Abstract: The present invention provides a microbial cell capable of producing at least one terminal alkene from at least one short chain fatty acid, wherein the cell is genetically modified to comprise at least a first genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of an enzyme (E1) selected from the CYP152 peroxygenase family, and at least a second genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of at least one NAD(P)+ oxidoreductase (E2) and the corresponding mediator protein, wherein the short chain fatty acid is a C4-C10 fatty acid.

Abstract: In one embodiment the instant invention generally pertains to a method for producing glucose for fermentation. The method comprises first treating a biomass with acid and heat under conditions sufficient to produce a composition mixture comprising cellulose suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. Next, at least a portion of the cellulose of step (a) is enzymatically hydrolyzed under conditions sufficient to form a composition comprising glucose. The glucose is then fermented. Advantageously, one or more reaction conditions are more efficient because they are selected by first measuring an initial hydrolysis rate of said biomass and then selecting one or more appropriate reaction conditions based upon said initial hydrolysis rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microbial cell capable of producing at least one terminal alkene from at least one short chain fatty acid, wherein the cell is genetically modified to comprise at least a first genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of an enzyme (E1) selected from the CYP152 peroxygenase family, and at least a second genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of at least one NAD(P)+ oxidoreductase (E2) and the corresponding mediator protein, wherein the short chain fatty acid is a C4-C10 fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for treating a feedstock comprising holocellulose. The process comprises mixing the feedstock with a solution comprising cellulose binding domains to form a mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions sufficient to reduce the crystallinity of holocellulose. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis may show an improved rate and/or fermentable sugar yield as compared to processes which do not employ the process.

Abstract: In one embodiment the instant invention generally pertains to a method for producing glucose for fermentation. The method comprises first treating a biomass comprising a lignocellulosic material with a mixture comprising SO2 and steam at reaction conditions sufficient to produce a composition mixture comprising cellulose suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. Specifically, the temperature, residence time, and SO2 concentration may be selected by calculating a crystallinity index (CrI) of the biomass and using the calculated crystallinity index as an indicator of enzymatic hydrolysis rate. In this manner cellulose may be enzymatically hydrolyzed glucose for aerobic or anaerobic fermentation.

Abstract: A method for enzymatic preparation of compounds of the general formula (2) from unsaturated alkene derivatives of the general formula (1) by reducing a compound of the formula (1) in the presence of a reductase, comprising at least one of the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3 or having a functionally equivalent polypeptide sequence which is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for treating a feedstock comprising holocellulose. The process comprises mixing the feedstock with a solution comprising cellulose binding domains to form a mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions sufficient to reduce the crystallinity of holocellulose. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis may show an improved rate and/or fermentable sugar yield as compared to processes which do not employ the process.

Abstract: In one embodiment the instant invention generally pertains to a method for producing glucose for fermentation. The method comprises first treating a biomass with acid and heat under conditions sufficient to produce a composition mixture comprising cellulose suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. Next, at least a portion of the cellulose of step (a) is enzymatically hydrolyzed under conditions sufficient to form a composition comprising glucose. The glucose is then fermented. Advantageously, one or more reaction conditions are more efficient because they are selected by first measuring an initial hydrolysis rate of said biomass and then selecting one or more appropriate reaction conditions based upon said initial hydrolysis rate.

Abstract: A method for the enzymatic preparation of amino acids of the general formula (3) or (4) from alpha-dehydroamino acids of the general formula (1) or (2) wherein R1, R2 are independently of one another H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, an optionally substituted carbo- or heterocyclic, aromatic or nonaromatic radical, or an alkylaryl radical, or a carboxyl radical (—COOR), R3 is H, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, BOC, Alloc, R is H, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, by reducing a compound of the formula (1) or (2) in the presence of a reductase.

Abstract: A method for enzymatic preparation of compounds of the general formula (2) from unsaturated alkene derivatives of the general formula (1) by reducing a compound of the formula (1) in the presence of a reductase, comprising at least one of the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3 or having a functionally equivalent polypeptide sequence which is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure from a support structure or a plurality of support structures laid side-by-side on a base, is disclosed. The support structure is formed from frameworks each comprising a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of a flexible material into an array of compartments. The frameworks are then filled with a suitable filler material. The frameworks have compartments with three different sizes which have advantages in the construction of certain composite structures.

Abstract: An artificial roof unit and method of forming it under water on a base includes locating a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of a flexible material into an array of compartments running the length of the tube, with a first end of the tube on the base and a second end of the tube above the first end of the tube and under water, securing the tube in position on the base using flexible or rigid elements attached to the base; and partially filling some of the compartments with a filler material so that some of the compartments are adjacent two or more other compartments filled with a filler material to support and be supported by the adjacent compartments. The artificial reef unit may be designed to promote an increase in marine life, or to protect a shore line or harbor wall from damage.

Abstract: A method of forming a mine support capable of bearing an axial compressive load involves providing an outer container arranged in use to define a base. There is located within the container a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of a flexible material into an array of compartments running the length of the tube. The compartments are arranged in rows and columns so that the tube divided by the dividing walls has a honeycomb structure. A first end of the tube is positioned in use on the container base and a second end of the tube. One or more of the compartments at or near the center of the tube are filled with a first load bearing material, for example a cementitious grout, to form a pillar with a load bearing capability. The remainder of the compartments of the tube are filled with a second material having no or a lower load bearing capability to form the mine support.

Abstract: Apparatus for circulating a fluid, for example a liquid or a gas, from a first end to a second end is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of a flexible material into an array of compartments or cells running the length of the tube, the compartments being arranged in rows and columns so that the tube divided by dividing walls has a honeycomb structure, with a first end of the tube on a base and a second end of the tube above the first end of the tube; first flow means and second flow means a fluid inlet into the first row of compartments; and a fluid outlet from the last row of compartments; so that fluid introduced through the fluid inlet flows either up or down the compartments in the first row, through the first or second flow means between the first and second rows, and then down or up the compartments in the second row, through the second or first flow means between the second and third rows, and so on until the fluid reaches the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method of forming a support structure on a base from a framework uses a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of flexible material into an array of compartments. Each compartment includes at least one wall including a hollow protrusion or recess. In use the framework is located on the base and the compartments are filled with the filler material so that each compartment is adjacent to one or more other compartments filled with the filler material and so that each hollow protrusion fills with the filler material so that each compartment protrudes into or is protruded into by at least one adjacent compartment so as to interlock adjacent compartment. This increases the overall strength of the support structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a support structure on a base from a framework (10) comprising a tube (12) of a flexible material divided by dividing walls (14) of a flexible material into an array of compartment (16), is disclosed. The method includes the steps of locating flexible strings (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) through lines of compartments (16) at or near each edge of the framework (10) and through lines of compartments (16) intermediate the edge lines of compartments (16), attaching the ends of the strings (20 to 34) to fixed objects (36) to support the framework (10) with a first end of the tube (12) on the base and a second end of the tube (12) above the first end, and filling some or all of the compartments (16) with a suitable filler material. The strings or stays assist in supporting the framework (10) when it is being filled with the filler material.