A device for removing ions from a solution. The device includes first and second end plates, an anion exchange membrane positioned between the first and second end plates, a first multiple of two or more first cation intercalation electrodes positioned between the first end plate and the anion exchange membrane, and one or more second intercalation electrodes positioned between the second end plate and the anion exchange membrane. The first multiple of two or more first cation intercalation electrodes and the one or more second intercalation electrodes are configured to receive an electric bias of current or voltage such that the first multiple of two or more first cation intercalation electrodes and the one or more second intercalation electrodes store and release ions from the solution.

THE PRESENT INVENTION RELATES TO AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A COMPOSITE DEIONIZATION ELECTRODE, IN WHICH, IN A COMPOSITE DEIONIZATION ELECTRODE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AN ION EXCHANGE LAYER HAVING A UNIFORM THICKNESS CAN BE COATED IN A STATE IN WHICH THE TENSION OF A SHEET ON WHICH THE ION EXCHANGE LAYER IS FORMED CAN BE SUFFICIENTLY SECURED, THUS ENABLING THE MASS PRODUCTION OF A HIGH-QUALITY COMPOSITE DEIONIZATION ELECTRODE.

Devices and methods for controlling molecular transport are disclosed herein. The devices include a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels extending therethrough. The membrane has an inner electrically conductive layer and an outer dielectric layer. The outer dielectric layer creates an insulative barrier between the electrically conductive layer and the contents of the nanochannels. At least one electrical contact region is positioned on a surface of the membrane. The electrical contact region exposes the electrically conductive layer of the membrane for electrical coupling to external electronics. When the membrane is at a first voltage, molecules flow through the nanochannels at a first release rate. When the membrane is at a second voltage, charge accumulation within the nanochannels modulates the flow of molecules through the nanochannels to a second release rate that is different than the first release rate. Methods of fabricating devices for controlling molecular transport are also disclosed herein.

The invention relates to a method for producing a tubular electrochemical separation unit comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells, arranged electrically in series, and comprising at least three layers, said method comprising: —a deposition step (110) of a first layer to form a first discontinuous layer (10) comprising several successive tubular modules (11) separated by spaces (12), —a deposition step (120) of a second layer, said deposition being achieved to form a second discontinuous layer (20) comprising several successive tubular modules (21) separated by spaces (22), so that tubular modules (11) are partially coated with tubular modules (21) of the second layer (20), —a deposition step (130) of a third layer, said deposition being achieved to form a third discontinuous layer (30) comprising several successive tubular modules (31) separated by spaces (32), so that tubular modules (21) are partially coated with tubular modules of the third discontinuous layer.

A forward osmosis filtration cell is provided which includes a fluid passageway and a forward osmosis filtration membrane positioned within the passageway. The filtration membrane divides the fluid passageway into two chambers, a first chamber configured to hold a draw solution, and a second chamber configured to hold a feed solution. The filtration cell further includes a first electrode positioned in the first chamber, and a second electrode positioned in the second chamber. The first and second electrodes are configured to apply an electric field across the filtration membrane to prevent fouling on the filtration membrane. A method of using a forward osmosis filtration cell in a water treatment system, and a method of retrofitting a water treatment system with first and second electrodes are also provided.

A metal coated polymer membrane, a method for the production thereof, an electrofiltration device, or an electrosorption device, and a method of electrofiltration and electrosorption using a metal coated polymer membrane. The polymer membrane is coated with metal using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).

The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

In this disclosure, a process of recycling acid, base and the salt reagents required in the Li recovery process is introduced. A membrane electrolysis cell which incorporates an oxygen depolarized cathode is implemented to generate the required chemicals onsite. The system can utilize a portion of the salar brine or other lithium-containing brine or solid waste to generate hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and carbonate salts. Simultaneous generation of acid and base allows for taking advantage of both chemicals during the conventional Li recovery from brines and mineral rocks. The desalinated water can also be used for the washing steps on the recovery process or returned into the evaporation ponds. The method also can be used for the direct conversion of lithium salts to the high value LiOH product. The method does not produce any solid effluent which makes it easy-to-adopt for use in existing industrial Li recovery plants.

The present invention relates to a biosensor, including: a blood cell separation membrane which separates blood cells from blood and allows plasma components to pass through; a microfluid channel through which the plasma components that have passed through the blood cell separation membrane flow; a lower substrate which allows the plasma components that have passed through the blood cell separation membrane to flow along the microfluid channel; and a pillar which connects the blood cell separation membrane and the lower substrate, in which an electrode is disposed in the pillar, and the pillar pushes and lifts the blood cell separation membrane by a predetermined distance. The biosensor of the present invention allows plasma, which is difficult to pass through the blood cell separation membrane due to surface tension, to easily pass through.

Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing a filter assembly having a filter body with an inlet and an outlet, a filter membrane support disposed within the filter body between the inlet and outlet, a filter membrane coupled to the filter membrane support, and at least one component that passes through the inlet, the filter membrane support, and the outlet to carry an electrical current, a fluid, or combinations thereof through the filter.