Nanostream, Inc.

Lg Nanoh2o, Inc.

Nanoh2o, Inc.

Nanoh20, Inc.

Jeffrey Alan Koehler

Christopher James Kurth

Paren P Patel

Meijuan Zhou

Brett Anderson Holmberg

Robert Leon Burk

Steven E Hobbs

Joseph F Covington

Christoph D Karp

Matthew M Gregori

Stephen D O'Connor

Marci Pezzuto

Mark S Scheib

Scott G Beach

Reverse osmosis membranes made by interfacial polymerization of a monomer in a nonpolar (e.g. organic) phase together with a monomer in a polar (e.g. aqueous) phase on a porous support membrane. Interfacial polymerization process is disclosed for preparing a highly permeable RO membrane, comprising: contacting on a porous support membrane, a) a first solution containing 1,3-diaminobenzene, and b) a second solution containing trimesoyl chloride, wherein at least one of solutions a) and b) contains nanoparticles when said solutions are first contacted, and recovering a highly permeable RO membrane.

Hybrid nanoparticle TFC membranes

A process for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane that includes: (A) providing a polyamine, a polyfunctional acid halide, and a flux increasing additive having the formula ZB, where Zis an easily dissociable cation and Bis a beta-diketonate; (B) combining the polyamine, polyfunctional acid halide, and flux increasing additive on the surface of a porous support membrane; and (C) interfacially polymerizing the polyamine and the polyfunctional acid halide, and flux increasing additive on the surface of the porous support membrane to form a reverse osmosis membrane comprising (i) the porous support membrane and (ii) a discrimination layer comprising a polyamide. The reverse osmosis membrane is characterized by a flux that is greater than the flux of the same membrane prepared in the absence of the flux increasing additive.

Hybrid TFC RO membranes with non-metallic additives

A process for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane that includes: (A) providing a polyamine, a polyfunctional acid halide, and a flux increasing additive having the formula ZBwhere Zis an easily dissociable cation and Bis a beta-diketonate; (B) combining the polyamine, polyfunctional acid halide, and flux increasing additive on the surface of a porous support membrane; and (C) interfacially polymerizing the polyamine and the polyfunctional acid halide, and flux increasing additive on the surface of the porous support membrane to form a reverse osmosis membrane comprising (i) the porous support membrane and (ii) a discrimination layer comprising a polyamide. The reverse osmosis membrane is characterized by a flux that is greater than the flux of the same membrane prepared in the absence of the flux increasing additive.

A process for preparing a reverse osmosis membrane that includes (A) providing a polyamine, a polyfunctional acid halide, and mono-hydrolyzed trimesoyl chloride; (B) combining the polyamine, polyfunctional acid halide, and mono-hydrolyzed trimesoyl chloride on the surface of a porous support membrane; and (C) interfacially polymerizing the polyamine and the polyfunctional acyl halide on the surface of the porous support membrane to form a reverse osmosis membrane comprising (i) the porous support membrane and (ii) a discrimination layer comprising a polyamide. The reverse osmosis membrane is characterized by a flux that is greater than the flux of the same membrane prepared in the absence of the mono-hydrolyzed trimesoyl chloride.

RO membranes using chlorinated water as a feed stream maybe protected from damage by the chlorine with a protective layer including reactive nitrogen which forms chloromines on the surface of the membrane that reduce chlorine penetration. This protective layer also provides substantial anti-fouling capabilities, whether used with a chlorinated or unchlorinated feed stream because the chloramines are anti-bacterial. Although chlorine is lost in use, the anti-fouling layer or coating can be recharged with additional chlorine without damaging the discrimination layer. The anti-fouling layer or coating may be advantageously used with Thin film composite, TFC, membranes for use in forward and reverse osmosis may include nanoparticles, monohydrolyzed and/or di-hydrolyzed TMC, and/or alkaline earth alkaline metal complexes or other additives.

Hybrid TFC RO membranes with nitrogen additives

An interfacial polymerization process (IFP) for preparing a highly permeable TFC RO membrane by contacting on a porous support membrane for IFP, a polyfunctional acyl halide monomer and a polyamine monomer and recovering a highly permeable thin film (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. At least one of solutions may contain nanoparticle additives which may release ions into solution and at least one of the solutions may contain additional ions from a second additive. The presence of the nanoparticle additives during IFP may increase the hydrophilicity and/or permeability of the recovered membrane compared to a control membrane. The presence of the additional ions from the second additive may also increase the permeability of the recovered membrane.

Reverse osmosis membranes

Chromatographic separation devices include multiple batch-processed columns joined by a body structure and adapted to perform parallel analyses. Both slurry-packed and monolithic column embodiments are provided. One or more liquid-permeable frits of various types may be used to retain stationary phase material within columns. A fluidic distribution network may be used to distribute stationary phase material and/or mobile phase solvents to multiple columns. Separation devices, including microfluidic embodiments, may be fabricated with various materials including polymers. Multi-column fabrication and separation methods are provided.

Multi-column separation devices and methods

A multi-layer microfluidic separation device comprises a polymeric membrane frit that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. Stationary phase material having an average particle size is retained by a frit having an average pore size that is smaller than the average particle size. In one embodiment, a secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.

Frit material and bonding method for microfluidic separation devices

Pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices, such as may be used for performing high performance liquid chromatography, are provided. Multiple separation columns may be defined in a single device and packed with stationary phase material retained by porous frits. One or more splitters may be provided to distribute slurry and/or mobile phase among multiple separation columns. In one embodiment, separation devices are substantially planar and fabricated with multiple device layers. Systems and methods employing slurry for packing separation devices are also provided.

Separation column devices and fabrication methods

A method for fabricating a microfluidic device where first and second substantially flat platens are provided. Multiple substantially planar, substantially metal-free, adhesiveless polymer device layers, the device layers including a first cover layer, second cover layer, and at least one stencil layer defining a microfluidic channel penetrating through the entire thickness of the stencil layer also are provided. Each stencil layer is disposed between other device layers such that the channel is bounded laterally by a stencil layer, and bounded from above and below by surrounding device layers to define an upper channel surface and a lower channel surface. The device layers are stacked between the first platen and the second platen. The stacked device layers are controllably heated according to a heating profile adapted to form a substantially sealed adhesiveless microfluidic device wherein each upper channel surface remains distinct from its corresponding lower channel surface. The resulting microfluidic device has high inter-layer bond strength while preserving the integrity of the channel(s) defined in the stencil layer(s).

Adhesiveless microfluidic device fabrication

A frit for use in multi-layer microfluidic separation devices is provided. The frit comprises a polymeric membrane that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. A secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.

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Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey Alan Koehler