Abstract: Strong, light-weight composite laminates are made by impregnating layers of paper with a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) slurry, laying the coated papers up in a plurality of layers or stack, and subjecting the stack to pressure and heat for a period of time sufficient to cause the CNF to impregnate, reinforce, and bond the paper layers into a composite. The resulting composite has impressive mechanical strength and exhibits a substantially homogeneous composition throughout its depth. The composite should have good strength to weight properties, and be recyclable or compostable.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of synthesizing trehalose analogues; methods of detecting mycobacteria, and trehalose analogues.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, biocompatible porous structural materials made exclusively or almost exclusively from nanocellulose fibers (CNF), CNC, or bacterial cellulose, as well as processes for making and using provided compositions. Provided compositions may possess specifically tailored mechanical strength properties and have a design-controlled porosity that is homogeneous or graded, depending on the application. Provided compositions may be manufactured by the controlled dewatering of suspensions of CNF. In some embodiments, provided compositions may include a solids concentration of about 10% to about 95% by weight. Controlled water removal and pore homo- or heterogeneity may be accomplished by controlling capillary, hydrostatic and evaporative processes in the environment of a porous mold around the CNF slurry.

Abstract: An improved market pulp and process for making the same by adding a composite material are described. The composite material includes cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, or another high aspect ratio, high surface area cellulose material (or a starch, or both) and a crosslinking compound that crosslinks a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups to form a 3-D matrix. Adding the composite material to market pulp has been shown to improve the strength of twice-dried paper products, made from such an enhanced market pulp. By crosslinking a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups in the market pulp to form a 3-D matrix, a first drying step may be accomplished without loss of benefits afforded when the market pulp is later re-pulped to make a paper product.

Abstract: Materials and methods for modulating endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and gene expression of VEGF, AKT1, RAC1, RHOA, and eNOS are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods including the steps of providing a cellulosic biomass, associating the cellulosic biomass with an organic liquid to form a mixture, treating the mixture to reduce the moisture content of the mixture to 30% or below (if necessary), and processing the mixture to produce cellulose nanofibrils in a slurry. In some embodiments, provided methods allow for the production of high solids content slurries containing 4% or more cellulosic nanofibrils.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, implants including a biocompatible substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of pores, such as trabecular and/or dodecahedral pores, and wherein said implant is configured as a transcutaneous implant. In some embodiments, provided implants may comprise multiple layers with differing pore densities, geometries, and/or distributions.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods of identifying cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue including providing a first region of tissue from a subject, calculating a roughness exponent for the first region of tissue, and comparing the roughness exponent of the first region of tissue to 0.5, wherein a difference of less than 0.2 between the roughness exponent of the first region of tissue and 0.5 indicates that the tissue is cancerous or pre-cancerous. Additionally, the present invention provides methods including providing a first view of a region of tissue, providing a second view of a region of tissue, calculating a first fractal dimension for the first view of the region of tissue, and calculating a second fractal dimension for the second view of the region of tissue, wherein if the fractal dimension of at least one of the first fractal dimension and the second fractal dimension is in the fractal zone, the region of tissue is considered cancerous.

Abstract: Methods for the removal of parasites from fish are disclosed, which comprise treatment with an aqueous solution comprising an ionic compound. Certain embodiments of the methods further comprise mechanical treatment.

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: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material comprising a cellulosic material, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and styrene maleic anhydride (SMA). The cellulosic material may be thermally modified prior to being incorporated into the composite material. The present invention is also directed to a composite product that comprises the composite material according to the invention.

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: An adaptive mobility device enables disabled users to ambulate with more security. The device includes a frame including two rear forks for a pair of rear wheels, and a pivotable front fork and wheel, steerable with a steering mechanism that alters the front wheel angle in response to pivoting of the forearms support bar. The support bar may optionally contain forearm rests on which the user may support his or her weight while reaching the handgrips for steering the device. The steering mechanism may provide for adjustment of the steering ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.

Abstract: A wind turbine platform configured to float in a body of water and support a wind turbine thereon includes a buoyant hull platform. A wind turbine tower is centrally mounted on the hull platform and a wind turbine is mounted to the wind turbine tower. An anchor is connected to the hull platform and to the seabed, and a weight-adjustable mass is suspended from the hull platform.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods including the steps of providing cellulosic material, associating the cellulosic material with an organic acid (e.g., lactic acid) to form a mixture, and heating the mixture to a temperature between 100° C. and 120° C. for at least ten minutes to form a treated cellulosic material, wherein the water retention value of the treated cellulosic material is decreased by at least 10% as compared to untreated cellulosic material.

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: A wind turbine tower includes a plurality of tower sections axially aligned and connected together. Each tower section includes an inner wall having a tapered cylindrical shape concentrically positioned within an outer wall having a tapered cylindrical shape. An annular space is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a layer of concrete is disposed within the annular space. A plurality of post-tensioning cables extend longitudinally within the annular space or outside the outer wall, such that a first one of the tower sections is connected to a second one of the tower sections by a plurality of the post-tensioning cables.

Abstract: A floating wind turbine farm 230 includes a plurality of anchors 20/202/204/206/208 fixed in or on a bed of a body of water. A plurality of floating wind turbine platforms 10 is deployed in the body of water, each of the floating wind turbine platforms 10 having one or more mooring lines 200/212 that extend between, and are attached to, the floating wind turbine platform 10 and one of the anchors 20/202/204/206/208. Each anchor 20/202/204/206/208 is configured to receive two or more mooring lines 200/212, wherein each of the mooring lines 200/212 are from a different one of the plurality of floating wind turbine platforms 10.