Provided are devices that include a polymeric separation medium configured to immobilize one or more constituents of interest in the polymeric separation medium and have an increased pore size upon application of an applied stimulus. Systems including the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.

Disclosed are methods of separating solute from solvent using a photoactive extractant. The photoactive extractant can be switched between two states by exposure to light. This can change the affinity of the photoactive extractant for either the solute or the solvent, causing absorption of the solute or solvent. The photoactive extractant can then be separated from the fluid stream containing the solute or solvent. The absorbed solute or solvent is then separated from the photoactive extractant. The photoactive extractant is a photoisomer. Applications for these methods include desalination, water purification, and metal extraction.

A system and a method for treating chemical byproducts within an analyte solution are disclosed. The system comprises a container for storing the analyte solution, a cartridge with one or more columns, a light source, an ultrasonic source, and a control system. The cartridge and the columns are fluidly connected to the container via a circulating line using a pump. The cartridge and the columns include adsorbent and absorbent materials, porous adsorbents, and nano-porous adsorbents to effectively adsorb and absorb the chemical byproducts such as metal ions, the organic compounds, and the inorganic compounds presented within the analyte solution. The light source is configured to transmit light signals into the cartridge and the columns and the ultrasonic source is configured to send ultrasound waves, thereby increasing the rate of adsorption and absorption of the chemical byproducts such as metal ions, organic compounds, and inorganic compounds within the analyte solution.

A system for monitoring phase separation is disclosed. The system includes a temperature control housing having an inlet and an outlet connection for a circulator; a bottle holder positioned inside the housing, the bottle holder having a body with a plurality of recesses for receiving test bottles, each recess having a back surface, a front opening, and a first light scanning component mounted on the back surface of the recess; a sleeve having a plurality of second light scanning components mounted thereon, the sleeve being disposed between the housing and the bottle holder, and each second light scanning component being aligned with one of the first light scanning components; and a lid latched onto the housing to hold the test bottles in place during testing.

Provided are devices that include a polymeric separation medium configured to immobilize one or more constituents of interest in the polymeric separation medium and have an increased pore size upon application of an applied stimulus. Systems including the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, are also provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure find use in a variety of different applications, including detecting whether an analyte is present in a fluid sample.

An organic compound refinement method for refining a specific organic compound which is a target compound from at least two types of organic compounds. The method includes separating the target compound from an organic compound other than the target compound while the at least two types of organic compounds are irradiated with light at an infrared absorption wavelength of a specific functional group that is not contained in the target compound but is contained in the organic compound other than the target compound, or separating the target compound from an organic compound other than the target compound while the at least two types of organic compounds are irradiated with light at an infrared absorption wavelength of a specific functional group that is contained in the target compound but is not contained in the organic compound other than the target compound.

A system for monitoring phase separation is disclosed. The system includes a temperature control housing having an inlet and an outlet connection for a circulator; a bottle holder positioned inside the housing, the bottle holder having a body with a plurality of recesses for receiving test bottles, each recess having a back surface, a front opening, and a first light scanning component mounted on the back surface of the recess; a sleeve having a plurality of second light scanning components mounted thereon, the sleeve being disposed between the housing and the bottle holder, and each second light scanning component being aligned with one of the first light scanning components; and a lid latched onto the housing to hold the test bottles in place during testing.

An organic compound refinement method for refining a specific organic compound which is a target compound from at least two types of organic compounds. The method includes separating the target compound from an organic compound other than the target compound while the at least two types of organic compounds are irradiated with light at an infrared absorption wavelength of a specific functional group that is not contained in the target compound but is contained in the organic compound other than the target compound, or separating the target compound from an organic compound other than the target compound while the at least two types of organic compounds are irradiated with light at an infrared absorption wavelength of a specific functional group that is contained in the target compound but is not contained in the organic compound other than the target compound.

Disclosed are methods of separating solute from solvent using a photoactive extractant. The photoactive extractant can be switched between two states by exposure to light. This can change the affinity of the photoactive extractant for either the solute or the solvent, causing absorption of the solute or solvent. The photoactive extractant can then be separated from the fluid stream containing the solute or solvent. The absorbed solute or solvent is then separated from the photoactive extractant. The photoactive extractant is a photoisomer. Applications for these methods include desalination, water purification, and metal extraction.