Abstract: Methods of producing renewable materials may include consuming a fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce a renewable material in fermentation broth; water may then be separated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations, or the renewable material may be concentrated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations. Methods of producing biofuel components may include consuming a lignocellulosic or sugar fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce either ethanol or butanol in fermentation broth; cooling the feedstock or broth to solidify at least some water therein; and separating the solidified water from the feedstock or broth using a solid-liquid phase separation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predictive drop shipping are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include maintaining inventory of an item that is offered for sale to customers via a webpage. A ratio may be calculated between a number of views of the webpage and a number of units of the item purchased over a first time period when a fast shipping or delivery option is available, and over a second time period when such option is not available. The method may identify the item as a candidate for drop shipping in response to the ratio being larger during the first time period than during the second time period. Upon receipt of an order, the received order may be fulfilled via drop shipping, in some cases, despite the inventory being sufficient to fulfill the order, and despite a cost of fulfillment via drop shipping being higher than fulfillment from inventory.