The present invention relates to a capture agent for the treatment of gases, having an active phase that comprises a calcium silicate hydrate of (CaO).sub.x(SiO.sub.2).sub.y(H.sub.2O).sub.z type with a Ca/Si molar ratio between 1.55 and 1.72, preferably between 1.65 and 1,72 and an H.sub.2O/Ca molar ratio between 1 and 1.4, preferably between 1.1 and 1.3, z being between 0.3 and 0.8, the capture agent having a specific surface area greater than 120 m.sup.2/g, preferably greater than 150 m.sup.2/g and particularly preferably greater than 200 m.sup.2/g and a pore volume greater than 0.4 cm.sup.3/g, preferably greater than 0.6 cm.sup.3/g and particularly preferably greater than 0.8 cm.sup.3/g.

Disclosed is a composite material comprising a support member that has a plurality of pores extending therethrough, which pores are durably filled or coated with a non-crosslinked gel polymer. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of the composite material, use of the composite material as a separation medium, and a filtering apparatus comprising the composite material.

The invention is directed to utilization of a series of cross-linked 1,4-benzenediamine-co-alkyldiamine polymers and the use of the polymers to remove mercury from a hydrocarbon in fluid form.

A humidity controlling apparatus comprising: a moisture absorption unit including a base material rotatable about a rotation shaft and a macromolecular moisture absorbent provided in a layer on an outer periphery of the base material; and a heat source partially heating the moisture absorption unit, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a hydrophilic state capable of absorbing moisture in the air and a hydrophobic state which releases the moisture sorbed in the hydrophilic state, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a nature such that when temperature rises, the macromolecular moisture absorbent changes from the hydrophilic state to the hydrophobic state, and when the temperature falls, the macromolecular moisture absorbent returns from the hydrophobic state to the hydrophilic state, requires small thermal energy and can efficiently control humidity.

A metal-organic framework (MOF) structure comprising at least one metal ion and at least one multidentate organic ligand which is coordinately bonded to said metal ion, and a scaffold.

An apparatus for fabricating a graphene membrane includes a first section having a first fluid chamber for housing a suspension of graphene platelets in a fluid. A second section is positionable adjacent the first section. The second section has a second fluid chamber and a porous support housed in the second fluid chamber for supporting a porous substrate. When the first section is positioned adjacent to the second section and the porous substrate is supported by the porous support, the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber are in fluid communication via the porous substrate. The apparatus further includes a pressurizer for creating a pressure differential between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber and thereby forcing the fluid through the porous substrate and into the second fluid chamber and lodging the graphene platelets in the pores of the porous substrate.

The present invention provides a separation material including porous polymer particles that comprise at least one of styrene and divinylbenzene as a monomer unit at a proportion of 90% by mass or more based on the total amount of the monomers; and a coating layer that comprises a macromolecule having hydroxyl groups and covers at least a portion of the surface of the porous polymer particles, wherein the coating amount provided by the coating layer is 1 to 15 mg/m.sup.2 per unit specific surface area of the porous polymer particles.

Disclosed are metal organic framework materials (MOFs), comprising an extra-framework NO releasing compound within the internal pores and/or channels of the MOF, the NO-releasing compounds and their preparation and uses. The MOFs and NO-releasing compounds are capable of releasing NO on application of an external stimulus and may provide materials with multiple modes of antibacterial and/or drug action.

The present invention relates to a porous material in which at least the pores of the porous material are lined with nanoparticles capable of treating fluids or fluid mixtures that pass through the pores of the porous material and whose treating properties can be fully reinstated through heating the porous material.

A solid desiccant cooling system and method of operating a solid desiccant cooling cycle is provided comprising a desiccant support structure for cyclic movement of solid desiccant between a first location where a solid desiccant contacts a source of air to be dehumidified and a second location with a solid desiccant is regenerated. A heat exchange arrangement is provided preferably at the first location. The heat exchange arrangement provides a heat exchange or thermal engagement of a heat exchange fluid e.g. water, with the desiccant containing tubes. The proposed method and apparatus cools the desiccant while dehumidification of air is conducted. Preferably, the heat exchange fluid is provided to the desiccant support structure at a position at or adjacent its longitudinal axis, to flow radially therefrom.