Abstract: A method of producing and separating an alkene, such as ethylene, from an alkane, such as ethane. The method comprises subjecting a feedstock comprising ethane to oxidative dehydrogenation to produce an ethylene stream. The ethylene stream is passed through a membrane separation unit to separate the ethylene from unreacted ethane in the ethylene stream. The ethylene is recovered from the membrane separation unit. A system configured to produce ethylene is also disclosed. The system comprises at least one ODH reactor, a heat management unit coupled to the at least one ODH reactor, and at least one membrane separation unit comprising at least one membrane. The ODH reactor is configured to convert ethane to ethylene. The heat management unit is configured to reduce a temperature of the ethylene. The at least one membrane is configured to separate the ethylene from unreacted ethane.

Abstract: In one aspect, there are provided methods for producing porous metallic structures, wherein the methods involve the use of collagen fibrils on the nanometer scale as a “sacrificial” scaffold upon which metal particles are deposited. Also disclosed are structures comprising a porous metallic matrix having favorable strength, porosity, and density characteristics. Structures produced in accordance with the present disclosure are useful for, inter alia, the fabrication of devices such as filters, heat exchangers, sound absorbers, electrochemical cathodes, fuel cells, catalyst supports, fluid treatment units, lightweight structures and biomaterials.

Abstract: In one aspect, there are provided methods for producing porous metallic structures, wherein the methods involve the use of collagen fibrils on the nanometer scale as a “sacrificial” scaffold upon which metal particles are deposited. Also disclosed are structures comprising a porous metallic matrix having favorable strength, porosity, and density characteristics. Structures produced in accordance with the present disclosure are useful for, inter alia, the fabrication of devices such as filters, heat exchangers, sound absorbers, electrochemical cathodes, fuel cells, catalyst supports, fluid treatment units, lightweight structures and biomaterials.

Abstract: In one aspect, there are provided methods for producing porous metallic structures, wherein the methods involve the use of collagen fibrils on the nanometer scale as a “sacrificial” scaffold upon which metal particles are deposited. Also disclosed are structures comprising a porous metallic matrix having favorable strength, porosity, and density characteristics. Structures produced in accordance with the present disclosure are useful for, inter alia, the fabrication of devices such as filters, heat exchangers, sound absorbers, electrochemical cathodes, fuel cells, catalyst supports, fluid treatment units, lightweight structures and biomaterials.

Abstract: In one aspect, there are provided methods for producing porous metallic structures, wherein the methods involve the use of collagen fibrils on the nanometer scale as a “sacrificial” scaffold upon which metal particles are deposited. Also disclosed are structures comprising a porous metallic matrix having favorable strength, porosity, and density characteristics. Structures produced in accordance with the present disclosure are useful for, inter alia, the fabrication of devices such as filters, heat exchangers, sound absorbers, electrochemical cathodes, fuel cells, catalyst supports, fluid treatment units, lightweight structures and biomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the production of collagen-based products in the form of dispersions and macroporous structures using untreated raw fibrillar type I corium as the starting material. The resulting dispersions have improved characteristics making them ideal for use in environmental applications as a settling aid, a filtration aid, a fractionation medium, an oil droplet stabilizer, a water purification aid, and a water siphoning aid. The dispersions may be further treated in accordance with the methods described herein to form macroporous structures suitable for biotechnological applications including use as a cell culturing substrate and non-biotechnological applications including use as an organic aerogel.

Abstract: TBA is prepared by a process wherein isobutane is continuously oxidized to a TBA/TBHP mixture, TBA is recovered from the mixture and TBHP is recycled to the isobutane oxidation step wherein it is converted to TBA at the isobutane oxidation conditions.

Abstract: Weighted collagen microsponges having a highly crosslinked collagen matrix are described suitable for use in culturing organisms in motive reactor systems. The microsponges have an open to the surface pore structure, and pore sizes and volumes suitable for immobilizing a variety of bioactive materials. The microsponges also have an average particle size in the range of about 100 to about 1000 microns and a specific gravity above about 1.05.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which includes the steps of separating a mixture of lower alkanes to form a first fraction containing predominately methane and at least one second fraction containing predominately C.sub.2 + alkanes; dehydrogenating the second C.sub.2 + fraction to form an effluent comprising C.sub.2 + olefins; contacting the methane fraction with an oxide of a metal which oxide when contacted with methane at between about 500.degree. and 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water; and oligomerizing the C.sub.2 + olefin fraction and the methane contacting effluent to produce higher hydrocarbon products.