Abstract: Methods of processing chemicals change their structure, and in particular increase their solubility and/or rate of dissolution, for intermediates and products made from the structurally changed materials. Many of the methods provide materials that can be more readily utilized in reactions or other processes to produce useful intermediates and products, e.g., energy, fuels, foods or materials. Chemicals that are treated using the processes described herein can be used to form highly concentrated solutions. Treatment can change the functionality of the chemical, and thus the polarity of the chemical, which may render the treated chemical soluble in solvents in which the untreated chemical is insoluble or only sparingly or partially soluble. Methods may in some cases increase the solubility of the chemical in water or aqueous media. The chemical may be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of isobutanol. Yeast host cells provided comprise an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway and at least one of reduced or eliminated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, reduced or eliminated acetolactate reductase activity; or a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to bacterial cellulose-based ice bags and their production methods thereof. Bacterial cellulose membranes used in the present invention are produced through the fermentation of cellulose-producing microorganisms. Ice bags with three sealed sides and one open side are made from water-impermeable (under room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure) bacterial cellulose membranes. The bags are filled with filler materials and then sterilized at 120 degrees C. for 30 minutes and sealed aseptically. The use of bacterial cellulose as the packaging material solves the problems associated with conventional ice bags. The advantages of the present invention include: no condensation at the bag surface, smaller temperature changes during the course of application, and longer lasting ice therapy session. In addition, bacterial cellulose membrane is safe and non-toxic, and has excellent biocompatibility, plasticity and higher mechanical strength, making it an ideal packaging material for ice bags.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the chemical conversion of syngas to alcohols. The invention includes catalyst compositions, methods of making the catalyst compositions, and methods of using the catalyst compositions. Certain embodiments teach compositions for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. These compositions generally include cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur. Preferred catalyst compositions for converting syngas into alcohols include cobalt associated with sulfide in certain preferred stoichiometries as described and taught herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing ethylene and/or propylene, comprising providing a hydrocarbon stream, comprising C4+ normal and C4+ iso-olefins; subjecting the hydrocarbon stream to an etherification process wherein the iso-olefins are converted with alcohol to an tert-alkyl ether, and retrieving a first etherification product stream; separating the first etherification product stream into a first ether-enriched stream and an iso-olefin-depleted hydrocarbon stream; converting the normal olefins in the iso-olefin-depleted hydrocarbon stream to ethylene and/or propylene with a molecular sieve-comprising catalyst and retrieving an olefinic product; decomposing the tert-alkyl ether in the ether-enriched stream into alcohol and an iso-olefin; isomerising the obtained iso-olefins to normal-olefins and retrieving an normal-olefin-enriched hydrocarbon stream; and converting the normal olefins in the normal-olefin-enriched hydrocarbon stream to ethylene and/or propylene by contacting the normal-

Abstract: A liquid composition in an osmotic drug delivery system and a dosage form in an osmotic drug delivery system is disclosed comprising an amphiphilic molecule, a non-aqueous liquid solvent, and a pharmaceutically active agent.

Abstract: An amphiphilic nanoparticle comprises a nanoparticle having a hydrophilic region comprising a hydrophilic functional group bonded to a first portion of a surface of the nanoparticle, and a hydrophobic region of a surface of the nanoparticle. A downhole fluid comprises the amphiphilic nanoparticle, and a method of controlling an oil spill using the downhole fluid are also disclosed.

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: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to fuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the water insoluble components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to volatile C2+O1-2 oxygenates, such as alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. In certain applications, the volatile C2+O1-2 oxygenates can be collected and used as a final chemical product, or used in downstream processes to produce liquid fuels, chemicals and other products.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of EntD polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the same, and homologues thereof to enhance the production of fatty aldehydes and fatty alcohols in a host cell.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of industrial microbiology and butanol production from sources of 5-carbon sugars such as lignocellulosic hydrolysates. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of an xylulose or xylulose-5-phosphate-producing enzyme and micro-aerobic or anaerobic conditions to increase butanol production from such sugars and recovery of said butanol through ins situ product recovery methods.

Abstract: A process is described for producing an alcohol product, in which (a) a first feed composition comprising acetic acid is converted to a product comprising acetone; and (b) a second feed composition comprising at least part of the acetone produced in (a) is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst to produce a hydrogenation effluent comprising isopropanol.

Abstract: Process for producing alkene(s) from a feedstock containing at least one monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms. The process is carried out by 1 converting the monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol(s) containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms in a reactive distillation column at elevated pressure and temperature into a heads stream having the corresponding same carbon number alkene(s) and ether(s), 2 separating the heads stream from step 1 into an ether(s) enriched stream and an alkene(s) enriched stream, 3 recycling at least part of the ether(s) enriched stream from step 2 as a reflux return to the reactive distillation column, 4 simultaneously separating the alkene(s) enriched stream from step 2 into alkene(s) and ether(s), and 5 recycling at least part of the separated ether(s) from step 4 into the reactive distillation column. An alkene(s) stream from step 4 is then recovered.

Abstract: Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products.

Abstract: Improved methods of introducing promoters to catalysts are described. The present invention provides a convenient method of uniformly distributing a catalyst promoter, to provide for intimate contact between the promoter and the active catalyst sites. This intimate contact can enhance the activity and/or product selectivity of the promoted catalyst. In some embodiments, the method includes reacting an alkali metal with an alcohol in a non-aqueous medium, contacting the resulting solution with a starting catalyst, and depositing the alkali metal onto the starting catalyst to form an alkali-promoted catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of industrial microbiology and alcohol production. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of thiamine, biosynthetic precursors of thiamine, nicotinic acid, nicotinamid, nicotinic acid riboside, nicotinamid riboside, or other biosynthetic precursors of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to improve butanol production. Butanol production can be improved by providing sufficient amounts of thiamine, biosynthetic precursors of thiamine, nicotinic acid, nicotinamid, nicotinic acid riboside, nicotinamid riboside, or other biosynthetic precursors of nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in the production media.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain having NMI accession no. V09/024011, and to a method of producing ethanol and distiller's grains using the strain.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonyl alcohols with a low degree of branching and derivatives produced using them. In particular the present invention relates to mixture of primary nonyl alcohols in which at least 80% of the alkyl chains are linear and at least 15% of the alkyl chains are branched at the 2-carbon position and its derivatives. The low degree of branching produces derivatives that are more elongated and less bulky that similar derivatives produced with more highly branched alcohols.

Abstract: The invention relates to the prevention of bacterial spoilage during fermentation. In particular it relates to the prevention of beer and wine spoilage, but also the spoilage of bioethanol or biogas. This is accomplished by modifying the fermentation yeast to produce an antimicrobial peptide known as a defensin. One such defensin is the human ?-defensin-3 (HBD-3) although many others can be used.

Abstract: The invention herein provides methods of activating a catalyst composition. These methods include annealing a catalyst with an inert gas, under effective conditions, and then contacting the annealed catalyst with syngas to produce an activated catalyst. These steps can also be reversed. The activated catalysts can be employed to convert syngas into products, such as alcohols, with improved selectivities and yields.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a process of producing a dimeric alcohol in high yield with high selectivity by the Guerbet reaction conducted using an alcohol having 4 or less carbon atoms as a starting material in the presence of a complex including a transition metal and of a base. The invention relates to a process of producing an alcohol which includes dimerizing a starting-material alcohol having 4 or less carbon atoms in an environment having a partial hydrogen pressure of 0.1 MPa or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutic protein, a surfactant and at least an antioxidant selected from the group of radical scavengers, chelating agents or chain terminators.

Abstract: A method for producing leafy biomass from undifferentiated plant cells, the method comprising providing undifferentiated plant cells, contacting them with an agent that promotes differentiation of the cells into leafy tissue and growing the cells in a temporary liquid immersion culture system. This method of the invention may be used to produce polypeptides, and natural medicinal products, and can be used to capture carbon dioxide. A method of producing a polypeptide in plant cells in vitro comprising: providing undifferentiated plant cells containing chloroplasts that carry a transgenic nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide, wherein the plant cells display homoplastomy; and propagating the cells according to the above method to produce leafy biomass containing the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the production of methanol. The process comprises the heterolytic cleavage of hydrogen by a frustrated Lewis pair comprising a Lewis acid and a Lewis base; and the hydrogenation of CO2 with the heterolytically cleaved hydrogen to form methanol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a termite attractant comprising 1-butanol, 2-butanol, or esters, ketones, ethers, carboxylic acids thereof, or salts thereof; a mimic termite-egg comprising the attractant; and a method for exterminating and controlling termites using the attractant or mimic termite-egg.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing the level of C5 monosaccharides produced from lignocellulosic biomass using a multistage fractionation process to handle recalcitrant C5 oligosaccharides without producing unwanted degradation products. Methods for reducing C5 monosaccharides degradation products produced from lignocellulosic biomass are also disclosed. In addition, compositions and products produced by the methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst carrier for insertion in a radial tube reactor, said catalyst carrier comprising: an annular container for holding catalyst in use, said container having a perforated inner wall defining a tube, a perforated outer wall, a top surface closing the annular container and a bottom surface closing the annular container; a surface closing the bottom of said tube formed by the inner wall of the annular container; a skirt extending upwardly from the perforated outer wall of the annular container from a position at or near the bottom surface of said container to a position below the location of a seal; and a seal located at or near the top surface and extending from the container by a distance which extends beyond an outer surface of the skirt.

Abstract: Genetically engineered microorganisms that produce fatty alcohols from a sugar source by way of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway, as well as methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for monitoring and regulating the production of a target product of a biochemical pathway in an organism, such as butanol. A gene encoding a light-emitting reporter molecule, such as luciferase, is operatively linked with a transcription regulatory nucleotide sequence that regulates transcription of an enzyme in the pathway that signals the rate of production of the target product, such as butanol dehydrogenase. When a microorganism is transfected with such a reporter construct and cultured, the reporter is expressed contemporaneously with the enzyme. The amount of light produced by the reporter indicates amount of enzyme being produced which, in turn, signals the amount of target product being produced. When the reporter is measured in real time, it provides information that can be used to regulate culture conditions and to optimize production of the target product.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of industrial microbiology and butanol production. More specifically, the invention relates methods of reducing 2,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl butyrate (DHMB) in butanol production. DHMB can be reduced by inhibiting the reduction of acetolactate to DHMB, for example, by knocking out enzymes that catalyze the reduction or by removing DHMB during or after fermentation. Yeast strains, compositions, and methods for reducing DHMB and increasing butanol yield are provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a tellurium alkoxide includes providing a tellurium halide and a non-tellurium alkoxide in a liquid organic solvent. The liquid organic solvent has less moles of alcohol, if any, than moles of tellurium halide in the liquid organic solvent. The tellurium halide and the non-tellurium alkoxide within the liquid organic solvent are reacted to form a reaction product halide and a tellurium alkoxide. The liquid organic solvent is removed from the reaction product halide and the tellurium alkoxide to leave a liquid and/or solid mixture comprising the reaction product halide and the tellurium alkoxide. The mixture is heated effective to gasify the tellurium alkoxide from the reaction product halide. Other implementations are disclosed, including methods of forming a mixed halide-alkoxide of tellurium.

Abstract: A process utilising the gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce alcohols directly, comprises the steps of bringing a fluid mixture comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen into contact with the surfaces of a supported tubular porous catalyst membrane having a range of pore sizes including micropores, mesopores and macropores, controlling the temperature of the said catalyst membrane, maintaining a pressure over said catalyst membrane of from 88 to 600 kPa, and recovering alcohol containing product formed by contact of the fluid mixture with said catalyst membrane.

Abstract: The present invention describes improved methods of introducing promoters to catalysts. This invention provides a method for dispersal of a promoter onto a solid surface. A catalyst material and a deliquescent material can together be contacted with a gas phase comprising a solvent under conditions effective for deliquescence whereby the promoter is dispersed onto the solid surface. This invention combines practical benefits of dry-mixing with the enhanced dispersion that can be realized by solvent-based methods.

Abstract: A method of producing dimethyl ether by catalytic dehydration of crude methanol as feedstock in the gas phase includes providing the crude methanol from methanol synthesis, where the crude methanol having a total content of carbonyl compounds of not more than 100 wt-ppm, calculated, as mass equivalents of acetone. The crude methanol is evaporated, and the reaction temperature and reaction pressure are adjusted. A reactor filled with dehydration catalyst is charged with the evaporated crude methanol with a defined space velocity. A gaseous product mixture comprising dimethyl ether, non-reacted methanol and water is discharged. Cooling, partial condensation and separation of the gaseous product mixture are carried out so as to provide gaseous dimethyl ether, liquid water and methanol as products, and the methanol is recirculated.

Abstract: A method of providing and using a material storage system that includes a material stored within an intercalated dichalcogenide material. Also provided are novel materials for use in preparing such a system, including combinations and systems thereof, as well as a material stored and recovered for use by employment of such a method.

Abstract: A process for depositing nanostructured material onto a particulate substrate material comprising the steps of: a) preparing a precursor material; b) forming an atomised dispersion containing nanophased material when subjecting said precursor material to elevated temperature; and c) contacting the atomised dispersion with the substrate material to deposit the nanophased material on the substrate material. The substrate material is in mobile and particulate form for contacting step (c). An apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are detergent compositions comprising a microbially produced fatty alcohol or fatty alcohol derivative thereof. Further disclosed are cleaning compositions and personal care compositions comprising a microbially produced fatty alcohol or fatty alcohol derivative thereof. Methods of using the foregoing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel mixtures of long-chain (C10-C20) olefins are functionalized by conversion to aldehydes using an OXO process, or to sulfates, sulfonates, sulfones, sulfides, or sulfoxides by direct sulfonation. The aldehydes may then be hydrogenated to form alcohols, or aminated to form amines or amides. The olefins starting mixture may be acquired as a byproduct of the tetramerization of ethylene in the presence of certain chromium-containing tetramerization catalysts. The functionalized mixtures, and derivatives prepared therefrom such as alkoxylates prepared from the alcohols, may be useful as surfactants that may offer improved performance in many applications, while their preparation based on a byproduct mixture reduces their cost and also reduces waste-handling issues for this non-targeted stream.

Abstract: This invention provides microbial organisms, particularly yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica, that have one or more disrupted genes. The gene disruption(s) may yield improved production of fatty acyl-CoA derivatives.

Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor suitable for use in chemical and petrochemical processes. The reactor is of a pillow panel that has superior heat transfer properties. This invention also relates to a chemical process, such as a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process performed with use of the novel pillow panel reactor.

Abstract: The present invention produces ethanol in a stacked bed reactor that comprises a first catalyst comprising platinum and tin and a second catalyst comprising copper or an oxide thereof. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of fatty alcohols using recombinant microorganisms are provided as well as fatty alcohol compositions produced by such methods.

Abstract: A method is disclosed including co-processing a biomass feedstock and a refinery feedstock in a refinery unit. The method can include producing a liquid product by catalytically cracking or hyrocracking or hydrotreating a biomass feedstock and a refinery feedstock in a refinery unit having a fluidized reactor. Catalytically cracking can include transferring hydrogen from the refinery feedstock to carbon and oxygen from the biomass feedstock. Hydrocracking or hydrotreating can include transferring hydrogen from a hydrogen source to carbon and oxygen from the biomass feedstock, and to carbon from the refinery feedstock.

Abstract: A novel transgenic sugar beet event designated GM RZ13 is disclosed. The invention relates to nucleic acids that are unique to event GM RZ13. The invention also relates to assays for detecting the presence of the GM RZ13 event based on DNA sequences of the recombinant constructs inserted into the sugar beet genome that resulted in the GM RZ13 event and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site. The invention further relates to sugar beet plants comprising the genotype of GM RZ13 and to methods for producing a sugar beet plant by crossing a sugar beet plant comprising the GM RZ13 genotype with itself or another sugar beet variety. Seeds of sugar beet plants comprising the GM RZ13 genotype are also objects of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated dehydrated microorganisms comprising a dehydrated microorganism surrounded by at least one coating, said coating comprising by dry weight at least 25% of hygroscopic salt(s) and wherein the pH of the coating is compatible with viability of the coated dehydrated microorganism. The coating can be partially crystalline, the salt(s) in the coating having preferably a crystallinity degree of up to 60% once applied onto the dehydrated microorganism. The present invention also relates to liquid coating compositions, methods for coating and protecting a dehydrated microorganism. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of food products, feed products, consumer healthcare products or agri-products as well as to a food product, feed product, a consumer healthcare product or an agri-product containing such coated dehydrated microorgansims.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes and systems for treating biomass and, e.g., making biofuels, such as bioethanol, from the biomass.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.

Abstract: Methane gas in a ruminant exhalation may be oxidized to reduce the amount of methane gas output by the ruminant.

Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive process comprises a process for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing nonvolatiles in a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system. The inventive process comprises: (a) heating the nonvolatile-containing hydrocarbon feedstock upstream of a regenerative pyrolysis reactor system to a temperature sufficient to form a vapor phase that is essentially free of nonvolatiles and a liquid phase containing the nonvolatiles; (b) separating said vapor phase from said liquid phase; (c) feeding the separated vapor phase to the pyrolysis reactor system; and (d) converting the separated vapor phase in said pyrolysis reactor system to form a pyrolysis product.