Reduction of VOC emissions by a membrane-based gas absorption process

A membrane-based gas absorption （MGA） process was evaluated for the removal of volatile organic compounds （VOCs） based on C6H6/N2 mixture. The absorption of C6H6 from a C6H6/N2 mixture was investigated using a hydrophobic polypropylene hollow fiber membrane contactor and the aqueous solution of N-formyl morpholine （NFM） as absorbent. The effects of various factors on the overall mass transfer coefficient was investigated. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of C6H6 could reach 99.5% in present studied system. A mathematical model based on resistance-in-series concept was presented to predict the value of overall mass transfer coefficient. The average error between the predicted and experimental values is 7.9%. In addition, conventional packed columns for VOCs removal was also evaluated for comparison.

Thermodynamic performance assessment of vacuum membrane-based dehumidification and air carrying energy radiant air-conditioning system(VMD-ACERS)

Temperature and humidity independent control(THIC)air-conditioning system is a promising technology.In this work,a novel temperature and humidity independent control(THIC)system is proposed,namely VMD-ACERS,which integrates vacuum membrane-based dehumidification and air carrying energy radiant air-conditioning system.This work establishes a novel coefficient of performance(COP)model of VMD-ACERS.The main parameters affecting the COP of conventional fan coil unit cooling system(FCUCS)and VMD-ACERS are investigated.The performance of FCUCS and VMD-ACERS are compared,and the energy-saving potential of VMD-ACERS is proved.Results indicate that,for FCUCS,the importance ranking of parameters is basically stable.However,for VMD-ACERS,the importance ranking will be affected by FCU and refrigerant.The most important parameters of VMD-ACERS are condensation temperature and permeate side pressure.On the contrary,superheating,subcooling are relatively less important parameters.For VMD-ACERS,it is not necessary to pursue the membrane with very high selectivity,because the selectivity of membrane would also be a less important parameter when it reaches 500.The COP of VMD-ACERS is higher than that of FCUCS when the permeate side pressure is higher than 8 k Pa.The VMD-ACERS solves two technical problems about power-saving and thermal comfort of conventional THIC,and can extend the application of THIC air-conditioning system.

Recent advances on the membrane processes for CO_2 separation

Membrane separation technology has popularized rapidly and attracts much interest in gas industry as a promising sort of newly chemical separation unit operation. In this paper, recent advances on membrane processes for CO_2 separation are reviewed. The researches indicate that the optimization of operating process designs could improve the separation performance, reduce the energy consumption and decrease the cost of membrane separation systems. With the improvement of membrane materials recently,membrane processes are beginning to be competitive enough for CO_2 separation, especially for postcombustion CO_2 capture, biogas upgrading and natural gas carbon dioxide removal, compared with the traditional separation methods. We summarize the needs and most promising research directions for membrane processes for CO_2 separation in current and future membrane applications. As the time goes by, novel membrane materials developed according to the requirement proposed by process optimization with increased selectivity and/or permeance will accelerate the industrialization of membrane process in the near future. Based on the data collected in a pilot scale test, more effort could be made on the optimization of membrane separation processes. This work would open up a new horizon for CO_2 separation/Capture on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage(CCUS).

Targeted chemotherapy via HER2-based chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)engineered T-cell membrane coated polymeric nanoparticles

Cell membrane-derived nanoparticles(NPs)have recently gained popularity due to their desirable features in drug delivery such as mimicking properties of native cells,impeding systemic clearance,and altering foreign body responses.Besides NP technology,adoptive immunotherapy has emerged due to its promise in cancer specificity and therapeutic efficacy.In this research,we developed a biomimetic drug carrier based on chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)transduced T-cell membranes.For that purpose,anti-HER2 CAR-T cells were engineered via lentiviral transduction of anti-HER2 CAR coding lentiviral plasmids.Anti-HER2 CAR-T cells were characterized by their specific activities against the HER2 antigen and used for cell membrane extraction.Anti-cancer drug Cisplatin-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)NPs were coated with anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-specific CAR engineered T-cell membranes.Anti-HER2 CAR-T-cell membrane-coated PLGA NPs(CAR-T-MNPs)were characterized and confirmed via fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry.Membrane-coated NPs showed a sustained drug release over the course of 21 days in physiological conditions.Cisplatin-loaded CAR-T-MNPs also inhibited the growth of multiple HER2+cancer cells in vitro.In addition,in vitro uptake studies revealed that CAR-T-MNPs showed an increased uptake by A549 cells.These results were also confirmed via in vivo biodistribution and therapeutic studies using a subcutaneous lung cancer model in nude mice.CAR-T-MNPs localized preferentially at tumor areas compared to those of other studied groups and consisted of a significant reduction in tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice.In Conclusion,the new CAR modified cell membrane-coated NP drug-delivery platform has demonstrated its efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.Therefore,CAR engineered membrane-coated NP system could be a promising cell-mimicking drug carrier that could improve therapeutic outcomes of lung cancer treatments.

From plasma to plasmonics:toward sustainable and clean water production through membranes

The increasing demand for potable water is never-ending.Freshwater resources are scarce and stress is accumulating on other alternatives.Therefore,new technologies and novel optimization methods are developed for the existing processes.Membrane-based processes are among the most efficient methods for water treatment.Yet,membranes suffer from severe operational problems,namely fouling and temperature polarization.These effects can harm the membrane’s permeability,permeate recovery,and lifetime.To mitigate such effects,membranes can be treated through two techniques:plasma treatment(a surface modification technique),and treatment through the use of plasmonic materials(surface and bulk modification).This article showcases plasma-and plasmonic-based treatments in the context of water desalination/purification.It aims to offer a comprehensive review of the current developments in membrane-based water treatment technologies along with suggested directions to enhance its overall efficiency through careful selection of material and system design.Moreover,basic guidelines and strategies are outlined on the different membrane modification techniques to evaluate its prerequisites.Besides,we discuss the challenges and future developments about these membrane modification methods.

Cell-mediated and cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for drug delivery and cancer therapy

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery platforms have been developed over the last two decades because of their favorable features in terms of improved drug bioavailability and stability.Despite recent advancement in nanotechnology platforms,this approach still falls short to meet the complexity of biological systems and diseases,such as avoiding systemic side effects,manipulating biological interactions and overcoming drug resistance,which hinders the therapeutic outcomes of the NP-based drug delivery systems.To address these issues,various strategies have been developed including the use of engineered cells and/or cell membrane-coated nanocarriers.Cell membrane receptor profiles and characteristics are vital in performing therapeutic functions,targeting,and homing of either engineered cells or cell membrane-coated nanocarriers to the sites of interest.In this context,we comprehensively discuss various cell-and cell membrane-based drug delivery approaches towards cancer therapy,the therapeutic potential of these strategies,and the limitations associated with engineered cells as drug carriers and cell membrane-associated drug nanocarriers.Finally,we review various cell types and cell membrane receptors for their potential in targeting,immunomodulation and overcoming drug resistance in cancer.