Abstract: A composite material includes biodegradable and/or renewable materials such as purified milk protein recovered as a byproduct in cheese making processes. The result is a material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing and extrusion based polymer processing, with improved properties but that is still environmentally friendly. Purified milk protein may be used to produce composite thermoplastic materials or resins. Additional chemical modification may improve the blending of purified milk protein.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a zinc oxide graphene composite. A zinc oxide graphene composite includes zinc oxide crystallites and graphene. A method of forming the composite includes combining graphene and zinc oxalate to form a mixture and heating the mixture to produce the zinc oxide graphene composite.

Abstract: Methods of making and using E,Z,E-GGPP are provided. Also provided are expression cassettes encoding isoprenyl diphosphate synthases, e.g., cis- or trans-isoprenyl diphosphate synthases.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a method of oxidizing sulfur-containing compounds. The method involves contacting a sulfur-containing compound with a helmet phthalocyaninato-type catalyst in the presence of an oxidant. The present invention also provides a method of removing undesired sulfur-containing compounds from a fluid, such as natural gas, crude oil or an aqueous waste stream.

Abstract: Methods for making molecular sieves are provided. The molecular sieves are comprised of thin semiconductors films in which a plurality of apertures is defined. The apertures are non-circular, nanoscale openings with tapered sidewalls that selectively pass certain molecules, while discriminating against the passage of other molecules.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of isolating one or more compounds present in fruit seed extracts that have anti-ty-rosinase or whitening activity, compositions having one or more fruit seed extracts that have anti-tyrosinase or whitening (lightening) activity.

Abstract: A building technique uses standard shipping containers as buttresses to support a truss system that may extend between the shipping containers to provide a roof. A sliding connector system attaches the trusses to the shipping containers to accommodate variations in separation of the shipping containers presenting a versatile framing system that is insensitive to site-related variations. The sliding connector system provides incremental predetermined fastening of the trusses to the shipping containers.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system can be used to exploit freely available flow energy with a piezoelectric device(s). The system may include a piezoelectric device and a flow disruptor, such as a blunt body that creates flow turbulence and flow characteristic randomization that can increase movement response from the piezoelectric device and enhance electrical power generation. Multiple piezoelectric devices may be linked to each other to enhance movement of a less-influenced piezoelectric device from translated movement of a more-influenced piezoelectric device and create more electrical power than a single piezoelectric device subjected to the same flowing fluid.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to bridged phthalocyanine- and napththalocyanine-metal complex catalysts and methods using the same for oxidation reactions. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of oxidation including contacting an oxidizable starting material including an alkene with a catalyst and an oxidant, to provide an oxidized product.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various poly(acetal) polymers including processable, elastomeric poly(acetals). Various polymers described herein have a chemical structure containing cyclic acetal monomer units derived from diglycerol and a dialdehyde compound. The disclosure also relates to a method of preparing such polymers. The method can involve heating and/or adding acid to a mixture containing diglycerol and a dicarbonyl compound so as to obtain an elastomeric polymer.

Abstract: A reversibly crosslinked polymer and methods for producing and using the obtained polymer are disclosed. In particular, reversibly crosslinked polymers of the invention comprise polyesters formed by the reaction of mercaptosuccinic acid and a diol to form a monomeric unit that includes thiol groups as crosslinking moieties. Oxidation of the thiol groups affords crosslinked polymer comprising a disulfide linkage that, upon reduction of the disulfide linkage, provides a non-crosslinked polymer. In some embodiments, polymers of the invention are degradable and are biocompatible.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating one or more compounds present in fruit juice or seed extracts that have anti-microbial activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of wind turbines connected to a single unit electric generator to produce electrical power whereby the wind turbine blades rotate coaxially with a main rotor shaft instead of perpendicular to the shaft axis. In this respect, the wind turbine rotor can face the wind from any direction and does not need to be pointed into the wind to be effective, thus, eliminating the need for a yaw system. Moreover, translation of mechanical to torque of the main rotor drive allows the drive components such as the gearbox and generator to be placed near the ground of each wind turbine improving accessibility for maintenance.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to solid catalysts that convert lignocellulosic material to monomer sugars that are suitable for fermentation. The solid catalysts include a transition metal complex attached to a magnetic bead, and can be physically separated from a fermentation mixture and reused several times.

Abstract: Multiple spatially diverse and compact weight sensors are statistically combined to reduce or eliminate errors caused by snow bridging. Data transmission using satellite communication minimizes the power consumption of the sensor station further allowing the entire system to be relatively compact and easily transported. The weight sensors may be combined with other standard sensors for measurement of air temperature and snow height, the latter measurement, for example, using ultrasound ranging or the like.

Abstract: A game bird decoy provides for more natural kinematics by providing a smoothly articulating neck, an automatic orientation of the neck with respect to body tipping and improved dual-mode wing activation in which the wings may lift or lift and extend as a function of body angle.

Abstract: A system for fabricating microparticles useful for example in managing invasive species is provided. The system provides a nozzle for atomizing liquefied droplet material which is then suspended in a cyclonic separator receiving refrigerated gas until the droplets can solidify. In this way small droplets (less than 100 ?m) can be readily fabricated in bulk without clumping and aggregating.

Abstract: A device for demonstrating the interaction of conservation of energy and conservation of momentum provides a set of balls each supported as a pendulum and in stationary contact, the balls having different weights to illustrate the concept of mechanical impedance.

Abstract: A colorimeter accessory for a smartphone is provided that, by leveraging the high-volume development of sophisticated smart phone technology, substantially reduces the cost of a colorimeter. The invention provides a sample holder that adapts to a range of smart phone cameras and that provides a light source and interference filter necessary for making accurate narrowband measures of light transmission through the sample holder. A correction system operates to compensate for characteristics of the smart phone camera that can affect accuracy of the reading. The processing system of the smart phone may be enlisted for this correction system and for calculation of concentrations of solution through the measurements that are made.

Abstract: An in-ear microphone allowing assessment of sound pressure level directly of an individual's ear canal without intervening conduits between the sound source (i.e., ear canal) and the microphone is provided. Sound from an in-ear communications device may also be isolated from ambient noise using an in-line noise detector for recording the noise from the in-ear communications device.