Abstract: A filter is provided for removing contaminants from a gas flow (e.g., an air flow). Multiple panel filters are arranged in a filter housing. The panel filters are arranged parallel or near-parallel to a main gas flow direction and spaced apart to define elongated gas flow channels between adjacent panel filters, each elongated gas flow channel extending generally in the gas flow direction. The elongated gas flow channels include inlet channel(s) and outlet channel(a) arranged in an alternating manner, the inlet channel(s) configured receiving the gas flow at the inlet end and the outlet channel(s) outputting a filtered gas flow from the outlet end. Gas flow redirecting structures are arranged to redirect the gas flow in each inlet channel through adjacent panel filter(s) and into adjacent outlet channel(s). The filter may provide a pressure drop of less than 3 iwg, less than 1 iwg, or less than 0.3 iwg.

Abstract: Methods for determining the susceptibility or resistance of bacteria to antibiotic agents are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include culturing the bacteria in the presence or absence or the antimicrobial agent to generate a primary culture which is then cultured in the presence or absence of transforming phages. The recombinant phages are specific to the bacteria and comprise a heterologous marker (e.g., a nucleic acid that is expressible as a detectable product such as an RNA or a protein). The susceptibility or resistance of the bacteria to the antimicrobial agent may be determined by assaying the culture for the presence or absence of the heterologous marker, wherein a reduction in the level or activity of the marker in the culture compared to the level or activity of the marker in a comparative culture indicates that the bacteria is sensitive to the antibiotic agent.

Abstract: A filter is provided for removing contaminants from a gas flow (e.g., an air flow). Multiple panel filters are arranged in a filter housing. The panel filters are arranged parallel or near-parallel to a main gas flow direction and spaced apart to define elongated gas flow channels between adjacent panel filters, each elongated gas flow channel extending generally in the gas flow direction. The elongated gas flow channels include inlet channel(s) and outlet channel(a) arranged in an alternating manner, the inlet channel(s) configured receiving the gas flow at the inlet end and the outlet channel(s) outputting a filtered gas flow from the outlet end. Gas flow redirecting structures are arranged to redirect the gas flow in each inlet channel through adjacent panel filter(s) and into adjacent outlet channel(s). The filter may provide a pressure drop of less than 3 iwg, less than 1 iwg, or less than 0.3 iwg.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a system for removing contaminants from contaminated water comprising: a distillation still supplying heat to contaminated water to boil the contaminated water; a vent allowing a vapor stream to exit the distillation still; an oxidation unit removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream; an outlet discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit; and a heat exchanger transferring heat from the purified water stream leaving the oxidation unit to the vapor stream exiting the distillation still before the vapor stream enters the oxidation unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile composite for the adsorption and breakdown of harmful chemical materials. A support layer and a sorptive and reactive material mounted on the support layer form a protective layer, which is mounted on an inner liner. The protective layer adsorbs and breaks down harmful chemical materials. An outer shell is formed of fabric having an outer surface that is hydrophobic for resisting the passage of harmful chemicals, which may be in the form of vapor, liquid or aerosols. Preferably, the sorptive and reactive material includes zirconium hydroxide, and the support layer includes a fabric material. The zirconium hydroxide is distributed on the fabric material in the amount of at least 20 grams of zirconium hydroxide per square meter. Alternatively, the zirconium hydroxide is distributed in the amount of at least 150 or 200 grams of zirconium hydroxide per square meter.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting the gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising two or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, copper and silicon.

Abstract: Provided are mixed metal oxy-hydroxides that serve as reactive media to bind, sequester, or alter one or more toxic chemicals such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and others. A reactive media includes: a porous metal oxy-hydroxide including at least one first transition metal that is optionally one or more of copper, zinc, or iron; a second transition metal linked to the first transition metal by a bond that includes an oxygen, the second transition metal selected optionally being one or more of magnesium, calcium, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, and silicon; and the metal oxy-hydroxide terminated by at least one hydroxyl group. The resulting media provides for excellent porosity and reactivity for removal of toxic chemicals from the environment or a sample.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a system for removing contaminants from contaminated water comprising: a distillation still supplying heat to contaminated water to boil the contaminated water; a vent allowing a vapor stream to exit the distillation still; an oxidation unit removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream; an outlet discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit; and a heat exchanger transferring heat from the purified water stream leaving the oxidation unit to the vapor stream exiting the distillation still before the vapor stream enters the oxidation unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to water purification. The teachings thereof may be embodied in processes for removing contaminants from contaminated water. An example process may include: boiling or evaporating a contaminated water to distill the contaminated water; removing a vapor stream from the boiling or evaporating contaminated water; delivering the vapor stream to an oxidation unit; removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream in the oxidation unit; and discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting the gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising two or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, copper and silicon.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing H2S from gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising two or more metals selected from the group consisting of magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc and copper. Also disclosed are processes for removing H2S from gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting the gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising one or more metals selected from the group listed above plus one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, titanium and zirconium.

Abstract: The present application discloses immobilized enzymes and immobilized enzyme materials comprising a crosslinked enzyme having a support material which includes a biomass material different than the biomass used to initially derive the enzyme. Optionally, the immobilized enzyme further includes a polymeric material and/or the biomass which was used to initially derive the enzyme. The resulting immobilized enzyme materials may be biodegradable. The present application also discloses methods of making and using the disclosed immobilized enzyme materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for filtering undesired chemicals in streams of contaminated air for supply to confined areas. The processes provide (1) contacting air with a filter comprising by volume from about 5% to about 95% impregnated zirconium hydroxide, from about 5% to about 95% activated impregnated carbon, and optionally, up to about 50% ammonia removal material; and (2) supplying the contacted air to a confined area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to water purification. The teachings thereof may be embodied in processes for removing contaminants from contaminated water. An example process may include: boiling or evaporating a contaminated water to distill the contaminated water; removing a vapor stream from the boiling or evaporating contaminated water; delivering the vapor stream to an oxidation unit; removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream in the oxidation unit; and discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit.

Abstract: The present application discloses immobilized enzymes and immobilized enzyme materials comprising a crosslinked enzyme having a support material which includes a biomass material different than the biomass used to initially derive the enzyme. Optionally, the immobilized enzyme further includes a polymeric material and/or the biomass which was used to initially derive the enzyme. The resulting immobilized enzyme materials may be biodegradable. The present application also discloses methods of making and using the disclosed immobilized enzyme materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing H2S from gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising two or more metals selected from the group consisting of magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc and copper. Also disclosed are processes for removing H2S from gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting the gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising one or more metals selected from the group listed above plus one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, titanium and zirconium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for removing siloxanes from a biogas feed comprising (i) passing a gas feed through an adsorbent bed having an adsorbent having an inert surface to adsorb onto the adsorbent at least a portion of the siloxanes in the gas feed; and (ii) regenerating the adsorbent by removing siloxanes from the adsorbent. The adsorbent surface is rendered inert or nearly inert preferably via calcination.

Abstract: The present disclosure, according to some embodiments, relates to phage-based biological detection systems, compositions, and methods. In some embodiments, it relates to a detection system and method using phage binding and bacterial infection to detect the presence of a target molecule (e.g., a toxin). One detection system may include a genetically engineered phage that expresses a surface molecule able to bind a target molecule and/or target microorganism; a bacterium susceptible to infection by the phage; and a detection component able to determine whether the bacterium has been infected by the phage. Infection of a bacterium by a phage may be indicative of phage binding to the target molecule and/or target microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for removing siloxanes from a biogas feed comprising (i) passing a gas feed through an adsorbent bed having an adsorbent having an inert surface to adsorb onto the adsorbent at least a portion of the siloxanes in the gas feed; and (ii) regenerating the adsorbent by removing siloxanes from the adsorbent. The adsorbent surface is rendered inert or nearly inert preferably via calcination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, systems and compositions for detecting and/or modifying chemical agents. In some embodiments, a biosensor may be configured to detect a chemical agent, modify that agent to a form with reduced toxicity, and/or detect the modified form of the chemical agent. The present disclosure also relates, in some embodiments, to variant organophosphorus hydrolase having one or more desirable amino acid substitutions.