Abstract: A method of forming a plastic component can includes treating a polysaccharide source with an acid solution under conditions sufficient to extract the starch from the polysaccharide source, wherein the polysaccharide precipitates in the acid solution; separating the precipitate from the acid solution; drying the separated precipitate; admixing the dried precipitate with water to form a slurry; and casting or molding the slurry to form the plastic component.

Abstract: A method of forming a metasurface includes forming a plurality of channels on a surface of a formed from a first material, like a metal, ceramic, or polymer. The method also includes filling the plurality of channels in the surface of the base substrate with a second material that is different from the first material to form a metasurface on the base substrate. The method further includes placing the metasurface into a heat exchange system such that the metasurface is proximate to a liquid used in the heat exchange system.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of organic waste stream conversion including fermenting an organic waste stream with an inoculum using arrested methanogenesis to generate an organic product.

Abstract: The invention provides a membrane comprising tubes extending through a polymer, wherein substantially all of the tubes are parallel with each other. Also provided is a method for producing a membrane, the method comprising: placing tubes on a substrate, subjecting the tubes to a magnetic field for a time and at a magnetic field strength to cause the tubes to align parallel with each other while simultaneously causing depending ends of the tubes to embed within the substrate; applying polymer to the tubes and substrate in an amount to affix the tubes relative to each other and relative to the substrate, and applying an etchant that cleaves a specific type of the bonds within the polymer to unblock the upstream ends of the nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating methane from a carbonaceous feedstock with simultaneous in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide to afford a biogas comprising at least 85 percent by volume methane, the method comprising anaerobically incubating a particulate additive in contact with a carbonaceous feedstock in a neutral or alkaline aqueous culture medium containing a culture of methanogenic consortia and collecting methane generated therefrom. The additive comprises at least one material selected from a biochar, an ash produced by gasification or combustion of a carbonaceous material, a black carbon soil, and a Terra Preta soil.

Abstract: The invention provides a membrane comprising tubes extending through a polymer, wherein substantially all of the tubes are parallel with each other. Also provided is a method for producing a membrane, the method comprising: placing tubes on a substrate, subjecting the tubes to a magnetic field for a time and at a magnetic field strength to cause the tubes to align parallel with each other while simultaneously causing depending ends of the tubes to embed within the substrate; applying polymer to the tubes and substrate in an amount to affix the tubes relative to each other and relative to the substrate, and applying an etchant that cleaves a specific type of the bonds within the polymer to unblock the upstream ends of the nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating methane from a carbonaceous feedstock with simultaneous in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide to afford a biogas comprising at least 85 percent by volume methane, the method comprising anaerobically incubating a particulate additive in contact with a carbonaceous feedstock in a neutral or alkaline aqueous culture medium containing a culture of methanogenic consortia and collecting methane generated therefrom. The additive comprises at least one material selected from a biochar, an ash produced by gasification or combustion of a carbonaceous material, a black carbon soil, and a Terra Preta soil.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for creating natural gas including the anaerobic digestion of biomass to form biogas, and the electrodeionization of biogas to form natural gas and carbon dioxide using a resin-wafer deionization (RW-EDI) system. The method may be further modified to include a wastewater treatment system and can include a chemical conditioning/dewatering system after the anaerobic digestion system. The RW-EDI system, which includes a cathode and an anode, can either comprise at least one pair of wafers, each a basic and acidic wafer, or at least one wafer comprising of a basic portion and an acidic portion. A final embodiment of the RW-EDI system can include only one basic wafer for creating natural gas.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of granules of biomass in the treatment of wastewater. Organic matter is removed from wastewater in an anaerobic zone and then in an aerobic zone. Waste activated sludge is transferred from the aerobic zone to the anaerobic zone and is used in the formation of granulated biomass in the anaerobic zone. Excess granulated biomass may be removed from the anaerobic zone.