A cell-capturing filter that filters out cells includes a metallic porous film having a plurality of through holes that extend through a first main surface and a second main surface, which are opposite to each other. The metallic porous film includes a filtering portion including the plurality of through holes, and a frame portion disposed to surround an outer periphery of the filtering portion. In the filtering portion, a first film thickness of the metallic porous film at a center of the filtering portion is smaller than a second film thickness of the metallic porous film at a portion located closer to the frame portion than the center of the filtering portion.

Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for hydrocarbon reverse osmosis of small hydrocarbons. Separation of para-xylene from ortho- and meta-xylene is an example of a separation that can be performed using hydrocarbon reverse osmosis. Hydrocarbon reverse osmosis separations can be incorporated into a para-xylene isomerization and recovery system in a variety of manners.

Reactor/separator elements for performing the generation and/or separation of hydrogen gas with improved efficiency have a central core and a separation layer that, in combination, define at least one spiral gas flow channel extending from one end of the central core to the opposite end of the central core. In use, the reactor/separator element may be placed in a housing which constrains gas on the outside of the reactor/separator element into the spiral channel defined by the outside of the separation layer.

A membrane can contain at least one substrate layer, wherein the substrate layer includes a plurality of substrate pores, and each of the substrate pores contains a plurality of nanotubes or nanowires positioned within the substrate pore. Such membranes can be incorporated into enclosures for various substances. The enclosures can be exposed to an environment, such as a biological environment (in vivo or in vitro), where the membrane can delay or not provoke an immune response from the environment. One or more substances within the enclosure can be released into the environment, one or more selected substances from the environment can enter the enclosure, one or more selected substances from the environment can be prevented from entering the enclosure, one or more selected substances can be retained within the enclosure, or combinations thereof. The enclosure can, for example, allow a sense-response paradigm to be realized.

A filter for filtering nucleated cells that includes a body containing at least either a metal or a metal oxide as its main component; and plural through holes, each of which have a shape other than a square shape, formed therein. A longitudinal diameter of an inscribed ellipse within each of the through holes is smaller than a size of a nucleus of each of the nucleated cells to be filtered. The inscribed ellipse of the through hole is an ellipse that abuts all sides that define an opening of the through hole.

A mixed matrix membrane which is porous and has a cross section resembling a sponge. The membrane includes nanoparticle fillers which are also porous. The membrane may be freestanding or supported on a substrate. Methods of making the membrane by spin casting or solvent casting are described. Methods of separating a gas/organic vapor using the membrane are described.

Disclosed are a separation membrane including a Group 5-based alloy, wherein crystal particles in the alloy have an average minor axis length of about 3 ?m to about 10 ?m and an aspect ratio of about 1:8 to 1:20, wherein the alloy is represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, and a method of manufacturing the same.
A.sub.xB.sub.yC.sub.z(Chemical Formula 1) In Chemical Formula 1, A is vanadium, niobium, or tantalum, B and C are same or different and are independently selected from nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iridium (Ir), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt), x is a real number of greater than or equal to about 0.8 and less than 1, y+z=1?x, and y and z are independently real numbers of greater than or equal to about 0.

A transfer line between the outlet of a steam cracker and the inlet for the quench system has metallic or ceramic inserts having a pore size from about 0.001 to about 0.5 microns inside the line forming a gas tight barrier with the inner surface of the line and having a vent for the resulting gas tight pocket are used to separate H.sub.2, CH.sub.4, CO and CO.sub.2 from cracked gases reducing the load on the down-stream separation train of the steam cracker.

The invention discloses residual gas heat exchange combustion-supporting system based on a methanol-water mixture reforming hydrogen production system and a method thereof, wherein the residual gas heat exchange combustion-supporting system comprises a reformer, a heat exchange tube and an air intake device; the reformer is provided with a reforming chamber, a separating device, a combustion chamber and an exhaust vent, the residual gas produced by the reformer is discharged from the exhaust vent to the first delivery passage of the heat exchange tube; the heat exchange tube has coaxial double-layer first and second delivery passages. The invention enables to fully reclaim the heat from the residual gas discharged by the reformer, so that the outside air is warmed before entering the reformer, which in turn makes the warmed outside air attain a very good combustion-supporting effect.

In order to provide a hydrogen purification device in which a source gas is supplied, from which a purified gas flows out, that is easily manufacturable, and in which the pressure resistance of an hydrogen permeable membrane is high, the hydrogen purification device is configured to include a hydrogen permeable membrane allowing hydrogen to selectively permeate therethrough, two porous supports that sandwich and support the hydrogen permeable membrane from both surfaces thereof, and a casing having a space formed therein configured to accommodate reaction of the source gas and the hydrogen permeable membrane. The porous supports are contained inside the casing, an outermost edge of the hydrogen permeable membrane extends outward from the outer edges of the porous supports in at least one location, and a peripheral portion of the hydrogen permeable membrane in a vicinity of the outermost edge and the casing are airtightly sealed to each other.