Abstract: A system for converting cellulosic feedstock to sugar is provided. The system comprises a biomass hopper configured to accept raw material, a conveying tube with a conveying screw configured to separate and transport the raw material, a product heater proximate the conveying screw tube, a drop chute in communication with the conveying screw, and a crusher assembly configured to receive the raw material and defining a reaction zone, grind raw material under pressure to induce a solid-solid chemical reaction to produce the sugar, wherein the crusher assembly comprises a pair of rollers configured to crush the raw material therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a water-soluble mixture of oligosaccharides for facile conversion to fermentable sugars is provided. The method describes crushing, grinding, or both, a mixture of a cellulose feedstock and a solid acid catalyst, under pressure to induce a solid-solid interaction between the cellulosic feedstock and the solid acid catalyst to induce a chemical reaction to produce a grinded mixture, wherein the crusher assembly comprises rollers, introducing water to separate the grinded mixture into solids and a solution, wherein the solution comprises the oligosaccharides and enzymatically converting the solution to fermentable sugars.

Abstract: A method for isolating lignin and synthesizing nanocellulose from lignocellulosic materials is provided. The method describes crushing and grinding the lignocellulosic material under pressure with a solid acid catalyst to induce a solid-solid chemical reaction to depolymerize the lignocellulosic materials into a first product, hydrolyzing the first product into a second product, dissolving the second product in water to form a third product, reslurrying a solid mixture using a flotation reactor, collecting a froth at the top of the reactor and drying the froth to yield lignan. A system is also provided for isolating lignin and synthesizing nanocellulose.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a water-soluble mixture of oligosaccharides for facile conversion to fermentable sugars is provided. The method describes crushing, grinding, or both, a mixture of a cellulose feedstock and a solid acid catalyst, under pressure to induce a solid-solid interaction between the cellulosic feedstock and the solid acid catalyst to induce a chemical reaction to produce a grinded mixture, wherein the crusher assembly comprises rollers, introducing water to separate the grinded mixture into solids and a solution, wherein the solution comprises the oligosaccharides and enzymatically converting the solution to fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel materials using water gellants that are comprised of polymer backbones P to which hydrogen bonding 4H-units are covalently attached via a hydrophobic linker L. Optionally, the hydrogel contains additional ingredients or additives. These new reversible hydrogels can easily be fine-tuned in their mechanical performance and function and are especially suitable for biomedical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel materials using water gellants that are comprised of polymer backbones P to which hydrogen bonding 4H-units are covalently attached via a hydrophobic linker L. Optionally, the hydrogel contains additional ingredients or additives. These new reversible hydrogels can easily be fine-tuned in their mechanical performance and function and are especially suitable for biomedical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel materials using water gellants that are comprised of polymer backbones P to which hydrogen bonding 4H-units are covalently attached via a hydrophobic linker L. Optionally, the hydrogel contains additional ingredients or additives. These new reversible hydrogels can easily be fine-tuned in their mechanical performance and function and are especially suitable for biomedical applications.