Abstract: A method to grow cannabis is described, wherein the method includes providing and treating a source of water, mixing the water with an additive to form a liquid mixture, transferring the liquid mixture to a plurality of cannabis plants grown in a growing medium including a mycorrhiza fungus, and growing the cannabis using a humidity control method, then harvesting the cannabis plants. Trimming and grinding the cannabis along with use of environmental control methods including temperature, humidity, lighting schedules, and carbon dioxide concentrations are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of commercial scale production and processing of pharmaceutical liquid or solid compositions derived from insects, wherein the compositions include a purified recombinant protein, vaccine, antibody, peptide, or chemical, and where the virus includes a recombinant baculovirus. Systems and methods to produce the insects and a purified insect-derived recombinant protein, vaccine, antibody, peptide, insecticide, fungicide, or chemical within a bioreactor are also described.

Abstract: A method for calculating the height and the density of a fluidized bed is described. In a first mode of operation, a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure are obtained, a bed density of the fluidized bed is calculated, and a bed height is calculated by dividing the first differential pressure by the calculated bed density. In a second mode of operation the system is purged by using a pressurized gas.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Abstract: Methods to produce a spray-dried active tetrahydrocannabinol powder and/or cannabidiol powder are described. The methods include introducing a heated gas and a liquid mixture of water and active tetrahydrocannabinol and/or cannabidiol into a spray dryer and then separating powder from the spray-dryer in a two-step separation process. Counter-current spray dryers and co-current spray dryers are described followed by separation of the powders with a cyclone, filter, electrostatic precipitator, or sifter.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, liquid mixing, shaping, cooking, flavoring, biocatalyst mixing, exoskeleton separation, liquid separation, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer-operated farming superstructure systems (FSS) may be used to produce cannabis for human consumption with minimal water and environmental impact. Methods to method to separate volatiles from cannabis are described. Methods to asexually clone a plurality of cannabis plants are also provided.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer-operated farming superstructure systems (FSS) may be used to produce cannabis for human consumption with minimal water and environmental impact. A FSS system may comprise modules including liquid distribution and plant growing. A FSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Abstract: A multi-stage product gas generation system converts a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas which may subsequently be converted into a liquid fuel or other material. One or more reactors containing bed material may be used to conduct reactions to effect the conversions. Unreacted inert feedstock contaminants present in the carbonaceous material may be separated from bed material using a portion of the product gas. A heat transfer medium collecting heat from a reaction in one stage may be applied as a reactant input in another, earlier stage.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer-operated farming superstructure systems (FSS) may be used to produce cannabis for human consumption with minimal water and environmental impact. Methods to method to separate volatiles from cannabis are described. Methods to asexually clone a plurality of cannabis plants are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to determining whether at least a portion of a sidewall of a glass container has insufficient thickness. A glass container inspection system comprises an infrared camera in communication with a computing system. The infrared camera is configured to capture an infrared image of an exterior of the sidewall of the glass container at long-wavelength infrared as the glass container undergoes a temperature change. The computing system receives the infrared image from the infrared camera and outputs an indication that at least the portion of the sidewall of the glass container has insufficient thickness based on the infrared image. The indication may also be based on a statistical model derived from infrared images of glass containers having sidewalls of known sufficient thickness.

Abstract: A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas.

Abstract: A 3D structure of a hydrogel for supporting cell growth or for use in sustained drug delivery is formed using peptides and/or peptide derivatives that self-assemble via cross-linking into a stiff gel. The hydrogel structure is formed using a method based on 3D printing. A hydrogel precursor is extruded under conditions to generate a hydrogel, by extruding a solution of the peptides into a solution containing cations, whereby the cations enable cross-linking of pi-stacked peptides, or by co-extruding it with the cations, the peptides and cations being mixed only at the point of co-extrusion. The stiffness of the hydrogel can be tuned by adjusting the combination of peptides, either by the selection of peptides or combinations thereof, or the proportions of the combinations, and/or by adjusting the proportion of cations present.

Abstract: An irrigation emitter and drip line, and methods relating to same, are provided for reducing the flow and pressure of fluid via an emitter or plurality of emitters defined by two concentric tubes. In one form, the first tube defines an emitter inlet and connected pressure-reducing flow channel and the second tube is extruded over the first tube to enclose the emitter inlet and flow channel and defines an outlet connected to an end of the flow channel opposite the inlet to create an emitter for converting fluid flowing at a high flow rate in the lumen and at the first end of the inlet to a fluid with a low flow rate at the outlet of the emitter. In another form, a drip line is provided having a plurality of such emitters. The emitters capable of being provided with pressure compensation structures to compensate or account for fluctuations in supply line fluid pressure and root growth inhibiting members. Various methods related to the emitter and drip line are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solids discharge system (SDS) is configured to separate solids from product gas. The system includes a solids separation device and at least one solids transfer conduit configured to receive solids from the solids separation device. The solids transfer conduit is selectively partitioned into a plurality of compartments (or “sections”) along its length by isolation valves. A gas supply conduit and a gas discharge conduits are connected to one of the sections to facilitate removal of solids. A filter in fluid communication with that section is configured to prevent solids from passing through the gas discharge conduit so that the solids can be removed from one of the sections of the solids transfer conduit. A product gas generation system incorporates first and second reactors, the latter of which receives products created by the second reactor.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies related to inspecting transparent containers for both opaque and transparent defects. An emitter is configured to direct a color gradient through a sidewall of a transparent container, such that color of light that passes through the sidewall varies across the sidewall. A camera is configured to capture an image of the sidewall of the transparent container while the color gradient passes through the sidewall of the container. A computing system receives the image and determines whether the sidewall of the container includes either an opaque or a transparent defect based upon the image.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection and manufacture system. The system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.

Abstract: A container inspection system is described herein. The container inspection system includes a light source that emits a flash of light when a container is detected as being in an inspection region. The container inspection system further includes a light director element that receives a portion of the flash of light and forms a tapering field of light that illuminates an exterior surface of a sidewall of the container when the container is in the inspection region. The container inspection system further comprises a camera that generates an image of the exterior surface when such surface is illuminated by the tapering field of light. A computing system receives the image and outputs an indication as to whether or not the container is defective based upon the image.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) and Farming Superstructure Systems (FSS) may be used to produce cannabis, insects, and psilocybin mushrooms for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids, drugs, and chemicals for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, pet food, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact.

Abstract: A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas.