Abstract: A device and method for isolating extracellular vesicles from biofluids is disclosed. A nanoporous silicon nitride membrane is provided with a tangential flow of biofluid. A pressure gradient through the nanoporous silicon nitride membrane facilitates capture of extracellular vesicles from the tangential flow vector of biofluid. Reversal of the pressure gradient results in the release of the extracellular vesicles for subsequent collection.

Abstract: A method is provided that can include activating at least two wireless communication channels in parallel, between a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. Each of the at least two wireless communication channels can operate at a different radio carrier frequency, and the first wireless transceiver may be part of a first vehicle. The method can also include transmitting, by the first wireless transceiver, common information in parallel on the at least two wireless communication channels to the second wireless transceiver and deactivating the at least two wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A one-piece fitting (56) for a stiffened panel (51) comprising a panel body (52) with a plurality of stiffeners (53, 54, 55) arranged thereon, the fitting comprising a fitting body (56) configured to be fastened, in use, to two or more of the stiffeners (53, 54, 55) so as to provide a junction to transfer load between the two or more stiffeners, wherein the fitting body further comprises an integral functional fitting (57) arranged for engagement with a component other than the stiffened panel.

Abstract: A system for converting waste organic material from an ethanol plant to high-protein, single-cell organism matter. The system includes first and second fermenters receiving waste organic material streams. A sterilizer is connected to the fermenters and is configured for sterilizing the output thereof.

Abstract: A waste organic solids burner integrated with an ethanol plant includes a burner receiving waste organic syrup, combustion air dryer exhaust and natural gas from the ethanol plant. A baghouse receives burner exhaust and extracts particulate matter and hot gas, which is sent to a waste boiler. Cool gas from the waste boiler is sent to a heat recovery scrubber, from which hot water is sent to the ethanol plant as an energy source.

Abstract: A fiber reactor system includes a fiber slurry tank configured for receiving fiber feed containing cellulose and hemicellulose for forming a fiber slurry, which is mixed with evaporator condensate. The fiber slurry is mixed with steam vapors for sterilizing. A fiber reactor system is configured for receiving ruled fiber and mixing with microorganisms. The scrubber water is fed the top of a scrubber to capture ethanol and an ethanol-laden fiber stream is sent to a low-ethanol beer stripping system.

Abstract: A system and method for producing ethanol from dry-milled corn or other grains includes the steps of separating fiber components and embedded starch components from the grain. The fiber components and embedded starch components are cooked at high temperatures and fermented to produce ethanol.

Abstract: Regenerative vapor energy recovery system and method for use with an ethanol plant. Regenerative vapors are partially condensed in a regenerative precondenser using a warm water stream. The warm water stream is fed to the regenerative precondenser and the partially condensed regenerative vapor stream is sent back to the ethanol plant where the stream is fully condensed using an existing condenser. The ethanol plant is thus operated at greater energy efficiency with lower operating costs than would be achieved with conventional systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention provide for the efficient distillation of ethanol in an ethanol plant including a beer column. Heat is captured in the distillation process and utilized to drive operations in the ethanol plant.

Abstract: Spent stillage remaining after the fermentation of a feedstock for ethanol production may be processed to recover, use, and/or recycle the constituent components of the stillage. Stillage may be mixed, heated, and held at a desired temperature for a period of time. The stillage may then be cooled and treated with an enzyme. The enzymatically treated stillage may be emulsified with oil and water, and then permitted to settle into discrete layers. Individual layers may then be processed. A system and method for separating stillage after the fermentation process of ethanol production has concluded are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention provide for the efficient distillation of ethanol in an ethanol plant including a beer column. Heat is captured in the distillation process and utilized to drive operations in the ethanol plant.

Abstract: Prepreg tapes suitable for automated placement process are formed by slitting a sheet of partially impregnated prepreg. The partially impregnated prepreg is composed of unidirectional fiber tows partially embedded in a resin layer and has a continuous resin surface only on one side. In some embodiments, one or two nonwoven veil(s) is/are incorporated into the partially impregnated prepreg.

Abstract: Spent stillage remaining after the fermentation of a feedstock for ethanol production may be processed to recover, use, and/or recycle the constituent components of the stillage. Stillage may be mixed, heated, and held at a desired temperature for a period of time. The stillage may then be cooled and treated with an enzyme. The enzymatically treated stillage may be emulsified with oil and water, and then permitted to settle into discrete layers. Individual layers may then be processed.

Abstract: A system for continuous ethanol recovery in an ethanol plant includes a prefermenter receiving high solids corn slurry mash from the ethanol plant. A yeast source injects live yeast cells into the prefermenter, which converts sugar in the mash to ethanol and provides beer with a concentration of the ethanol as output. A prefermenter stripper is configured for receiving an outflow airstream and stripping ethanol and water from down-flowing beer. A yeast source injects live yeast cells from the ethanol plant into the prefermenter. The prefermenter converts sugar in the mash to ethanol and provides beer with a concentration of the ethanol as prefermenter output. The prefermenter stripper receives an upflowing airstream and strips ethanol and water from downflowing beer and leaves the top of the prefermenter stripper with ethanol-laden exhaust. A beer recirculation cooler cools the stripped beer using cooling tower water from the existing plant as a heat sink.

Abstract: A device and method for isolating extracellular vesicles from biofluids is disclosed. A nanoporous silicon nitride membrane is provided with a tangential flow of biofluid. A pressure gradient through the nanoporous silicon nitride membrane facilitates capture of extracellular vesicles from the tangential flow vector of biofluid. Reversal of the pressure gradient results in the release of the extracellular vesicles for subsequent collection.

Abstract: A system and method for expanding the production capacity of an existing ethanol production facility including: a source of fermented mash (beer); a first beer column configured for receiving beer input from the source and for producing overhead comprising alcohol vapor and water vapor; and a first rectifier receiving an alcohol and water mixture from said first beer column. The system includes a second beer column, first and second condensers receiving overhead from the beer columns and a second rectifier receiving condensed overhead from the second condenser and bottoms from the first rectifier. A processing component receives bottoms from the first and second beer columns and steam condensate. The method includes the steps of retrofitting an existing ethanol production facility with a second beer column, first and second condensers and a second rectifier.

Abstract: A starch separation system for an ethanol plant includes a dry fractionization system, a fiber blender, a refiner, a fiber liquefaction tank and a fiber wash system. A starch separation method includes the steps of providing a dry fractionization system receiving corn from the ethanol plant and fractionating the corn into corn oil, corn fiber, corn grits, corn, endosperm flour and germ cake. The corn components are converted to sugar and the sugar is converted to ethanol. A converted fiber stream is input to the fiber wash system for producing fiber wash water for input to the ethanol plant.

Abstract: A one-piece fitting (56) for a stiffened panel (51) comprising a panel body (52) with a plurality of stiffeners (53, 54, 55) arranged thereon, the fitting comprising a fitting body (56) configured to be fastened, in use, to two or more of the stiffeners (53, 54, 55) so as to provide a junction to transfer load between the two or more stiffeners, wherein the fitting body further comprises an integral functional fitting (57) arranged for engagement with a component other than the stiffened panel.

Abstract: A system and method for expanding the production capacity of an existing ethanol production facility including: a source of fermented mash (beer); a first beer column configured for receiving beer input from the source and for producing overhead comprising alcohol vapor and water vapor; and a first rectifier receiving an alcohol and water mixture from said first beer column. The system includes a second beer column, first and second condensers receiving overhead from the beer columns and a second rectifier receiving condensed overhead from the second condenser and bottoms from the first rectifier. A processing component receives bottoms from the first and second beer columns and steam condensate. The method includes the steps of retrofitting an existing ethanol production facility with a second beer column, first and second condensers and a second rectifier.

Abstract: Spent stillage remaining after the fermentation of a feedstock for ethanol production may be processed to recover, use, and/or recycle the constituent components of the stillage. Stillage may be mixed, heated, and held at a desired temperature for a period of time. The stillage may then be cooled and treated with an enzyme. The enzymatically treated stillage may be emulsified with oil and water, and then permitted to settle into discrete layers. Individual layers may then be processed.