Abstract: This invention generally relates to the generation of free fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof, e.g. fatty alkyl esters, and/or fatty amides, from feedstocks comprising phospholipids. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods and industrial processes for generating free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives from a feedstock comprising phospholipids by combining the feedstock with one or more reactants to form a reaction mixture and reacting the mixture at a temperature and pressure sufficient to provide for the separation of the free fatty acids from their phosphatide structures.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the isolation of molecules exhibiting vitamin E activity, e.g. tocopherols and/or tocotrienols, from mixed lipid feedstocks. In alternative embodiments, the inventions provides methods and industrial processes for isolating vitamin E molecules, including tocopherols and/or tocotrienols, from mixed lipid feedstocks by combining the feedstock with an alcohol and reacting the mixture at or above the critical point of the alcohol, and then optionally separating the products into discreet fractions.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the production of free fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof, e.g. fatty acid alkyl esters, from soapstock comprising soaps (salts of fatty acids). In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods and industrial processes for generating free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives from a soapstock comprising soaps by combining the feedstock with one or more reactants to form a reaction mixture and reacting the mixture at a temperature and pressure sufficient to provide for the acidification of the soaps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for generating glucose and glucose derivatives from the direct contacting of cellulose, hemicelluloses and/or polysaccharides with a mixed super critical fluid system of alcohol and water whereby the partial pressure of the system provides for both alcoholysis and hydrolysis of the material to generate primarily glucose, and glucose derivatives.

Abstract: The invention provides phase change material comprising organic phase change materials comprising a miscible organic nucleating material, seed crystal or organic nucleating agent to minimize supercooling during the crystallization of the phase change material. The miscible organic material acting as an organic nucleating material, seed crystal or organic nucleating agent, is in sufficiently small enough ratios so as not to interfere with the latent heat properties of the phase change material, but amounts sufficient to inhibit the appearance of supercooling. The organic nucleating material, seed crystal or organic nucleating agent comprises a polyolefin or polyalkene, or a polyethylene or a polypropylene, or a nanoparticle or a microcapsule thereof. The invention provides an article of manufacture, a coating, a latent heat storage unit, a liquid, a gel, an antifreeze fluid, a fluid, an ink, an oil, a lubricant, a sealant, a paint, a textile, a cloth, or a bedding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition comprising a blend of diisocyanates of Formula (II) derived from their corresponding dianiino alkyl esters obtained from soy protein source, wherein R is an alkyl and n is 1-4, and methods of making and using such compositions as construction material resin binders, in particular, wood resin binders and/or adhesives.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage material is described, including a host-guest complex wherein the combined rotational, vibrational, translational, and binding energies of a guest molecule are dependent upon the temperature of the surrounding environment. The host-guest complex may include nanoparticles having a topography, such as nanotubes, nanobowls, nanospheres, and nanocages. The host-guest complex may include a metal organic framework. The guest of the host-guest complex may be water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, oxygen, acetone, methanol, ethanol, or another inert compound.

Abstract: The invention provides improved compositions and methods for growing and cultivating plants, wherein the compositions and methods comprise placing phase change materials (PCMs) close to, in contact with, or substantially in contact with, a plant root system, a plant pot or a plant soil (containing plant roots) to absorb the heat from the day and release it at night.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters as well as cellulosic simplified sugars, shortened protein polymers, amino acids, or combination thereof resulting from the simultaneous esterification and hydrolysis, alcoholysis, or both of algae and other oil containing materials containing phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerides, or combination thereof as well as polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, protein polymers, or combination thereof in the presence of an alcohol and an optional acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for generating glucose and glucose derivatives from the direct contacting of cellulose, hemicelluloses and/or polysaccharides with a mixed super critical fluid system of alcohol and water whereby the partial pressure of the system provides for both alcoholysis and hydrolysis of the material to generate primarily glucose, and glucose derivatives.

Abstract: A thermal receptacle having a side wall which has an inner surface and a spaced outer surface. An interstitial chamber may be defined by the space between the inner and outer surfaces. A phase change material containing insert is provided into the receptacle. The insert contains a phase change material or a plurality of different phase change materials. Phase change material may also be located within the interstitial chamber. The phase change material regeneratively absorbs thermal energy from a hot liquid in the receptacle thereby rapidly lowering the temperature of the liquid and then the material releases the thermal energy back to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention can involve a method of synthesizing ?-amino-?-caprolactam. The method can comprise heating a salt of L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol under Super Critical Fluid conditions. The methods can comprise heating a salt of L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol and deaminating the reaction product. In various embodiments, the invention can include methods of converting biomass into nylon 6. The methods can comprise heating L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol to produce ?-amino-?-caprolactam, deaminating to produce ?-caprolactam and polymerizing into nylon 6, wherein the L-lysine is derived from biomass. In other embodiments, the present invention can include methods of making nylon 6. The methods can comprise synthesizing ?-caprolactam and then polymerizing, wherein the ?-caprolactam is derived from L-lysine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition comprising a blend of diisocyanates of Formula (II) derived from their corresponding dianiino alkyl esters obtained from soy protein source, wherein R is an alkyl and n is 1-4, and methods of making and using such compositions as construction material resin binders, in particular, wood resin binders and/or adhesives.

Abstract: A composite structure providing heat storage capability and including a phase change material (PCM), adsorbent material and encapsulant material. The encapsulate material surrounds the PCM and adsorbent. The phase change material and adsorbent material and encapsulant material can be provided in a mixture which is subsequently formed into a structural panel. The composite structure may be used to provide passive thermal control. A method of making composite structures having PCM, adsorbent material and encapsulant materials is also provided.

Abstract: A reactive-separation process converts glycerin into lower alcohols, having boiling points less than 200° C., at high yields. Conversion of natural glycerin to propylene glycol through an acetol intermediate is achieved at temperatures from 150° to 250° C. at pressures from 1 and 25 bar. The preferred applications of the propylene glycol are as an antifreeze, deicing compound, or anti-icing compound. The preferred catalyst for this process in a copper-chromium.

Abstract: A method for separating at least one volatile component such as an alkyl ester, an alcohol, hydroxymethylfuran, dimethylfuran, methyl tetrahydrofuran, a polyhydric alcohol, or a reduction product of a polyhydric alcohol from at least one non-volatile component such as a saccharide, a peptide, or ash in a mixture is disclosed. The method includes heating the mixture to a temperature of between 150-250° C. and contacting the mixture with a superheated distillation alcohol in a gaseous or vapor phase. The distillation alcohol pressure imparts partial vapor pressure on the at least one volatile component of the mixture and distills at least a portion of the at least one volatile component from the mixture.

Abstract: A process for harvesting microalgae from an aqueous suspension of microalgae is disclosed. A dilute aqueous suspension of the algae is mixed with a hydrophobic liquid with a specific gravity of less than 1 and, optionally, a flocculent. When the mixture settles, the microalgae become suspended in the hydrophobic liquid above the aqueous solution. The hydrophobic liquid can skimmed from the aqueous solution for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters as well as cellulosic simplified sugars, shortened protein polymers, amino acids, or combination thereof resulting from the simultaneous esterification and hydrolysis, alcoholysis, or both of algae and other oil containing materials containing phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerides, or combination thereof as well as polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, protein polymers, or combination thereof in the presence of an alcohol and an optional acid catalyst.

Abstract: A reactive-separation process converts glycerin into lower alcohols, having boiling points less than 200° C., at high yields. Conversion of natural glycerin to propylene glycol through an acetol intermediate is achieved at temperatures from 150° to 250° C. at a pressure ranging from 1 and 25 bar. The preferred applications of the propylene glycol are as an antifreeze, deicing compound, or anti-icing compound. The preferred catalyst for this process in a copper-chromium powder.

Abstract: A reactive-separation process converts glycerin into lower alcohols, having boiling points less than 200° C., at high yields. Conversion of natural glycerin to propylene glycol through an acetol intermediate is achieved at temperatures from 150° to 250° C. at a pressure ranging from 1 and 25 bar. The preferred applications of the propylene glycol are as an antifreeze, deicing compound, or anti-icing compound. The preferred catalyst for this process in a copper-chromium powder.