A sorbent material is disclosed for the one-step separation of bio-macromolecules in a single pass extraction of DNA from complex mixtures of molecules and chemicals. In one embodiment, the sorbent material comprises a silanized material at least partially coated or formed with a polymer selected from the group consisting of a poly(aryl methacrylate), a poly(aryl acrylate), a poly(heteroaryl methacrylate, a poly(heteroaryl acrylate) and a copolymer thereof.

Provided is a dehumidifying device configured such that a dehumidifying material which has absorbed moisture can efficiently release the moisture. The dehumidifying device (1A) carries out dehumidification with use of a polymeric moisture-absorbing material (23) that (i) exhibits hydrophilicity in a temperature range equal to or lower than a temperature sensitive point which is a given temperature and (ii) exhibits hydrophobicity in a temperature range higher than the temperature sensitive point. The dehumidifying device (1A) includes: a substrate (22) to which the polymeric moisture-absorbing material (23) is fixed; a heat generating member (24) which heats, to the temperature range higher than the temperature sensitive point, the polymeric moisture-absorbing material (23) that has absorbed moisture; and a moisture absorbing unit motor (15) which rotates the substrate (22), to which the polymeric moisture-absorbing material (23) that is heated to the temperature range higher than the temperature sensitive point is fixed, so that the moisture, which has been absorbed by the polymeric moisture-absorbing material (23) that is heated to the temperature range higher than the temperature sensitive point, is released as a waterdrop by a centrifugal force.

The present invention provides a regenerated cellulose membrane (RCM) that is useful in analysis of a sample for the presence of or the amount of a target molecule present in the sample. The invention also provides a method for producing and using the same. The RCM of the invention has a plurality of RCM functional groups on its surface in which a linker is covalently attached. The linker has a distal end and a proximal end, where the proximal end comprises at least one RCM linking functional group such that the RCM linking functional group is attached to the RCM functional group. The distal end of the linker comprises a receptor linking functional group that is used to covalently attach a receptor molecule. The receptor molecule is adapted for binding to a target molecule of interest when the target molecule is present in the sample. The RCM of the invention can be used for quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of a target molecule within the sample. The present invention also provides a method for producing and using the linker.

Systems and methods for separating hydrocarbons on an internal combustion powered vehicle via one or more metal organic frameworks are disclosed. Systems and methods can further include utilizing separated hydrocarbons and exhaust to generate hydrogen gas for use as fuel. In one aspect, a method for separating hydrocarbons can include contacting a first component containing a first metal organic framework with a flow of hydrocarbons and separating hydrocarbons by size. In certain embodiments, the hydrocarbons can include alkanes.

Disclosed are a composite nanofiber membrane for the adsorption of lithium, a method for preparing the same, and a lithium recovery apparatus and method using the same. The composite nanofiber membrane for the adsorption of lithium is immobilized with manganese oxide selectively adsorptive of lithium. The composite nanofiber membrane for lithium adsorption exhibits high selectivity for lithium ions and allows for the rapid and easy diffusion of lithium ions through interstitial spaces of the adsorbent. Particularly, the lithium recovery apparatus using the composite nanofiber membrane for lithium adsorption is able to effectively adsorb lithium ions dissolved in seawater in a selective manner within a short period of time, thus reducing the time taken for the adsorption process.

A process for producing a water-absorbing polymer composition, comprising the process steps of (i) mixing (α1) 0.1 to 99.999% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing acid groups or salts thereof (α2) 0 to 70% by weight of polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with (α1), (α3) 0.001 to 10% by weight of one or more crosslinkers, (α4) 0 to 30% by weight of water-soluble polymers, and (α5) 0 to 20% by weight of one or more assistants, where the sum of their weights (α1) to (α5) is 100% by weight, (ii) free-radical polymerization with crosslinking to form a water-insoluble aqueous untreated hydrogel polymer, and surface postcrosslinking the ground hydrogel polymer wherein blowing agents having a particle size of 100 μm to 900 μm are added to the aqueous monomer solution prior to the addition of the initiator and the start of the free-radical polymerization.

Disclosed herein are materials and methods related to the removal of a polyfluorinated alkyl compound from water. The materials contain both fluorine and an ion, which materials can be used as a network to remove the polyfluorinated alkyl compound from water.

Provided is a water absorbent sheet retaining mat which can retain a water absorbent sheet easily and surely. A water absorbent sheet retaining mat for retaining a water absorbent sheet having a first polygonal contour, includes: a mat member having a second polygonal contour defined by mutually opposing a first main plane and a second main plane; and at least one retaining member having a slit member including at least one slit formed in a top surface at a first predetermined height from the second main plane for accepting a part of perimeter of the water absorbent sheet being inserted therein.

Methods for extracting lithium from solutions containing lithium ions via reversible cation exchange with H.sup.+ are provided. The methods utilize metal oxide or metalloid oxide cation exchange materials having an active sublattice that preferentially bind Li.sup.+ cations, relative to both H.sup.+ and Na.sup.+, in a sample solution and preferentially bind H.sup.+, relative to Li.sup.+, in an acidic solution.

A metals-adsorbent PAN fiber comprising a carbon chain backbone and amidoxime, carboxylate, and nitrile pendant groups. No ester groups are present. The inventive fiber is used for removing metals, including toxic metals, from fresh water, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, drinking water from wells and other sources, and industrial discharge waste waters, in a pH range of 3-10, and preferably at slightly acidic conditions in the range of pH 5-6. Metals that can be removed include heavy and toxic metals, such as Sc, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Sr, Yb, Cd, Cs, Pb, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Zn, Tb and U. The adsorbed metals can be removed from the fiber by acidic elution and recovered. The fiber can be rinsed and reused.