Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions of microparticles and uses thereof for removing toxic or undesirable molecules from an environment, e.g. the blood of a subject. The microparticles can be liposomes. In one embodiment, the aqueous phase of the liposomes contains (i) a system of generating NAD+ from NADH, and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NAD+-dependent reactions that remove the toxic or undesirable molecules from the environment. In one embodiment, the liposomes contain NADH oxidase, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to remove ethanol from the blood of a subject.

Abstract: Examples of a moisture induced bioluminescent composition are disclosed. The moisture induced bioluminescent composition includes luciferin granulates and a mixture of a dried luciferase enzyme and one or both of at least one cofactor and at least one excipient. The luciferin granulates are mixed with the dried luciferase mixture forming an unreactive composition that is configured to produce a luminescence when exposed to moisture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions of microparticles and uses thereof for removing toxic or undesirable molecules from an environment, e.g. the blood of a subject. The microparticles can be liposomes. In one embodiment, the aqueous phase of the liposomes contains (i) a system of generating NAD+ from NADH, and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NAD+-dependent reactions that remove the toxic or undesirable molecules from the environment. In one embodiment, the liposomes contain NADH oxidase, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to remove ethanol from the blood of a subject.

Abstract: Biofilm-enhanced textiles and methods of preparing same are disclosed. The biofilm-enhanced textiles include a textile; and a biofilm comprising one or more microorganisms and an extracellular material, the one or more microorganisms being engineered to express one or more proteins on a cell surface to adhere to the textile, and to express one or more genes that produce a response to changes within the textile or to an environment surrounding the textile.

Abstract: Synthetic minimal cells (SMC) are provided for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a subject or to a site within a subject in need of treatment or diagnosis. SMCs may be targeted to the site or sense the site and initiate production and release of the therapeutic or diagnostic agent. SMCs comprise a sensor, at least one genetic circuit and outputting means to deliver the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions of microparticles and uses thereof for removing toxic or undesirable molecules from an environment, e.g. the blood of a subject. The microparticles can be liposomes. In one embodiment, the aqueous phase of the liposomes contains (i) a system of generating NAD+ from NADH, and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NAD+-dependent reactions that remove the toxic or undesirable molecules from the environment. In one embodiment, the liposomes contain NADH oxidase, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to remove ethanol from the blood of a subject.

Abstract: A general method is described for purifying any protein from a complex mixture by anchoring the protein of interest to liposomes that can be easily isolated from the complex mixture, then separated from the liposome and purified if desired.

Abstract: The static mixer (1) includes at least one vane pair (2; 2a, 2b) for the generation of a flow swirl (300) in the direction (30) of a passage flow (3). Edges of the vanes at the front at the leading side are perpendicular to the passage flow and parallel to a height of the passage (10). Onflow surfaces following downstream are bent out in a concave manner and in opposite senses. Each vane (2a, 2b) is formed as an aerodynamically designed body which includes an end wall (20), a convex side wall (21) and a concave side wall (22). The end wall has a convex shape or a shape of a leading edge. The vane cross-sections perpendicular to the side walls in particular have similar shapes to cross-sections of aeroplane wings.

Abstract: A static mixing element for installation in a hollow body (10) includes a plurality of bar elements, with a first arrangement (21) including at least one first bar element (3) and being arranged cross-wise with respect to a second arrangement (31) which includes at least one second bar element (4). The first arrangement (21) and the second arrangement (31) include an angle different from 0° to the main direction of flow. The first arrangement includes an angle larger than 0° with the second arrangement. On projection of the first arrangement (21) and of the second arrangement (31) onto a projection plane which is disposed normal to the main direction of flow, intermediate spaces are disposed at least partly between mutually adjacent bar elements.

Abstract: A static mixing element for installation in a hollow body (10) includes a plurality of bar elements, with a first arrangement (21) including at least one first bar element (3) and being arranged cross-wise with respect to a second arrangement (31) which includes at least one second bar element (4). The first arrangement (21) and the second arrangement (31) include an angle different from 0° to the main direction of flow. The first arrangement includes an angle larger than 0° with the second arrangement. On projection of the first arrangement (21) and of the second arrangement (31) onto a projection plane which is disposed normal to the main direction of flow, intermediate spaces are disposed at least partly between mutually adjacent bar elements.

Abstract: The static mixer (1) includes at least one vane pair (2; 2a, 2b) for the generation of a flow swirl (300) in the direction (30) of a passage flow (3). Edges of the vanes at the front at the leading side are perpendicular to the passage flow and parallel to a height of the passage (10). Onflow surfaces following downstream are bent out in a concave manner and in opposite senses. Each vane (2a, 2b) is formed as an aerodynamically designed body which includes an end wall (20), a convex side wall (21) and a concave side wall (22). The end wall has a convex shape or a shape of a leading edge. The vane cross-sections perpendicular to the side walls in particular have similar shapes to cross-sections of aeroplane wings.

Abstract: The static mixer has a polymorphic structure that can be used for mixing or homogenizing a fluid medium. The mixer has at least two sections arranged in a tube one after the other in the longitudinal direction. Baffles of the first section that are effective to promote mixing redistribute the medium to be mixed largely globally over the entire cross-section of the tube. Baffles of the second section that are effective to promote mixing effect largely local mixing in partial regions, which in each case contain only one part of the tube cross-section. The baffles of both sections have the same or approximately equally large hydraulic diameters.

Abstract: The static mixer has a polymorphic structure that can be used for mixing or homogenizing a fluid medium. The mixer has at least two sections arranged in a tube one after the other in the longitudinal direction. Baffles of the first section that are effective to promote mixing redistribute the medium to be mixed largely globally over the entire cross-section of the tube. Baffles of the second section that are effective to promote mixing effect largely local mixing in partial regions, which in each case contain only one part of the tube cross-section. The baffles of both sections have the same or approximately equally large hydraulic diameters.

Abstract: A counterflow column that includes a liquid distributor including a plurality of tubular or trough-like distributor members. The distributor members are arranged in a column above a packing such that a plurality of partial flows develop in an upwardly flowing gas at the level of the distributor members. Stagnation zones are present between the packing and the distributor members. Through screen-off structure, not required per se for a liquid output, the stagnation zones and/or the flow of a liquid to be distributed are influenced such that a liquid, after emerging from the distributor members and prior to entry into the packing, traverses in free fall through the stagnation zones, and where appropriate also further regions, in which the gas flow is largely free of horizontal velocity components. The gas flow may also be influenced by a suitable shaping of the distributor members.

Abstract: The counterflow column (1) contains a liquid distributor (2) having a plurality of tubular or trough-like distributor members (21). These distributor members are arranged in a column above a packing (3) in such a manner that a plurality of partial flows (40) develop in an upwardly flowing gas (4) at the level of the distributor members. Stagnation zones (45) are present between the packing and the distributor members. Through additional means (24), which are not required per se for a liquid output, the stagnation zones and/or the flow of a liquid (5) to be distributed are influenced in such a manner that a liquid (50), after emerging from the distributor members and prior to entry into the packing, traverses in free fall the stagnation zones and where appropriate also further regions in which the gas flow is largely free of horizontal velocity components. The gas flow can also be influenced by means of a suitable shaping of the distributor members.

Abstract: With the method a fluid (4) is fed into an apparatus (1), in particular into a column, in which an infeed tube (2) for the fluid opens into a deflection unit (3). This deflection unit is arranged at a vertical distance from installations (10), in particular a column packing. Two partial flows (41, 42) are formed in the deflection unit which flow largely mirror symmetrically along an inner wall of the apparatus (1) and then, after a reunion, form a backwardly moving flow (44), the horizontal velocity component of which is directed radially to the deflection unit. At least one third partial flow (43) is formed by the deflection unit which is directed radially and oppositely with respect to the backwardly moving flow of the reunited partial flows. The third partial flow is developed so strongly that the backwardly moving flow is largely prevented from flowing through the column center.

Abstract: A liquid distributor for packing columns. The liquid distributor includes at least one tubular or trough-like distributor member including outlet openings for an output of liquid in the form of jets. Screens are arranged ahead of the outlet openings onto which the incident liquid jets are deformed to liquid films flowing off. The outlet openings screen the outlet openings against an upwardly flowing gas flow. In the event of a maximum output of liquid, the liquid jets are incident onto the screens at angles that are less than 60°, and even as much as less than 10°.

Abstract: The material exchange column contains a packing which can be installed in the horizontal position of the column. The column has a ring gap between the packing and the column wall in which collars are arranged. The latter each comprise a band-shaped region (30) which lies in contact with the packing. At the upper edge of the band-shaped collar regions there adjoin spring-elastically connected surface pieces which produce a bridge to the wall and which are provided for a return conduction of the liquid from the wall to the packing during the operation of the column. It applies at least for some of the collars that the latter have elevations in their band-shaped regions which hold the ring gap open in a form-stable manner under the load of the packing when the column lies horizontally.

Abstract: The distributor device for a column includes a system of distributor tubes and nozzles for a fluid. The outlet apertures of the nozzles are preferably all arranged at the same height. At least a portion of the nozzles are manufactured of similar glass tube pieces. Each outlet aperture has a border which is formed by an edge produced by a milling cut and is otherwise untreated or by an untreated, broken glass edge.