Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sample such as a sheet of material. The apparatuses and methods may employ a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from a lumen for absorption by the sample.

Abstract: A digestion apparatus is provided that include a vessel, a closure, and a fluid-transporting system. The vessel has a digestion chamber therein and an opening that provides access to the digestion chamber. The closure is adapted to interface with the vessel opening to form a fluid-tight seal against a digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. The fluid-transporting system is adapted to direct fluid out of the digestion chamber back into the digestion chamber through an inlet port. A fluid transfer line may be interfaced with the closure, the line comprising a flexible hose and a quick-disconnect fitting, the fitting comprised of first portion associated with a self-sealing valve and a second portion that when mated downstream from the first portion allows fluid flow from the digestion chamber through the fitting.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sample such as a sheet of material. The apparatuses and methods may employ a variety of support structures that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from a lumen for absorption by the sample and measurement of the fluid transportation.

Abstract: A digestion apparatus is provided that include a vessel, a closure, and a fluid-transporting system. The vessel has a digestion chamber therein and an opening that provides access to the digestion chamber. The closure is adapted to interface with the vessel opening to form a fluid-tight seal against a digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. The fluid-transporting system is adapted to direct fluid out of the digestion chamber back into the digestion chamber through an inlet port. The apparatus may include improved fluid heating, sample holding, safety and/or circulation options. Also provided are digestion methods that may use the digestion apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses for measuring wetting, absorption, and/or other mechanisms of fluid transportation by a sample of particulates. The apparatus may include a container holding a fluid, a means for measuring fluid in the container, and a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that allows fluid to flow from the container to a conduit opening. Also included is a sample holder in fluid communication with the conduit opening. The holder may have a surface on which the sample may be placed to absorb fluid from the conduit opening against gravity without falling into the conduit opening. In addition or in the alternative, the holder may be constructed and situated in a manner effective to draw fluid from the conduit opening to provide a controlled reservoir of fluid for absorption by the sample against gravity. Methods using saturated a porous medium is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for digesting samples. The apparatus includes a vessel, a closure, and a fluid transporting system. The vessel has a digestion chamber therein that contains a sample holder, e.g., with a plurality of weights, the holder being accessible through a vessel opening. Typically, a vessel flange circumscribes the chamber at the chamber's opening, and the closure has a closure flange that may interface with the vessel flange to form a fluid-tight seal against a digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. The fluid-transporting system may direct digestion fluid out of the digestion chamber through a submerged outlet port and back into the digestion chamber through an inlet port that traverses through the closure or the vessel flange. Such a fluid transporting system may be set up to allow the sample holder have a high volumetric capacity, e.g., at least 75% of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for digesting samples. The apparatus includes a vessel, a closure, and a fluid transporting system. The vessel has a digestion chamber therein that contains a sample holder, e.g., with a plurality of weights, the holder being accessible through a vessel opening. Typically, a vessel flange circumscribes the chamber at the chamber's opening, and the closure has a closure flange that may interface with the vessel flange to form a fluid-tight seal against a digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. The fluid-transporting system may direct digestion fluid out of the digestion chamber through a submerged outlet port and back into the digestion chamber through an inlet port that traverses through the closure or the vessel flange. Such a fluid transporting system may be set up to allow the sample holder have a high volumetric capacity, e.g., at least 75% of the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sample such as a sheet of material. The apparatuses and methods may employ a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from a lumen for absorption by the sample.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for digesting cellulosic material that includes a vessel containing a digestion chamber and having an opening that provides access to the digestion chamber. A container for holding the cellulosic material is located within the digestion chamber. A closure interfaces with the vessel opening to form a seal against a predetermined digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. A fluid-transporting system directs digestion fluids from a supply in the digestion chamber through a port and the container toward any cellulosic material therein. Digestion fluid distributed from the port through the container soaks the cellulosic material. Also provided are processes for digestion cellulosic material.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sheet of material. Typically, the sheet is immobilized on an upper surface of a support structure. A container holding a fluid is provided along with a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to one or more terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet. Optionally, a porous medium is placed in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The apparatuses and methods provide a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from the lumen against gravity for absorption by the sheet.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses for measuring wetting, absorption, and/or other mechanisms of fluid transportation by a sample of particulates. The apparatus may include a container holding a fluid, a means for measuring fluid in the container, and a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that allows fluid to flow from the container to a conduit opening. Also included is a sample holder in fluid communication with the conduit opening. The holder may have a surface on which the sample may be placed to absorb fluid from the conduit opening against gravity without falling into the conduit opening. In addition or in the alternative, the holder may be constructed and situated in a manner effective to draw fluid from the conduit opening to provide a controlled reservoir of fluid for absorption by the sample against gravity. Methods using saturated a porous medium is also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sheet of material. Typically, the sheet is immobilized on an upper surface of a support structure. A container holding a fluid is provided along with a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to one or more terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet. Optionally, a porous medium is placed in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The apparatuses and methods provide a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from the lumen against gravity for absorption by the sheet.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for digesting cellulosic material that includes a vessel containing a digestion chamber and having an opening that provides access to the digestion chamber. A container for holding the cellulosic material is located within the digestion chamber. A closure interfaces with the vessel opening to form a seal against a predetermined digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. A fluid-transporting system directs digestion fluids from a supply in the digestion chamber through a port and the container toward any cellulosic material therein. Digestion fluid distributed from the port through the container soaks the cellulosic material. Also provided are processes for digestion cellulosic material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a lithiated lithium manganese oxide spinel of the formula Li.sub.(1+x)Mn.sub.2 0.sub.4 comprising contacting a lithium manganese oxide spinel of the formula LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 with a lithium carboxylate compound, at a temperature and for a time sufficient to decompose the carboxylate compound and free the lithium to form said lithiated spinel.