Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for depolymerizing lignin. Prior to depolymerization, a lignin compound such as an isolated lignin with little or no crosslinking is oxidized. Lignin depolymerization includes electrochemically reducing the oxidized lignin compound by application of an electrical current through a reaction medium containing the oxidized lignin compound therein. The reaction medium can be an aqueous electrolyte medium including water, a lower alkanol solvent, an electrolyte, and a base or other pH-adjusting agent to maintain the reaction medium at an alkaline pH during electroreductive cleavage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for electrochemical reductive carboxylation of an unsaturated organic substrate to form a dicarboxylic organic product. The unsaturated organic substrate is electrochemically reduced with a carbon dioxide reactant in an ionically conductive, water-immiscible reactant medium to form the dicarboxylic organic product. The dicarboxylic organic product is recovered in an aqueous product medium. Example dicarboxylic organic products include phthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, and 1,12-dodecanedioic acid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of forming a dihydrochalcone using electrocatalytic dehydrogenation. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods of forming a dihydrochalcone electrocatalytically hydrogenating (ECH) a reactant compound over a catalytic cathode in a reaction medium having a non-alkaline pH value, thereby forming a dihydrochalcone product; wherein the reactant compound has a structure according to Formula (I). The method can be used to prepare dihydrochalcone sweeteners, such as, for example, naringin dihydrochalcone and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrolyzer reactor suitable for the reduction of organic compounds. The reactor includes a membrane electrode assembly with freestanding metallic meshes which serve both as metallic electrode structures for electron transport as well as catalytic surfaces for electron generation and organic compound reduction. Suitable organic compounds for reduction include oxygenated and/or unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, in particular those characteristic of bio-oil (e.g., alone or a multicomponent mixtures). The reactor and related methods provide a resource- and energy-efficient approach to organic compound reduction, in particular for bio-oil mixtures which can be conveniently upgraded at or near their point of production with minimal or no transportation.

Abstract: A process and related electrode composition are disclosed for the electrocatalytic hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-derived bio-oil components by the production of hydrogen atoms on a catalyst surface followed by the reaction of the hydrogen atoms with the organic compounds in bio-oil. The catalyst is a metal supported on a monolithic high surface area material such as activated carbon cloth. Electrocatalytic hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation stabilizes the bio-oil under mild conditions to reduce coke formation and catalyst deactivation. The process converts oxygen-containing functionalities and unsaturated bonds into chemically reduced forms with an increased hydrogen content. The process is operated at mild conditions, which enables it to be a good means for stabilizing bio-oil to a form that can be stored and transported using metal containers and pipes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of forming a dihydrochalcone using electrocatalytic dehydrogenation. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods of forming a dihydrochalcone electrocatalytically hydrogenating (ECH) a reactant compound over a catalytic cathode in a reaction medium having a non-alkaline pH value, thereby forming a dihydrochalcone product; wherein the reactant compound has a structure according to Formula (I). The method can be used to prepare dihydrochalcone sweeteners, such as, for example, naringin dihydrochalcone and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for depolymerizing lignin. The method includes reacting a lignin compound with a thiol compound to depolymerize the lignin compound and to form a depolymerized lignin product having a reduced molecular weight relative to the lignin compound prior to reacting. The method can further include forming an oxidized thiol reaction product between two thiol groups from one or more thiol compounds, and then reducing the oxidized thiol reaction product to re-form or regenerate the thiol compound for further lignin depolymerization.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for hydrolyzing cellulosic material using a sulfonated polyaromatic catalyst. A cellulosic material is combined with the sulfonated polyaromatic catalyst in water to at least partially hydrolyze the cellulosic material and to form a monosaccharide hydrolysis product, thereby forming a reaction mixture including (i) an aqueous phase with the monosaccharide hydrolysis product in solution therein, and (ii) a dispersed phase including the sulfonated polyaromatic catalyst as well as any non-hydrolyzed cellulosic material. The sulfonated polyaromatic catalyst includes a mixture of partially sulfonated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that is substantially insoluble in the aqueous phase, thus providing it with an affinity for the water-insoluble cellulosic substrate where it preferentially exhibits its catalytic hydrolytic activity. The monosaccharide hydrolysis product can be recovered from the aqueous phase of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A system for providing video motion augmentation is disclosed. In particular, the system provides mechanisms for analyzing video content, metadata, or a combination thereof, to dynamically enhance and adapt regions of small movements or micro-movements in the video content based on a variety of inputs. The regions of small movements or micro-movements may be enhanced based on device characteristics associated with a device consuming the video content, based on a theme associated with the content, based on sensor data, based on user feedback, and based on a variety of other inputs. For example, motion content in the video content may be enhanced and emphasized based on the display resolution or other device characteristics of a device requesting the video content. Once the enhanced video content is generated based on the inputs, the enhanced content may be provided to the device requesting the content.

Abstract: A system for providing video analysis and motion augmentation, particularly in the context of telemedicine applications is disclosed. In particular, the system may utilize cameras and other devices to detect macro and micro changes and movements of a being so as to assist in the detection of an anomaly associated with the being. After detecting the anomaly based on the detected macro and micro changes and movements, the system may transmit an alert identifying the anomaly and formulate a proposed request for interaction with the being. The request for interaction may be transmitted to the being, and information obtained in response to the request for interaction may be utilized by the system to assist in the determination of a diagnosis of a condition of the being. The process may be repeated as necessary until the diagnosis is confirmed and enough information associated with the being is obtained.

Abstract: A system for providing video analysis and motion augmentation, particularly in the context of telemedicine applications is disclosed. In particular, the system may utilize cameras and other devices to detect macro and micro changes and movements of a being so as to assist in the detection of an anomaly associated with the being. After detecting the anomaly based on the detected macro and micro changes and movements, the system may transmit an alert identifying the anomaly and formulate a proposed request for interaction with the being. The request for interaction may be transmitted to the being, and information obtained in response to the request for interaction may be utilized by the system to assist in the determination of a diagnosis of a condition of the being. The process may be repeated as necessary until the diagnosis is confirmed and enough information associated with the being is obtained.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrolyzer reactor suitable for the reduction of organic compounds. The reactor includes a membrane electrode assembly with freestanding metallic meshes which serve both as metallic electrode structures for electron transport as well as catalytic surfaces for electron generation and organic compound reduction. Suitable organic compounds for reduction include oxygenated and/or unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, in particular those characteristic of bio-oil (e.g., alone or a multicomponent mixtures). The reactor and related methods provide a resource- and energy-efficient approach to organic compound reduction, in particular for bio-oil mixtures which can be conveniently upgraded at or near their point of production with minimal or no transportation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for electrochemical reductive carboxylation of an unsaturated organic substrate to form a dicarboxylic organic product. The unsaturated organic substrate is electrochemically reduced with a carbon dioxide reactant in an ionically conductive, water-immiscible reactant medium to form the dicarboxylic organic product. The dicarboxylic organic product is recovered in an aqueous product medium. Example dicarboxylic organic products include phthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, and 1,12-dodecanedioic acid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrolyzer reactor suitable for the reduction of organic compounds. The reactor includes a membrane electrode assembly with freestanding metallic meshes which serve both as metallic electrode structures for electron transport as well as catalytic surfaces for electron generation and organic compound reduction. Suitable organic compounds for reduction include oxygenated and/or unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, in particular those characteristic of bio-oil (e.g., alone or a multicomponent mixtures). The reactor and related methods provide a resource- and energy-efficient approach to organic compound reduction, in particular for bio-oil mixtures which can be conveniently upgraded at or near their point of production with minimal or no transportation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for depolymerizing lignin. The method includes reacting a lignin compound with a thiol compound to depolymerize the lignin compound and to form a depolymerized lignin product having a reduced molecular weight relative to the lignin compound prior to reacting. The method can further include forming an oxidized thiol reaction product between two thiol groups from one or more thiol compounds, and then reducing the oxidized thiol reaction product to re-form or regenerate the thiol compound for further lignin depolymerization.

Abstract: A system for providing video motion augmentation is disclosed. In particular, the system provides mechanisms for analyzing video content, metadata, or a combination thereof, to dynamically enhance and adapt regions of small movements or micro-movements in the video content based on a variety of inputs. The regions of small movements or micro-movements may be enhanced based on device characteristics associated with a device consuming the video content, based on a theme associated with the content, based on sensor data, based on user feedback, and based on a variety of other inputs. For example, motion content in the video content may be enhanced and emphasized based on the display resolution or other device characteristics of a device requesting the video content. Once the enhanced video content is generated based on the inputs, the enhanced content may be provided to the device requesting the content.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for social networking in a dynamic environment. In one embodiment, a method for social networking in a network includes broadcasting a first set of one or more keywords representing one or more interests of a first user in the network, receiving a response from a second user in the network indicating interest in at least one of the interests of the first user, and connecting to a server in the network, where the server hosts a group for supporting communications between at least the first network user and the second network user.

Abstract: The use of virtual resources providing communication services is adjusted based on load. A determination is made, for a specific number range, whether the virtual telephone number mapping service instances dedicated to the specific number range are being underutilized. If the virtual telephone number mapping service instances dedicated to the specific number range are being underutilized, a virtual telephone number mapping service instance dedicated to the specific number range is selected for removal. A determination is also made, for the specific number range, whether a number of virtual telephone number mapping service instances dedicated to the specific number range is sufficient to handle requests for communication services. If the number of virtual telephone number mapping service instances dedicated to the specific number range is not sufficient to handle the requests, instantiation of a virtual telephone mapping instance is initiated.

Abstract: A determination is made whether to handle a request associated with a specific number range by a physical telephone number mapping service instance provisioned for handling the request for the specific number range or a virtual telephone number mapping service instance provisioned for handling the request for the specific number range. If it is determined that the request should be handled by the physical telephone number mapping service instance, forwarding of the request from the physical telephone number mapping service instance to the virtual telephone number mapping service instance is prevented. If it is determined that the request should be handled by the virtual telephone number mapping service instance, forwarding of the request from the virtual telephone number mapping service instance to the physical telephone number mapping service instance is prevented.

Abstract: A system for providing video motion augmentation is disclosed. In particular, the system provides mechanisms for analyzing video content, metadata, or a combination thereof, to dynamically enhance and adapt regions of small movements or micro-movements in the video content based on a variety of inputs. The regions of small movements or micro-movements may be enhanced based on device characteristics associated with a device consuming the video content, based on a theme associated with the content, based on sensor data, based on user feedback, and based on a variety of other inputs. For example, motion content in the video content may be enhanced and emphasized based on the display resolution or other device characteristics of a device requesting the video content. Once the enhanced video content is generated based on the inputs, the enhanced content may be provided to the device requesting the content.