Abstract: Lignin compositions, lignin particles, products containing them, viscous paste containing lignin, lignin formulations, spinning methods, fibers, products produced from the fibers, methods to produce processed products from lignin, methods to produce downstream products, manufacturing processes and related products are described.

Abstract: Processes for converting lignocellulose to feedstock and downstream products are disclosed. The processes may include acid treatment of lignocellulose to produce a fermentation feedstock. In various instances, the processes include recovery or recycling of acid, such as recovery of hydrochloric acid from concentrated and/or dilute streams. Downstream products may include acrylic acid-based products such as diapers, paper and paper-based products, ethanol, biofuels such as biodiesel and fuel additives, and detergents.

Abstract: A system comprising: (a) a transmitter adapted to provide an audio signal output comprising an embedded data element imperceptible to a human being of normal auditory acuity when said audio signal output is played through speakers wherein said embedded data element is embedded using phase modulation; and (b) an audio receiver adapted to receive said audio signal output and extract said embedded data element and respond to at least a portion of the data in said embedded data element.

Abstract: An article comprises a substrate, a first functional polymeric phase change material, and a plurality of containment structures that contain the first functional polymeric phase change material. The article may further comprise a second phase change material chemically bound to at least one of the plurality of containment structures or the substrate. In certain embodiments, the article further comprises a second phase change material and a binder that contains at least one of the first polymeric phase change material and the second phase change material.

Abstract: A method comprising: (a) providing a lignocellulosic substrate; (b) contacting said lignocellulosic substrate with an extractant comprising a water-soluble organic solvent to form an extracted substrate and a miscella; (c) removing miscella from said extracted substrate; and (d) hydrolyzing said extracted substrate using a chemically catalyzed process.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for minimizing the emission of particulate matter and precursors thereof from a flue gas stream of an engine comprising particulate matter and precursors thereof and at least one gaseous component. The process includes the steps of obtaining a flue gas stream of an engine comprising particulate matter and precursors thereof; increasing the moisture content of the stream by contacting it with a first aqueous medium in an amount and at a temperature at which at least 50% of the water content of the first aqueous medium is evaporated; whereby a moisture laden gas stream, optionally containing suspension droplets, is formed; cooling the moisture laden gas stream whereby suspension droplets are formed; and applying a centrifugal force to the moisture laden gas stream and to the suspension droplets to effect the swirling thereof, whereby a treated gaseous stream and an aqueous stream are formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of at least one of a fermentation product and a derivate thereof comprising the steps of: a. providing a fermentable aqueous solution comprising at least one fermentable compound and at least one impurity; b. selectively extracting the at least one impurity from at least a portion of the fermentable aqueous solution by means of an extractant to form an impurity-depleted fermentable solution comprising a fermentable compound and to form an impurity-comprising extract; and c. fermenting the fermentable compound of the impurity-depleted fermentable solution to form a fermentation broth comprising a fermentation product wherein the extractant comprises at least one of the fermentation product and a derivate thereof.

Abstract: An article comprises a substrate, a first functional polymeric phase change material, and a plurality of containment structures that contain the first functional polymeric phase change material. The article may further comprise a second phase change material chemically bound to at least one of the plurality of containment structures or the substrate. In certain embodiments, the article further comprises a second phase change material and a binder that contains at least one of the first polymeric phase change material and the second phase change material. The containment structure may be a microcapsule or a particulate confinement material.

Abstract: A method comprising: (a) providing a lignocellulosic substrate; (b) contacting said lignocellulosic substrate with an extractant comprising a water-soluble organic solvent to form an extracted substrate and a miscella; (c) removing miscella from said extracted substrate; and (d) hydrolyzing said extracted substrate using a chemically catalyzed process.

Abstract: The invention provides an organic phase composition comprising: a. a first component selected from the group consisting of quaternary amines; b. a second component selected from: b1. The group consisting of category B organic acids; b2. The group consisting of a mixtures of category B organic acids and category C organic acids at a B/C molar ratio of RB/C; and b3. The group consisting of a mixtures of category A organic acids and category C organic acids at an A/C molar ratio of RA/C; c. a third component selected from the group consisting of solvents for said first component and for said second component, wherein (i) all three components are oil-soluble and water-insoluble; (ii) the molar concentration of each of said first component and said second component is greater than 0.6 mol/Kg; (iii) the molar ratio between said second component and said first component is greater than 0.

Abstract: A material for energy management and peak energy reduction in a building structure, comprises an insulative base material, a first phase change material, and a functional polymeric phase change material that dynamically absorbs and releases heat to adjust heat transfer. The functional polymeric phase change material has at least one phase change temperature in the range between ?10° C. and 100° C. and a phase change enthalpy of at least 5 Joules per gram, the functional polymeric phase change material including a plurality of polymer chains that include a backbone chain and a plurality of side chains, wherein a first portion of the plurality of polymer chains are crosslinked to each other, wherein a second portion of the plurality of polymer chains are crosslinked with the first phase change material and a third portion of the plurality of side chains are mechanically entangled with the inorganic insulative base material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic phase composition comprising: (a) a first solvent (S1) characterized by a water solubility of less than 10% and by at least one of (a1) having a polarity related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter (delta-P) between 5 and 10 MPa1/2 and (b1) having a Hydrogen bonding related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter (delta-H) between 5 and 20 MPa1/2; (b) a second solvent (S2) characterized by a water solubility of at least 30% and by at least one of (a2) having a delta-P greater than 8 MPa1/2 and (b2) having a delta-H greater than 12 MPa1/2; (c) water; (d) HCl; and (e) a carbohydrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic phase composition comprising (f) a first solvent (S1) characterized by water solubility of less than 10% and by at least one of (a1) having a polarity related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter (delta-P) between 5 and 10 mPa1/2 and (b1) having a Hydrogen bonding related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter (delta-H) between 5 and 20 MPa1/2; (g) a second solvent (S2) characterized by water solubility of at least 30% and by at least one of (a2) having a delta-P greater than 8 MPa1/2 and (b2) having a delta-H greater than 12 MPa1/2; (h) water (i) HCl, and (j) a chloride salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic phase composition comprising (a) a first solvent (S1) characterized by water solubility of less than 10% and by at least one of (a1) having a polarity related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter (delta-P) between 5 and 10 MPa1/2 and (b1) having a Hydrogen bonding related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter (delta-H) between 5 and 20 MPa1/2; (b) a second solvent (S2) characterized by a water solubility of at least 30% and by at least one of (a2) having delta-P greater than 8 MPa1/2 and (b2) having delta-H greater than 12 MPa1/2; (c) water; (d) a non-volatile strong acid; and (e) a salt thereof.

Abstract: A viscous fluid comprising 2% wt to 25% wt water, at least 75% wt carbohydrate (calculated by 100×[carbohydrate/(carbohydrate weight+water weight)]), between 0% wt and 25% wt of a second organic solvent and between 10% wt and 55% wt HCl (calculated by 100×[HCl weight/HCl weight+water weight]), which second organic solvent is characterized by at least one of: (a2) having a polarity related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter between 0 and 15 MPa1/2; (b2) having a Hydrogen bonding related component of Hoy's cohesion parameter between 0 and 20 MPa1/2; and (c2) having a solubility in water of less than 15% and forming a heterogeneous azeotrope with water, wherein the weight/weight ratio of said second organic solvent to water is in the range of between 50 and 0.02, and wherein the solubility of water in said organic solvent is less than 20%.

Abstract: The invention describes a propeller-less turbine for the conversion of linear flow energy to rotary power. The turbine is based on a plurality of hollow elements, with at least one element having a tapered helical structure. Inlet and outlet define a chamber through which air or water may flow, energy from the flow being delivered to the body of the turbine and thus allowing for highly efficient conversion of linear to rotary energy.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated method for the processing of palm fruit bunches to oil and other products. The method comprises inter alia separating palm fruit carrying bunches into fruits and lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, processing the fruits to form palm oil, and at least one lignocellulosic processing coproduct; generating an aqueous stream; producing a non-oil, non-alcohol, non-fatty acid ester third product from the oil, the lignocellulosic processing coproduct, the aqueous stream or from a combination thereof; processing at least a portion of the lignocellulosic empty fruit bunches, lignocellulosic processing coproduct or a combination thereof into a fourth product and optionally producing at least one fifth conversion product from the fourth product; and using at least a portion of the fourth product or a product of its conversion or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a thermally regulating construction material comprises a base material and a polymeric phase change material bound to the base material, wherein the base material provides reversible temperature regulation properties to the building construction material. In accordance with another aspect, an insulation material for use in building construction comprises a base material and a polymeric phase change material bound to the base material, wherein the base material provides reversible temperature regulation properties to the insulation material. The base material may be selected from the group consisting of foam insulation, loose fill insulation, and batted insulation.

Abstract: A method comprising: (a) enzymatically processing an O-acetylhomoserine (OAHS) fermentation liquor to produce L-methionine and an acetate source; (b) separating at least a portion of said L-methionine from at least a fraction of said acetate source to form separated L-methionine and a residual liquor comprising an acetate-source; and (c) recovering at least a portion of said acetate source from said residual liquor as recovered acetate.

Abstract: A method including: (a) contacting lime with an extract including an S1 solvent carrying a contaminant load to form a lime treated extract; and (b) reducing the contaminant load by removing solids.