Abstract: Provided are powered roof racks for tall vehicles, configured for cargo loading or unloading near to and parallel to the ground. The cargo is lifted to or lowered from roof height using an electric drive. Cargo motion comprises two separate essentially linear motions. The motion on and off of the roof is linear and essentially horizontal. The motion between roof height and the near ground level loading/unloading position is linear and near vertical. During all operations the load remains parallel to the ground. The majority of cargo load is supported on the ground during loading/unloading. All parts may be stored in a low profile roof mounted package when not in use, and ensures that setup and teardown uses a minimal number of easy to execute steps.

Abstract: A method for the production of alcohol and other bioproducts hemicelluloses extracted from biomass prior to thermal conversion of the biomass to energy. The process can be integrated with the host plant process to minimize the energy loss from extracting hemicelluloses. Also disclosed is a Stepwise enzymatic break down of cellulose fibers from a pulping operation which is performed with the redeployment of equipment and vessels contained within typical existing pulp and paper manufacturing mills. The preferred feedstock is highly delignified pulp from acid or alkaline pulping process or from bleaching stage.

Abstract: A system for providing cooled compressed air free of entrained moisture. A housing surrounds a heat exchanger and has an inlet for passage of hot compressed air into an input plenum of the housing and an outlet plenum having an outlet for the cooled and dried compressed air. The bottom of the output plenum extends below the bottom of the heat exchanger to form a trough which collects condensate that collects on the plates of the heat exchanger, flows to the bottom of the heat exchanger, and is pushed by the flow of the compressed air to the output plenum. A shield is placed between the outlet and the heat exchanger to prevent condensate spewed from the plates of the heat exchanger from passing directly across the outlet opening or directly into the outlet opening.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation at temperatures of at least 150° C. is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a pressurized fracturing liquid comprising proppants and solid channelants to create fractures in the subterranean formation, wherein the channelants comprise polylactic acid (PLA) solids derived from a blend of poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly D-lactic acid (PDLA).

Abstract: A continuous process for producing hemicellulose sugars from a biomass extraction liquor is provided. A system is configured for continuously producing hemicellulose sugars and/or hemicellulose derivatives from a biomass extraction liquor, the system comprising at least a first hydrolysis reactor and a second hydrolysis reactor. Each of the hydrolysis reactors is in switchable communication with (i) an operating feed stream of a biomass extraction liquor containing water, hemicellulose oligomers, and dissolved or suspended lignin, and (ii) a cleaning feed stream of a cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of steam, an alkaline solution, an organic solvent, and combinations thereof. The cleaning agent dissolves precipitated lignin formed from the lignin under the hydrolysis reaction conditions.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with sulfur dioxide or a sulfite compound 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 total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. 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: The GreenBox+ technology is suitable to extract hemicellulose sugars prior to pulping of biomass into pulp products. The revenue obtainable from the sugar stream can significantly improve the economics of a pulp and paper mill. An initial extraction and recovery of sugars is followed by production of a pulp product with similar or better properties. Other co-products such as acetates and furfural are also possible. Some variations provide a process for co-producing pulp and hemicellulosic sugars from biomass, comprising: digesting the biomass in the presence of steam and/or hot water to extract hemicellulose into a liquid phase; washing the extracted solids, thereby generating a liquid wash filtrate and washed solids; separating the liquid wash filtrate from the washed solids; refining the washed solids at a refining pH of about 4 or higher, thereby generating pulp; and hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to generate hemicellulosic fermentable sugars.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel hydrolase, which is used when dialkyl 2-vinylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate is hydrolyzed with an enzyme, so as to efficiently obtain (1S,2S)-1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid that is useful as an intermediate for synthesizing therapeutic agents for hepatitis C. According to the present invention, there is provided a hydrolase protein, which consists of the amino acid sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS. 2 to 5 and which has activity of catalyzing, at higher selectivity than the protein consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO. 1, a reaction of producing (1S,2S)-1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid from diethyl 2-vinylcyclopropane-1,1 -dicarboxylate.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods of improving lignin separation during biomass fractionation with an acid to release sugars and a solvent for lignin (such as ethanol). In some embodiments, a digestor is employed to fractionating a feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin, sulfur dioxide, and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, and lignin. A solid additive is added to the digestor, wherein the solid additive combines with at least a portion of the lignin. Then a mixture of lignin and the solid additive is separated from the liquor, prior to hemicellulose recovery. Optionally, a solid additive may also be introduced to a hydrolysis reactor for converting hemicellulose oligomers to monomers, to improve separation of acid-catalyzed lignin. In some embodiments, the solid additive is gypsum or a gypsum/lignin mixture.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with lignosulfonic acids, to generate cellulose-rich solids; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The strong lignosulfonic acids created during delignification give a pH less than 1 and hydrolyze preferentially the amorphous regions of cellulose. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. 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 lignin onto the cellulose surface.

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 total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to TRPV1 selective agonist topical compositions including capsaicinoid and analgesic agent compositions and methods of manufacture and methods of providing pain relief as well as treating a variety of disorders with such compositions.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a process for producing biomass pellets and sugars from cellulosic biomass is provided, comprising: extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water and optionally with an acid catalyst, to produce cellulose-rich solids and an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and lignin; separating the cellulose-rich solids from the extract liquor; filtering the extract liquor to remove at least some of the lignin, thereby generating a filter permeate comprising cleaned extract liquor containing the hemicellulosic oligomers and a filter retentate comprising a lignin-rich stream; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers in the cleaned extract liquor with an acid or enzymes, to generate hemicellulosic monomers which are recovered; and pelletizing the cellulose-rich solids to form biomass pellets, wherein the pelletizing utilizes at least some of the lignin-rich stream as a binder or binder component.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it becomes possible to perform a process for converting into an ?-substituted cysteine represented by general formula (1) or a salt thereof at low cost and on an industrial scale by employing a process that is routed through a compound represented by general formula (3) to a compound represented by general formula (6). Particularly, by employing a process that is routed through a compound represented by general formula (7-2), it becomes possible to detach a tert-butyl protection group in a simple manner and to produce the compound represented by general formula (1) with high purity. Furthermore, by employing a process that is routed through tert-butylthiomethanol or a process that is routed through a compound represented by general formula (9), it becomes possible to produce a compound represented by general formula (2) without generating bischloromethylether that is an oncogenic substance.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for current monitoring are provided herein. An exemplary method may include: receiving a temperature of a power MOSFET, the temperature being sensed by a temperature sensor; determining a resistance of the power MOSFET using the received temperature; receiving a voltage across the power MOSFET, the voltage being measured by a differential amplifier; calculating a current provided to an electrical load by the power MOSFET using the determined resistance of the power MOSFET and the received voltage; comparing the calculated current to a predetermined threshold; and switching the power MOSFET to an off state in response to the calculated current exceeding the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a fermentation stream to remove dissolved gases, comprising obtaining a fermentation stream including water, one or more fermentation products, and dissolved gases; continuously sonicating the fermentation stream to generate acoustically cavitated gases from the dissolved gases; and applying vacuum to release the acoustically cavitated gases from the fermentation stream. The dissolved gases may include air, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or other non-condensables. The release of acoustically cavitated gases may optionally be done simultaneously with sonication. At least 75%, such as up to 95% or more, of the dissolved gases may be released from the fermentation stream. The disclosed method positively impacts downstream operations and product quality by removing dissolved gases.

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 total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. 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.

Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass into energy-dense biomass for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing energy-dense biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; separating the extract liquor, to produce dewatered cellulose-rich solids; hydrolyzing the dewatered cellulose-rich solids, thereby removing a portion of the cellulose, to produce intermediate solids (with higher energy density) and a hydrolysate; drying the intermediate solids to produce energy-dense biomass; and optionally recovering fermentable sugars from the hydrolysate. The energy-dense biomass may be pelletized into biomass pellets, which may have a similar energy density as torrefied pellets from wood.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of alcohol and other bioproducts hemicelluloses extracted from biomass prior to thermal conversion of the biomass to energy. The process can be integrated with the host plant process to minimize the energy loss from extracting hemicelluloses. Also disclosed is a stepwise enzymatic break down of cellulose fibers from a pulping operation which is performed with the redeployment of equipment and vessels contained within typical existing pulp and paper manufacturing mills. The preferred feedstock is highly delignified pulp from acid or alkaline pulping process or from bleaching stage.