Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

Abstract: The present application relates to an iron impregnated biochar and its use as a fertilizer. The iron impregnated biochar of the present application has a ratio of iron (III) to iron (II) ranging from 5:1 to 10:1. The biochar may be produced by a method including treating the biomass with an iron (II) ion solution, pyrolyzing the iron (II)-treated biomass in an oxidative environment and recovering the biochar product from the pyrolyzed iron (II)-treated biomass.

Abstract: The present application relates to an iron impregnated biochar and its use as a fertilizer. The iron impregnated biochar of the present application has a ratio of iron (III) to iron (II) ranging from 5:1 to 10:1. The biochar may be produced by a method including treating the biomass with an iron (II) ion solution, pyrolyzing the iron (II)-treated biomass in an oxidative environment and recovering the biochar product from the pyrolyzed iron (II)-treated biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the culture and manipulation of microorganisms for biotech applications, and is based on the discovery and characterization of spliced leader sequences identified in transcripts from Nannochloropsis species. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid compositions comprising a SL sequence operably linked to a protein-encoding gene. Further provided are compositions and methods for enhanced gene expression in recombinant microorganisms as well as methods for identification and/or isolation of nucleic acid molecules tagged with a spliced leader sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the culture and manipulation of microorganisms for biotech applications, and is based on the discovery and characterization of spliced leader sequences identified in transcripts from Nannochloropsis species. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid compositions comprising a SL sequence operably linked to a protein-encoding gene. Further provided are compositions and methods for enhanced gene expression in recombinant microorganisms as well as methods for identification and/or isolation of nucleic acid molecules tagged with a spliced leader sequence.

Abstract: The present application relates to an iron impregnated biochar and its use as a fertilizer. The iron impregnated biochar of the present application has a ratio of iron (III) to iron (II) ranging from 5:1 to 10:1. The biochar may be produced by a method including treating the biomass with an iron (II) ion solution, pyrolyzing the iron (II)-treated biomass in an oxidative environment and recovering the biochar product from the pyrolyzed iron (II)-treated biomass.

Abstract: At least one elongated photobioreactor, at a small angle relative to horizontal and mixed substantially or entirely by large bubble flow, is used for contained cell culture, e.g., microalgae cultivation. Elongated, flexible, transparent, polymeric photobioreactor tubes, in near-grade and near-horizontal (e.g. sloped 1 degree to 3 degrees) orientation, and use of low-pressure air mixing, allow very inexpensive construction and operation. Multiple elongated tubes may be used for an independent operation of the multiple photobioreactor tubes for the same or different cells, e.g., microalgae and different applications. Low-pressure air is delivered near the low end of the bioreactor at less than 10 psig and without sparging, to produce large air bubbles that travel from the low end to the high end of the bioreactor, for turbulent mixing and gas exchange.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pyrolysis method. The method involves providing a biomass and subjecting the biomass, in a reactor operating under conditions of parasitic heat loss of less than 1% of the biomass' chemical energy content, to partial oxidation where, during steady state operation of the reactor, oxygen is provided to the reactor in sufficient quantity to achieve an equivalence ratio of 0.06 to 0.15 to release sufficient energy to support endothermic pyrolysis reactions and produce condensable organic compounds as the major portion of the pyrolysis products.

Abstract: The present application discloses low temperature, low pressure methods (LTLP) for upgrading and/or stabilizing bio-oil or a bio-oil fraction. One method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and hydrogen, which are reacted in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of less than 150° C. and a pressure of less than 100 bar (absolute) to produce a hydrogenated liquid oil at a carbon yield of over 75%. Another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction, providing oxygen reducing reaction conditions, and reacting the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction under the oxygen reducing reaction conditions at LTLP to produce an upgraded bio-oil product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction. Yet another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and a solution comprising one or more fermentation organisms and a sugar source. The solution and bio-oil or bio-oil fraction are combined to obtain a fermentation mixture, which is incubated at 15° C. to 30° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a solid fuel which includes providing a bio-oil and thermally curing the bio-oil to form a carbonaceous solid. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a solid fuel which includes providing a bio-oil; subjecting the bio-oil to an extraction procedure with an aqueous liquid to produce a concentrated pyrolytic sugar-containing extract and a water insoluble raffinate comprising a lignin-derived phenolic oil; and thermally curing the phenolic oil to form a carbonaceous solid.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the production and delivery of recombinant double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA) encoding heterologous proteins, which can be useful for various therapeutic purposes as well as for the production of desired proteins. The compositions contain engineered double-stranded RNA particles (dsRPs) that can contain a double-stranded RNA molecule that can be a genome or portion of a genome, which can be enclosed in a capsid or coat protein. The dsRNA molecule also comprises an RNA sub-sequence that encodes a heterologous protein. The dsRPs can be derived from wild-type viral organisms. The delivery of the dsRPs (or DNA or RNA molecules) of the invention to an organism provides for therapeutic benefits as well as for the production of desired proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the production and delivery of recombinant double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA) targeting pathogen sequences, which can be useful as an RNA vaccine. The compositions contain engineered double-stranded RNA particles (dsRPs) that can contain a double-stranded RNA molecule that can be a genome or portion of a genome, which can be enclosed in a capsid or coat protein. The dsRNA molecule also comprises an RNA sub-sequence that binds to a target sequence of a pathogenic organism. The dsRPs can be derived from wild-type viral organisms. The delivery of the dsRPs of the invention to an organism provides a protection to the organism from the pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the culture and manipulation of microorganisms for biotech applications, and is based on the discovery and characterization of spliced leader sequences identified in transcripts from Nannochloropsis species. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid compositions comprising a SL sequence operably linked to a protein-encoding gene. Further provided are compositions and methods for enhanced gene expression in recombinant microorganisms as well as methods for identification and/or isolation of nucleic acid molecules tagged with a spliced leader sequence.

Abstract: Mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having reduced chlorophyll and increased photosynthetic efficiency are provided. The mutants have a locked in high light-acclimated phenotype, in which many of the photosynthetic parameters characteristic of high light acclimated wild type cells are found in the LIHLA mutants when acclimated to low light, such as reduced chlorophyll, reduced NPQ, higher qP, higher Ek, higher Pmax per unit chlorophyll with little to no reduction in Pmax per cell, and higher rates of electron transport through photosystem II over a wide range of light intensities. Provided herein are constructs for attenuating or disrupting genes are provided for generating mutants having the LIHLA phenotype. Also provided are methods of culturing LIHLA mutants for the production of biomass or other products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pyrolysis method. The method involves providing a biomass and subjecting the biomass, in a reactor operating under conditions of parasitic heat loss of less than 1% of the biomass' chemical energy content, to partial oxidation where, during steady state operation of the reactor, oxygen is provided to the reactor in sufficient quantity to achieve an equivalence ratio of 0.06 to 0.15 to release sufficient energy to support endothermic pyrolysis reactions and produce condensable organic compounds as the major portion of the pyrolysis products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the culture and manipulation of microorganisms for biotech applications, and is based on the discovery and characterization of spliced leader sequences identified in transcripts from Nannochloropsis species. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid compositions comprising a SL sequence operably linked to a protein-encoding gene. Further provided are compositions and methods for enhanced gene expression in recombinant microorganisms as well as methods for identification and/or isolation of nucleic acid molecules tagged with a spliced leader sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a stable lignin phenolic oil, where the method comprises providing a lignin; pre-treating the lignin with a base solution, where the base solution has a pH of 8 or above; and hydrogenating the pre-treated lignin to produce a stabilized lignin phenolic oil. The present invention further relates to a method of producing a stable lignin phenolic oil, the method comprising: providing a non-recalcitrant lignin; solubilizing the lignin in a solvent; and hydrogenating the solubilized lignin to produce a stabilized lignin phenolic oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a solid fuel which includes providing a bio-oil and thermally curing the bio-oil to form a carbonaceous solid. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a solid fuel which includes providing a bio-oil; subjecting the bio-oil to an extraction procedure with an aqueous liquid to produce a concentrated pyrolytic sugar-containing extract and a water insoluble raffinate comprising a lignin-derived phenolic oil; and thermally curing the phenolic oil to form a carbonaceous solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fractionating bio-oil vapors which involves providing bio-oil vapors comprising bio-oil constituents. The bio-oil vapors are cooled in a first stage which comprises a condenser having passages for the bio-oil separated by a heat conducting wall from passages for a coolant. The coolant in the condenser of the first stage is maintained at a substantially constant temperature, set at a temperature in the range of 75 to 100° C., to condense a first liquid fraction of liquefied bio-oil constituents in the condenser of the first stage. The first liquid fraction of liquified bio-oil constituents from the condenser in the first stage is collected. Also disclosed are steps for subsequently recovering further liquid fractions of liquefied bio-oil constituents. Particular compositions of bio-oil condensation products are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the production and delivery of recombinant double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA) encoding heterologous proteins, which can be useful for various therapeutic purposes as well as for the production of desired proteins. The compositions contain engineered double-stranded RNA particles (dsRPs) that can contain a double-stranded RNA molecule that can be a genome or portion of a genome, which can be enclosed in a capsid or coat protein. The dsRNA molecule also comprises an RNA sub-sequence that encodes a heterologous protein. The dsRPs can be derived from wild-type viral organisms. The delivery of the dsRPs (or DNA or RNA molecules) of the invention to an organism provides for therapeutic benefits as well as for the production of desired proteins.