Abstract: The invention relates to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, including saxagliptin and sitagliptin, for use in the topical eye treatment and/or prevention of retinal neurodegenerative diseases, in particular diabetic retinopathy and its associated microvascular impairment. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical topical eye compositions for use in the topical treatment and/or prevention of these diseases.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biomass originating from wastewater treatment biosolids to obtain valuable adhesives and composite materials is described herein. Some embodiments do not require purification of a biomass product or residue to produce an adhesive.

Abstract: In order to substantially reduce friction during drilling operations, specialized lubricants need to be added to drilling fluid recipes. In general, lubricants reduce friction by forming a thin film of liquid that separates the solid surfaces in contact. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the performance of enhanced activated sludge (EAS) as a lubricant in drilling fluids. EAS is activated sludge rich in lipids. The mixed consortium of microorganism in waste water treatment facilities in grown under a high carbon/nitrogen ratio to trigger lipid accumulation. Performance of EAS as drilling fluid additive was compared with commercial lubricants in terms of lubricity and flow properties. Lubricants were evaluated using water-based drilling mud at lubricant concentrations of 1.78, 3.11, 4.43, and 6.17 pounds per barrel (ppb). Experiments were carried out in a standard lubricity meter. The lubricity meter tests the ability of the lubricant in the drilling mud to reduce friction.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel corrosion inhibitor. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive corrosion inhibitor comprises extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In one embodiment, the invention presents a novel EPS corrosion inhibitor using waste activated sludge (WAS). In this embodiment, WAS is heated to release EPS from the microbial mixture.

Abstract: The inventive biorefinery system and method accepts municipal solid waste, sewage sludges, and/or ag-wastes and processes it through three primary conversion unit operations to produce a variety of value-added products. In a preferred embodiment, the three primary conversion units are gasification, thermal depolymerization or torrefaction/pyrolysis, and biotreatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing and dispensing a flocculant solution to dewatering an aqueous process stream includes a mixing pump, a maturing tank, and a feeding unit. The mixing pump mixes the flocculant solution and builds up a pressure onto the flocculant solution. The maturing pressure tank is fluidly connected with the mixing pump, so that the pressurized diluted flocculant solution is led from the mixing pump into the maturing pressure tank and matured therein under pressure that is above atmosphere pressure.

Abstract: A system includes a controller, a pretreating machine, and an additive manufacturing machine. The pretreating machine is coupled to the controller. The pretreating machine includes a pretreater structured to form an interface layer on a component. The additive manufacturing machine is coupled to the controller. The additive manufacturing machine includes a material feed and a forming beam. The material feed is configured to selectively provide a first amount of material on the interface layer. The forming beam is configured to substantially melt the first amount of material, thereby forming a first layer of a first material deposit on the interface layer.

Abstract: A system includes a controller, a pretreating machine, and an additive manufacturing machine. The pretreating machine is coupled to the controller. The pretreating machine includes a pretreater structured to form an interface layer on a component. The additive manufacturing machine is coupled to the controller. The additive manufacturing machine includes a material feed and a forming beam. The material feed is configured to selectively provide a first amount of material on the interface layer. The forming beam is configured to substantially melt the first amount of material, thereby forming a first layer of a first material deposit on the interface layer.

Abstract: A buoyancy assist tool has an outer case with a rupture disk assembly connected therein. The buoyancy assist tool defines the upper end of a buoyancy chamber in a well casing. A sleeve in the outer case traps the rupture disk membrane after it has ruptured to provide full bore flow through the casing.

Abstract: A method and device for treating contaminated or potentially contaminated items is provided. The method will include the steps of placing the items in a reactor. The reactor is then sealed and ozone or ozonated gas is sent into the reactor. The items are held in the reactor long enough to complete the decontamination process. The reactor is then opened. Next there is a period of passive reaction so that the ozone can be degraded from the pores and surfaces of the items. The device provided herein includes a reactor, an ozone generator, a rack for holding said items; and a monitor for determining the level of ozone in the reactor.

Abstract: A rack for sanitizing or cleaning medical or personal protective equipment is claimed herein. The rack has at least two stringers that run the length of the rack. The rack has at least two vertical grates that are spaced apart from each other along the stringers. The spacing between the grates will be sufficient such that a standard respiratory mask (e.g. N95) may be placed between two adjacent grates and be held in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A method and device for treating contaminated or potentially contaminated items is provided. The method will include the steps of placing the items in a reactor. The reactor is then sealed and ozone or ozonated gas is sent into the reactor. The items are held in the reactor long enough to complete the decontamination process. The reactor is then opened. Next there is a period of passive reaction so that the ozone can be degraded from the pores and surfaces of the items. The device provided herein includes a reactor, an ozone generator, a rack for holding said items; and a monitor for determining the level of ozone in the reactor.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biomass originating from wastewater treatment biosolids to obtain valuable adhesives and composite materials is described herein. Some embodiments do not require purification of a biomass product or residue to produce an adhesive.

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides stable, low chloride paint detackifier compositions. Also disclosed are methods of making the paint detackifier compositions and methods of using the paint detackifier compositions. The detackifier may be made from cationized starch and sodium aluminate. The starch can be wheat starch, corn starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, rice starch, sweet potato starch, sago starch, mung bean starch, arrowroot starch, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A Biorefinery System (BIOSYS) that effectively treats all human activity-derived waste (black water, grey water, and food waste streams) using biological systems and that produces as process by-products: recovered potable water, liberated free oxygen, edible protein cake (with and without lipids), soil amendments, and machinery lube oils. Additionally, the system captures and chemically binds carbon dioxide into microbial cells and associated by-products, thus producing recovered usable returned cabin air.

Abstract: A buoyancy assist tool has an outer case with a rupture disk assembly connected therein. The buoyancy assist tool defines the upper end of a buoyancy chamber in a well casing. A sleeve in the outer case traps the rupture disk membrane after it has ruptured to provide full bore flow through the casing.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel corrosion inhibitor. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive corrosion inhibitor comprises extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In one embodiment, the invention presents a novel EPS corrosion inhibitor using waste activated sludge (WAS). In this embodiment, WAS is heated to release EPS from the microbial mixture.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biomass originating from wastewater treatment biosolids to obtain valuable adhesives and composite materials is described herein. Some embodiments do not require purification of a biomass product or residue to produce an adhesive. Some embodiments comprise a treatment of post extraction biomass residue configured to produce an adhesive. Use of post extraction biomass residue adds value to alternative energy produced by extracting oil from biomass.

Abstract: In order to substantially reduce friction during drilling operations, specialized lubricants need to be added to drilling fluid recipes. In general, lubricants reduce friction by forming a thin film of liquid that separates the solid surfaces in contact. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the performance of enhanced activated sludge (EAS) as a lubricant in drilling fluids. EAS is activated sludge rich in lipids. The mixed consortium of microorganism in waste water treatment facilities in grown under a high carbon/nitrogen ratio to trigger lipid accumulation. Performance of EAS as drilling fluid additive was compared with commercial lubricants in terms of lubricity and flow properties. Lubricants were evaluated using water-based drilling mud at lubricant concentrations of 1.78, 3.11, 4.43, and 6.17 pounds per barrel (ppb). Experiments were carried out in a standard lubricity meter. The lubricity meter tests the ability of the lubricant in the drilling mud to reduce friction.