Synthesis of Bacterial Cellulose in Low-cost Culture Medium Using Hot Water Extracted Wood Sugars
Figure: Bacterial yield in hot water wood extract after 28 days of cultivation at pH (first number) and temp (second number).
Cellulose is well known as one of the most abundant biodegradable materials in nature and has received considerable interest in both academic and industrial fields. Cellulose synthesized by bacteria is of particular interest over plant cellulose for some applications due to its unique structural and mechanical properties and high purity.
Some high value applications for bacterial cellulose include biomedical applications (scaffold for tissue engineering, wound dressing materials, artificial skin), and production of membranes for high tech applications, such as diaphragms for loudspeakers.
Problem: Bacterial cellulose is currently expensive to produce and purchase however, due to the expense of the media.
Solution: Use inexpensive hot water extracted wood sugars for bacterial cellulose production.
Real-time nanoparticle particle size monitoring device
Performance quality of many industrial materials depends on consistent distribution of particle sizes within the material. The ability to quantify other parameters such as surface roughness, surface area, and particle shape is also desirable. Current methods provide a static, batched measurement of limited utility. This new method and device provides real-time measurements directly from the manufacturing line flow.
This device has demonstrated performance on paper additive products with aspect ratios ranging from 2 to 8 and short axis diameters between 100 and 500 nm. Applications are in quality control.
Oil and Grease Resistant Paper Coating
A stable, aqueous barrier coating composition includes: (a) prolamine; (b) cold water insoluble polymer; (c) water; (d) water-soluble co-solvent; and (e) stabilizer. The composition, when applied to a substrate, produces an article having a high surface energy and resistance to oil and grease penetration. A method of producing the article involves applying the composition to a substrate.
UMaine Tech ID 2005-08
US Patent Number 7,737,200
US Patent Pending 12/815334
Inventors: Anthony Jabar Jr., Micheal A. Bilodeau, David J. Neivandt, Jonathan Spender
License Available
Zeolite Composite Materials for Waste Odor Control
A composite material for environmental odor control is useful in controlling odors from waste, for example, as an alternative daily cover for landfills and in composting applications. The composite material includes a fiber web and a zeolite containing metals to promote absorption of odorous has.
US Patent 8,100,605
UMaine Reference: 2008-35
Inventors: Karl Bishop, Susan Mackay, Michael Bilodeau
License exculsively to Zeomatrix
Environmentally Friendly Pollutant Remediation, Dye Decolorization
PROBLEM: Organic pollutants and dyes from textile and paper plants in industrial waste streams need remediation.
SOLUTION: Using the chemically enhanced Fenton system, dyes can be remediated quickly in an environmentally safe manner.
