Abstract: Embodiments of sized fluff pulp, or fluff pulp treated with a sizing agent, have desirable characteristics for one or more intended applications. The sized fluff pulp can be debonded or non-debonded. In several examples, the one or more desirable characteristics includes a reduction in its absorption characteristics (e.g., the pulp is less hydrophilic). Some characteristics improved by the sized fluff pulp include, but are not limited to, soak and drip capacity and wicking rate. In several examples, the sized fluff pulp are less hydrophilic but retain or exhibit other desirable characteristics for producing non-wovens, including low fiberization energy and fiberized knot percentage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device and a second vacuum pressure supply port. The insertion device may include an insertion member and a release assistance rod arranged inside the insertion member. The release assistance rod is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance rod is in the extended position, a proximal end extends beyond an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.

Abstract: A manufactured seed is provided. The manufactured seed includes a seed shell housing a nutritive media and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The restraint includes a cavity. The manufactured seed also includes an embryo disposed within the cavity and a fill material disposed within the cavity. The manufactured further includes a seal disposed on the seed shell to seal the embryo within the seed shell.

Abstract: A fiber-cement product which includes a treated cellulose wood pulp fiber. The fiber is treated with fibrillated carboxymethyl cellulose or a carboxyethyl cellulose and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). The fiber can be bleached or partially bleached, refined or unrefined or a mixture of refined and unrefined fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of multiplying plant embryogenic tissue in a bioreactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising 10 to 45% of the total solids weight lignin, polyacrylonitrile or a polyacrylonitrile copolymer, and a solvent to form a lignin-based polyacrylonitrile-containing dope and the resulting products. The dope can be processed to produce fibers, including precursor, oxidized and carbonized fibers. The oxidized fibers are of value for their flame resistant properties and carbonized fibers are suitable for use in applications requiring high strength fibers, or to be used to form composite materials.

Abstract: A programmed computer or non-transitory computer readable storage media has instructions that are executable by a processor to identify LiDAR data points associated with items of vegetation or other objects. Each LiDAR data point is tested to determine if it lies within the value of a closed surface defined for higher LiDAR points. If so, the LiDAR point is grouped with the LiDAR points associated with a previously identified item of vegetation. If not, a new item of vegetation is identified.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing flooding of a cavity within a shoot restraint of a manufactured seed by lowering the water potential of the nutritive media relative to the water potential of a plant embryo disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying stands or portions thereof that are not growing as expected. In one embodiment, a computer system compares a measured leaf area index of a stand that is determined from remotely sensed data to an expected leaf area index. The computer system identifies stands or portions of stands where the measured leaf area index is greater than the expected leaf area index and/or stands or portions of stands where the measured leaf area index is less than the expected leaf area index. In one embodiment, the comparison is used to identify stands or portions thereof where silviculture treatments may be necessary.

Abstract: Lignin in particulate form is provided. The lignin particles have relatively large diameter and relatively low density, compared to known lignin particles. The lignin is formed from black liquor using supersaturation of an ionic solution. Methods of forming the lignin particulate are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed generally a biomass conditioning system and methods for conditioning biomass to remove undesirable material for further processing and applications. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a biomass conditioning system including a conditioning tank, a water input device, a biomass input device, a containment device, a spillway, and a moving separation device. In some embodiments, methods according to the disclosure include pumping water into a conditioning tank, depositing biomass into the conditioning tank, allowing the biomass to soak in the water and separate into a bark portion and a non-bark portion, allowing the bark portion to float to a water line, containing the bark portion to one side of the conditioning tank, moving the bark portion into a bark storage area, separating the non-bark portion into a biomass portion and a debris portion, and moving the conditioned biomass portion into a storage area.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a wood composite made from cellulosic particles, a binder, and a water-repelling agent. In some embodiments, the water repelling agent includes aliphatic compounds having a molecular distribution between about 16 and about 36 carbon atoms per molecule. In some embodiments, the water-repelling agent has an average molecular weight of about 220 to about 350 Daltons (solids portion). The water-repelling agent may be applied as a wax emulsion or in neat wax form. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a wood composite as described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. The restraint comprises a parabolic cavity. A seal assembly is disposed on the open end of the seed shell in a configuration effective to seal the seed shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, apparatus, and imaging systems for using near-infrared spectroscopy imaging of plant embryos for classifying plant embryos. In one embodiment, a method is provided for classifying a plant embryo of an unknown type based on near infrared spectroscopy imaging.

Abstract: A composition comprising 65 to 90 weight percent kraft chemical wood pulp fibers and a thermoplastic polymer and a method of making the composition.

Abstract: A crosslinked cellulose fiber that has been crosslinked with a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid crosslinking agent, having phosphorous incorporated into the polymer chain and a method of crosslinking the fiber.

Abstract: A particle or particles of cellulosic wood pulp fibers having a top and bottom face and a hexagonal perimeter, and methods of using it.

Abstract: A system for filling in and/or replacing pixel data in a target image uses pixel data from a source image. In one embodiment, the pixel data in the source image are classified and boundaries of local class areas or groups of similarly classified pixels are determined. The pixel data in the local class areas are compared to determine one or more scaling factors. The missing pixel data or data to be replaced in the target image is obtained from the source image and scaled with the one or more scaling factors.

Abstract: A method of classifying plant embryos according to their quality based on a general form of Lorenz-Bayes classifier is disclosed. First, image or spectral data of plant embryos of known quality are acquired, and the data are divided into two classes according to the embryos' known quality. Second, metrics are calculated from the acquired image or spectral data in each class. Third, multi-dimensional histograms of multiple metrics are prepared for both classes. Fourth, the difference or some other measure of comparison between the two multi-dimensional histograms is obtained. Fifth, image or spectral data of a plant embryo of unknown quality are obtained and metrics are calculated therefrom. Sixth, the embryo of unknown quality is assigned to a class based on its calculated metrics and the result of the comparison as calculated in the fourth step above.

Abstract: A method of modulating the development stage of strobili growing on a gymnosperm tree comprises: (a) installing a protective covering over one or more strobili bud(s), wherein the type of protective covering is selected to delay or advance strobili development; and (b) maintaining the protective covering over the strobili bud(s) for a time period sufficient to delay or advance the development stage of the covered strobili buds in comparison to the development stage of naturally growing, uncovered, control strobili.