Abstract: A method for adjusting pressure at an inlet of a blast freezer. The method includes positioning an airfoil proximate to the inlet, the inlet having a perimeter. The airfoil includes a strip of material having a length and being attached to the freezer along at least one side of the inlet, the strip of material being spaced from the perimeter of the inlet by an offset distance. The offset distance at any location along the length of the strip of material is the closest distance between the strip of material and the perimeter at that location. The offset distance varies substantially along at least a portion of the strip of material. Cold air is flowed in the blast freezer past the inlet and over the airfoil so that the flow of air past the inlet is disrupted and creates a resultant adjustment to the air pressure at the inlet.

Abstract: A condenser assembly through which a refrigerant is circulated to transfer heat from the refrigerant to ambient air in which the condenser assembly is at least partially disposed. The condenser assembly includes a compressor, a crankcase heater energizable via a crankcase heater control circuit, a condenser, a condenser fan, and an electronically commutated condenser fan motor. The condenser assembly also includes an ambient temperature sensor for sensing at least one temperature of the ambient air, to provide a sensed temperature. The condenser assembly includes a condenser switch subassembly configured to control energization of the crankcase heater and the condenser fan motor. The condenser switch subassembly is controlled by the ambient temperature sensor. The condenser fan motor is controlled by a condenser fan controller that applies a first voltage or a second voltage to the condenser fan motor depending on whether a third conductor attached to the motor is energized.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for supplying air conditioned air to a residence or building interior. The method entails positioning a heat and mass exchanger to discharge conditioned air into the residence or building interior. Further, a rotatable desiccant wheel dehumidifier in positioned in fluid communication with the heat and mass exchanger. Supply air is received and treated in the dehumidifier, thereby supplying dry air to the heat and mass exchanger and exhausting hot humid air. The heat and mass exchanger is positioned and configured to received dry air from the dehumidifier and supply cooler dry air to the residence or building interior, or other target environment. A system is also disclosed for operating the described air supplying or air conditioning method.

Abstract: The invention relates to heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning equipment (1) including a device (9) for controlling the temperature of a battery (7) of an automobile including at least a compressor (11), a condenser (13), a first expansion member (15), a thermal-conditioning exchanger (17) for exchanging heat between a coolant and a heat-transport fluid (FC), and switching means. The temperature control device (9) includes at least one bypass line (9b) connecting an outlet of the compressor (11) to an inlet of the thermal-conditioning exchanger (17) while bypassing the condenser (13). The invention also relates to a method for controlling the temperature of an automobile battery (7) implemented by means of such heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning equipment (1).

Abstract: A liquid level indicator including a liquid level calm portion that is provided with a liquid introduction inlet that communicates with a portion below the liquid level in an oil tank and a gas vent that communicates with a portion above the liquid level; and a sight glass for observing a liquid level in the liquid level calm portion, having a liquid introduction tube provided with an extension portion that communicates with the liquid introduction inlet and extends toward the bottom portion of the oil tank, and a distal end portion that communicates with the extension portion and opens in a direction other than the downward direction below the liquid level.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat source-side unit including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant and a heat source-side heat exchanger, a plurality of use-side units each including a use-side heat exchanger, and a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers connected to the heat source-side unit and to the use-side units. A target determination device detects condensation status of each of the use-side units and determines whether to perform condensation suppression control. The use-side unit determined by the target determination means to be subjected to the condensation suppression control is connected to an intermediate heat exchanger for adjustment. A refrigerant circuit control device controls a temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the intermediate heat exchanger for adjustment so that the heat medium temperature T of the heat medium flowing into at least one use-side unit enters a predetermined target set temperature range.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as refrigerant, and includes a compressor, condenser, expansion mechanism, evaporator, accumulator, branching flow path, opening degree adjustment valve disposed in the branching flow path, injection-use heat exchanger and a first injection flow path. The accumulator has an inside space to separate and accumulate refrigerant. The injection-use heat exchanger causes heat exchange between refrigerant flowing through the main refrigerant flow path and that has passed through the opening degree adjustment valve of the branching flow path. The first injection flow path guides the refrigerant that has flowed through the branching flow path and exited the injection-use heat exchanger to the inside space of the accumulator. A distal end of the first injection flow path is located in a height position separated by a dimension from a bottom of the inside space. The dimension is 0 to 0.3 times a height dimension of the inside space.

Abstract: An evaporator set, preferably for a thermally driven adsorption device. In an evaporator set that can be connected an easily output-scalable modular thermally driven condenser set and, as a result, can be used simultaneously as a heat or cold store, a liquid collector is connected via a blockable expansion valve with an evaporator for cooling a fluid, wherein the liquid collector, the expansion valve and the evaporator form a structural unit, and wherein the liquid collector has a fluid inlet for and the evaporator a fluid outlet to a thermally driven condenser set.

Abstract: In a refrigeration apparatus, a main surface of a printed wiring board has a heavy electric region, which is a region in the lower part of the printed wiring board where a heavy electric component group is disposed, and a light electric region, which is a region positioned above the heavy electric region, where a light electric component group is disposed. A refrigerant jacket contacts a power device which is disposed in the heavy electric region. A liquid pipe of the refrigerant pipe includes a portion that extends upwards towards the refrigerant jacket, and a cooling portion contacts the refrigerant jacket.

Abstract: A vehicular thermo-control device adjusts a temperature of a battery. The device has a primary system through which cooling water circulates, and a secondary system through which a refrigerant circulates. The primary system has a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the battery and the cooling water, and a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the cooling water and an ambient air. The secondary system is a refrigerating cycle. Both heat exchangers on a high temperature side and a low temperature side of the refrigerating cycle are thermally coupled with the primary system. Only one heat exchanger provides heat exchange with the ambient air. The pump of the primary system can switch circulating direction of the cooling water. A controller controls devices to perform cooling and heating operation.

Abstract: An ice making assembly and an ice bucket are provided. The ice bucket includes a sidewall that defines a storage volume and an auger disposed within the storage volume. A motor is configured for rotating the auger within the storage volume. The motor is positioned above the storage volume along a vertical direction. The position of the motor relative to the storage volume can assist with limiting or preventing damage to the motor.

Abstract: An ice maker and a water purifier capable of making ice using two water trays. The water purifier having an ice maker includes a water tray member comprising an ice-making water tray holding ice-making raw water to make ice using an ice-making unit, and an auxiliary water tray holding ice-making raw water remaining in the ice-making water tray in the course of cooling the ice-making raw water by means of the ice-making unit and removing the ice-making raw water from the ice-making water tray; an ice reservoir storing ice made in the ice-making unit; a cold water storage tank cooling water held therein using the ice made in the ice-making unit; and a guide member guiding the ice made in the ice-making unit so that the ice is selectively fed to either the ice reservoir or the cold water storage tank.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as a refrigerant, and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, an evaporator and an accumulator. The accumulator is disposed in the suction flow path supplying refrigerant to the compressor. The accumulator has a casing that forms an inside space to separate the refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant and accumulating surplus refrigerant, an inlet pipe feeding the refrigerant that has evaporated in the evaporator into the inside space, and an outlet pipe channeling the separated gas refrigerant to the compressor. A distal end opening in the inlet pipe of the accumulator is located in a height position separated by a dimension from a bottom of the inside space. The dimension is 0 to 0.3 times a height dimension of the inside space.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for reducing and/or harvesting drag energy from transport vehicles. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform, a donor substance source carried by the platform, and a thermochemical reactor carried by the platform and coupled to the donor substance. The reactor is configured to carry out a non-combustion dissociation process that dissociates the donor substance into a first constituent and a second constituent. An energy extraction system carried by the transport platform and positioned to extract energy from an airstream passing the transport platform is coupled to the reactor to provide energy for the dissociation process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling containers such as beverage containers are disclosed. The apparatus can include a base holding a chilling agent and having a top contoured to fit the bottom of a container, such as a canned beverage. In other embodiments, a portion of a top surface of the base may be shaped such that the portion does not conform to the shape of a beverage container. A bottom surface of the base may be convex and may have extensions that extend beyond the convex shape and configured to allow the base to securely rest on a planar surface. A container may be held to the base using an elastic band.

Abstract: A thermally driven condenser unit and an adsorption heat plant constructed therewith, which can be used as an adsorption heat pump, adsorption refrigeration plant, heat store and/or refrigeration storage mechanism. The thermally driven condenser unit integrates a thermal compressor and a condenser in a modular component.

Abstract: A sorption heat exchanger module having a housing, in which a sorption heat exchanger through which a working medium flows is disposed, in which module a housing wall is configured as a heat exchanger structure. In the case of a sorption heat exchanger module in which the presence of passive thermal surfaces is reduced, at least one pipe structure through which a coolant flows is thermally connected with an outside and/or an inside of the housing wall.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of this disclosure relates to a centrifugal refrigerant compressor system. The system includes a condenser, an evaporator, and an economizer between the condenser and the evaporator. The system further includes a centrifugal compressor having a first impeller and a second impeller downstream of the first impeller. The compressor includes at least one port. Fluid from a recirculation flow path and an economizer flow path is introduced into a main flow path of the compressor by way of the at least one port.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a heating tube is described, comprising at least two cooling pipes, wherein the at least two cooling pipes are arranged such that each of the at least two cooling pipes are configured to be in thermal contact with the heating tube; and a means for generating an aerosol being configured to provide the aerosol in the at least two cooling pipes.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation treatment system for organic wastewater with a high salinity crystallizes high-salinity wastewater by a low temperature of liquid oxygen, and decreases an inorganic salt content in the wastewater. Under supercritical water conditions, a hydrocyclone (4) separates most precipitated solid salts in the wastewater, so effectively prevents pipes and the tubular reactor (22) after the hydrocyclone (4) from plugging. Inorganic salts are able to be continuously separated from the system by the hydrocyclone (4) at the bottom of a desalination device, In addition, excess oxygen and gaseous products CO2 are recovered by a separation recovery part. The reaction time and the reaction temperature of supercritical water oxidation reaction are lowered due to the installation of a simple post-treatment unit (37). Moreover, the heat of the reactor effluent with a high temperature is recovered in the system, so operation cost of the system is reduced evidently.

Abstract: An improved kernmantle cord in part comprises 550-Paracord manufactured to exceed MIL-STD-C-5040H Type III. The improved kern at the core includes three nylon fibers in each of seven yarns, one continuous filament of waterproofed paraffin-waxed jute twine fiber tinder, one continuous abrasion-resistant nylon or fluorocarbon monofilament, and one continuous copper wire. The monofilament is strong enough for 50# test, yet small enough not to adversely impact the pliability of the cord as a whole. The copper wire itself may be multistrand or braided to improve flexibility or solid to provide more body. The mantle sheathing is of woven nylon and provides abrasion resistance for the whole cord, and functions as an electrical insulator for the copper wire and fireproofing for the paraffin-waxed jute twine fiber tinder.

Abstract: A spreading tool (4) for widening a jewelry ring, in particular for pressing an inner ring portion (24) into an outer ring portion (26) of a hollow ring (22), has a plurality of spreading jaws (10), the insides (48) of which bound a receiving space (50), into which a spreading body (52) can be inserted for spreading open the spreading jaws (10), and which form on the outsides (34) thereof a plurality of coaxial ring receptacles (32) each being bounded radially inwardly by circumferentially disposed wall sections (36) of the spreading jaws (10). The ring receptacles (32) have diameters (Dn) that decrease relative to one another toward a free end (40) of the spreading jaws (10), characterized in that the spreading jaws (10) bound the ring receptacles (32) on both sides also in the direction of a main axis (A).

Abstract: A method of producing hollow glass microspheres comprising melting a batch into a first glass melt, processing the first glass melt into a second glass comprising adding at least one component selected from a group consisting of a liquid, a solid, a gas, an aerosol and a combination thereof to the first glass melt to create a plurality of chemical species in the second glass, pulverizing the second glass into a plurality of glass fragments, and thermally processing the plurality of glass fragments, wherein the thermally processing comprises heating the plurality of glass fragments, reacting the plurality of chemical species in the second glass, and expanding the glass fragments to produce the hollow glass microspheres.

Abstract: The process for producing a transparent lithium aluminosilicate glass ceramic plate includes ceramicizing a green glass body of the Li2O—Al2O—SiO2 system using a ceramization program, which includes heating it, for the purpose of nucleation, to a temperature of 750° C.±20° C. and maintaining the temperature for 20±15 minutes, further heating the green glass body, for the purpose of ceramization, to a temperature of 900±20° C. and maintaining the to temperature for 20±15 minutes and then cooling to room temperature. The transparent plate has a thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) from ?0.15×10?6/K to +0.15×10?6/K at 30 to 700° C. and a brightness value observed at an angle of 2° of ?80 for a 4-mm thick plate for transmitted normal light.

Abstract: Described are a burner and its method of operation that are useful in providing heat within an enclosure such as the forehearth associated with a glassmelting furnace.

Abstract: A fusion down-draw method for making a glass sheet using a forming body comprising an upper part (101) made of a first material and a lower part (103) made of a second material, where the first material has lower creep rate than the second material at the normal operating temperature of the forming body, and an fusion down-draw forming apparatus comprising such forming body. The invention is advantageous in that it solves the issues of internal stress and long-term creep issue of a unitary forming body made of a single material such as zircon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical preforms from silica glass soot are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical preform may include loading silica glass soot in a mold cavity of a mold body. The mold body may be rotated at a rotational speed sufficient to force the silica glass soot towards an inner wall of the mold body. Thereafter the silica glass soot is compressed in an inward radial direction as the mold body is rotated to form a soot compact layer.

Abstract: A production method for a glass particulate deposit which includes a deposition step in which, at least two liquid source material ejecting ports 31a for a glass source material 23 jetting out from a burner 22 are provided per one burner 22, the area of at least one liquid source material port 31a is 2.25×10?4 or less of the area of the flame forming part of the burner 22, the glass source material 23 is, in the form of a liquid thereof, supplied to each liquid material source port 31a, jetting gas ports 31b are arranged in such a manner that the inner periphery of the jetting gas port is positioned outside by 1.0 mm or less from the outer periphery of each liquid source material port 31a, and a gas is jetted out from each gas jetting port 31b.

Abstract: A knitting machine, particularly with high gauge, with improved needle actuation cams, comprising a needle holder which supports a plurality of side-by-side needles, each one of the needles is provided with at least one heel that protrudes from one face of the needle holder, each one of the needles has at least one elastic flexing along its extension which determines an offset of its at least one heel with respect to the head of the needle along a direction that is substantially parallel to the actuation trajectory of the needle holder and the at least one path is offset in a substantially corresponding manner, with respect to a theoretical path of actuation of an ideal rectilinear needle with its head in alignment with its at least one heel.

Abstract: The invention relates to knit fabric having zones having normal stress-elongation behavior and having predefined zones having increased stress-elongation behavior, for example, knitted fabrics of this type, in particular knit fabric of this type used as medical aids or sport aids, and methods for producing this knit fabric.

Abstract: A warp knitted fabric includes a set of non-elastomeric yarn of substantially the same type, fully threaded from a guide bar at the front side of the Tricot type warp knitting machine and knitted in a close 2×1 stitch pattern, and a set of elastomeric yarn of substantially the same type, fully threaded from a guide bar at the rear side of the Tricot type warp knitting machine and knitted in an open 1×1 pillar stitch pattern. The gripping and gummy characteristics on the technical face of the fabric composed of the non-elastomeric and elastomeric yarns are firmly accomplished and quantifiably exposed. A method of manufacturing the warp knitted fabric of this type is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suspension for a washing machine and a washing machine with the suspension is disclosed. The suspension includes a support shaft; a first elastic member that surrounds a portion of the support shaft and provides a first elastic force to the support shaft in a longitudinal direction of the support shaft; a second elastic member between the support shaft and the first elastic member, and configured to provide a second elastic force different from the first elastic force to a support shaft in the same direction as the first elastic member; a guide stopper at one end of the support shaft, configured to restrict movement of the first elastic member and the second elastic member in one direction; and a housing on the support shaft that surrounds the first and second elastic members, configured to restrict movement of the first and second elastic members in another direction.

Abstract: A link lever configured to assist operation of a clutch assembly is disclosed. In particular, a link lever configured to assist operation of a clutch assembly in a washing machine and that applies force to securely engage and completely release a coupling of the clutch assembly when the coupling is moved by a clutch lever between different sets of teeth in the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A casing defines an external appearance of a laundry treatment apparatus. The casing has a through-hole and an outer tub placed within the casing. The outer tub is configured to receive wash water therein, and a hose extends outward through the through-hole. The hose serves to outwardly discharge the wash water received in the outer tub. A connector comprises a pair of pivotally movable parts connected to each other to tighten the hose and to secure the hose to the through-hole.

Abstract: A washing machine including: a cabinet; a tub mounted inside the cabinet to receive washing water; a rotating drum mounted inside the tub to load laundry therein; and an injection unit to inject washing water inside of the rotating drum. The injection unit includes: a plurality of nozzles spaced away from each other to inject washing water inside of the rotating drum at different positions; and a connector configured to include a plurality of passages so that a flow path of washing water diverges into the plurality of nozzles. Washing water may be injected by the spaced nozzles over a wide area inside the drum.

Abstract: A laundry treatment machine includes a drum, a motor to rotate the drum, and a driving unit to drive the motor, wherein the driving unit includes an inverter to convert direct current (DC) voltage into alternating current (AC) voltage and to output the AC voltage to the motor and an inverter controller to control the inverter to supply an alignment current to the motor so as to align the motor during a starting operation of the motor and to supply a torque current for rotating the motor to the motor together with the alignment current after the motor is aligned. Such a laundry treatment apparatus prevents a reverse rotation phenomenon of the drum due to load.

Abstract: A water supply valve for a wall mounted drum type washing machine may include an integrated inlet housing, first water supply valve outlet housing, and second water supply valve outlet housing. The water supply valve includes an inlet housing including an inlet into which water enters and a first passage along an inner cavity; a first water supply valve outlet housing integral with and adjacent to the inlet housing and configured to communicate with the first passage; and a second water supply valve outlet housing integral with and adjacent to the first water supply valve outlet housing and configured to communicate with the first passage.

Abstract: The laundry treatment machine includes an inverter to convert direct current (DC) voltage into alternating current (AC) voltage and to output the AC voltage to a motor. The laundry treatment machine includes an inverter controller to control the inverter to supply current corresponding to a direction opposite to back electromotive force generated from the motor to the motor so as to align the motor during a starting operation of the motor. It is feasible to rapidly align a rotor of the motor during the starting operation of the motor.

Abstract: The laundry treatment machine; absent a position sensor to sense a rotor position, includes a driving unit having a DC/AC inverter, an output voltage detection unit to detect output voltage applied to the motor, and an inverter controller to control the inverter to drive the motor based on the output voltage. The output voltage detection unit includes a plurality of resistors electrically connected between the inverter and the motor and a comparator to compare voltage detected by some of the resistors with reference voltage and to detect pulse width modulation (PWM)-based output voltage. Based on the PWM-based output voltage at least one switching device of the inverter is turned on. The output voltage detection unit outputs voltage detected by other some of the resistors to the inverter controller in a second mode in which all switching devices of the inverter are turned off.

Abstract: The laundry treatment machine, absent a position sensor to sense the rotor position of a motor, includes a driving unit having an DC/AC inverter, an voltage detection unit to detect output voltage, and an inverter controller to control the inverter. The output voltage detection unit includes a plurality of resistors connected between the inverter and the motor and a comparator to compare voltage detected by some of the resistors with reference voltage and to detect pulse width modulation (PWM)-based output voltage. The voltage detection unit outputs the PWM-based output voltage output from the comparator to the inverter controller in a first mode in which at least one switching device of the inverter is turned on. The voltage detection unit outputs voltage detected by other some of the resistors to the inverter controller in a second mode in which all switching devices of the inverter are turned off.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, a tub provided in the cabinet to accommodate wash water, a drain pump coupled to a drain hose configured to guide wash water pumped by the drain pump to outside of the cabinet, and a holder coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet to fix the drain hose to the cabinet. The holder is coupled to the outer surface of the cabinet while having both ends coupled to each other to form an accommodation hole surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the drain hose, and at least one movement preventing protrusion formed on an inner circumferential surface of the holder to prevent the drain hose from being separated from the holder protrudes toward inside of the holder to come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drain hose.

Abstract: A garment steamer (1) comprising a base body (10) accommodating a liquid water tank (26); a liquid water pump (32), having a water inlet (32a) and a water outlet (32b), wherein the water inlet (32a) is fluidly connected to the liquid water tank (26). The garment steamer also comprises a steam head (50) that is moveable with respect to the base body (10) and that accommodates a steam chamber (70), having a liquid water inlet and a steam outlet, wherein said steam outlet includes at least one steam nozzle (76); a heating element (72) that is provided in or adjacent said steam chamber (70), and configured to evaporate liquid water passing through said steam chamber. A liquid water tube (38b, 38c) fluidly interconnects the water outlet (32b) of the water pump (32) and the liquid water inlet of the steam chamber (70) in the steam head (50).

Abstract: A ski pole locking device may include a pole ring comprising a first moveable arm and a second moveable arm, wherein the first moveable arm comprises a catching mechanism, wherein the second moveable arm comprises a catching mechanism cavity, wherein the pole ring comprises a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the closed configuration comprises the catching mechanism engaged with the catching mechanism cavity, wherein the open configuration comprises the catching mechanism separated from the catching mechanism cavity; and a lock ring comprising a closed ring configuration. The ski pole locking device may be engaged on a ski pole while the pole ring is in the closed configuration around the ski pole. Once locked on the ski pole the locking device cannot be removed.

Abstract: A container that includes a lockable zipper. The container includes a cavity having an opening. A zipper is provided that includes first and second rows of teeth and a slider. The first row of teeth is connected on one side of said opening and the second row of teeth is connected on an opposite side of said opening. The slider is configured to cause the rows of teeth to mesh together when the slider is moved to the closed position and to cause the rows of teeth to separate when moved to the open position. A locking arrangement is provided that includes a lock mechanism and a locking latch opening. A locking latch is provided that is designed to be releasably connected to the locking latch opening. The locking latch is designed to prevent the slider from moving to a fully open position when the locking latch is locked in the locking latch opening. The locking latch is designed to allow the slider to move to a fully open position when the locking latch is released from the locking latch opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital opening and closing device for an entrance. The device includes: a housing which includes an outer casing and an inner casing with a door interposed between the inner and outer casings; a password input unit which is provided on the outer casing; a door opening and closing unit which is installed in the housing and conducts the operation of opening or closing the door; a control unit which compares a password input to the password input unit with a preset reference password and controls the door opening and closing unit; an opening button which is provided on the inner casing and is used in automatically opening the door; a manual opening button which prevents the door from being automatically locked when the door is closed; and a power supply supplying drive power to the elements.

Abstract: Presently disclosed is a locking device for a firearm that includes a longitudinally extending frame and a configurable butt support, a configurable action housing, and a barrel lock. The configurable butt support defines an opening for receiving a butt of the firearm, with one or more of the width, length or base of the opening being configurable. The configurable action housing defines a channel between interchangeable opposing profiles, which are associated with the configuration of one or more firearms and inhibit access to at least a trigger of the firearm. The barrel lock is configured to secure the barrel of the firearm when in a locked position, and to release the barrel of the firearm when in an unlocked position. The locking device may also include a biometrically activated lock, such as a fingerprint reader, and a communication interface to provide information about attempts to access the firearm.

Abstract: Protection mechanism of the key hole of the lock of a door (11) consisting of a tough durable shell (1), within which a mechanism that drives a blade (4) to cover the key hole (11) is located, so that the key hole will not be visible to any attacker and will not be exposed to the weather conditions. The hitherto mechanisms let the key hole of the lock exposed.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism is provided herein, in particular, a recombinant microorganism of the Azotobacteraceae family. The recombinant Azotobacter microorganism is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen continuously in the presence of oxygen and externally fixed nitrogen sources. The present invention further provides a process for production of the recombinant microorganism and a composition comprising the recombinant microorganism for use as biofertilizers and/or for use in the preparation of a fertilizer composition. The recombinant microorganism produced by this invention is an environmental friendly, highly beneficial microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides as alternatives to natural soil (1) a plant growable artificial soil only by supplying water (such as tap-water), which has excellent fertilizer retainability by comprising a granulated material of fertilizer retainable fillers, and a method of making the artificial soil; (2) an artificial soil, which only specified fertilizer components are adsorbed by using a material having high fertilizer retainability; and (3) a granulated plant growing material having excellent fertilizer retainability so as to have both high cation exchange capacity and anion exchange capacity, excellent water retaining capacity with respect to water, which can be easily absorbed by the plants, and excellent breathability so as to return to high breathable state in a short time even if retaining water until reaching a saturated state.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods, devices, and systems for pyrolyzing biomass. A pyrolysis unit can be used for the pyrolysis of biomass to form gas, liquid, and solid products. The biomass materials can be selected such that an enhanced biochar is formed after pyrolysis. The biomass can be pyrolyzed under specified conditions such that a selected biochar core is formed. The pyrolysis process can form a stable biochar core that is inert and/or resistant to degradation. The biochar or biochar core can be functionalized to form a functionalized biochar or functionalized biochar core. Functionalized can include post-pyrolysis treatments such as supplementation with microbes or physical transformations including annealing and/or activation.