USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Ravanasamudram S Venkatachalam

Eugene C Fischer

Vincent J Castelli

Usman A Sorathia

John P Wehrle

Barbara F Howell

Wayne C Jones

David P Owen

Deborah A Houghton

Douglas C Loup

Carlisle R Stephenson

Markus R Pipyne

A protective device for a container containing toxic or hazardous materia includes a shell, a mechanism positioned in the shell for sealing a puncture in the container so as to prevent release of the toxic materials from the container and a mechanism for attaching the shell to the container.

Protective device for container

Hydrophilicity of hydrophilic polymers, in the form of heat-crosslinked cings on porous membranes, is increased by exposure to an oxygen plasma, preferably for about 60 seconds. The plasma is generated at an oxygen gas pressure of about 1.5 Torrs in a chamber subjected to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation with a power of 25-100 watts. Such highly hydrophilic membranes have increased efficiency and durability when used as ultrafiltration membranes for separating hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, such as smoke-air and oil-water mixtures.

Process for producing hydrophilic polymer membranes

Growing community of inventors

Arnold, MD, United States of America

Ravanasamudram S Venkatachalam