Membrane-based apparatus and associated method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising an article, wherein the article comprises:
- a membrane having pores extending from a first surface through the membrane to a second surface; and
a surfactant in contact with a surface of the membrane, and the surfactant is capable of functioning as a super spreader when in contact with a solution, and the article is capable of wetting at least one of the surfaces in response to contact with a fluid.
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Abstract
A system may include an article, and the article may include a membrane having pores and a surfactant in contact with the membrane. The surfactant may function as a super-spreader when in solution. The article may wet out the pores in response to contact with a fluid.
78 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising an article, wherein the article comprises:
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a membrane having pores extending from a first surface through the membrane to a second surface; and
a surfactant in contact with a surface of the membrane, and the surfactant is capable of functioning as a super spreader when in contact with a solution, and the article is capable of wetting at least one of the surfaces in response to contact with a fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A water treatment apparatus, comprising:
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a membrane having pores extending from a first surface through the membrane to a second surface, and a surfactant disposed on at least one surface of the membrane, and the surfactant is capable of functioning as a super spreader when in solution so that the pores respond to contact with the solution and to allow a fluid component of the solution to flow therethrough, and a flow-inducing mechanism operable to flow the solution containing a chemical species to the membrane, wherein the membrane is capable of filtering the solution to separate the chemical species from the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method, comprising:
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providing an article, wherein the article comprises a membrane having pores extending therethrough, and a surfactant in contact with at least one surface of the membrane, and the surfactant is capable of functioning as a superspreader when in solution; and
performing one or more of;
decreasing the electrical resistance of an ion exchange membrane comprising the article, separating components of a solution having a plurality of components, and one of the components can pass through the article, while another of the components can not pass through the article, disposing the article as an intervening layer between a relatively non-biocompatible material and one or more of a tissue, a cell, or a biologic fluid, or wetting the pores of the membrane with a biologic fluid to enhance visualization of a medical device to one or both of ultrasound imaging or to optical imaging.
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Specification