Abstract: A weldable hybrid composite panel suitable for forming a container includes a four sided composite panel element wherein each side defines a side edge. The composite panel element is formed of fibrous reinforcement layers encased in a resin matrix. Weldable metallic elongated edge elements extend along and are either fixed to the side edges of an outside surface of the panel element or extend from a periphery of the panel element. Each of the weldable elongated edge elements has a profile that is the same as a profile of its respective side edge and is structured to enable the composite panel to be welded at its peripheral edges. The panel element also includes a sensor system embedded therein.

Abstract: A semisubmersible wind turbine platform capable of floating on a body of water and supporting a wind turbine over a vertical center column includes a vertical center column and three or more vertical outer columns spaced radially from the center column, each of the outer columns being connected to the center column with one or more of bottom beams, top beams, and struts, with the major structural components being made of concrete and having sufficient buoyancy to support a wind turbine tower.

Abstract: A wireless system and methods for non-invasive detection of brain injury that includes a detection device for reliable monitoring and analyzing of sleep movement in comparison with normal sleep movement architecture to identify dampened sleep movement patterns indicative of brain injury.

Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.

Abstract: A system and method for hardwood pulp liquid hydrolysate conditioning is provided. The system includes a first evaporator, a hydrolysis unit, at least one lignin separation device, a neutralization device, a precipitate removal device, a solvent extraction unit, a lignin removal and recovery unit, an acid and furfural separation and conditioning unit, and an electrodialysis device, which process a quantity of hardwood mix to produce a desalinated solution containing sugar.

Abstract: To improve the write performance of PCM, the disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, provides a new write scheme, referred to herein as two-stage-write, which leverages the speed and power asymmetries of writing a zero bit and a one bit. Writing a data block to PCM is divided into two separated stages, i.e., write-0 stage and write-1 stage. Without violating power constraints, during the write-0 stage, all zero bits in this data block are written to PCM at an accelerated speed; during the write-1 stage, all one bits are written to PCM, with more bits being written concurrently. In certain embodiments, the disclosed technology provides a new coding scheme to improve the speed of the write-1 stage by further increasing the number of bits that can be written to PCM in parallel.

Abstract: Methods of forming liquid hydrocarbons through thermal deoxygenation of cellulosic compounds are disclosed. Aspects cover methods including the steps of mixing a levulinic acid salt-containing feedstock with a formic acid salt, exposing the mixture to a high temperature condition to form hydrocarbon vapor, and condensing the hydrocarbon vapor to form liquid hydrocarbons, where both the formic acid salt and the levulinic acid salt-containing feedstock decompose at the high temperature condition and wherein one or more of the mixing, exposing, and condensing steps is carried out a pressure between about vacuum and about 10 bar.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing ionization, including applying radio frequency energy to a chemical compound so that at least one ion of the compound or of a compound fragment is generated, and detecting at least one such ion.

Abstract: A weldable hybrid composite panel suitable for forming a container includes a four sided composite panel element wherein each side defines a side edge. The composite panel element is formed of fibrous reinforcement layers encased in a resin matrix. Weldable metallic elongated edge elements extend along and are either fixed to the side edges of an outside surface of the panel element or extend from a periphery of the panel element. Each of the weldable elongated edge elements has a profile that is the same as a profile of its respective side edge and is structured to enable the composite panel to be welded at its peripheral edges. The panel element also includes a sensor system embedded therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.

Abstract: A system and method for hardwood pulp liquid hydrolysate conditioning includes a first evaporator receives a hardwood mix extract and outputting a quantity of vapor and extract. A hydrolysis unit receives the extract, hydrolyzes and outputs to a lignin separation device, which separates and recovers a quantity of lignin. A neutralization device receives extract from the lignin separation device and a neutralizing agent, producing a mixture of solid precipitate and a fifth extract. The solid precipitate is removed from the fifth extract. A second evaporator removes a quantity of acid from the fifth extract in a vapor form. This vapor may be recycled to improve total acid recovery or discarded. A desalination device receives the diluted extract, separates out some of the acid and salt and outputs a desalinated solution.

Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers is disclosed. The process employs a depolymerizing treatment with one or both of: (a) a relatively high charge of ozone under conditions that promote the formation of free radicals to chemically depolymerize the cellulose fiber cell wall and interfiber bonds; or (b) a cellulase enzyme. Depolymerization may be estimated by pulp viscosity changes. The depolymerizing treatment is followed by or concurrent with mechanical comminution of the treated fibers, the comminution being done in any of several mechanical comminuting devices, the amount of energy savings varying depending on the type of comminuting system and the treatment conditions. Comminution may be carried out to any of several endpoint measures such as fiber length, % fines or slurry viscosity.

Abstract: Surface acoustic wave resonators for use in high temperature applications including a piezoelectric substrate, at least one interdigital transducer supported by the piezoelectric substrate, and a grating reflector supported by the piezoelectric substrate, the grating reflector being fabricated of a heavy metal and comprising a plurality of electrodes, at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes being electrically isolated from at least one other electrode. Methods of making surface acoustic wave resonators are also included.

Abstract: Release base papers with improved surface properties and more efficient manufacturing potential are made using cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) along with high freeness, less refined pulp. Release papers serve as the backing for common adhesive labels, for industrial film coatings, and also for certain food processing uses. The CNF may be added to the furnish and processed to paper, or the CNF may be added as a coating onto a partially dried web of paper. The CNF may optionally be combined with a starch and a starch crosslinker.

Abstract: A system (100) and method for creating three dimensional images using probe molecules is disclosed and described. A sample is mounted on a stage (160). The sample has a plurality of probe molecules. The sample is illuminated with light, causing the probe molecules to luminesce. The probe luminescence can be split into at least four paths corresponding to at least four detection planes corresponding to object planes in the sample. The at least four detection planes are detected via a camera (155). Object planes in corresponding recorded regions of interest are recorded in the camera (155). A signal from the regions of interest is combined into a three dimensional image.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other thing, methods for creating significantly deoxygenated bio-oils form biomass including the steps of providing a feedstock, associating the feedstock with an alkali formate to form a treated feedstock, dewatering the treated feedstock, heating the dewatered treated feedstock to form a vapor product, and condensing the vapor product to form a pyrolysis oil, wherein the pyrolysis oil contains less than 30% oxygen by weight.

Abstract: Building materials are generated by the simple mixing of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) slurry with typical wood-derived material such as wood meal, optionally with mineral particulate materials, and dried. Particle boards are made with wood meal particulates; wallboards are made with wood particulates and mineral particulates; paints are made with pigment particulates; and cement is made with aggregate particulates. The particle board samples were tested for fracture toughness. The fracture toughness was found to be from 20% higher up to ten times higher than the typical value for similar board, depending on the formulation. For cases of 20% by weight cellulose nanofibers and 80% wood, the fracture toughness was more than double that of typical particle board. The process sequesters carbon and oxygen into the building product for its lifespan—typically decades—and avoid releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A container includes a plurality of weldable hybrid composite panels. Each panel includes a four sided composite panel element, wherein each of the four sides defines a side edge and the composite panel element is formed of fibrous reinforcement layers encased in a resin matrix. Weldable metallic elongated edge elements extend along and are either fixed to the side edges of an outside surface of the panel element or extend from a periphery of the panel element, such that each of the weldable elongated edge elements has a profile that is the same as a profile of its respective side edge. The weldable elongated edge elements are structured to enable the composite panel to be welded at its peripheral edges. The container also includes a plurality of metal rails attached together and defining a rectangular parallelepiped frame having six sides.

Abstract: An inflatable mold assembly for forming a hollow composite construction member that is suitable for use as a building material has a longitudinal axis. The mold assembly further has a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity. A reinforcing fabric is positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall. A flexible air-impervious outer layer is positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space, and with the fabric being positioned within the elongated annular space.

Abstract: A panel having a central panel element formed of a composite material, having peripheral edges formed of a weldable material, such as steel. In one form, the panel element is rectangular, and the panel element on two of its opposite edges have a corrugated profile, while the other two of its opposite edges have a linear profile. Multiple panels may be joined together by welding at the peripheral edges, to form a secure container. The composite material of the panel element in some forms, includes intrusion sensors, for example including optical fiber pathways at electrically conductive pathways, as well as processors for effecting data transfer and analyzes and secure communications. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive pathways include one or more bypass resistors to produce a different circuit resistance upon interruption of one or more of the pathways.