Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100092817 | METHOD FOR REVISING A POLARIZATION CURVE THAT DEFINES THE CURRENT/VOLTAGE RELATIONSHIP OF A FUEL CELL STACK - A method for revising a reference polarization curve of a fuel cell stack that identifies the relationship between the voltage and the current of the stack over time. When the stack is operating at a low load where kinetic voltage losses of the stack dominate, a first adaptation value is revised as the difference between the actual stack voltage and the stack voltage of the reference polarization curve. When the stack is operating at higher loads where ohmic voltage losses of the stack dominate, a second adaptation value is revised as the difference between the actual stack voltage and the stack voltage of the reference polarization curve. | 04-15-2010 |
20110091780 | IN-SITU FUEL CELL STACK RECONDITIONING - A method for reconditioning a fuel cell stack. The method includes periodically increasing the relative humidity level of the cathode input airflow to the stack to saturate the cell membrane electrode assemblies to be greater than the relative humidity levels during normal stack operating conditions. The method also includes providing hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack at system shut down while the membrane electrode assemblies are saturated without stack loads being applied so that the hydrogen crosses the cell membranes to the cathode side and reacts with oxygen to reduce stack contaminants. | 04-21-2011 |
20110178742 | DETECTION METHOD FOR MEMBRANE AND ELECTRODE FAILURES IN FUEL CELL STACKS - A method for determining a failure of a membrane in a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack. The method includes measuring the voltage of each fuel cell in the fuel cell stack, calculating an average cell voltage from all of the cell voltages of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack, and identifying a minimum cell voltage from all of the cell voltages of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack. The method then determines an absolute delta voltage value as the difference between the average cell voltage of the fuel cells and the minimum cell voltage of the fuel cells at a plurality of sample points during the sample period. A plurality of absolute delta voltage values determined over a plurality of sample periods, filtered for low current density are used to determine whether there is a membrane failure and, by filtering for high current density, to determine whether there is an electrode failure. | 07-21-2011 |
20110178743 | EARLY DETECTION OF MINIMUM CELL VOLTAGE DEGRADATION OF A FUEL CELL STACK - A method for determining a low performing cell in a fuel cell stack. The method measures the voltage of each cell in the fuel cell stack and calculates an average cell voltage of all of the cell voltages from the fuel cell stack at a plurality of stack current densities. The method also identifies a minimum cell voltage from all of the cell voltages from the fuel cell stack at the plurality of stack current densities that the average cell voltages are calculated and determines a relative delta voltage relationship between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage at each of the plurality of stack current densities. The relative delta voltage relationships are used to determine whether the minimum cell voltage indicates a persistent stack problem. | 07-21-2011 |
20120077096 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND PROCESSES - A fuel cell system comprises an oxygen removing device having an inlet fluidly connected to at least one of the reactant gas source and an outlet of the cathode gas flow field, and an outlet fluidly connected to each of an anode control valve and a cathode control valve. Various fuel cell operation processes are also disclosed. | 03-29-2012 |
20130004872 | METHOD FOR EARLY DETECTION OF MEMBRANE FAILURES OF FUEL CELL STACKS AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPONENT DEFECTS - A system and method for determining a possible failure of membranes in the fuel cells for a fuel cell stack. The method includes monitoring the stack current density and the minimum cell voltage of the fuel cells in the stack. If both the minimum cell voltage and the stack current density are below predetermined values, then the method multiplies scaling factors of the minimum cell voltage and the stack current density to provide a membrane failure factor. If the membrane failure factor is greater than a threshold, then an indication is given of a possible membrane failure. | 01-03-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090057225 | Filtration Membrane - The invention is directed to a ultrafiltration membrane that is capable for the retention of endotoxines and cytokine inducing substances (CIS) including bacterial DNA and/or DNA fragments from fluid and/or liquid media. The invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing such ultrafiltration membranes in a high quality and in an effective and time saving procedure, and to the use of such membranes for the retention of substances from fluids or liquids. The ultrafiltration membrane of the invention consists of a polymer blend comprising at least one hydrophobic polymer containing sulfur in its back bone, at least one hydrophilic, uncharged homo-polymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and at least one polymer containing cationic charges. The method of manufacturing such a ultrafiltration membrane comprises dissolving at least one hydrophobic polymer containing sulfur in its back bone and at least one hydrophilic, uncharged polyvinylpyrrolidone and at least one polymer containing cationic charges in at least one solvent to form a polymer solution, subjecting the formed polymer solution to a diffusion-induced phase separation to prepare a ultrafiltration membrane, washing and subsequently drying of the ultrafiltration membrane. | 03-05-2009 |
20090283470 | Plasma Separation Membrane - A process for manufacturing of an asymmetric hollow fibre membrane, comprising the steps of extruding a polymer solution through the outer ring slit of a hollow fibre spinning nozzle, simultaneously extruding a centre fluid through the inner bore of the hollow fibre spinning nozzle, into a precipitation bath, whereby the polymer solution contains 10 to 26 wt-% of polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyarylethersulfone (PAES), 8 to 15 wt-% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and 60 to 80 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP), the centre fluid contains 60 to 70 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 30 to 40 wt-% water, and the precipitation bath contains 70 to 82 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 18 to 30 wt-% water. | 11-19-2009 |
20100012577 | Plasma Separation Membrane - A process for manufacturing of an asymmetric hollow fibre membrane, comprising the steps of extruding a polymer solution through the outer ring slit of a hollow fibre spinning nozzle, simultaneously extruding a centre fluid through the inner bore of the hollow fibre spinning nozzle, into a precipitation bath, whereby the polymer solution contains 10 to 26 wt-% of polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyarylethersulfone (PAES), 8 to 15 wt-% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 55 to 75 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 3 to 9 wt-% w ater the centre fluid contains 70 to 90 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 10 to 30 wt-% water, and the precipitation bath contains 0 to 20 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 80 to 100 wt-% water. | 01-21-2010 |
20100084339 | High cut-off hemodialysis membranes for the treatment of chronic hemodialysis patients - The present invention relates to high cut-off hemodialysis membranes for the treatment of chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients, with the potential to improve long-term survival of these patients by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, through down-regulation of monocyte activation in the blood. Monocytes are the major circulating blood cells involved in the progression of cardiovascular disease. High cut-off hemodialysis in chronic dialysis patients results in a sustained decrease in expression of monocyte cell-surface proteins that direct the movement of these cells from the blood to the walls of blood vessels, where they promote the progression of arterial disease (atherosclerosis) that leads to cardiovascular disease (CVD); heart disease, strokes and peripheral vascular disease. | 04-08-2010 |
20100320146 | HYDROPHILIC MEMBRANES WITH A NON-IONIC SURFACTANT - The invention relates to hydrophilic membranes which are supplemented or treated with a non-ionic surfactant and processes for preparing such membranes. The membranes are particularly suitable for plasma separation or for haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration, but can also advantageously be used in other applications. Accordingly, the invention is further directed to the use of such membranes for plasma separation, plasma filtration, micro filtration, plasma therapy, haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration or cell filtration applications, respectively. The treated hydrophilic membranes show excellent biocompatibility, such as reduced platelet drop and decreased TAT levels. | 12-23-2010 |
20110031184 | Hollow Fiber Membrane and Method for Manufacturing Thereof - The present invention concerns a semipermeable hollow fiber membrane having an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface and an interior lumen extending along the length thereof and having the selective layer on the outer wall surface with a surface roughness below 10 nm. According to the invention the membrane has the smallest pore size on the outer wall surface, and has an outer wall surface which is smooth, continuous and homogeneous in a nanoscopic scale and four to five distinct layers of different pore size and density. Further the present invention concerns a process for manufacturing thereof and the use thereof. | 02-10-2011 |
20110263020 | MEMBRANE FOR CELL EXPANSION - A membrane which can be used for cultivating cells, in particular adherent cells. The membrane permits the adhesion and proliferation of the cells based on its specific composition comprising polyurethane. The resulting surface characteristics further permit the membrane to be used without any pre-treatment with surface modifying substances. A method for preparing a membrane which can be used for cultivating cells, in particular adherent cells. Methods of using the membrane for cultivating cells, in particular adherent cells. | 10-27-2011 |
20110263022 | IRRADIATED MEMBRANE FOR CELL EXPANSION - A membrane for cultivating adherent or suspension cells, in particular adherent cells. The membrane permits adhesion and proliferation of the cells due to the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma or beta rays or an electron beam in a dose of from 12.5 to 175 kGy in the presence of oxygen. The resulting membrane may be used without any pre-treatment with surface-modifying substances. A method for preparing such an irradiated membrane for cultivating adherent or suspension cells. Methods of using such a membrane for cultivating adherent or suspension cells. | 10-27-2011 |
20120067815 | HYBRID BIOARTIFICIAL KIDNEY - A bioartificial kidney equivalent and a process for producing the bioartificial kidney equivalent. The hybrid bioartificial kidney comprises human proximal and distal renal tubule cells grown on particular synthetic membranes. | 03-22-2012 |
20120074063 | MEMBRANES HAVING IMPROVED PERFORMANCE - Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved sieving characteristics providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The membranes comprise polyethersulfone and polyvinylpyrrolidone and are coated with hyaluronic acid or copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoryl choline and other vinyl polymerizable monomers. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions. | 03-29-2012 |
20120074064 | MEMBRANES HAVING IMPROVED PERFORMANCE - Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved performance, including improved sieving characteristics, providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The improved sieving characteristics are due to a narrow pore size distribution of the membranes created in the production process. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions. | 03-29-2012 |
20120208256 | ENZYME-FUNCTIONALIZED SUPPORTS - An immobilized enzyme comprises a solid support, an enzyme linked to the solid support and a spacer for coupling the enzyme to the solid support. A method for the production of immobilized enzymes comprises: providing a solid support having amino-functional groups coupled to the support surface; covalently coupling the amino-functional groups with a thermally labile radical initiator; and, contacting the support surface with a solution of polymerizable monomers. The polymerizable monomers comprise functional groups which do not take part in radical polymerization, under conditions where thermally initiated graft copolymerization of the monomers takes place, to form polymer chains on the surface of the support. If the polymer chains do not already comprise primary amino-functional groups, the method further comprises transforming the functional groups in the polymer chains into groups comprising primary amino-functional groups. The method further comprises coupling the enzyme to amino-functional groups of the polymer chains. | 08-16-2012 |
20120305486 | HIGH CUT-OFF HEMODIALYSIS MEMBRANE FOR USE IN LIVER DIALYSIS - A system for liver dialysis makes use of a high cut-off hemodialysis membrane for removing water-soluble and protein-bound toxins from the blood of a person in need. A high cut-off hollow fiber hemodialysis membrane has improved potential to remove albumin-bound toxins and inflammatory mediators. | 12-06-2012 |
20130137784 | GRAFT COPOLYMERS - Graft copolymers of hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic polymers, a method for their preparation, and their use in membranes for medical treatments such as hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration, in membranes for water purification, and in membranes for bioprocessing. | 05-30-2013 |
20130205873 | DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR TESTING HOLLOW FIBRE MEMBRANE FILTERS - A process and a device for testing a hollow fiber membrane filter comprises two compartments separated by a porous membrane. A specific amount of testing liquid is provided via a line from a testing liquid reservoir. | 08-15-2013 |
20140001115 | HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF | 01-02-2014 |
20140251377 | PROCESS FOR CONTINUOUSLY WASHING A HOLLOW FIBRE MEMBRANE FOR DEPLETING RESIDUALS - Continuous processes for depleting residuals in hollow fiber membranes comprising polysulfone or polyethersulfone and polyvinylpyrrolidone by rinsing the membranes while compressing them in a pinching device comprising grooved rollers. | 09-11-2014 |
20140326669 | DOPED MEMBRANES - Synthetic membranes for the removal, isolation or purification of substances from a liquid. The membranes include at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer. 5-40 wt.-% of particles having an average particles size of between 0.1 and 15 μm are entrapped. The membrane has a wall thickness of below 150 μm. Methods for preparing the membranes in various geometries, and use of the membranes for the adsorption, isolation and/or purification of substances from a liquid are explored. | 11-06-2014 |
20150060372 | LOW CUT-OFF ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES - Porous hollow fiber membranes having a low molecular weight cut-off, processes for their production, and their use for separation tasks in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutical technology and food processing. | 03-05-2015 |
20150110887 | Permselective Membrane for Treating Vascular Calcifications in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients - The present disclosure relates to a hemodialysis membrane for the treatment of vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients, especially in chronic hemodialysis patients. The present disclosure further relates to methods of treating vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients, wherein the hemodialysis membrane is characterized in that it comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and in that it has a MWRO of between 15 and 20 kD and a MWCO of between 170-320 kD or that the hemodialysis membrane comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and has a MWRO of between 8.5 kD and 14.0 kD and a MWCO of between 55 kD and 130 kD. | 04-23-2015 |