A spin dope composition produces a polymeric fiber useful in non-cryogenic gas separation. The composition includes polysulfone as the polymeric component, two solvents, in which the polymer is soluble, and a non-solvent, in which the polymer is insoluble. The solvents preferably include N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAC), and the non-solvent preferably includes triethylene glycol (TEG). Fibers made from the present composition have been found to exhibit superior properties of gas flux and selectivity, as compared with fibers made from spin dopes having only one solvent component.

A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. The composition further includes a beta-nucleating agent. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. The composition further includes a butene polymer. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. The composition further includes a butene polymer. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

Hollow fiber membranes having improved toughness and durability are prepared using a vinylidene fluoride polymer-containing component, such as Kynaro resins, having relatively low crystallinity. One aspect of the invention provides a membrane in the form of a fiber, wherein i) the fiber has a porous wall of a polymeric component enclosing a central hollow space extending the length of the fiber, ii) the polymeric component has a crystallinity as determined by wide angle x-ray diffraction of less than about 35%, iii) the polymeric component is comprised of at least one homopolymer or copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and iv) the membrane has an energy to break of at least about 0.5 J per square mm of membrane cross section.

Hollow fiber membranes having improved toughness and durability are prepared using a vinylidene fluoride polymer-containing component, such as Kynaro resins, having relatively low crystallinity. One aspect of the invention provides a membrane in the form of a fiber, wherein i) the fiber has a porous wall of a polymeric component enclosing a central hollow space extending the length of the fiber, ii) the polymeric component has a crystallinity as determined by wide angle x-ray diffraction of less than about 35%, iii) the polymeric component is comprised of at least one homopolymer or copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and iv) the membrane has an energy to break of at least about 0.5 J per square mm of membrane cross section.

Electrospinning (ES) produces fibers with small cross-sections and high surface area, making them ideal for a multitude of applications. Structures produced using ES methods exhibit a high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable porosity, and controllable composition. ES involves the delivery of a liquid or solid polymer to a spinneret, whereby, an initiated electric field pulls the polymer into micro to nano-scale fibers. Due to the multitude of applications for which polymer fibers can be used, it is desirable to provide an efficient and portable ES device that allows on-demand deposition of polymer materials. The invention that is subject of this patent application is a portable ES device that allows ideal deposition on a substrate regardless of whether that substrate is attached to high voltage or grounded, and regardless of whether or not there is a charged or grounded substrate behind the desired deposition surface.

Electrospinning (ES) produces fibers with small cross-sections and high surface area, making them ideal for a multitude of applications. Structures produced using ES methods exhibit a high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable porosity, and controllable composition. ES involves the delivery of a liquid or solid polymer to a spinneret, whereby, an initiated electric field pulls the polymer into micro to nano-scale fibers. Due to the multitude of applications for which polymer fibers can be used, it is desirable to provide an efficient and portable ES device that allows on-demand deposition of polymer materials. The invention that is subject of this patent application is a portable ES device that allows ideal deposition on a substrate regardless of whether that substrate is attached to high voltage or grounded, and regardless of whether or not there is a charged or grounded substrate behind the desired deposition surface.

A multi-angle spinneret for forming hollow fibers is provided. The multi-angle spinneret includes a body defining a dope chamber, a bore needle channel, and multiple dope channels being oriented at a minimum of two distinct dope channel angles relative to the dope chamber. The body includes a bore needle disposed in the bore needle channel and oriented substantially perpendicular relative to the dope chamber. The bore needle extends though the dope chamber, such that a bore fluid flow through the bore needle is kept separate from a dope flow through the dope channels. A bore fluid outlet is positioned within a dope outlet of the dope chamber, such that a bore fluid flow out of the bore fluid outlet is substantially coaxial with and substantially centered within a dope flow out of the dope outlet.

A multi-angle spinneret for forming hollow fibers is provided. The multi-angle spinneret includes a body defining a dope chamber, a bore needle channel, and multiple dope channels being oriented at a minimum of two distinct dope channel angles relative to the dope chamber. The body includes a bore needle disposed in the bore needle channel and oriented substantially perpendicular relative to the dope chamber. The bore needle extends though the dope chamber, such that a bore fluid flow through the bore needle is kept separate from a dope flow through the dope channels. A bore fluid outlet is positioned within a dope outlet of the dope chamber, such that a bore fluid flow out of the bore fluid outlet is substantially coaxial with and substantially centered within a dope flow out of the dope outlet.