Methods and nanocomposites for the adsorptive removal of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene from contaminated water sources and systems are provided. The nanocomposites contain carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanoparticles such as Al.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 and ZnO impregnated on a surface and/or in pore spaces of the carbon nanotubes. Methods of preparing and characterizing the nanocomposite adsorbents are also provided.

Hydrophobic nanoparticle compositions include silica nanoparticles capped with asphaltene succinimide alkoxy silane (ASAS). The nanoparticles can have a particle size ranging from about 20 nm to about 10000 m. The nanoparticle compositions can be used as a coating for raw sand to provide a super-hydrophobic sand. The nanoparticle compositions can be used as a coating for a polyurethane (PU) sponge to provide a super-hydrophobic sponge. The super-hydrophobic sand and/or super-hydrophobic sponge can be used to collect crude oil deposited in aquatic environments as a result of petroleum crude oil spills.

Method and apparatus for separating a target substance from a fluid or mixture. Capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are provided. The coating is permeable to the target substance. The capsules having a coating and stripping solvents encapsulated in the capsules are exposed to the fluid or mixture. The target substance migrates through the coating and is taken up by the stripping solvents. The target substance is separated from the fluid or mixture by driving off the target substance from the capsules.

The present disclosure relates to a substrate containing passive NO.sub.x adsorption (PNA) materials for treatment of gases, and washcoats for use in preparing such a substrate. Also provided are methods of preparation of the PNA materials, as well as methods of preparation of the substrate containing the PNA materials. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a coated substrate containing PNA materials for PNA systems, useful in the treatment of exhaust gases. Also disclosed are exhaust treatment systems, and vehicles, such as diesel or gasoline vehicles, particularly light-duty diesel or gasoline vehicles, using catalytic converters and exhaust treatment systems using the coated substrates.

Provided are a reusable polymeric material for removing siloxane compounds in biogas, a method for removing siloxane using the same, and an apparatus therefor, and more particularly, a polyacrylate-based polymer absorbent for removing siloxane compounds in biogas and a method for removing siloxane compounds in biogas. The method for removing siloxane compounds in biogas includes (a) providing the biogas, and b) absorbing the siloxane compounds in a polymer absorbent by passing the biogas through the polymer absorbent according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

The present invention relates to a method to improve chromatography beads. More closely, the invention relates to a novel method for production of dextran-containing porous media and chromatography media produced with this method. In the method, the chromatography media is subjected to dextranase-treatment leading to improved pressure-flow properties of the media.

A method for making surface-coated water-absorbing polymer particles in a microfluidic device is provided. The microfluidic device includes a first microfluidic channel conveying precursor water-absorbing polymer particles, a second microfluidic channel conveying a first coating solution, a third microfluidic channel conveying water-absorbing polymer particles coated with the first coating solution, a fourth microfluidic channel conveying a first non aqueous liquid. An absorbent article includes the surface-coated water-absorbing polymer particles obtained via the method herein is also provided.

A fiber-SAP particle includes a superabsorbent core particle (SAP core particle) and a plurality of fibers attached to the SAP core particle and extending therefrom. The fiber-SAP particles may be formed in a fluidized bed chamber using a spray drying process. The fiber-SAP particles may be incorporated into absorbent cores and articles, such as in disposable diapers.

The present disclosure provides a method for producing a water permeable molecular sieve in which a porous substrate having micron-size pores has deposited on a surface thereof non-porous 2D platelets to seal, at the substrate surface, pores in the porous substrate to form a layer of 2D platelets. A curable sealing material is deposited onto the layer of 2D platelets and any remaining exposed areas of the surface of the porous substrate and curing the curable sealing material in order to form a sealed layer on the surface of the porous substrate to prevent water by-passing the non-porous 2D platelets and passing through the porous substrate. An array of sub-nanopores are then produced through the sealed layer with the array of sub-nanopores having a size to allow water to pass therethrough but not metal ions to give a water permeable molecular sieve characterized by water permeability at low di?erential pressures.

The present disclosure relates to a substrate containing passive NO.sub.x adsorption (PNA) materials for treatment of gases, and washcoats for use in preparing such a substrate. Also provided are methods of preparation of the PNA materials, as well as methods of preparation of the substrate containing the PNA materials. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a coated substrate containing PNA materials for PNA systems, useful in the treatment of exhaust gases. Also disclosed are exhaust treatment systems, and vehicles, such as diesel or gasoline vehicles, particularly light-duty diesel or gasoline vehicles, using catalytic converters and exhaust treatment systems using the coated substrates.