Abstract: A lithium battery cathode material comprises lithium transition metal-based material selected from lithium transition metal oxides and lithium transition metal phosphates, and crystalline silicon carbide residing at grain boundaries of the lithium transition metal-based material, forming conductive pathways along the grain boundaries, the crystalline silicon carbide being less than 10 wt. % of the cathode material.

Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries having one or more subdivided electrode layers. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods for producing a bioproduct selected from acetone, isopropanol and a combination thereof with a microorganism in a fermentor are disclosed. The methods include separating cells of the microorganism from a fermentation broth to form separated cells and recycling at least a fraction of the separated cells to the fermentor to achieve one or more of the following: (1) cell concentration in said fermentor greater than 2 g/L; mass yield on a first feedstock greater than 32%; productivity greater than 0.12 g/L/h; and bioproduct titer greater than 10 g/L.

Abstract: As an example, a walker includes a first leg pair, a second leg pair and a cross beam connecting the first and second leg pairs in a parallel, spaced apart relationship. Each leg pair includes a U-shaped tube defining a front leg and a rear leg. A front strut is telescopically movable within the front leg and extends outwardly therefrom. A rear strut is telescopically movable within the rear leg and extends outwardly therefrom. A mechanical linear actuator includes a rotating element adapted to rotate relative to at least one of the front leg or the rear leg. The rotating element includes an interface with a track on the respective strut relative to which the rotating element rotates, whereby rotational motion of the rotating element translates to corresponding linear motion of the strut.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to monitor health information of a valve are disclosed. An example system includes a field device in a process control network to monitor a valve, and a valve health monitor to be communicatively coupled to the field device to obtain operational health information from the field device when the valve is commanded to move from a first position to a second position, the first position opposite the second position, identify a condition of the valve based on the operational health information, and send an alert via the process control network based on the condition of the valve.

Abstract: A selection method including providing a microorganism preparation including a variety of microorganisms and optionally water; providing an organic liquid including at least 70% by weight hydrophobic solvent; forming a multiple phase medium including a selected amount of the microorganism preparation and a selected amount of the organic liquid; and maintaining the multiple phase medium at a selected temperature for selected duration, whereby a treated microorganism preparation is formed.

Abstract: Provided is an improved method for selecting a probiotic microorganism composition, the method comprising providing a first consortium of microorganisms having Microorganism Composition A; providing a first host animal having a first microbiome having Microorganism Composition B; administering said first consortium to said first host animal, whereby said first microbiome is converted to a second microbiome having Microorganism Composition C; collecting a first sample of said second microbiome; and transferring at least a fraction of said first sample and/or said treated first sample onto and/or into a growth medium and incubating at a temperature between 15 degrees Celsius and 70 degrees Celsius to form first selected microorganism composition having Microorganism Composition D; wherein Microorganism Composition A of said first consortium comprises at least 50 different strains; wherein each of Compositions A and B; B and C and D and A differ from each other.

Abstract: Provided is a feed ingredient comprising at least 20% by weight Clostridium tyrobutyricum, wherein said Clostridium tyrobutyricum comprises at least 70% of dry weight crude protein and optionally at least 7% of dry weight lysine and/or at least 1% of dry weight methionine. Further provided are animal feeds and probiotic compositions comprising the feed ingredient, methods for the production thereof and uses thereof.

Abstract: Supplemented mixotrophic method. A mixotrophic fermentation method is disclosed including providing a naturally acetogenic organism; providing a fermentation medium comprising a carbon source and a supplemented non-sugar reductant; and culturing the organism in the fermentation medium, where both the carbon source and the non-sugar reductant are metabolized and a fermentation broth is formed, which contains at least one carbon-containing bioproduct.

Abstract: A system and method for passively balancing electroacoustic transducers so that sounds other than the transducer's output can be detected. A transducer producing audio output based upon an input audio signal can operate in reverse to produce a signal in response to the impact of external sound upon the transducer from another source. This “reverse” or “microphone” signal represents the sound from the other source. Transducers are operated in monophonic mode, each in opposite polarity to the other thus canceling out and leaving only the microphone signal created by the transducers, i.e., a signal representing the external sound. The microphone signal can be amplified, and can be filtered and processed to identify and/or obtain various types of information about the sound received by the transducers.

Abstract: An integrated wet-mill method for the production of ethanol and single cell protein. An integrated method for the production of ethanol and a single cell protein product is described including providing corn kernels, which kernels comprise germ, fiber, protein and starch and which method includes, among other things, steeping said corn kernels and separating said steeped kernels from a steep liquor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions utilizing organism consisting of the strains within the order Clostridiales for improving health of animals. Disclosed methods comprise administering an effective dose of a composition comprising organism consisting of the strains within the order Clostridiales to an animal, including for example, a broiler or hen, thereby improving said animal's health.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a body including an inlet and an outlet; a stem to move a plug within the body to control a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet; a seal to deter fluid from exiting the body along the stem; and a positioner including a processor, the processor to estimate a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on 1) a number of operational cycles that the seal is exposed to; and 2) stresses experienced by the seal during the respective operational cycles.

Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries, such as thin-film batteries, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries having a current collector tab between multiple electrochemical cells each having an electrolyte layer between an anode layer and a cathode layer in a vertical direction. The anode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the cathode layer include respective sidewalls exposed along a cell sidewall, and the cell sidewall has a non-zero, non-vertical slope.

Abstract: Single cell protein products and an integrated method for the production of ethanol and single cell protein. A single-cell protein product comprising on dry basis between 62% by weight and 75% by weight crude protein, at least 0.2% by weight butyric acid and at least three of, at least four of or all five of (i) between 5.5% by weight and 6.9% by weight lysine; (ii) between 2.1% by weight and 3.5% by weight methionine; (iii) between 3.1% by weight and 4.4% by weight threonine; (iv) between 2.0% by weight and 3.3% by weight tryptophan and (v) between 2.5% by weight and 4.5% by weight crude fat.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile device is described, the method comprising: receiving a time varying current or voltage of a signal generated on the terminals of an acoustic transducer of the mobile device, the time varying current or voltage being generated in response to a tapping and/or sliding motion on a surface of the mobile device performed by a user; comparing the time varying signal characteristics with a set of predetermined signal characteristics; and generating at least one user command in dependence of the comparison. The mobile device may reliably detect complex user commands using an acoustic transducer.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. An example apparatus includes a cage; a plug including a seal gland; and means for sealingly engaging an inner surface of the cage at least partially positioned in the seal gland and including a first portion and a second portion, in response to a fluid acting on the first portion in a first direction, the first portion to engage, outwardly urge, and splay the second portion to sealingly engage the cage, in response to the fluid acting in a second direction, the second portion to deter the fluid from acting on the first portion, the first direction opposite the second direction.

Abstract: A proteinic biomass preparation comprising a non-native organism of the Clostridia class, which organism expresses (i) a modified aspartate kinase; (ii) a modified homoserine dehydrogenase; (iii) a modified homoserine kinase; (iv) a modified anthranilate synthase; (v) a functional lycopene pathway and the genes crtY, crtW, and crtZ; and/or (vi) a functional oleic acid pathway and the four gene operon (pfaABCD). Methods of producing proteinic biomass preparations are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides microorganisms capable of converting acetyl-coA into crotyl alcohol as well as fermentation methods for producing crotyl alcohol, either alone, or in combination with acetone and/or isopropanol. The microorganisms may be genetically engineered to express and/or disrupt one or more of the following enzymes: acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, bifunctional acetaldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidoreductase, phosphotransacetylase, acetate kinase, CoA-transferase A, CoA-transferase B, acetoacetate decarboxylase, secondary alcohol dehydrogenase, butyryl-CoA dehydro genase (BCD), and/or trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (TER).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vibration monitoring circuit to: collect first vibration data associated with a process control device during calibration of the process control device; calculate an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data; collect usage information associated with the process control device, the usage information indicative of a remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; adjust the operating threshold based on the usage information, the adjusted operating threshold reflective of the remaining portion of useful life associated with the process control device; and determine a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the adjusted operating threshold.