A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from epoxy-based photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A method of forming a microfilter is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer of epoxy-based photo-definable dry film disposed on a substrate, exposing the first layer to energy through a mask to form a pattern, defined by the mask, in the first layer of dry film, forming, from the exposed first layer of dry film, a polymer layer having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the plurality of apertures having a distribution defined by the pattern, and removing the polymer layer from the substrate.

A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from epoxy-based photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A method of forming a microfilter is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer of epoxy-based photo-definable dry film disposed on a substrate, exposing the first layer to energy through a mask to form a pattern, defined by the mask, in the first layer of dry film, forming, from the exposed first layer of dry film, a polymer layer having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the plurality of apertures having a distribution defined by the pattern, and removing the polymer layer from the substrate.

The invention pertains to a side-chain epoxy-functionalized copolymer (P1) and to the process for preparing this copolymer (P1). The present invention also pertains to the use of the copolymer (P1) in the preparation of a membrane, a composite material or a coating. The present invention also relates to a resin composition comprising at least the copolymer (P1) according to the present invention.

Membranes are described that may include aligned carbon nanotubes coated with an inorganic support layer and a polymeric matrix. Methods of membrane fabrication are described that may include coating an aligned carbon nanotube array with an inorganic support layer followed by infiltration with a polymeric solvent or solution. The support carbon nanotube membrane may have improved performance for separations such as desalination, drug delivery, or pharmaceuticals.

Membranes are described that may include aligned carbon nanotubes coated with an inorganic support layer and a polymeric matrix. Methods of membrane fabrication are described that may include coating an aligned carbon nanotube array with an inorganic support layer followed by infiltration with a polymeric solvent or solution. The support carbon nanotube membrane may have improved performance for separations such as desalination, drug delivery, or pharmaceuticals.

A hollow fiber that generally extends in a longitudinal direction is provided. The hollow fiber comprises a hollow cavity that extends along at least a portion of the fiber in the longitudinal direction. The cavity is defined by an interior wall that is formed front a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

A hollow fiber that generally extends in a longitudinal direction is provided. The hollow fiber comprises a hollow cavity that extends along at least a portion of the fiber in the longitudinal direction. The cavity is defined by an interior wall that is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

A hollow fiber that generally extends in a longitudinal direction is provided. The hollow fiber comprises a hollow cavity that extends along at least a portion of the fiber in the longitudinal direction. The cavity is defined by an interior wall that is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

An ion-sensitive substance containing a crown ether structure composed of a repeating unit represented by formula (a): —CR.sup.1R.sup.2—CR.sup.3X—O— . . . (a) (in the formula, X is an organic group having an alkoxysilyl group at a terminal, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group), and a part or all of the alkoxysilyl groups in the crown ether structure may be hydrolyzed to form a silanol group.

An ion-sensitive substance containing a crown ether structure composed of a repeating unit represented by formula (a): —CR.sup.1R.sup.2—CR.sup.3X—O— . . . (a) (in the formula, X is an organic group having an alkoxysilyl group at a terminal, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group), and a part or all of the alkoxysilyl groups in the crown ether structure may be hydrolyzed to form a silanol group.