Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells includes placing unseparated egg shells in a separation tank containing fluid, applying cavitation to the unseparated egg shells in the fluid to thereby separate the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. An apparatus for processing unseparated egg shells includes a separation tank for holding a fluid, a recirculating loop operatively connected to the separation tank, and at least one submersible mixer in the recirculating loop to recirculate the fluid and egg shell membranes and egg shells within the fluid. The apparatus further includes a membrane collection conveyor for conveying egg shell membranes from the separation tank and a shell conveyor positioned beneath the separation tank for conveying egg shells away from the separation tank.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells includes placing unseparated egg shells in a separation tank containing fluid, applying cavitation to the unseparated egg shells in the fluid to thereby separate the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. An apparatus for processing unseparated egg shells includes a separation tank for holding a fluid, a recirculating loop operatively connected to the separation tank, and at least one submersible mixer in the recirculating loop to recirculate the fluid and egg shell membranes and egg shells within the fluid. The apparatus further includes a membrane collection conveyor for conveying egg shell membranes from the separation tank and a shell conveyor positioned beneath the separation tank for conveying egg shells away from the separation tank.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells is provided. The method includes placing the unseparated egg shells in a fluid tank containing a fluid mixture, applying cavitation to the fluid mixture to thereby assist in separating the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. Preferably, the fluid mixture is recirculated to thereby provide for continuous processing of unseparated egg shells. The method may further include drying the egg shell membranes to produce dried egg shell membranes which may then be vacuum packaged for storage and/or transport. The dried egg shell membranes may then be subjected to an extraction process for extracting at least one type of polypeptide from the egg shell membranes. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or amino acids of interest may be extracted from the egg shell membrane and purified for numerous uses.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells is provided. The method includes placing the unseparated egg shells in a fluid tank containing a fluid mixture, applying cavitation to the fluid mixture to thereby assist in separating the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. Preferably, the fluid mixture is recirculated to thereby provide for continuous processing of unseparated egg shells. The method may further include drying the egg shell membranes to produce dried egg shell membranes which may then be vacuum packaged for storage and/or transport. The dried egg shell membranes may then be subjected to an extraction process for extracting at least one type of polypeptide from the egg shell membranes. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or amino acids of interest may be extracted from the egg shell membrane and purified for numerous uses.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells is provided. The method includes placing the unseparated egg shells in a fluid tank containing a fluid mixture, applying cavitation to the fluid mixture to thereby assist in separating the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. Preferably, the fluid mixture is recirculated to thereby provide for continuous processing of unseparated egg shells. The method may further include drying the egg shell membranes to produce dried egg shell membranes which may then be vacuum packaged for storage and/or transport. The dried egg shell membranes may then be subjected to an extraction process for extracting at least one type of polypeptide from the egg shell membranes. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or amino acids of interest may be extracted from the egg shell membrane and purified for numerous uses.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells is provided. The method includes placing the unseparated egg shells in a fluid tank containing a fluid mixture, applying cavitation to the fluid mixture to thereby assist in separating the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. Preferably, the fluid mixture is recirculated to thereby provide for continuous processing of unseparated egg shells. The method may further include drying the egg shell membranes to produce dried egg shell membranes which may then be vacuum packaged for storage and/or transport. The dried egg shell membranes may then be subjected to an extraction process for extracting at least one type of polypeptide from the egg shell membranes. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or amino acids of interest may be extracted from the egg shell membrane and purified for numerous uses.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells is provided. The method includes placing the unseparated egg shells in a fluid tank containing a fluid mixture, applying cavitation to the fluid mixture to thereby assist in separating the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. Preferably, the fluid mixture is recirculated to thereby provide for continuous processing of unseparated egg shells. The method may further include drying the egg shell membranes to produce dried egg shell membranes which may then be vacuum packaged for storage and/or transport. The dried egg shell membranes may then be subjected to an extraction process for extracting at least one type of polypeptide from the egg shell membranes. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or amino acids of interest may be extracted from the egg shell membrane and purified for numerous uses.

Abstract: A method for increasing recovery of particulate material from a fluid stream includes directing the fluid stream through a channel, conditioning the fluid stream by applying energy to the fluid stream sufficient to increase concentration of the particulate material, and recovering the particulate material from the fluid stream. The particulate material of interest may be iron oxide in stream of water. The step of applying energy may be performed by applying an electric field or a magnetic field to the fluid stream to facilitate the separation process.

Abstract: A method for magnetic fermentation is provided which includes subjecting a biological material in a medium to a static magnetic field in order to affect fermentation of the biological material into a fermented product. The fermentation reaction may occur in an acidic or alkaline medium. The magnetic field may be a positive or negative magnetic field. The magnetic field or other parameters associated with the fermentation process may be monitored with one or more sensors and the magnetic field may be modulated accordingly.

Abstract: A composition is made from a mixture of an electroactive powder and a conductive liquid. The conductive liquid can be an elastomer such as rubber, or a polymeric foam. The electroactive powder may be an electroceramic powder or a magnetostrictive material. One example of a magnetostrictive material is a Terbium alloy. The composition can have an open cell structure or a closed cell structure. In addition to the electroactive powder and the conductive liquid, carbon nanotubes can be added to the mixture. A method is also provided. The method includes forming a smart material composition includes adding an electroactive powder to a conductive liquid and mixing the electroactive powder and the conductive liquid to form a mixture.

Abstract: A device for applying a therapeutic electrical field to a user's body includes an electroactive material shaped for application to a user body to provide a therapeutic electric field in response to pressure applied to the electroactive material and one or more electrodes integrated into the electroactive material and disposed along an inner surface of the electroactive material for delivering the therapeutic electric field to the user's body.

Abstract: An article of clothing for use in water includes an electroactive material integrated into the clothing, at least one electrode integrated into the clothing and wherein the electroactive material is adapted to release electrical impulses into the water. A method of generating electrical energy on a person includes wearing clothing with an integrated electroactive material that produces electrical charges upon movement of the person and harvesting electrical energy from the electroactive material for use with an electrical load. An article of clothing includes an electroactive material integrated into the clothing, at least one electrode integrated into the clothing, and wherein the electroactive material is adapted to generate an electrical field around the clothing.

Abstract: A method of extracting a polypeptide from avian eggshell membranes. The method includes fermenting the avian eggshell membranes in a fermentation process, harvesting a fermented product, and processing the fermented product to extract the polypeptide. Prior to fermentation, the eggshell membranes are separated. Optionally, the eggshell membranes are dried. The processing of the fermented product can extract collagen, amino acids, or other high value polypeptides. Separating the eggshell membranes from eggshells may be performed using an acidic solution to assist in eliminating contaminants.

Abstract: A method for converting useful movement into electrical energy includes moving a structure against a surface thereby generating a force against a material integrated into the structure, deforming the material in response to the force to thereby generate electrical energy from the material, and harvesting the electrical energy. An apparatus for converting useful movement into electrical energy includes a smart material adapted to produce electrical energy when a force against the smart material is applied, and a plurality of coils in contact with the smart material for harvesting the electrical energy.

Abstract: An all natural solid form nutritional supplement comprising a mixture of a natural composition and honey, the mixture dried to a crystalline form to thereby provide the solid form nutritional supplement. The natural composition may be in liquid form, such as cider vinegar or in powdered form, such as egg shell powered. The resulting crystals can be packaged as a nutritional supplement or incorporated into food products. A method of producing the nutritional supplement is also provided, as well as a method for providing nourishment through administering a safe and effective amount of the nutritional supplement to a human or animal.

Abstract: A method for processing unseparated egg shells is provided. The method includes placing the unseparated egg shells in a fluid tank containing a fluid mixture, applying cavitation to the fluid mixture to thereby assist in separating the egg shell membranes from the egg shells, and recovering the egg shell membranes. Preferably, the fluid mixture is recirculated to thereby provide for continuous processing of unseparated egg shells. The method may further include drying the egg shell membranes to produce dried egg shell membranes which may then be vacuum packaged for storage and/or transport. The dried egg shell membranes may then be subjected to an extraction process for extracting at least one type of polypeptide from the egg shell membranes. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or amino acids of interest may be extracted from the egg shell membrane and purified for numerous uses.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for powering movement of a structure by generating electricity from movement. In one aspect of the invention, electricity is generated from changes in thickness of a pad integrated into a tire. The tire can include a tire body having an outer wall and opposite sidewalls, a plurality of radial plies, and at least one pad integrated between the radial plies.

Abstract: A device for applying a therapeutic electrical field to a user's body includes an electroactive material shaped for application to a user body to provide a therapeutic electric field in response to pressure applied to the electroactive material and one or more electrodes integrated into the electroactive material and disposed along an inner surface of the electroactive material for delivering the therapeutic electric field to the user's body.

Abstract: An article of clothing for use in water includes an electroactive material integrated into the clothing, at least one electrode integrated into the clothing and wherein the electroactive material is adapted to release electrical impulses into the water. A method of generating electrical energy on a person includes wearing clothing with an integrated electroactive material that produces electrical charges upon movement of the person and harvesting electrical energy from the electroactive material for use with an electrical load. An article of clothing includes an electroactive material integrated into the clothing, at least one electrode integrated into the clothing, and wherein the electroactive material is adapted to generate an electrical field around the clothing.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for powering movement of a structure by generating electricity from movement. In one aspect of the invention, electricity is generated from changes in thickness of a pad integrated into a tire. The tire can include a tire body having an outer wall and opposite sidewalls, a plurality of radial plies, and at least one pad integrated between the radial plies.