molar amount of oxymethylene groups and the molar amount of oxyalkylene groups.

Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. The devices generally include one or more sample deposition regions supported on a base. Each sample deposition region includes a separation membrane for separating the liquid biological specimen into two different fractions. The first fraction is trapped by the separation membrane while the second fraction passes through the separation membrane and into a respective collection membrane. The separation and collection membranes are easily separable from the devices and can be utilized for further processing and analysis.

A face mask includes a non-woven fabric filter configured to be worn on a user's face. A composition with anti-viral properties is arranged on the fabric. The composition preferably includes anti-viral oils and an anti-viral metal such as copper or copper oxide.

Blood filters for enhanced leukoreduction with platelet recovery are disclosed. The filters include a non-woven, porous filter coated with an acetonic copolymer solution.

A filter media suitable for use in filtering fluids is provided. The filter media comprises a first component, said first component having a core with an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 content of at least 10 wt % and a nanoalumina coating that at least partially coats the core.

A filter media suitable for use in filtering fluids is provided. The filter media comprises a filtration particle, said filtration particle having an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 content of from 15 wt % to 70 wt % and a SiO.sub.2 content of less than 70 wt % based on the weight of the particle.

A device for removing noxae from blood, in an extracorporeal perfusion system, includes a housing and a plurality of hollow fibers provided inside the housing, which can be perfused by the blood. The hollow fibers each have a plurality of pores that permit the plasma of the blood to flow through the pores from an inside of the hollow fibers to an outside of the hollow fibers. The hollow fibers are modified or pretreated, in particular chemically, in such a way that they have a functionalized surface which binds the noxae to itself and removes the noxae from the blood. An inside surface of the hollow fibers includes a coating, in particular a hemocompatible and anticoagulant coating, which is arranged to prevent damage to the cellular components of the blood when the blood flows through the hollow fibers. An extracorporeal perfusion system includes the device.

A particulate filter for use in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes a ceramic substrate and a plurality of ceramic nanofibers associated with pores of the ceramic substrate. The plurality of ceramic nanofibers may be positioned on pores of the ceramic substrate, within pore channels of the ceramic substrate, or both on pores of the ceramic substrate and within pore channels of the ceramic substrate.

A filter bag configured for use in a vacuum cleaner is provided. The filter bag includes a first layer of filter material with a selected value of efficiency in removing airborne particulates, and a second layer that is impregnated with silver or a silver compound with antimicrobial properties.