Abstract: An immersion container for treating produce with an ozonated concentrate liquid is disclosed. The container is configured to hold produce up to a produce fill line and ozonated concentrate liquid up to an ozonated concentrate liquid fill line, ensuring full immersion of the produce. An adjustable egress port controls the drainage of the liquid at a time rate corresponding to a disinfection treatment time. A drying platform supports the produce during immersion, oxygenation, and drying processes. One or more produce agitation mechanisms are operationally related to either the drying platform or the container and are configured to enhance ozonated concentrate liquid interaction during immersion or dislodge any remaining liquid post-treatment. The ozonated concentrate liquid is generated from water via an electrochemical generator. The system may include a flow governor to regulate ozone production and concentration. A method of treating produce using the immersion container is also provided.

Abstract: An immersion container for treating produce with an ozonated concentrate liquid is disclosed. The container is configured to hold produce up to a produce fill line and ozonated concentrate liquid up to an ozonated concentrate liquid fill line, ensuring full immersion of the produce. An adjustable egress port controls the drainage of the liquid at a time rate corresponding to a disinfection treatment time. A drying platform supports the produce during immersion, oxygenation, and drying processes. One or more produce agitation mechanisms are operationally related to either the drying platform or the container and are configured to enhance ozonated concentrate liquid interaction during immersion or dislodge any remaining liquid post-treatment. The ozonated concentrate liquid is generated from water via an electrochemical generator. The system may include a flow governor to regulate ozone production and concentration. A method of treating produce using the immersion container is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ozone floor disinfection system. A floor cleaning machine traverses a floor surface entering a pre-hygienic zone prior to cleaning, cleaning within a midst-hygienic zone for a cleaning period, and moving away from the midst-hygienic zone creating a post-hygienic zone. An aqueous ozone generator receives water and generates an ozonated concentrate liquid. A post-hygienic mixer ratiometrically blends the ozonated concentrate liquid and water to form a post-hygienic ozone disinfection solution having a predetermined post-hygienic ozone treatment concentration. A post-hygienic nozzle spray of the post-hygienic ozone disinfection solution onto the post-hygienic zone portion of the floor surface for at least the post-hygienic treatment time absent agitation or removal by the floor cleaning machine improving disinfection of the floor surface. The service life of the aqueous ozone generator can be tracked and the disinfected floor surface can be GPS geofenced.

Abstract: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) provide precise and conformal coatings that are employed to modify the properties of powders for additive manufacturing (AM). We have surprisingly discovered that use of a limited number of ALD cycles can impart improved flowability. In various aspects, the coating may provide one or more advantages such as novel material properties, increased flowability, improved sintering, enhanced stability during storage, and prevention of premature sintering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfoaming aqueous ozone disinfection system that comprises an aqueous ozone generator that receives water, a microfoaming agent, and an electrochemical generator that comprises an ion exchange material. The electrochemical generator is integrated into the aqueous ozone generator. The electrochemical generator receives the water and generates from the water an ozonated concentrate liquid. The microfoaming aqueous ozone disinfection system also comprises a mixer that blends the microfoaming agent with the ozonated concentrate liquid creating a microfoaming ozonated liquid that is dispensed for use in disinfecting one or more surfaces. Replaceable cartridges can include the microfoaming agent. The system can data communicate with remote data processing resources, including communicating when it is time to replace the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of disinfecting a fluid transmission line. The method includes the steps of initiating the flow of water into an aqueous ozone generator, generating an ozonated concentrate liquid by way of an electrochemical generator which comprises an ion exchange material. The electrochemical generator is integrated into the aqueous ozone generator. The electrochemical generator receives the water and generates from the water the ozonated concentrate liquid. The method continues by generating the flow of a microfoaming ozonated liquid by ratiometrically mixing a microfoaming agent with the ozonated concentrate liquid and disinfecting a fluid transmission line by dispensing the microfoaming ozonated liquid through the fluid transmission line. Replaceable cartridges can include the microfoaming agent. The system can data communicate with remote data processing resources, including communicating when it is time to replace the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to food preparation disinfection treatment methods that disinfect fruits or vegetables, and food preparation surfaces during the preparation of food items in a restaurant environment. The methods include steps such as creating an ozonated concentrate liquid by way of an aqueous ozone generator, disinfecting fruit or vegetables by immersion in the ozonated concentrate liquid, disinfecting one or more of a food preparation surface by misting the ozonated concentrate liquid onto the food preparation surface, neutralizing the odor of the plant tissue by misting the ozonated concentrate liquid onto the plant tissue at periodic mist intervals, and other steps and features including being able to disinfect and oxygenate lettuce in prepackaged produce packaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to post-harvest lettuce treatment methods that use aqueous ozone to disinfect, extend vitality, and reduce the amount of lettuce used in food preparation. The methods include steps such as creating an ozonated concentrate liquid by way of an aqueous ozone generator, removing pesticide residues from lettuce by a rinse in the ozonated concentrate liquid, disinfecting the lettuce by immersion in the ozonated concentrate liquid, oxygenating lettuce plant tissue to reinvigorate the lettuce, neutralizing the odor of the plant tissue by misting the ozonated concentrate liquid onto the plant tissue at a periodic mist interval, and other method steps and features including being able to disinfect and oxygenate lettuce in prepackaged produce packaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates an aqueous ozone disinfection system. An aqueous ozone generator receives water and an electrochemical medium catalyst that are combined forming a mixture. An electrochemical generator includes an ion exchange material and is integrated into the aqueous ozone generator. The electrochemical generator receives the mixture, and generates from the mixture an ozonated concentrate liquid. An electrochemical medium catalyst governor regulates the ratiometric mixture of amount of the electrochemical medium catalyst in the water, controlling the conductivity of the water, within a desired conductivity range, enhancing the electrochemical production of aqueous ozone by the electrochemical generator. And, a flow governor regulates an aqueous ozone production dwell time of the mixture through the electrochemical generator, controlling an ozone concentration level of the ozonated concentrate liquid within a desired ozone concentration range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ozone floor disinfection system. A floor cleaning machine traverses a floor surface entering a pre-hygienic zone prior to cleaning, cleaning within a midst-hygienic zone for a cleaning period, and moving away from the midst-hygienic zone creating a post-hygienic zone. An aqueous ozone generator receives water and generates an ozonated concentrate liquid. A post-hygienic mixer ratiometrically blends the ozonated concentrate liquid and water to form a post-hygienic ozone disinfection solution having a predetermined post-hygienic ozone treatment concentration. A post-hygienic nozzle spray of the post-hygienic ozone disinfection solution onto the post-hygienic zone portion of the floor surface for at least the post-hygienic treatment time absent agitation or removal by the floor cleaning machine improving disinfection of the floor surface. The service life of the aqueous ozone generator can be tracked and the disinfected floor surface can be GPS geofenced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ozone floor disinfection system. A floor cleaning machine traverses a floor surface entering a pre-hygienic zone prior to cleaning, cleaning within a midst-hygienic zone for a cleaning period, and moving away from the midst-hygienic zone creating a post-hygienic zone. An aqueous ozone generator receives water and generates an ozonated concentrate liquid. A post-hygienic mixer ratiometrically blends the ozonated concentrate liquid and water to form a post-hygienic ozone disinfection solution having a predetermined post-hygienic ozone treatment concentration. A post-hygienic nozzle spray of the post-hygienic ozone disinfection solution onto the post-hygienic zone portion of the floor surface for at least a post-hygienic treatment time absent agitation or removal by the floor cleaning machine improving disinfection of the floor surface. The service life of the aqueous ozone generator can be tracked and the disinfected floor surface can be GPS geofenced.

Abstract: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) provide precise and conformal coatings that are employed to modify the properties of powders for additive manufacturing (AM). We have surprisingly discovered that use of a limited number of ALD cycles can impart improved flowability. In various aspects, the coating may provide one or more advantages such as novel material properties, increased flowability, improved sintering, enhanced stability during storage, and prevention of premature sintering.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: The risk of fraud in point of sale credit card transactions is reduced by providing independently-routed verification by communication between the authorized user of the credit card and the issuer of the credit card through a trusted intermediary.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that may include a solar thermal receiver having a cavity with an inner wall, where the solar thermal receiver is aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more of 1) an array of heliostats, 2) solar concentrating dishes, and 3) any combination of the two. Some embodiments may include a solar-driven chemical reactor having multiple reactor tubes located inside the cavity of solar thermal receiver, wherein a chemical reaction driven by radiant heat occurs in the multiple reactor tubes, and wherein particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam (H2O) carrier gas and methane (CH4) in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the solar thermal energy from the absorbed concentrated solar energy in the multiple reactor tubes.

Abstract: The risk of fraud in point of sale credit card transactions is reduced by providing independently-routed verification by communication between the authorized user of the credit card and the issuer of the credit card through a trusted intermediary.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant are disclosed. An embodiment may include a solar thermal receiver aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more solar energy concentrating fields. A solar driven chemical reactor may include multiple reactor tubes located inside the solar thermal receiver. The multiple reactor tubes can be used to gasify particles of biomass in the presence of a carrier gas. The gasification reaction may produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas having an exit temperature from the tubes exceeding 1000 degrees C. An embodiment can include a quench zone immediately downstream of an exit of the chemical reactor. The quench zone may immediately quench via rapid cooling of at least the hydrogen and carbon monoxide reaction products within 0.1-10 seconds of exiting the chemical reactor to a temperature of 800 degrees C. or less.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for an integrated solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chemical reactant, including particles of biomass, are converted in a solar driven chemical reactor into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using concentrated solar energy to drive the conversion of the chemical reactant. The synthesis gas is supplied for a catalytic conversion of the synthesis gas in a methanol synthesis plant to methanol. Cycling occurs between an operational state and an idle state for a number of methanol trains in the methanol synthesis plant depending upon an amount of synthesis gas generated in the solar driven chemical reactor. A control system for the chemical reactor sends control signals to and receives feedback from a control system for the methanol synthesis plant.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for an integrated solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chemical reactant, including particles of biomass, are converted in a solar driven chemical reactor into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using concentrated solar energy to drive the conversion of the chemical reactant. The synthesis gas is supplied for a catalytic conversion of the synthesis gas in a methanol synthesis plant to methanol. Cycling occurs between an operational state and an idle state for a number of methanol trains in the methanol synthesis plant depending upon an amount of synthesis gas generated in the solar driven chemical reactor. A control system for the chemical reactor sends control signals to and receives feedback from a control system for the methanol synthesis plant.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.