Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: Electronic camera filters comprise an electronic display configured for use with a camera system to provide different levels of image filtering, as a neutral density filter, for passage to a camera. The electronic display is programmable so that it may be calibrated to provide different desired filter levels associated with different settings of a camera lens iris, focus, zoom, or light meter measurement. The electronic display may be calibrated manually or by calibration information stored or otherwise downloaded into electronic display memory. The ability to program and calibrate the filter level setting enables the electronic display to be operated in synchrony with the camera lens iris, focus, zoom, or light meter it is calibrated with to provide a desired combined or synergistic optical characteristic. The electronic display may be controlled to provide synchronized operation by the same controller used to control the camera lens iris, focus, and/or or zoom.

Abstract: A Keyway Trigger System with a dry fire prevention nock is provided for use in a crossbow. The System ensures proper, full engagement of the dry fire prevention nock with a crossbow string such that the crossbow will only fire when an arrow is loaded correctly. The nock is received in a slotted opening forming a keyway adapted to be engaged by surfaces of the profiled dry fire prevention nock such that only when an arrow is properly loaded into the keyway, aligned with trigger latch members and fully engaged with the crossbow string then the trigger moves from a non-firing position to a firing position allowing the arrow to be fired. The Keyway Trigger System prevents dry fire and partial dry fire, eliminates risk of damage to the crossbow, eliminates potential risk of injury to a user, and improves accuracy and reliability of the flight trajectory of the arrow.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification. The solid component is generated by a method comprising: introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream. In one embodiment, the solid component contacted with the solution is further subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis and/or fermentation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material, particularly on a larger scale, such as on the commercialization or industrial scale. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises (a) generating at least about 10 tons of prepared biomass material by adding a microbe, optionally an acid, and optionally, an enzyme to a solid biomass; (b) storing the prepared biomass material for at least about 24 hours in a storage facility to allow production of at least one volatile organic compound from at least a portion of the sugar in the solid biomass; and (c) capturing the at least one volatile organic compound by using a solventless recovery system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the vapor component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the vapor component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of volatile organic compounds and higher hydrocarbons from biomass material. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a digestive solvent to form a digested biomass stream, and at least a portion of the digested biomass is further thermocatalytically treated to generate higher hydrocarbons. The solid component is generated by a method comprising introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the animal feed product of the present invention is devolatilized. In addition, in various embodiments, the animal feed of the present invention is already size-reduced, which allows ease of handling and transport, such as further densification, including pelletization and/or other formatting process for rail transportation. In various embodiments, the animal feed of the present invention has a low sulfur content, high amount of ADF, and/or high amount of starch to meet desired nutritional amounts, which further can allow it to be a substantial or complete replacement of forage. In addition, in certain embodiments, grain is preferably not used in the production of the animal feed, but rather vegetative material is used instead.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification, and contacting the at least one fermentable sugar with a microorganism capable of using the at least one fermentable sugar to generate a hydrocarbon. The solid component is generated by introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material, particularly on a larger scale, such as on the commercialization or industrial scale. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises (a) generating at least about 10 tons of prepared biomass material by adding a microbe, optionally an acid, and optionally, an enzyme to a solid biomass; (b) storing the prepared biomass material for at least about 24 hours in a storage facility to allow production of at least one volatile organic compound from at least a portion of the sugar in the solid biomass; and (c) capturing the at least one volatile organic compound by using a solventless recovery system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification. The solid component is generated by a method comprising: introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream. In one embodiment, the solid component contacted with the solution is further subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis and/or fermentation.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial production process includes one or more sensors configured to facilitate generating process data and a processor configured to calculate a value of a monitoring variable using the process data. The monitoring variable is optimized with respect to an abnormal space of a process space. The process space includes process parameters and principle components of a multivariate model of the process. The abnormal space includes a subspace of the process space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerating fountain for use in aerating water and producing aesthetically appealing water sprays. The fountain has a float with an aperture running through its center. It has an electric motor with an impeller coupled to its shaft. The motor is mounted to the float such that the impeller is adjacent to the float aperture. The fountain has a nozzle plate having a set of nozzles. The nozzle plate is releasably coupled to a top side of the float such that one of the nozzles is disposed directly above the float aperture. The nozzle plate is coupled to the float in such a manner that it may be easily adjusted to bring a different nozzle into alignment with the float aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for measuring blood pressure by providing an inflatable cuff and pulse sensing means for fixing to a digit such as, for example, a finger or toe, and electrical control circuit means for converting a sense pulsed into a visual or audible indication, pneumatic means for transmitting the sensed pulse to the converting means and pressure means for measuring the pressure exerted in the cuff, the arrangement being such that with the cuff in a operative position on the body, progressive inflation/deflation of the cuff is effected until pulse sensing means just detect the presence of the pulse thus providing an indication of the systolic blood pressure.