Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers.

Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator presenting a stator raceway, and a rotor movable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor presents a rotor raceway disposed in radially spaced and opposing relationship with the stator raceway to define a gap therebetween. A lubricant is disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor relative to the stator. The stator raceway includes a bearing structure comprised of a plurality of hydrodynamic surfaces aligned in parallel relationship along the stator raceway and a plurality of hydrostatic pockets disposed in radially recessed relationship relative to the hydrodynamic surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a nanocellulose material, comprising: fractionating a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin and water, but no acid catalyst, to generate cellulose-rich solids; and then mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a nanocellulose material comprising cellulose nanofibrils and/or cellulose nanocrystals. Many organic or inorganic solvents are possible. In some embodiments, the solvent for lignin is an oxygenated organic compound, such as a C1-C18 alcohol, e.g. ethanol, ethylene glycol, propanol, propanediol, glycerol, butanol, or butanediol. The solvent for lignin may be an aromatic alcohol, such as phenol, cresol, or benzyl alcohol. The solvent for lignin may be a ketone, an aldehyde, or an ether, such as methyl ethyl ketone or diethyl ether. The solvent for lignin may be a non-oxygenated alkane, olefin, or aromatic hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the solvent for lignin is an ionic liquid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions comprising a microalgae consortium. A composition comprises at least one genera of microalgae flocculated by Paenibacillus polymyxa strain, Strain 2, deposited under the Budapest Treaty as ATCC Accession No. PTA-12841. Methods of treating the soil comprise adding a composition of the present invention to soil.

Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator presenting an outer raceway and a rotor extending along an axis and rotatably disposed within the stator. The rotor presents an inner raceway disposed in spaced relationship with said outer raceway to define at least one hydrostatic support chamber disposed therebetween. A lubricant is disposed in the hydrostatic support chamber for supporting the rotor within the stator. A monitoring port is disposed in fluid communication with the at least one hydrostatic support chamber, and a sensor is coupled with the monitoring port for monitoring an operating characteristic of the lubricant disposed in said at least one hydrostatic support chamber. This monitored operating characteristic is then used to determine a real-time operating condition of the lubricant supported electric motor.

Abstract: Nested piston apparatus is disclosed for making free pistons used to provide multi-chamber mixing and sequential delivery syringes within conventional syringe barrels. Each such syringe comprising one or more free pistons made according to the instant invention whereby syringe contents are selectively kept disparate until acted upon by forced displacement of an associated plunger rod. As well, nested piston apparatus is disclosed for using nested piston apparatus as multiple free pistons for making triple chamber syringes.

Abstract: Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.

Abstract: An oleophilic and hydrophobic nanocellulose material is disclosed herein, for nanocellulose sponges and other applications. The oleophilic and hydrophobic nanocellulose material comprises lignin-coated cellulose nanofibrils and/or lignin-coated cellulose nanocrystals. In various embodiments, the nanocellulose material is in the form of a 2D coating or layer, or a 3D object (e.g., foam or aerogel). The nanocellulose material may be disposed onto a scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and composition for control of plant pathogens. Isolated bacteria, deposited with ATCC under the Budapest Treaty, are effective to control plant pathogens.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a polymer composite including a polymer, nanocellulose, and a compatibilizer, wherein the nanocellulose comprises cellulose nanocrystals and/or cellulose nanofibrils, and wherein the compatibilizer comprises a maleated polymer. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose includes lignin-coated nanocellulose. The polymer may be selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide, or poly(ethylene terephthalate). The maleated polymer may be selected from maleated polyethylene, maleated polypropylene, maleated polystyrene, maleated polylactide, or maleated poly(ethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity, hydrophobic cellulose. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and depositing lignin onto cellulose fibers to produce lignin-coated cellulose materials (such as dissolving pulp). The crystallinity of the cellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the hydrophobic cellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions comprising a microalgae consortium. A composition comprises at least one genera of microalgae flocculated by Paenibacillus polymyxa strain, Strain 2, deposited under the Budapest Treaty as ATCC Accession No. PTA-12841. Methods of treating the soil comprise adding a composition of the present invention to soil.

Abstract: A high strength, low density modular columnar structure. In the preferred embodiment, each module is a prism or cuboid having three or four vertical rectangular sides which meet in the module corners. The module ends perpendicular to the sides are the module faces. At least one face has a brace panel. The brace panels and the face are preferably the same shape, but off-set. A plurality of preferably triangular brace arms extends to the module corners. Each brace panel is preferably provided with a centrally located aperture. The lower face of each module is preferably provided with a lip, while the upper face is configured to receive the lip. A cylindrical column extends vertically through the center of each module, and a plurality of struts extends radially from each column. A stack of modules may be secured with a bolt run through the module apertures, an adhesive, or simply gravity.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and composition for control of plant pathogens. Isolated bacteria, deposited with ATCC under the Budapest Treaty, are effective to control plant pathogens.

Abstract: A system and process for sorting and recovery of recyclable materials, and in particular, sorting and recovery of recyclable materials from mixed waste comprising municipal solid waste in a materials recovery facility.

Abstract: A shaft and hub connection assembly including a shaft and a hub each extending along and rotatable about an axis. One of the shaft and the hub defines a male connection portion, and the other of the shaft and the hub defines a female connection portion. The female connection portion has a radially inner surface comprised of a plurality of inside faces. The male connection portion has a radially outer surface comprised of a plurality of outside faces that nest within the inside faces. A plurality of outside transition regions are located between the outside faces in a circumferential direction and are blended at an outside radius. A plurality of inside transition regions are located between the inside faces of the female connection portion in the circumferential direction and are blended at an inside radius. A gap is provided between the outside and inside transition regions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sterilizing and filling vessels which are kept in a sterile environment while being filled are capped before filling and immediately thereafter are ready to be displaced into a potentially contaminating environment while retaining a predetermined SAL are disclosed. Such vessels can be syringes use for dispensing Avastin or conventional syringes. Also method and apparatus for making an eye drop bottle using a conventional medical syringe which can be used in kits made according to the present invention are disclosed. In addition, a method for modifying conventional eye drop bottles for use in kits made according to the instant invention is disclosed. Further, a method for linking single convenience kits to form increased numbers of vessels filled by the same single act, used to fill a single convenience kit, is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides drilling fluids and additives as well as fracturing fluids and additives that contain cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals. In some embodiments, hydrophobic nanocellulose is provided which can be incorporated into oil-based fluids and additives. These water-based or oil-based fluids and additives may further include lignosulfonates and other biomass-derived components. Also, these water-based or oil-based fluids and additives may further include enzymes. The drilling and fracturing fluids and additives described herein may be produced using the AVAP® process technology to produce a nanocellulose precursor, followed by low-energy refining to produce nanocellulose for incorporation into a variety of drilling and fracturing fluids and additives.

Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator and a rotor and a drive hub. The rotor is moveable relative to the stator and a gap is defined between the rotor and the stator. A lubricant is disposed within the gap to support the rotor relative to the stator and provide a bearing mechanism. The drive hub is coupled to the rotor such that rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the drive hub. The drive hub may be connected to the rotor via a coupler member that is torsionally stiff and axially and radially compliant. The stator may be fixed relative to a connection structure that extends radially within the stator. The connection member may support the drive hub for rotation. Lubricant is supplied via a passageway extending through the connection member into a chamber that includes the gap.