The invention relates to carbon supported crack- and tear-free graphene membranes of large area useful for selective gas separation, method of preparation and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to carbon supported crack- and tear-free graphene membranes having good gas separation performance, in particular high H.sub.2 permeance and H.sub.2/CH.sub.4 selectivities.

A filter device includes one or more filter membranes, and a filter housing enclosing the one or more filter membranes. Each of the filter membranes includes a base membrane and a plurality of through holes.

Atomic layer deposition is utilized to deposit a coating on a membrane. The coated membrane exhibits a tightly bound hydration layer upon exposure to water. The resultant coated membrane is oleophobic.

A product includes a nanoporous membrane having a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for limiting or preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the nanoporous membrane except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes. The longitudinal axes of the carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel, an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 20 nanometers or less, and both ends of at least some of the carbon nanotubes are open. Moreover, the fill material is impermeable or having an average porosity that is less than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes.

Bioartificial ultrafiltration devices comprising a scaffold comprising a population of cells enclosed in a matrix and disposed adjacent a plurality of channels are provided. The population of cells provides molecules such as therapeutic molecules to a subject in need thereof and is supported by the nutrients filtered in an ultrafiltrate from the blood of the subject. The plurality of channels in the scaffold facilitate the transportation of the ultrafiltrate and exchange of molecules between the ultrafiltrate and the population of cells.

A hybrid type filtration structure for filtering liquid includes a first active layer, a porous supporting layer and a permeable layer. The first active layer has a first nano pore inner wall of which a function group included compound is combined with. The porous supporting layer has a plurality of pores and is disposed under the first active layer. The permeable layer is disposed under the porous supporting layer. The porous supporting layer includes a plurality of lipid bilayers having membrane protein inside of the pore, a molecule of water selectively passes through the membrane protein. The first nano pore passes through the first active layer vertically. The first nano pore and the pore are connected with each other through which liquid flows.

Provided are nanoporous silicon nitride membranes and methods of making such membranes. The membranes can be part of a monolithic structure or free-standing. The membranes can be made by transfer of the nanoporous structure of a nanoporous silicon or silicon oxide film by, for example, reactive ion etching. The membranes can be used in, for example, filtration applications, hemodialysis applications, hemodialysis devices, laboratory separation devices, multi-well cell culture devices, electronic biosensors, optical biosensors, active pre-concentration filters for microfluidic devices.

The invention relates to a combined method for gentle molecular surface functionalisation of the very thin, selectively-acting separating layer which preferably consists of aromatic polyamides, polyurethanes and/or polyureas, of thin-film composite membranes for reverse osmosis (hyperfiltration) and for nanofiltration, subsequently collectively termed water-filtration membranes, in order to achieve a passive antifouling effect without impairing the selectivity of the water-selective separating layer made of polyamides and the water-permeability of the membrane.

The invention provides a method of coating a fabric, e.g. a textile material, with a polymer coating, which method comprises contacting a fabric with a monomer and subjecting the monomer to low power plasma polymerization, wherein the monomer comprises the general formula (I): C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1C.sub.mX.sub.2mCR.sub.1Y—OCO—C(R.sub.2)═CH.sub.2, wherein n is 2 to 6, m is 0 to 9, X and Y are H, F, Cl, Br or I, R.sub.1 is H or alkyl, e.g. —CH.sub.3, or a substituted alkyl, e.g. an at least partially halo-substituted alkyl, and R.sub.2 is H or alkyl, e.g. —CH.sub.3 or a substituted alkyl, e.g. an at least partially halo-substituted alkyl.

Bioartificial ultrafiltration devices comprising a scaffold comprising a population of cells enclosed in a matrix and disposed adjacent a plurality of channels are provided. The population of cells provides molecules such as therapeutic molecules to a subject in need thereof and is supported by the nutrients filtered in an ultrafiltrate from the blood of the subject. The plurality of channels in the scaffold facilitate the transportation of the ultrafiltrate and exchange of molecules between the ultrafiltrate and the population of cells.