Abstract:
Polymer membranes are disclosed having increased permeability. The process of the present disclosure, for instance, can increase the ion permeability of membranes and/or the gas permeability of membranes. In one embodiment, for instance, a precursor polymer is subjected to energy in an amount sufficient to form damage tracks through the thickness of the polymer. The damage tracks are then oxidized to form free radical groups. The precursor polymer is then hydrolyzed causing ion groups to form that cluster along the damage tracks. In one embodiment, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based copolymer ionomer membranes are formed that have increased conductivity. Other ionomer membranes that may be formed according to the present disclosure include copolymers of a vinyl hydrocarbon and a vinyl carboxylic acid.
Abstract:
Methods, systems and compositions for recovery of regenerant ions from spent regenerant solution by utilization of electrodialysis are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods for separating spent regenerant using an electrodialysis system comprising selective membranes are described. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for treating a friable solid ion-removal material to prevent fragmentation during regeneration.
Abstract:
One aspect of the present invention relates to methods and compositions for attenuating xenograft rejection by administering, to an animal receiving the xenograft, an amount of a polymer-derivatized xenoantigen (hereinafter “xenopolymer”) effective for inhibiting or lessening the severity of hyperacute rejection response (HAR), or other immunological response to the graft, that is dependent on the presence of the xenoantigen on the grafted tissues or cells. In certain embodiments, the xenopolymer is administered in an amount sufficient to neutralize host antibodies (“xenoreactive antibodies” or “XNA”) immunoreactive with the xenoantigen. The xenopolymer may additionally, or alternatively, be used as a tolerogen (or anergen) for the xenoantigen, e.g., able to suppress, to some degree, the production/secretion of XNAs by the immune system of the host.
Abstract:
Sodium chloride and purified water are recovered by treating salt water that contains sodium chloride with an integrated reverse osmosis and electrodialysis system, which includes an efficiency-enhancing feature that is one or more of the following: the use of univalent anion and univalent cation selective membranes in the electrodialysis unit; the addition of a nanofiltration unit to process the diluate from the electrodialysis unit; or operation of the electrodialysis unit at an elevated pressure. Magnesium and bromine can optionally be produced when the salt water contains these materials.
Abstract:
A deflection electrode for use in a continuous ink jet printing device molded of powdered ultra high molecular weight polyethylene combined with carbon black and subjected to oxygen plasma treatment.
Abstract:
Artificial red cells have been prepared which comprise microdroplets of stroma-free, aqueous hemoglobin solution encapsulated in polymerized hemoglobin membranes which ae permeable to oxygen and impermeable to hemoglobin. These artificial red cells can be made having diameters generally less than four microns are able to maintain their individual integrity under conditions of flow with shear rates of up to about 2.times.10.sup.5 sec.sup.-1.
Abstract:
A process for preparing artificial red cells comprising microdroplets of aqueous, stroma-free hemoglobin solution encapsulated in membranes of polymerized hemoglobin, said process comprising forming microdroplets of hemoglobin solution in a continuous oil phase, cross-linking the hemoglobin at the surface of the microdroplets with a suitable cross-linking agent to form the artificial red cells and recovering the cells. In one embodiment, a liquid membrane encapsulation technique employing a water-soluble cross-linking agent is used to form the cells. In another embodiment an oil-soluble cross-linking agent is present in the oil phase containing the hemoglobin microdroplets.
Abstract:
A rigid, shaped, mass support system, such as support or seating appliances for disabled or handicapped persons, is provided by charging a flexible container (2) made of elastic polymeric film with a uniform mixture of rigid particles of a mesh size relatively small compared to the size of the system and a curable adhesive polymeric binder material. The charged container (2) and its contents are molded to adapt to or fit the shape of the mass, such as the contour of that portion of the body to be supported, and evacuated to remove volatiles and fix the shape of the contents of the container. The adhesive binder is then cured to solidify the molded contents of the container to form a composite, from which the polymeric film can be stripped away, after which an adhesive paint is applied to seal and protect the surface.
Abstract:
A solar collector mounting system includes a vertically extending pedestal for supporting a solar collector at a predetermined minimum height above ground level to provide an unobstructed utilization of the space immediately surrounding the pedestal. The pedestal includes a pivoting bracket at the upper end for supporting an array of panels for orientation into the sun, and is formed of a hollow structure to define a liquid storage reservoir for storing a heated liquid.