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.

In at least one embodiment, a separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. New or improved mats, separators, batteries, methods, and/or systems are also disclosed, shown, claimed, and/or provided. For example, in at least one possibly preferred embodiment, a composite separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In at least one possibly particularly preferred embodiment, a PE membrane separator is provided with at least one fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, aspects and/or objects, the present invention, application, or disclosure may provide solutions, new products, improved products, new methods, and/or improved methods, and/or may address issues, needs, and/or problems of PAM shedding, NAM shedding, electrode distortion, active material shedding, active material loss, and/or physical separation, electrode effectiveness, battery performance, battery life, and/or cycle life, and/or may provide new battery separators, new battery technology, and/or new battery methods and/or systems that address the challenges arising from current lead acid batteries or battery systems, especially new battery separators, new battery technology, and/or new battery methods and/or systems adapted to prevent or impede the shedding of active material from the electrodes, preferably or particularly in enhanced flooded lead acid batteries, PSoC batteries, ISS batteries, ESS batteries, and/or the like.

The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane including: a support membrane including a base and a porous support layer; and a separation functional layer disposed on the porous support layer and including a crosslinked aromatic polyamide, in which the separation functional layer contains sulfo groups in an amount of 7.0×10.sup.−5 to 5.0×10.sup.−2 g/m.sup.2 and includes a structure represented by the formula 1.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for electrically conductive membrane separation from a mixture solution via membrane nanofiltration, electro-filtration, or electro-extraction by: generating an electric field at the membrane filter, holding the membrane filter at a constant electric potential, or driving a constant current through the membrane filter; feeding a mixture solution through the membrane nanofiltration system; and separating a component from the mixture solution into a permeate solution.

A double-layered material consisting of a cellulose nanofibrous (CNF) layer and a graphene oxide (GO) nanolayer coating, wherein the material comprises 0.5-4 wt. % of GO, preferably 1-2 wt. % of GO, in relation to the total weight of the material is disclosed, as well as methods for producing said material, membranes comprising said material, and uses of said material and membranes Thus, the present invention provides a cellulose nanofiber material with a high flux, a good separation performance and a strong mechanical and structural stability in solution.

A composite that includes graphene and an interfacially-polymerized polyamide, where the composite is in the form of a self-supporting membrane having a graphene side opposite to a polyamide side, or the composite is in the form of a microparticle comprising a graphene core and a polyamide shell, a method of manufacture of the composites by interfacial polymerization and methods of use of the composite are described.

Systems and methods for treating water may involve a first electrochemical separation module that includes at least one ion exchange membrane having a first set of performance characteristics, and a second electrochemical separation module that includes at least one ion exchange membrane having a second set of performance characteristics that is different than the first set of performance characteristics. Performance characteristics may relate to at least one of water loss, electrical resistance, and permselectivity. Staged treatment systems and methods may provide improved efficiency.

There is provided a multi-layered membrane comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and a spacer layer; wherein said spacer layer is interposed between said top layer and said bottom layer; wherein said top layer, said bottom layer and said spacer layer are each independently composed of one or more selective layers, each selective layer comprising a 2D material; wherein said spacer layer comprises at least one channel for receiving a fluid; wherein said bottom layer comprises a hole with an area in the range of 1 μm.sup.2 to 1 mm.sup.2; and wherein said hole is capable of being in fluid communication with said at least one channels of said spacer layer.

There is also provided a method to synthesize the top layer of a multi-layered membrane as disclosed herein, methods for separating a plurality of ions or molecules in a fluid stream, a device comprising a multi-layered membrane as disclosed herein, and use of the method or the device as disclosed herein in osmotic power generation.

Compositions made of laminate comprised of porous carbon nanotube (CNT) are disclosed. Uses of the Compositions, particularly for reducing a formation of a load of a microorganism or of a biofilm, are also disclosed.

The invention relates to membranes for separation, removal, and/or concentration purposes. The object of the invention is the simple and reliable adsorption of the molecules and to simplify the desorption of target molecules that are adsorbed and chromatographically bonded on membranes, preferably without the addition of substances with a high ion content, such as acids, alkalis or salts. The object of the invention is also to develop a value that can be easily measured, which allows for an indication of the current and/or remaining binding capacity of the membrane during the adsorption process and/or the control thereof. The adsorption takes place on a charged membrane and desorption is achieved using physical, electromagnetic and/or the generation of electrical fields. This is carried out with a thin metal layer being applied to one or both sides of a positively or negatively charged membrane and a voltage is applied for desorption.