A method of marking fibers, wherein the method includes providing a plurality of fibers; depositing a marker onto at least a portion of the fibers, the depositing being performed with a delivery mechanism comprising one or more outlets; and thereby marking the fibers. Also provided is a device for marking fibers, including a transport system adapted to transport fibers in a direction of a marker delivery apparatus positioned along the transport system; the delivery apparatus includes one or more outlets, adapted to deposit a solution of the marker through the outlets onto at least a portion of the fibers; and thereby marking the fibers. Authentication of a fibrous material using the marking method of the invention followed obtaining a sample of the marked fibers and assaying the sample for the presence of the nucleic acid marker; and thereby determining whether the fibrous material is authentic or counterfeit.

A vortex tube system for conditioning and blending fibrous material utilizing a helical inlet to the base of a central vortex tube, to condition and blend fibers in a fluidly conveyed stream, and to separate the fibers from debris, by abruptly changing direction of the conveying air flow. The vortex tube system for conditioning and blending combines the helical input with helical shaping of the air flow through the central vortex tube to induce greater dynamics which is continued at the top of the vortex tube through a separate drying chamber.

A yarn producing apparatus produces CNT (carbon nanotube) yarn from CNT fibers while causing the CNT fibers to run. The yarn producing apparatus includes an aggregating unit that aggregates the CNT fibers, and a twisting and winding device that twists the CNT fibers aggregated by the aggregating unit. The aggregating unit includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the aggregation state of the CNT fibers.

A yarn producing apparatus produces CNT (carbon nanotube) yarn from CNT fibers while causing the CNT fibers to run. The yarn producing apparatus includes an aggregating unit that aggregates the CNT fibers, and a twisting and winding device that twists the CNT fibers aggregated by the aggregating unit. The aggregating unit includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the aggregation state of the CNT fibers.

A yarn producing apparatus is an apparatus for producing CNT (carbon nanotube) yarn from CNT fibers while causing the CNT fibers to run. The yarn producing apparatus includes an aggregating unit that aggregates the CNT fibers, and a twisting and winding device that twists the CNT fibers aggregated by the aggregating unit.

A yarn producing apparatus is an apparatus for producing CNT (carbon nanotube) yarn from CNT fibers while causing the CNT fibers to run. The yarn producing apparatus includes an aggregating unit that aggregates the CNT fibers, and a twisting and winding device that twists the CNT fibers aggregated by the aggregating unit.

A seed cotton dryer comprises an array of electromagnetic wave energy generators in a cotton gin, a cotton picker/stripper. An appropriate amount of energy is used to evaporate a considerable amount of moisture in the seed cotton without producing enough energy to pop the cotton seeds. Seed cotton dried by wave energy is much easier to separate the cotton seeds and lint from leaves, stems and other plant parts. The seed cotton is preferably transported through the dryer in a conduit having flat sides which reflects the wave energy more efficiently than through a round conduit. Provisions are made to prevent arcing in the transport conduit when extraneous metal pieces are inadvertently mixed with the seed cotton. In some embodiments, heated air from a diesel engine is used to dry crops as they are being harvested.

A seed cotton dryer comprises an array of electromagnetic wave energy generators in a cotton gin, a cotton picker/stripper. An appropriate amount of energy is used to evaporate a considerable amount of moisture in the seed cotton without producing enough energy to pop the cotton seeds. Seed cotton dried by wave energy is much easier to separate the cotton seeds and lint from leaves, stems and other plant parts. The seed cotton is preferably transported through the dryer in a conduit having flat sides which reflects the wave energy more efficiently than through a round conduit. Provisions are made to prevent arcing in the transport conduit when extraneous metal pieces are inadvertently mixed with the seed cotton. In some embodiments, heated air from a diesel engine is used to dry crops as they are being harvested.

Repeatable and reliable chemical treatment for loose fibers is achieved by spraying or immersing loose fibers in a chemical treatment bath, and continuously moving the soaked fibers through a continuous centrifuge. The continuous centrifuge controls the wet pickup of the chemical formulation on the fibers and assures a substantially even chemical distribution on the centrifuged fibers. The centrifuged fibers may be dried to fix the chemicals in the chemical formulation to the fibers and/or to remove water from the chemical formulation. Recycling of the chemical formulation from the continuous centrifuge allows for the process to be performed more economically and in a more environmentally friendly fashion.

Repeatable and reliable chemical treatment for loose fibers is achieved by spraying or immersing loose fibers in a chemical treatment bath, and continuously moving the soaked fibers through a continuous centrifuge. The continuous centrifuge controls the wet pickup of the chemical formulation on the fibers and assures a substantially even chemical distribution on the centrifuged fibers. The centrifuged fibers may be dried to fix the chemicals in the chemical formulation to the fibers and/or to remove water from the chemical formulation. Recycling of the chemical formulation from the continuous centrifuge allows for the process to be performed more economically and in a more environmentally friendly fashion.