A sensor device includes a substrate, a sensing layer formed over the substrate, and a cover layer at least partially covering the sensing layer and protecting the sensing layer. The cover layer is a porous material or has a plurality of openings.

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.

A 3D nanopore device for characterizing biopolymer molecules includes a first selecting layer having a first axis of selection. The device also includes a second selecting layer disposed adjacent the first selecting layer and having a second axis of selection orthogonal to the first axis of selection. The device further includes an third electrode layer disposed adjacent the second selecting layer, such that the first selecting layer, the second selecting layer, and the third electrode layer form a stack of layers along a Z axis and define a plurality of nanopore pillars.

A 3D nanopore device for characterizing biopolymer molecules includes a first selecting layer having a first axis of selection. The device also includes a second selecting layer disposed adjacent the first selecting layer and having a second axis of selection orthogonal to the first axis of selection. The device further includes an third electrode layer disposed adjacent the second selecting layer, such that the first selecting layer, the second selecting layer, and the third electrode layer form a stack of layers along a Z axis and define a plurality of nanopore pillars.

The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium), using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when lithium is depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional lithium.

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.

The present disclosure provides an improved filtration membrane suitable for filtration of blood in vivo. The improved filtration membrane is resistant to breakage with minimal areal penalty due to presence of a system of supports on the backside of the membrane. The minimal areal penalty is achieved by using supports that provide a hierarchical scaffolding that comprises ribs of two different heights as disclosed herein.

A 3D nanopore device for characterizing biopolymer molecules includes a first selecting layer having a first axis of selection. The device also includes a second selecting layer disposed adjacent the first selecting layer and having a second axis of selection orthogonal to the first axis of selection. The device further includes an third electrode layer disposed adjacent the second selecting layer, such that the first selecting layer, the second selecting layer, and the third electrode layer form a stack of layers along a Z axis and define a plurality of nanopore pillars.

A filter for the filtration of a fluid, such as a liquid, includes or is constituted by a support element made from a porous ceramic material, at least a portion of the surface of the support element being covered with a porous membrane separating layer, the membrane separating layer being constituted essentially of silicon carbide (SiC), its porosity being between 10% and 70% by volume, the median diameter of its pores being between 50 nanometers and 500 nanometers, its mean thickness being between 1 micrometer and 30 micrometers, and its tortuosity being less than 1.7.

A zeolite membrane composite including a porous support and a zeolite membrane formed on a surface of the porous support. The zeolite membrane has an LTA-type crystal structure. The first atomic ratio: Si/Al of silicon element (Si) to aluminum element (Al) in the zeolite membrane is 1.29 or greater and 1.60 or less.