Abstract: A microparticle comprised of dried cellulose nanocrystals agglomerated together and forming said microparticle is provided, wherein the CNCs are surfaced-reduced carboxylated CNCs, and wherein the microparticle is nanoredispersible into its constituting cellulose nanocrystals in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. A method for producing nanoredispersible microparticles comprised of dried CNCs is also provided.

Abstract: Proteinaceous cellulose microparticles are provided. These microparticles comprise cellulose nanocrystals and one or more peptide, one or more protein, or a mixture thereof, wherein the nanocrystals and the peptide(s) and/or protein(s) are aggregated together to form the microparticles. In embodiments, the microparticles comprise silk fibroin and advantageously are hydrophobic and lipophilic. There are also provided cosmetic preparations comprising these microparticles. In advantageous embodiments, these cosmetic preparations comprise a water-in-oil emulsion or a lipophilic medium. Finally, there are also provided methods of producing the microparticles.

Abstract: Porous cellulose microparticles and their use in, inter alias, cosmetic and pharmaceutic preparations are provided. These microparticles comprise cellulose I nanocrystals aggregated together, thus forming the microparticles, and arranged around cavities in the microparticles, thus defining pores in the microparticles. A method of for producing these microparticles is also provided. It involves mixing a suspension of cellulose I nanocrystals with an emulsion of a porogen to produce a mixture comprising a continuous liquid phase in which droplets of the porogen are dispersed and in which the nanocrystals of cellulose I are suspended; spray-drying the mixture to produce microparticles; and if the porogen has not sufficiently evaporated during spray-drying to form pores in the microparticles, evaporating the porogen or leaching the porogen out of the microparticles to form pores in the microparticles.

Abstract: A microparticle comprised of dried cellulose nanocrystals agglomerated together and forming said microparticle is provided, wherein the CNCs are surfaced-reduced carboxylated CNCs, and wherein the microparticle is nanoredispersible into its constituting cellulose nanocrystals in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. A method for producing nanoredispersible microparticles comprised of dried CNCs is also provided.

Abstract: Microparticles comprising carboxylated, sulfated, or phosphated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and pigment nanoparticles are provided. In these particles, the cellulose nanocrystals and the pigment nanoparticles are agglomerated together thereby forming said microparticle, and wherein the pigment nanoparticles are bound to the surface of the cellulose nanocrystals. Cosmetic preparations comprising these microparticles are also provided. Finally, a method for producing the microparticles is provided. The method comprises the steps of a) producing an aqueous suspension of carboxylated, sulfated, or phosphated CNCs with pigment nanoparticles bound thereto; and b) drying said aqueous suspension to produce the microparticles.

Abstract: A method for producing functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose, the method comprising the steps of providing cellulose, mixing said cellulose with a peroxide, thereby producing a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture, and/or exposing the reaction mixture to UV radiation is provided. Functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose produced by this method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose, the method comprising the steps of providing cellulose, mixing said cellulose with a peroxide, thereby producing a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture, and/or exposing the reaction mixture to UV radiation is provided. Functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose produced by this method is also provided.

Abstract: A pigment comprising dyed crystalline cellulose particles comprising a crystalline cellulose core having a surface charge, optionally one or more polyelectrolyte layers with alternating charges adsorbed on top of each other on the crystalline cellulose core, the polyelectrolyte layer closest to the core having a charge opposite the surface charge of the core, and at least one organic dye having a charge is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

Abstract: A pigment comprising dyed crystalline cellulose particles comprising a crystalline cellulose core having a surface charge, optionally one or more polyelectrolyte layers with alternating charges adsorbed on top of each other on the crystalline cellulose core, the polyelectrolyte layer closest to the core having a charge opposite the surface charge of the core, and at least one organic dye having a charge is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to flush plates having noncircular openings. In a specific example, the flush plate has a shark-fin shaped opening with an extending fin along a tail portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

Abstract: A method for producing functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose, the method comprising the steps of providing cellulose, mixing said cellulose with a peroxide, thereby producing a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture, and/or exposing the reaction mixture to UV radiation is provided. Functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose produced by this method is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

Abstract: An auxiliary or supplemental vehicle heating system that operates on natural gas or propane is provided for use with a vehicle engine having a liquid cooling/heating circuit. A propane- or natural gas-fired burner supplies heat during the operation or non-operation of the engine and the heat produced is used to supply heat to the engine, passenger compartment(s), mobile work areas, cargo containers and in the case of natural gas vehicles, provide heat to the on-board fuel system regulator. Thus, the auxiliary or supplemental heating system supplies heat independent of the engine's liquid cooling/heating circuit. In some embodiments, the cooling/heating circuit uses the heat produced from the natural gas or propane auxiliary heating system to supply heat to the engine via a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a grease processing unit for wastewater treatment. An embodiment of a grease processing unit includes a tank to hold influent. The tank has a top, a bottom, and one or more sides, and the influent is a mixture of grease and water. There is a first inlet in a side of the tank to allow influent to be pumped into the tank, and a second inlet in a side of the tank to allow water into the tank. The tank has an outlet in a side of the tank, where the outlet allows effluent to be released out of the tank. The grease separation unit also includes a control unit, the control unit to control the operation of the grease processing unit.