Abstract: A flexible electrode (1) for applying an electric field to the human body, comprising: a gripping portion (3); a deformable structure (5) having a first face (5a) fixed to the gripping portion (3); a flexible polymeric film (7) arranged on a flat second face (5b) of the deformable structure (5) and provided, on a flat face (7a) thereof facing outwards the electrode (1), with flat metal structures (10,11) defining at least one first electrode and one second electrode (A,B), surfaces (10a,11a) of the flat metal structures (10,11) facing outwards the polymeric film (7) being coplanar with the flat face (7a) of the polymeric film (7).

Abstract: It is disclosed a process to produce a bio-product starting from a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, comprising a pre-hydrolysis step of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock in one or more pre-hydrolysis vessels to produce a liquid pre-hydrolyzate comprising water and water soluble hemicellulose, followed by a multi-step hydrolysis of the water soluble hemicellulose. The hydrolysis steps are conducted in separated vessel. The liquid pre-hydrolyzate is subjected to a partial hydrolysis step in a first hydrolysis vessel, to produce a first hydrolyzate. A portion of the first hydrolyzate, comprising remnant water soluble hemicellulose, is recirculated in at least one pre-hydrolysis vessel and subjected to a second hydrolysis step. Another portion of the first hydrolyzate comprising monomeric sugars is removed and converted to the bio-product, preferably after a refining hydrolysis step. The process also produces a hemicellulose-depleted feedstock which is preferably treated to produce a cellulosic pulp.

Abstract: It is disclosed a process to produce a bio-product starting from a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, comprising a pre-hydrolysis step of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock in one or more pre-hydrolysis vessels to produce a liquid pre-hydrolyzate comprising water and water soluble hemicellulose, followed by a multi-step hydrolysis of the water soluble hemicellulose. The hydrolysis steps are conducted in separated vessel. The liquid pre-hydrolyzate is subjected to a partial hydrolysis step in a first hydrolysis vessel, to produce a first hydrolyzate. A portion of the first hydrolyzate, comprising remnant water soluble hemicellulose, is recirculated in at least one pre-hydrolysis vessel and subjected to a second hydrolysis step. Another portion of the first hydrolyzate comprising monomeric sugars is removed and converted to the bio-product, preferably after a refining hydrolysis step. The process also produces a hemicellulose-depleted feedstock which is preferably treated to produce a cellulosic pulp.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a composition comprising a plurality of diols which is useful for the production of polyester bottles, wherein the diols are mainly obtained from the conversion of a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock stream. The composition comprises ethylene glycol and at least one diol selected from the group of diols having a formula of CH(OH)2, wherein n is the total number of carbons and is an integer in the range from 3 to 20, z is an integer in the range from 0 to 2n, and C1 and C2 are each attached to one of the OH groups of the formula (e.g. 1,2-Propylene glycol, 1,2-Butanediol and 1,2-Pentanediol) and wherein the composition is substantially free of diols which absorb light at a wavelength of 275 nm, so that the percent light transmission of the composition at a wavelength of 275 nm is greater than 40%.

Abstract: It is disclosed a continuous process for producing a polyols stream comprising ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, wherein a liquid sugar stream comprising water and at least a monomeric sugar is introduced into a first reaction zone and subjected to a first reaction, which is a hydrogenation reaction of the at least a monomeric sugar, at a first catalytic conditions and in the presence of a first hydrogen gas to produce an hydrogenated mixture comprising at least a sugar alcohol. At least a portion of the hydrogenated mixture and at least a portion of the first hydrogen gas are then transferred to a second reaction zone and subjected to a second reaction, which is a hydrogenolysis reaction of the at least a sugar alcohol, at second catalytic conditions to produce a hydrogenolysis mixture comprising at least a polyol.

Abstract: It is disclosed an integrated process for producing at least a cellulosic pulp comprising cellulose in the form of fibers and a polyols stream from a ligno-cellulosic feedstock comprising cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The process comprises the steps of: a) Treating the ligno-cellulosic feedstock to produce the cellulosic pulp and at least a liquid sugar stream comprising water and monomeric sugars derived from the hemicellulose of the ligno-cellulosic feedstock; b) Catalytically converting the monomeric sugars of the liquid sugar stream to a polyols mixture, comprising primary polyols and secondary polyols; c) Separating at least a portion of the polyols mixture into at least the polyols stream and a residual stream, wherein the polyols stream comprises the majority by weight of the primary polyols and the residual stream comprises the majority by weight of the secondary polyols; d) Recovering a first thermal energy from the residual stream in a first recovery unit.

Abstract: It is disclosed a process for producing a low boiling mixture comprising ethylene glycol and propylene glycol from a liquid sugar stream derived from a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock. The liquid sugar stream is catalytically converted in the presence of hydrogen to a mixture, which is separated into at least a high boiling mixture, comprising glycerol, and the low boiling mixture. The high boiling mixture is converted to hydrogen by reforming and the reforming hydrogen is used in the catalytical steps. Preferably, all the hydrogen used in the conversion process is generated by aqueous phase reforming of the high boiling polyols mixture.

Abstract: Three-dimensional photovoltaic devices and power conversion structures associated therewith are provided.