Abstract: Loose particulate materials can be problematic in various aspects. For example, loose particulate materials may generate dust or be difficult to consolidate together. Fines in loose particulate materials may also be an issue. Coated particulates may alleviate some of the foregoing issues. Suitable coated particulates may comprise a particulate material comprising sand or a ceramic, and a polysaccharide composition coated upon the particulate material, the polysaccharide composition comprising a functionalized polysaccharide. Other particulate materials such as wood chips and animal litter particulates may be coated with functionalized polysaccharides to achieve similar advantages.

Abstract: Reactors, reactor systems and methods for producing particles in a precipitation process are provided. The reactor includes a housing defining a reaction chamber, a stator assembly including two or more stators, a rotor assembly including two or more rotors, the rotor assembly configured for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the stator assembly, a first inlet to supply a first reactant material to the reaction chamber at a first radial location, a second inlet to supply a second reactant material to the reaction chamber at a second radial location different from the first radial location, wherein the first and second reactant materials react to produce precipitation of particles in the reaction chamber, and an outlet to supply the particles formed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Reactors, reactor systems and methods for producing particles in a precipitation process are provided. The reactor includes a housing defining a reaction chamber, a stator assembly including two or more stators, a rotor assembly including two or more rotors, the rotor assembly configured for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the stator assembly, a first inlet to supply a first reactant material to the reaction chamber at a first radial location, a second inlet to supply a second reactant material to the reaction chamber at a second radial location different from the first radial location, wherein the first and second reactant materials react to produce precipitation of particles in the reaction chamber, and an outlet to supply the particles formed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Compositions comprising crosslinked polysaccharides, particularly levan and/or dextran, may provide advantageous benefits when admixed with concrete blends. Suitable compositions may comprise a biologically sourced surfactant, and a crosslinked polysaccharide, in which the crosslinked polysaccharide comprises at least one crosslinking group bonded via ether linkages to a first polysaccharide chain and a second polysaccharide chain. Concrete blends may comprise such compositions, a cement and water. Methods for forming and/or using the concrete blends may comprise allowing the concrete blends to form a hardened mass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for reducing lost circulation in drilling wells with compositions preferably comprising cross linked levan and calcium carbonate mixed with clay minerals such as kaolinite and other minerals blends or salts thereof.

Abstract: Compositions comprising crosslinked polysaccharides, particularly levan and/or dextran, may provide advantageous benefits when admixed with concrete blends. Suitable compositions may comprise a biologically sourced surfactant, and a crosslinked polysaccharide, in which the crosslinked polysaccharide comprises at least one crosslinking group bonded via ether linkages to a first polysaccharide chain and a second polysaccharide chain. Concrete blends may comprise such compositions, a cement and water. Methods for forming and/or using the concrete blends may comprise allowing the concrete blends to form a hardened mass.

Abstract: Loose particulate materials can be problematic in various aspects. For example, loose particulate materials may generate dust or be difficult to consolidate together. Fines in loose particulate materials may also be an issue. Coated particulates may alleviate some of the foregoing issues. Suitable coated particulates may comprise a particulate material comprising sand or a ceramic, and a polysaccharide composition coated upon the particulate material, the polysaccharide composition comprising a functionalized polysaccharide. Other particulate materials such as wood chips and animal litter particulates may be coated with functionalized polysaccharides to achieve similar advantages.

Abstract: Friction reducing polysaccharide polymers may be stabilized against thermal degradation in performance using a lactate salt. Accordingly, friction reducing compositions may comprise at least one friction reducing polysaccharide polymer that is non-crosslinked, and a lactate salt. A fluid system may comprise the friction reducing compositions. Methods for mitigating friction may comprise introducing a fluid system comprising a lactate salt and at least one friction reducing polysaccharide polymer that is non-crosslinked into a location subject to friction, and exposing the fluid system to a friction-causing event in the location subject to friction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for dust control in particular in industrial operations such as mining. More particularly, the dust controlling agents are functionalized polysaccharides, partially oxidized polysaccharides that may or may not also be functionalized, or salts thereof.

Abstract: Polysaccharides may be partially oxidized by oxidative opening of a monosaccharide unit while still retaining glycosidic bonds. Such polysaccharides may be further functionalized with an amine moiety at a site of oxidative opening. Polysaccharides that are partially oxidized and amine-functionalized in this manner may be combined with an aqueous liquid to form compositions suitable for stabilizing clays in clay-containing formations. Clay stabilization may promote reduced swelling of the clays in the presence of water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to composition and methods for iron ore pelleting and cement binders. More particularly, the binders are bio compatible crosslinked levan and crosslinked polysaccharides or groups or salts thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to stabilizing functionalized polymers and compositions containing polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives functionalized with amine, alkyl and/or alkyl/amine moieties, and methods for reducing swelling of soils and especially clay-containing soils with stabilization functionalized polymers and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to stabilizing functionalized polymers and compositions containing polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives functionalized with amine, alkyl and/or alkyl/amine moieties, and methods for reducing swelling of soils and especially clay-containing soils with stabilization functionalized polymers and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Reactors, reactor systems and methods for producing particles in a precipitation process are provided. The reactor includes a housing defining a reaction chamber, a stator assembly including two or more stators, a rotor assembly including two or more rotors, the rotor assembly configured for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the stator assembly, a first inlet to supply a first reactant material to the reaction chamber at a first radial location, a second inlet to supply a second reactant material to the reaction chamber at a second radial location different from the first radial location, wherein the first and second reactant materials react to produce precipitation of particles in the reaction chamber, and an outlet to supply the particles formed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a bias generator including: a bias generator circuit; a master startup circuit that applies current to a first node in the bias generator circuit; a second startup circuit that applies current to additional nodes in the bias generator circuit; and a power switch that receives a power from a power supply and that provides power to the bias generator circuit, the master startup circuit, and the second startup circuit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compounds, compositions and methods for the removal of contaminants from fluids and, in particular sulfates and/or metals from industrial waste water. Compounds and compositions of the invention contain polysaccharides and other organic molecules. These flocculating agents are safe and effective, requiring no special handling procedures. Flocculation compounds include biopolymers of dextran, modified dextran and blends of dextrans, plus other organic and/or inorganic molecules. With the addition of flocculants of the invention to waste water, contaminants such as sulfate and toxic heavy metals can be safely, easily and efficiently removed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to stabilizing functionalized polymers and compositions containing polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives functionalized with amine, alkyl and/or alkyl/amine moieties, and methods for reducing swelling of soils and especially clay-containing soils with stabilization functionalized polymers and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Reactors, reactor systems and methods for producing particles in a precipitation process are provided. The reactor includes a housing defining a reaction chamber, a stator assembly including two or more stators, a rotor assembly including two or more rotors, the rotor assembly configured for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the stator assembly, a first inlet to supply a first reactant material to the reaction chamber at a first radial location, a second inlet to supply a second reactant material to the reaction chamber at a second radial location different from the first radial location, wherein the first and second reactant materials react to produce precipitation of particles in the reaction chamber, and an outlet to supply the particles formed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Reactors, reactor systems and methods for producing particles in a precipitation process are provided. The reactor includes a housing defining a reaction chamber, a stator assembly including two or more stators, a rotor assembly including two or more rotors, the rotor assembly configured for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the stator assembly, a first inlet to supply a first reactant material to the reaction chamber at a first radial location, a second inlet to supply a second reactant material to the reaction chamber at a second radial location different from the first radial location, wherein the first and second reactant materials react to produce precipitation of particles in the reaction chamber, and an outlet to supply the particles formed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An oscillator architecture and a method for powering up/down the oscillator architecture are described. In one embodiment, an oscillator architecture includes a reference generator configured to generate reference signals and an in-phase/quadrature (IQ) oscillator configured to generate oscillation signals based on the reference signals. The reference generator includes a distributed start-up circuitry that includes multiple start-up circuits. The IQ oscillator includes at least one turbo comparator having a low power functional mode and a turbo functional mode. Other embodiments are also described.