Abstract: Methods for processing black mass material from lithium-ion battery recycling processes include fractionating the black mass into a lithium fraction, a graphite fraction, and a concentrated metal powder fraction. This is accomplished using a multiphase liquid blend of nonpolar hydrophobic solvent and water to dissolve the lithium and produce a multiphase admixture which, upon gravity separation, produces a graphite layer in the hydrophobic solvent and a mixed metal powder layer that sinks to the bottom of the aqueous layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for recycling lithium-ion batteries containing plastics, electrolyte, carbon, metals, and lithium. The method includes: Lithium-ion batteries are ground to form ground battery material which is then pyrolyzed at a temperature between about 100° C. and 700° C. for a time sufficient to vaporize about 80 wt % to 100 wt % of electrolytes present in the ground battery material. The resulting material is further ground and screen classified to produce a screen oversize and a screen undersize. The screen oversize comprises metals and plastics, while the screen undersize comprises a black mass material. Lithium dissolution, triboelectric charging and electrostatic separation of the black mass material (not necessarily in that order) produces a liquid comprising dissolved lithium, a graphite product, and a concentrated metal fines product.

Abstract: A method for making crystalline graphite composite includes the following steps: additives are dry blended with a melt-flowable polylignin to form a blend. The blend is heated to create a melted flowable polylignin with the additives dispersed therein. The melted flowable polylignin is then solidified to a grindable form or to a shaped article of polylignin with dispersed additives, after which sufficient heat is provided to thermoset and carbonize the polylignin with dispersed additives. Additional heat is then provided to graphitize the carbonized polylignin and form a crystalline graphite matrix with uniformly dispersed additives.

Abstract: A charcoal replacement solid energy fuel comprises wood particles substantially fully impregnated with a melt-flowable, natural, monolignol biopolymer derived from biomass which can be further processed into various shapes of briquettes, pellets and other shapes for grilling, heating/cooking, green coal energy and other applications. The material and its method of making are environmentally friendly, carbon neutral, and lower cost alternative to charcoal or traditional coal. The melt-flowable monolignol based material impregnated into the wood imparts significant water resistance, UV resistance, antimicrobial functionality, faster lighting and higher BTU/lb energy without the need to add carbonize wood or coal. The impregnated wood granules or particles can then be compressed, without the need for additional binder, into various homogenous charcoal briquette replacements, pellets, or shapes for grilling or green coal energy fuel.

Abstract: A charcoal replacement solid energy fuel comprises wood particles substantially fully impregnated with a melt-flowable, natural, monolignol biopolymer derived from biomass which can be further processed into various shapes of briquettes, pellets and other shapes for grilling, heating/cooking, green coal energy and other applications. The material and its method of making are environmentally friendly, carbon neutral, and lower cost alternative to charcoal or traditional coal. The melt-flowable monolignol based material impregnated into the wood imparts significant water resistance, UV resistance, antimicrobial functionality, faster lighting and higher BTU/lb energy without the need to add carbonize wood or coal. The impregnated wood granules or particles can then be compressed, without the need for additional binder, into various homogenous charcoal briquette replacements, pellets, or shapes for grilling or green coal energy fuel.

Abstract: Lignin is recovered from biomass or byproducts from biomass processing through the use of organic solvents and water while modifying the form or composition of the lignin. During the separation and recovery process, the lignin can be modified or integrated into a form which is more suitable for its intended use. As the lignin is suspended or is soluble within the organic solvent, the integration of materials or reactants may be more easily blended or dispersed within the lignin to improve performance, quality and overall production efficiency.

Abstract: Lignin is recovered from biomass or byproducts from biomass processing through the use of organic solvents and water while modifying the form or composition of the lignin. During the separation and recovery process, the lignin can be modified or integrated into a form which is more suitable for its intended use. As the lignin is suspended or is soluble within the organic solvent, the integration of materials or reactants may be more easily blended or dispersed within the lignin to improve performance, quality and overall production efficiency.

Abstract: The following invention generally relates to a melt flowable biocarbon polymeric material derived from a cellulosic ethanol refining co-product, monolignol biopolymer, and a heat processed or thermally modified biomass flour, both of which are reacted together to create a melt flowable biopolymer which has melt flowable properties, process-ability and rheology similar to that of standard petrochemical based thermoplastics.

Abstract: A tag assembly for measuring a characteristic of a tree includes a band and a shield strip. The band is configured to encircle the tree and has a plurality of tags spaced apart along the band. The shield strip extends along the band to thereby shield a number of tags in the plurality of tags such that the plurality of tags includes shielded tags and unshielded tags. The shield strip prevents the shielded tags from being read or emitting signals and while the unshielded tags can be read or emit signals such that the characteristic of the tree can be determined.

Abstract: Lignin is recovered from biomass or byproducts from biomass processing through the use of organic solvents and water while modifying the form or composition of the lignin. During the separation and recovery process, the lignin can be modified or integrated into a form which is more suitable for its intended use. As the lignin is suspended or is soluble within the organic solvent, the integration of materials or reactants may be more easily blended or dispersed within the lignin to improve performance, quality and overall production efficiency.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Biolaminate composite assemblies are provided. Generally, the biolaminate composite assemblies may comprise one or more biolaminate layers and at least one biolaminate layer may comprise polylactic acid. In one embodiment, a biolaminate composite assembly is provided comprising one or more biolaminate layers wherein the biolaminate composite assembly is three-dimensionally formable over a rigid non-plastic substrate. At least one of the biolaminate layers comprises polylactic acid and a natural wax. In another embodiment, a method for forming a biolaminate composite assembly is provided.

Abstract: A wall panel system includes a plurality of extruded composite building panels for mounting to a wall that can be repaired or refinished. The panels include a plurality of ribs for contacting the wall and a lip for overlapping one of the plurality of panels immediately below. The wall panel system includes joint clips and flashings that over lap seams between abutting panels.

Abstract: High surface energy materials with low refractive index and UV transparency wherein multilayers of similar or dissimilar materials are thermally fused together to form various functional optical requirements are provided. In some embodiments, a photocatalytic biopolymer structure comprising of a UV transparent biopolymer in integrating fused nanophotocatalytic minerals such as Tio2 used for various applications is provided. Many embodiments are based on the integration of nanophotocatalytic minerals fused to a biopolymer structure in which the biopolymer structure is UV transparent (UVT) and allows UV light to be transmitted through the biopolymer structure activating the nanophotocatalytic fused layer.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Biofertilizer compositions, methods for increasing nitrogen levels in soil and methods of inhibiting undesirable plant growth generally include contacting the soil with a composition comprising dried distillers solubles derived from a dry milling corn ethanol processing; and contacting the soil with the soil in amounts effective to produce the desired result, e.g., increase nitrogen levels, inhibit undesirable plant growth, and the like.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.