Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for engineering protein activity. In an aspect, described herein are new predictive models that predict protein activity from its amino acid sequence (e.g., using a trained machine learning model and a physics-based simulation model). In another aspect, new prescriptive models identify one or more candidate proteins (e.g., for use in the predictive model) that can use a multi-objective search and optimization algorithm. In another aspect, predictive and prescriptive models can be combined, e.g., with the addition of high-throughput laboratory data which has been by analyzed by a descriptive model. In another aspect, described herein are systems and methods for high-throughput automated expression of a plurality of proteins. In another aspect, described herein are systems and methods for high-throughput automated functional screening of a plurality of proteins.

Abstract: A food cooker includes a cook base including a cook base side wall and a fire ring, the cook base side wall being substantially cylindrical, the cook base side wall defining a top edge and a bottom edge, the fire ring defining a flat bottom portion and a circumferential outer wall, the flat bottom portion contacting the bottom edge, the circumferential outer wall extending around a bottom portion of the cook base side wall; and a removable cover including a top and a heat source container, the removable cover contacting the top edge of the cook base side wall, the top facing upwards and opposite from the cook base, the heat source container extending upwards from the top, the heat source container defining a top heat source containment area.

Abstract: A method for cooking food can include placing food within an interior of a cook base, a ledge contacting the cook base, a fire ring positioned around the cook base, the fire ring, ledge, and cook base side wall defining a combustible heat source containment area exterior to the cook base side wall; mating a cover to a top edge of the cook base to define a substantially sealed interior cooking chamber, the cover including a cover heat source containment area; placing a first heat source within the combustible heat source containment area; placing a second heat source within the cover heat search containment area of the cover; and igniting the first heat source and the second heat source to cook the food within the substantially sealed interior cooking chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charcoal cooking of food utilizing a cook base and a removable cover mating with the cook base. The cooker has a substantially sealed interior cooking chamber for cooking food and an exterior portion with one charcoal heat source near the bottom of the cook base and another charcoal heat source on top of the removable cover, thereby separating the food and the fire.

Abstract: A method for cooking food can include placing food within an interior of a cook base, a ledge contacting the cook base, a fire ring positioned around the cook base, the fire ring, ledge, and cook base side wall defining a combustible heat source containment area exterior to the cook base side wall; mating a cover to a top edge of the cook base to define a substantially sealed interior cooking chamber, the cover including a cover heat source containment area; placing a first heat source within the combustible heat source containment area; placing a second heat source within the cover heat search containment area of the cover; and igniting the first heat source and the second heat source to cook the food within the substantially sealed interior cooking chamber.

Abstract: A portable fire pit includes a base for supporting and containing combustible material, a plurality of legs for supporting the base above the ground or other surface, and a plurality of fire screens movably mounted to the base for movement between a first, compact position for transport and storage of the portable fire pit and a second, extended position in which the screens are substantially upright to contain the fire. Each of the fire screens comprises a frame and a wire screen mounted therein. Additionally, the fire screens are movably mounted to the base using sliding hinges and guides such that in the second, extended position the fire screens are maintained in the upright position by the guides.

Abstract: A portable fire pit includes a base for supporting and containing combustible material, a plurality of legs for supporting the base above the ground or other surface, and a plurality of fire screens movably mounted to the base for movement between a first, compact position for transport and storage of the portable fire pit and a second, extended position in which the screens are substantially upright to contain the fire. Each of the fire screens comprises a frame and a wire screen mounted therein. Additionally, the fire screens are movably mounted to the base using sliding hinges and guides such that in the second, extended position the fire screens are maintained in the upright position by the guides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charcoal cooking of food utilizing a cook base and a removable cover mating with the cook base. The cooker has a substantially sealed interior cooking chamber for cooking food and an exterior portion with one charcoal heat source near the bottom of the cook base and another charcoal heat source on top of the removable cover, thereby separating the food and the fire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charcoal cooking of food utilizing a cook base and a removable cover mating with the cook base. The cooker has a substantially sealed interior cooking chamber for cooking food and an exterior portion with one charcoal heat source near the bottom of the cook base and another charcoal heat source on top of the removable cover, thereby separating the food and the fire.