DelStar Technologies, Inc.

A water swellable semi-conductive material having a semi-conductive layer and a semi-conductive water swellable polymeric layer which is positioned on opposing surfaces of the semi-conductive layer is provided. The semi-conductive water swellable polymeric layer is composed of conductive particles dispersed within a crosslinked superabsorbent polymeric matrix.

The present disclosure provides membrane backers, membranes, and filters, such as liquid filters, water filters, reverse osmosis filters, nano-filtration (NF) devices and the like. A membrane backer includes a support layer comprising spunbond fibers. The support layer has a ratio of a maximum pore diameter to a mean flow pore diameter (i.e., pore size distribution (PSD)) of about 8.0 to about 1.0, or about 3.0 to about 1.0. Reducing the PSD of the support layer creates a more uniform structure and a controlled porosity that allows for high quality casting to a membrane, while providing consistent flow rates therethrough. The support layer may include continuous fibers that create a smoother surface for casting the layer onto a membrane. The support layer has a sufficient tensile strength to provide mechanical support and stability to reduce fouling and inhibit premature membrane failure and sufficient elongation characteristics to facilitate handling and casting of the layer onto a membrane.

Degradable extruded nettings are provided. Degradable extruded nettings may include a plurality of interconnected strands, at least some of the strands being made from a polymeric blend, the polymeric blend including a polylactic acid polymer composition, polybutylene succinate, and a degradation additive, the degradation additive including a degrader in a carrier resin are provided. Grass sod and methods for preparing grass sod using such degradable extruded nettings are also provided.

Filter media and filters, such as air filters, residential air filters, commercial air filters, face masks, gas turbine and compressor air intake filters, panel filters, and the like, are provided that comprise a plurality of fibers with a silicone-based coating. The silicone-based coating comprises a silicone compound at least about two percent by weight of the coating. The silicone-based coating may include a reactive silicone macroemulsion and a surfactant. The silicone-based coating increases the efficiency of the filter at capturing contaminants, particularly contaminants in the E2 and E3 particle group range, without compromising other important characteristics of the filters, such as cost, longevity, dust holding capacity, and the pressure drop or air permeability of the filter.

Provided are electrolyte films or cells for use in variety of applications, such as electrochromic windows. An electrolytic film comprises a polymer layer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or polymethyl methacrylate, and an electrolyte within the polymer layer. The electrolyte comprises a salt, a plasticizer and a tinting agent. The plasticizer and tinting agent comprise one or more materials that are selected to provide sufficient conductivity and optical transparency for operation of the electrolyte film in an application requiring substantial optical clarity and switching speed, such as a smart window.

Filter media and liquid filters are described herein. A filter media comprises a first layer, a second layer disposed adjacent the first layer, and a third layer disposed adjacent the second layer such that the second layer is interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer comprises melt blown fibers, the second layer comprises microglass fibers and the third layer comprises spunbond fibers. The filter media has a relatively high filter life and a filtration efficiency of greater than or equal to about 95% without a substantial increase in pressure over time. The filter media may be particularly useful in separating a discontinuous liquid phase, such as water, from a continuous liquid phase of the solution, such as a hydrocarbon, in fuel tank storage, fuel transportation and/or oil purification applications.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for producing fibrous materials and products, such as filters. A system comprises a first device for generating one or more fiber stream(s), and a second device for isolating nanoparticles within a gaseous medium. The second device forms the nanoparticles into a stream and feeds this stream into the fiber streams to form the fibrous material. This distributes the nanoparticles more uniformly throughout the fibrous material. In addition, the nanoparticles increase the overall surface area within the material, which, in certain applications, increases its filtration efficiency and allows for the capture of submicron contaminants without significantly compromising other factors, such as pressure drop through the filter. Filters produced with these systems and methods are capable of withstanding rigorous conditioning, which allows the filter to achieve substantially the same level of filtration performance throughout the lifetime of the filter.

Thermoplastic interlayers containing functional elements, such as quantum dots, laminates and systems incorporating the thermoplastic interlayers, and methods for the same are provided. The thermoplastic interlayer may be an extruded thermoplastic interlayer including a thermoplastic polyurethane and the functional elements disposed in the thermoplastic polyurethane. The functional elements may include quantum dots in an amount of from greater than 0 wt % to about 5 wt %. The thermoplastic interlayer may have a haze of from greater than 0% to less than or equal to 5%. The laminates may include first and second optically transparent outer sheets, and the thermoplastic interlayer interposed between the first and second optically transparent outer sheets. A laminated glazing unit is also provided and may include the laminate and a photovoltaic cell operably coupled with the laminate.

Filter media and filters are provided that include at least two layers and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in depth within at least one of the layers. A gas filter comprises a first layer of fibers, a second layer of fibers bonded to the first layer and a plurality of nanoparticles incorporated into the first layer. The nanoparticles increase the overall surface area within the filter, which increases its filtration efficiency and allows for the capture of submicron contaminants without significantly compromising other factors, such as pressure drop (i.e., air flow) through the filter. In addition, the filters disclosed herein are capable of withstanding rigorous conditioning, which allows the filter to achieve the same level of filtration performance throughout the lifetime of the filter. Systems, devices and methods are also provided for manufacturing such filters.

Apertured polymeric layers, sheets, mesh or films are provided for a variety of different applications. A polymeric sheet comprises at least one polymer layer having one or more apertures for flow of gas or liquid therethrough, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed within the polymer sheet such that the nanoparticles are disposed between a first surface of the polymer sheet and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanoparticles filter contaminants passing through the polymeric sheet. The apertured sheets may comprise filter media and/or support membranes for filter media in gas or liquid filters. The nanoparticles reduce the overall pressure drop across the support membranes to improve the efficiency of such filters.