Abstract: Probiotic compositions that comprise one or more bacteria species in spore form, a thickener to form a stabilized suspension and to preferably act as a prebiotic, one or more acids or salts of acids, and optionally a water activity reducer. A system for delivering probiotic compositions by gravity feed or non-contact pump to a point of consumption by a plant or animal, preferably in conjunction with acidified drinking water, comprising a collapsible container with attachable tubing that prevent contamination of the probiotic composition within the container. Delivery may be actuated in response to a timer, motion detector, fluid level sensor, RFID tag, or other mechanism to periodically or continuously dispense a dosage of probiotic composition directly to the soil surrounding a plant or to the water or feed for an animal. A method for increasing beneficial bacteria in an animal's GIT comprises adding probiotics to acidified drinking water.

Abstract: Probiotic compositions that comprise one or more bacteria species in spore form, a thickener to form a stabilized suspension and to preferably act as a prebiotic, one or more acids or salts of acids, and optionally a water activity reducer. A system for delivering probiotic compositions by gravity feed or non-contact pump to a point of consumption by a plant or animal, preferably in conjunction with acidified drinking water, comprising a collapsible container with attachable tubing that prevent contamination of the probiotic composition within the container. Delivery may be actuated in response to a timer, motion detector, fluid level sensor, RFID tag, or other mechanism to periodically or continuously dispense a dosage of probiotic composition directly to the soil surrounding a plant or to the water or feed for an animal. A method for increasing beneficial bacteria in an animal's GIT comprises adding probiotics to acidified drinking water.

Abstract: A composition for treating a water system or membrane fluid system, such as a reverse osmosis system, to remove scale, microorganisms and biofilm, and corrosion by-products. The composition comprises chelating agents and a surfactant. The composition may be a solid dissolved by water or solvent in the system being treated or may be a pre-mixed foam or aerosol. A method for using such a treatment composition comprises contacting the treatment composition with substantially all parts of the water system and draining the treatment composition from the system before resuming normal operations. For certain systems, the method also comprises draining some existing water in the water system to remove prior treatment compositions and filling or rinsing the system with fresh water prior to adding the treatment composition.

Abstract: A composition for treating a water system or membrane fluid system, such as a reverse osmosis system, to remove scale, microorganisms and biofilm, and corrosion by-products. The composition comprises chelating agents and a surfactant. The composition may be a solid dissolved by water or solvent in the system being treated or may be a pre-mixed foam or aerosol. A method for using such a treatment composition comprises contacting the treatment composition with substantially all parts of the water system and draining the treatment composition from the system before resuming normal operations. For certain systems, the method also comprises draining some existing water in the water system to remove prior treatment compositions and filling or rinsing the system with fresh water prior to adding the treatment composition.

Abstract: A composition for treating a water system to remove scale, microorganisms and biofilm, and corrosion by-products. The composition comprises chelating agents and a surfactant. Depending on the water system being treated, the composition may be a solid dissolved by water in the system being treated or may be a pre-mixed foam or aerosol. A treatment system particularly suitable for flowing water systems comprises a container for holding such a treatment composition and mixing it with a portion of water from the water system, a filter for removing solids dislodged during treatment, and a corrosion monitor. A method for using such a treatment composition comprises draining substantially all existing water in the water system, filling or rinsing the system with fresh water, contacting the treatment composition with substantially all parts of the water system, and draining the treatment composition from the system before resuming normal operations.

Abstract: Probiotic compositions that comprise one or more bacteria species in spore form, a thickener to form a stabilized suspension and to preferably act as a prebiotic, one or more acids or salts of acids, and optionally a water activity reducer. A system for delivering probiotic compositions by gravity feed or non-contact pump to a point of consumption by a plant or animal, preferably in conjunction with acidified drinking water, comprising a collapsible container with attachable tubing that prevent contamination of the probiotic composition within the container. Delivery may be actuated in response to a timer, motion detector, fluid level sensor, RFID tag, or other mechanism to periodically or continuously dispense a dosage of probiotic composition directly to the soil surrounding a plant or to the water or feed for an animal. A method for increasing beneficial bacteria in an animal's GIT comprises adding probiotics to acidified drinking water.

Abstract: A composition for treating a water system to remove scale, microorganisms and biofilm, and corrosion by-products. The composition comprises chelating agents and a surfactant. Depending on the water system being treated, the composition may be a solid dissolved by water in the system being treated or may be a pre-mixed foam or aerosol. A treatment system particularly suitable for flowing water systems comprises a container for holding such a treatment composition and mixing it with a portion of water from the water system, a filter for removing solids dislodged during treatment, and a corrosion monitor. A method for using such a treatment composition comprises draining substantially all existing water in the water system, filling or rinsing the system with fresh water, contacting the treatment composition with substantially all parts of the water system, and draining the treatment composition from the system before resuming normal operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling microorganisms using fluid pressure, vacuum or a combination thereof to create fluid flow that collects biological and chemical material on a filter element. The filter element is secured in a cartridge replaceably coupled to a hand-held sample collection device that provides a fluid drain downstream of the filter element. The cartridge allows a fluid to pass through the filter element in a manner that prevents cross-contamination of subsequent samples. The sample makes contact with only the filter cartridge before the fluid is drained. Accordingly, the source of the fluid is not contaminated because it remains at a higher pressure than either the sample or the fluid drain during operation. Subsequent filter elements avoid contamination by biological or chemical material from a previous sample.

Abstract: A method for the anodic electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas. The method comprises providing an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, providing nitrogen and hydrogen gases to the cathode, oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species and negatively charged hydrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form adsorbed nitrogen species and adsorbed hydrogen species, respectively, and reacting the adsorbed nitrogen species with the adsorbed hydrogen species to form ammonia. Nitrogen and hydrogen gases may be provided through a porous cathode substrate. The negatively charged nitrogen-containing species in the electrolyte may be produced by reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode and/or by supplying a nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the molten salt electrolyte.

Abstract: A method to demolish concrete that comprises electrically connecting rebar disposed within the concrete to a power supply, electrically connecting a counter electrode within electro-osmotic communication of the concrete to a power supply, and externally providing electrolyte as supplemental moisture for the concrete. An electric field is created within the concrete and causes water moisture to migrate toward the rebar thereby expediting the corrosion thereof. The corrosion of the rebar generates iron oxides, which because of their greater volume, cause areas of localized pressure within the concrete. As the corrosion process proceeds, an accumulation of oxides increases the localized pressure to cause cracking within the concrete.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas comprising providing an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, providing hydrogen gas to the anode, oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form an adsorbed nitrogen species, and reacting the hydrogen with the adsorbed nitrogen species to form ammonia. Preferably, the hydrogen gas is provided to the anode by passing the hydrogen gas through a porous anode substrate. It is also preferred to produce the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species in the electrolyte by reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode. However, the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species may also be provided by supplying a nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the molten salt electrolyte mixture in a sufficient amount to provide some or all of the nitrogen consumed in the production of ammonia.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas comprising providing an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, providing hydrogen gas to the anode, oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form an adsorbed nitrogen species, and reacting the hydrogen with the adsorbed nitrogen species to form ammonia. Preferably, the hydrogen gas is provided to the anode by passing the hydrogen gas through a porous anode substrate. It is also preferred to produce the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species in the electrolyte by reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode. However, the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species may also be provided by supplying a nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the molten salt electrolyte mixture in a sufficient amount to provide some or all of the nitrogen consumed in the production of ammonia.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas comprising providing an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, providing hydrogen gas to the anode, oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form an adsorbed nitrogen species, and reacting the hydrogen with the adsorbed nitrogen species to form ammonia. Preferably, the hydrogen gas is provided to the anode by passing the hydrogen gas through a porous anode substrate. It is also preferred to produce the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species in the electrolyte by reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode. However, the negatively charged nitrogen-containing species may also be provided by supplying a nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the molten salt electrolyte mixture in a sufficient amount to provide some or all of the nitrogen consumed in the production of ammonia.

Abstract: A method to demolish concrete that comprises electrically connecting rebar disposed within the concrete to a power supply, electrically connecting a counter electrode within electro-osmotic communication of the concrete to a power supply, and externally providing electrolyte as supplemental moisture for the concrete. An electric field is created within the concrete and causes water moisture to migrate toward the rebar thereby expediting the corrosion thereof. The corrosion of the rebar generates iron oxides, which because of their greater volume, cause areas of localized pressure within the concrete. As the corrosion process proceeds, an accumulation of oxides increases the localized pressure to cause cracking within the concrete.