Halloysite microtubule processes, structures, and compositions
First Claim
1. A process for separating an inlet stream of a liquid slurry of suspended particles flowing into a cross-flow filter into a decantate stream and a filtrate stream, said suspended particles comprised of microtubular particles, and said process comprised of the steps of:
- a. comminuting said suspended particles in said inlet stream, thereby releasing said microtubular particles into said inlet stream by using at least a first sonicator to sonicate said inlet stream, thereby producing a sonicated inlet stream;
b. causing said sonicated inlet stream to flow along a filter medium of said cross-flow filter; and
c. applying high frequency oscillatory energy to said filter medium of said cross-flow filter while a portion of said slurry flows through said filter medium to produce a filtrate, wherein the concentration of said microtubular particles in said filtrate is greater than the concentration of said microtubular particles in said sonicated inlet stream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A processes for the separation and purification of microtubules of halloysite clay by separating an inlet stream of a liquid slurry of suspended clay particles flowing into a cross-flow filter into a decantate stream and a filtrate stream, the filtrate stream having a higher concentration of microtubular particles than the inlet stream. Also disclosed are subsequent preparations of novel structures and compositions of matter that include microtubules of halloysite clay.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A process for separating an inlet stream of a liquid slurry of suspended particles flowing into a cross-flow filter into a decantate stream and a filtrate stream, said suspended particles comprised of microtubular particles, and said process comprised of the steps of:
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a. comminuting said suspended particles in said inlet stream, thereby releasing said microtubular particles into said inlet stream by using at least a first sonicator to sonicate said inlet stream, thereby producing a sonicated inlet stream;
b. causing said sonicated inlet stream to flow along a filter medium of said cross-flow filter; and
c. applying high frequency oscillatory energy to said filter medium of said cross-flow filter while a portion of said slurry flows through said filter medium to produce a filtrate, wherein the concentration of said microtubular particles in said filtrate is greater than the concentration of said microtubular particles in said sonicated inlet stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A microchannel structure comprised of a lower substrate and an upper substrate separated by a filler material disposed therebetween, and a longitudinal channel formed in said filler material, wherein at least a portion of said longitudinal channel is bounded by at least one material comprised of nanotubules.
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22. A microvascular network comprised of a plurality of microchannel structures, wherein at least one of said microchannel structures is comprised of a longitudinal channel bounded by at least one material comprised of nanotubules.
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23. A microchannel structure comprised of an open longitudinal channel including a bottom surface, a first side wall, and a second side wall formed in a substrate, and at least one microtubule disposed in and aligned with said longitudinal channel.
Specification