Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of producing substantially pure lignin from lignocellulosic biomass, which comprises: pre-treating a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce a reactive lignin-carbohydrate mixture; biologically-reacting the carbohydrates in the mixture, separating remaining solids from the liquid fermentation products, and drying the resulting solids to yield a substantially pure lignin product. Optionally, the lignin product may be washed and subjected to a second hydrolysis step. Optionally, the lignin product may be further processed by hydrotreating and/or pyrolysis in order to yield desirable products such as fuel additives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating organic wastes is provided. Organic wastes are separated into high and low moisture content organic waste streams. The low moisture content organic waste stream is subjected to a gasification process and generates a producer gas. The high moisture content organic waste is subjected to a fermentation process and produces a mixture of ethanol and water. Waste heat from the gasification process is subjected to a distillation column. Vapors recovered from the distillation column are mixed in a hydrous vapor form with the producer gas and produce fuel that can be used as an energy source.

Abstract: A method and system for recovering heat from a pretreated hot biomass stream is described. The method and system for heat recovery includes a flash cooler connected to a direct contact condenser. A liquid portion of the hot biomass stream flashes into vapors upon the hot biomass stream entering the flash cooler. The flashed vapors are transferred to the direct contact condenser. The flashed vapors and an incoming cold biomass stream subsequently come into contact with each other in the direct contact condenser, thereby causing heat to be transferred from the hot biomass stream to the cold biomass stream. As the heat transfer occurs, the flashed vapors condense onto the surface of the cold biomass.

Abstract: Methods for increasing yield of fermentable sugars from plant stover are provided. The methods include using plants homozygous for two brown midrib mutations, bm1 and bm3. The methods also include using plants homozygous for a mutation in a gene that results in reduced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity, and a mutation in a gene that results in reduced 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde/5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol O-methyltransferase activity. The methods also include using transgenic plants that have reduced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity and reduced 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde/5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol O-methyltransferase activity in comparison with wild-type plants.

Abstract: A bio-battery includes a biomolecular energy source, a first electrode and a second electrode. In some configurations, a bio-battery may also include a first cell containing the first electrode and the biomolecular energy source, and a second cell having a reducible substrate and the second electrode. The first cell can be in ionic communication with the second cell, for example by a proton exchange membrane. Various biomolecular energy sources can be used, including proton donor molecules or electrolytically oxidizable molecules. For example, the biomolecular energy source can be selected from the group consisting of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH), Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) and 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (FADH).

Abstract: Methods and kits for the isolation of organisms. Such methods and kits are particularly useful for concentrating and recovering viable organisms from food material. The recovered organisms are of sufficient number and purity to allow detection using a biochip device.

Abstract: A solid sorbent material comprising cellulose which has been modified by hydrolysis with a cellulase enzyme for a duration sufficient to increase the protein adsorption capacity of the solid sorbent material and methods for preparing the sorbent material. Methods for purifying a protein include passing a liquid medium containing the protein over the solid sorbent material are also included.

Abstract: Devices and methods for packing a chromatography column with a continuous stationary phase. The preferred device includes a brace member with an engagement surface. The brace member defines a thru-hole at a location so that a passageway defined through the column is aligned with the thru-hole of the brace member when a first end of the column is engaged with the engagement surface of the brace member. A funnel member engageable with an end of the column opposite the first end. The funnel member has converging walls configured to radially compress the continuous stationary phase for entry into the passageway of the column when the continuous stationary phase is pulled through the funnel member. The device includes a mechanism for applying mechanical force to pull the rolled continuous stationary phase through the funnel member wherein the stationary phase is radially compressed and enters the passageway of the column.

Abstract: Devices and methods for packing a chromatography column with a continuous stationary phase. The preferred device includes a brace member with an engagement surface. The brace member defines a thru-hole at a location so that a passageway defined through the column is aligned with the thru-hole of the brace member when a first end of the column is engaged with the engagement surface of the brace member. A funnel member engageable with an end of the column opposite the first end. The funnel member has converging walls configured to radially compress the continuous stationary phase for entry into the passageway of the column when the continuous stationary phase is pulled through the funnel member. The device includes a mechanism for applying mechanical force to pull the rolled continuous stationary phase through the funnel member wherein the stationary phase is radially compressed and enters the passageway of the column.

Abstract: Devices and methods for packing a chromatography column with a continuous stationary phase. The preferred device includes a brace member with an engagement surface. The brace member defines a thru-hole at a location so that a passageway defined through the column is aligned with the thru-hole of the brace member when a first end of the column is engaged with the engagement surface of the brace member. A funnel member engageable with an end of the column opposite the first end. The funnel member has converging walls configured to radially compress the continuous stationary phase for entry into the passageway of the column when the continuous stationary phase is pulled through the funnel member. The device includes a mechanism for applying mechanical force to pull the rolled continuous stationary phase through the funnel member wherein the stationary phase is radially compressed and enters the passageway of the column.