Abstract: A rotatable grain tower mounted on a stationary base. The base includes an opening for the removal of grain from a grain plenum in the tower. As the tower is rotated, a metering device adjacent the opening meters the rate of grain exiting the plenum. The rotating tower alleviates uneven drying due to sun, wind and other conditions to more evenly dry grain in the plenum. A cleaning device may be positioned adjacent the tower to clean the plenum as the tower rotates, thereby eliminating catwalks and other expensive equipment and devices used for cleaning stationary towers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting pathogens and particles in a fluid in which particle size and intrinsic fluorescence of a simple particle is determined.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus capable of continuously and efficiently extracting a biological substance is provided. Multiple rotation discs are utilized in the extraction apparatus to significantly improve the efficiency of extracting the biological substance by using an extraction solvent. Specifically, when the extraction solvent is applied to extract lipids from microalgae, retention time of the microalgae in the extraction solvent can be significantly increased, and solubility of the microalgal lipids in the extraction solvent can be improved. Hence, the efficiency of extracting the lipids from the microalgae by using the extraction solvent can be enhanced. On the other hand, owing to the improvement of the efficiency of extracting the lipids from the microalgae, the amount of the extraction solvent can be reduced, and production costs can be reduced as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated, rapid composting are disclosed. An air-tight housing prevents odors from leaking out. The housing is thermally insulated to enable the compost to achieve sufficient temperatures for rapid composting. A chambered system, generally including an optional hopper, a reactor, and a cure tray, physically shields odorous material from the external environment. A mixing wand mechanically mixes and/or breaks up the compost material and enhances air flow therethrough. A drip tray segregates liquid byproducts from the solid compost material. An air pump draws in air, while a carbon filter may absorb odors before returning the air to the external environment. A motor provides mixing, and facilitates opening and closing of the two trap doors separating the chambers. An electronic controller automates the composting process while allowing certain settings to be adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the composting of biogenic materials, wherein material introduced at the top of a container as in FIG. 2b reaches a storage chamber (2) arranged below a reactor chamber (1) passing therethrough only by gravity with air introduction. Slide surfaces are provided which brake the downward material flow. Slide vanes (4), for example, can be used as slide surfaces and also other slide devices such as tubes, funnels, spheres and particular container shapes. The compost can be easily removed from the storage container by means of a shovel, or similar without the weight of the heap affecting the shovel. The otherwise necessary shifting of the heap in order to reach the mature compost on the floor is thus avoided. The heap is also vertically aerated over the whole surface thereof from bottom towards the top, the composting organisms are continually optimally supplied with air and optimal conversion rates of fresh biowaste to compost achieved.

Abstract: A device and method for the automated storage and retrieval of trays holding subject matter. A computer system is programmed to control a storage gantry to move the trays between a storage rack and an automated machine. In a preferred embodiment, the subject matter in the trays is a plurality of micro-well plates in which microscopic crystals may be growing and the automated machine is configured to inspect and classify microscopic crystals. The automated machine has an indexing device for sequentially placing microscopic crystals in camera-view of a camera and a control computer is programmed to control the indexing device and to cause the camera to take images of the microscopic crystals and then transfer the images to a classifying processor where the images are classified. In a preferred embodiment, the microscopic crystals are protein crystals that have been grown in the wells of micro-well plates.

Abstract: Composting apparatuses and composting methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composting apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of composting drawers in the housing. The plurality of composting drawers is in a stacked relationship when in the housing, and each drawer includes a bottom region having a plurality of apertures. A plurality of receiving structures is in the housing, and the receiving structures are respectively disposed under the plurality of composting drawers to receive composted material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solid state fermentation device that combines all of the operations of microorganism cultivation (sterilization, inoculation, cultivation, extraction, and post extraction treatment). This solid state fermentation device is modular in nature and operates in a contained manner so that the live microorganisms from the reactor cannot come into contact with the environment and pollute the environment and also so that the environment inside the bioreactor is aseptic. Another aspect of this invention allows fermentation of microorganisms without inhibiting the growth of the microorganism. Specifically, the bioreactor is designed to remove heat that accumulates inside the bioreactor during fermentation by conduction. Additionally, there is a mechanism to add fluid to the interior of the bioreactor that permits equal distribution and precise control of a variety of environmental parameters.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid state fermenter in particular for large volumes as well as a procedure for solid state fermentation. The task of the present invention was the development of a solid state fermenter for large volumes and of a procedure for solid state fermentation, that allows an economic application of the solid state fermentation for little competitive micro-organisms in large fermenters. The solid state fermenter according to the invention is characterized by representing a module fermenter, where at least two module bases, that are permeable for air and water, are arranged on top of each other, which are connected with the wall of the vessel in such a manner, that neither air nor water can pass laterally, the existence of a cultivation substrate for the micro-organisms, which have to be cultivated, on the module bases, a cooling device below every module base and the fermenter being closed with a lid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solid state fermentation device that combines all of the operations of microorganism cultivation (sterilization, inoculation, cultivation, extraction, and post extraction treatment). This solid state fermentation device is modular in nature and operates in a contained manner so that the live microorganisms from the reactor cannot come into contact with the environment and pollute the environment and also so that the environment inside the bioreactor is aseptic. Another aspect of this invention allows fermentation of microorganisms without inhibiting the growth of the microorganism. Specifically, the bioreactor is designed to remove heat that accumulates inside the bioreactor during fermentation by conduction. Additionally, there is a mechanism to add fluid to the interior of the bioreactor that permits equal distribution and precise control of a variety of environmental parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the cultivating cells, and in particular to methods for propagating recombinant viruses for gene therapy.