Systems and methods that enable the rapid identification of target molecules present in a sample at low concentrations is provided. The system includes a sample volume, and a detection structure that is connected to the sample volume by a conduit. The detection structure includes a microfluidic chip that defines a plurality of fluid channels. The walls of the fluid channels are formed from or covered with a metal oxide to which target molecules attach. After the sample volume has been passed through the detection structure, and in particular through the channels, visible microparticles are passed through the detection structure. The visible microparticles are configured to have an affinity for the target molecules. The microfluidic chip is then imaged to detect visible microparticles, and to thereby obtain information regarding the presence of the target molecules.

A method for wet production of a superabsorbent material. The method comprises forming an aqueous saline solution with a concentration of 0.01-4.5 N of ionic salt and a pH from 0 to 6.0 or from 8.0 to 14.0 by the addition of a strong acid or strong base; dispersing in the saline solution a water superabsorbent polymer (SAP); creating a first web by stratification and deposition under vacuum suction onto a mesh screen belt deposition section of the SAP dispersion; washing the web with a basic solution (or with an acidic solution) up to the desired level of neutralization of the acidity (or basicity) for SAP dispersions in acidic (or basic) saline solutions; washing the web with water and suction; and drying the web. The relationship between pH and salt concentration causes a water absorption in the SAP equal to or less than about 30.00 g.sub.H2O/g.sub.SAP.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a water-absorbent resin having excellent absorption properties in a localized absorption area. Provided is a water-absorbent resin composed of a polymer of water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers, wherein the physiological saline absorption rate is 5-30 seconds, and the diffusion absorption rate under load expressed as a physiological saline absorption capacity under a load of 1.96 kPa in a local area of 78.5 mm2 is at least 10 g/g. This water-absorbent resin has excellent absorption properties in a localized absorption area.

Generally, an absorbent composite comprising between about 20% and about 80% by weight of the particulate superabsorbent material and between about 20% and 80% by weight of a swellable absorbent fiber is disclosed herein. The swellable absorbent fiber is substantially water-insoluble and water-swellable and a centrifuge retention capacity of between 5 and 20 grams per gram after four hours and reaches at least 66% of centrifuge retention capacity between about 2 and about 50 seconds.

An air filter including a filter support that supports polymeric sorbent particles. The polymeric sorbent is the reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound. The air filter may be used for capturing e.g. reactive gases.

The present invention provides a method for hydrophobization of a hydrophilic material, the method including introducing a hydrophobic group into a hydroxyl group (OH group) on a surface of the hydrophilic material. A method for hydrophobization of a hydrophilic material, the method comprising reacting a hydrophilic material to be hydrophobized with a hydrophobic group-containing silylating agent in presence of an amino acid as a reaction accelerator, to introduce a hydrophobic group-containing silyl group to a surface of the hydrophilic material. A hydrophobized silica gel column filler is produced by using the method. Further, a hydrophobized silica gel column is produced by filling a column with the hydrophobized silica gel column filler.

An absorbent member (1) according to the present invention includes: an absorbent sheet (2) that includes a substrate layer (20) and an absorbent layer (21) that includes water-absorbent polymers (P1) that are fixed to one side of the substrate layer (20); and an entangled fiber layer (3). The water-absorbent polymers (P1) of the absorbent layer (21) and the entangled fiber layer (3) are adjacent to each other. The water-absorbent polymers (P1) of the absorbent layer (21) are preferably fixed to one side of the substrate layer (20) using a hot melt adhesive. The absorbent member (1) configured as described above has excellent absorbency and shape stability while being thin.

A liquid absorber includes a plurality of small chips. Individual ones of the small chips include a first substrate containing fibers, a second substrate containing fibers, an absorbent resin supported between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an ion exchange resin supported between the first substrate and the second substrate. At least one of the absorbent resin and the ion exchange resin is exposed at an end face of the small chips.

An air filter including a filter support that supports polymeric sorbent particles. The polymeric sorbent is the reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound.

A method for reducing odor, by providing a colloidal dispersion of particles of silica having a particle size of from 3 nm to 100 nm, said particles having ions of one or more metals selected from copper, silver, zinc and iron adsorbed at the particle surface, and bringing at least one of said particles into contact with an odorous compound; and/or providing an aqueous silicate solution containing metal ions selected from ions of copper, silver, zinc and iron, and bringing at least one metal ion-carrying silicate particle formed in the solution into contact with an odorous compound. A composition for use in such a method and a product treated by such a composition.