Abstract: System and method of producing a dimethylcyclooctane-based aviation fuel from isoprene includes culturing a genetically engineered microbe under suitable conditions to produce a first product including isoprene, dimerizing, using a transition metal-based catalyst, isoprene to form a second product including dimethylcyclooctadiene, and hydrogenating, using a hydrogenation catalyst, dimethylcyclooctadiene to form a third product including dimethylcyclooctane, wherein the genetically engineered microbe includes a heterologous nucleic acid construct encoding a peptide, the peptide having an activity configured to contribute to an enhanced production of isoprene.

Abstract: A method includes blending at least one n-alkane, at least one iso-alkane or a mixture thereof, and one or more compounds according to formula (I), wherein each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, to provide a composition exhibiting a density greater than 0.775 g/mL and a derived cetane number greater than 30; wherein comprises between about 50% to about 95% by weight of the one or more compounds according to formula (I) and between about 5% to about 50% by weight of the mixture of the at least one n-alkane and the at least one iso-alkane.

Abstract: A method for use of seal swelling compositions includes receiving a composition including one or more compounds according to formula (I), wherein each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and applying the composition to a first number of elastomeric seals to facilitate swelling of the first number of elastomeric seals.

Abstract: A method for producing a bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule includes oxidizing a terpene molecule to provide a first intermediate compound, wherein the first intermediate compound includes an aldehyde functional group, reacting the first intermediate compound with a 1,3-diene molecule to form a second intermediate compound including the aldehyde functional group, and reducing the second intermediate compound to yield a first bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule, wherein reducing the second intermediate compound includes removing the aldehyde functional group.

Abstract: A method for producing a bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule includes oxidizing a terpene molecule to provide a first intermediate compound, wherein the first intermediate compound includes an aldehyde functional group, reacting the first intermediate compound with a 1,3-diene molecule to form a second intermediate compound including the aldehyde functional group, and reducing the second intermediate compound to yield a first bicyclic hydrocarbon molecule, wherein reducing the second intermediate compound includes removing the aldehyde functional group.

Abstract: A method of producing 1,8-dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN) is provided. The method includes culturing cells under suitable culture conditions for the production of DHN. The cells include a nucleic acid encoding a polyketide synthase polypeptide and one or more nucleic acids encoding one or more protein enzymes used in the DHN melanin pathway. DHN melanin pathway genes may be expressed in the cells, which may recombinant E. coli cells. The cells may include inhibitors to stop the conversion of DHN into melanin within the cells. The cells may include glucose as a cell nutrient. The glucose may be derived from biomass. DHN may be produced, harvested and the harvested DHN may be catalyzed into a cyclic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A photodegradable polymeric system is presented that can be employed to entrap and stabilize bioactive therapeutics such as proteins and vaccines from environmental stressors. This system would obviate the need for refrigeration and would decrease transportation and storage costs of temperature-sensitive therapeutics. By using a photosensitive release system, users can administer temperature-sensitive compounds at their discretion. This photodegradable system will also permit the potential to stabilize temperature-sensitive therapeutics in a liquid suspension, eliminating the need for reconstitution.

Abstract: The invention relates to thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from multi-layers of palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports, methods of making these membranes, methods of repairing layers of these membranes and devices that incorporate these membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from multi-layers of palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports, methods of making these membranes, methods of repairing layers of these membranes and devices that incorporate these membranes.