Position-indexed storage device comprising a support and a basket installed on the support, the basket comprising a plurality of compartments distributed around a longitudinal axis, the basket comprising a central passage with a longitudinal axis, the support comprising a shaft with a longitudinal axis, the shaft being housed in the passage such that relative displacement is possible between the basket and the support along the longitudinal axis, and mechanical means for displacement of the basket relative to the support by a given angle about the longitudinal axis are supported by the internal surface of the passage and the external surface of the shaft, said mechanical displacement means being actuated in each cycle, each cycle comprising a relative separation or approach displacement along the longitudinal axis of the basket and the support.

Position-indexed storage device comprising a support and a basket installed on the support, the basket comprising a plurality of compartments distributed around a longitudinal axis, the basket comprising a central passage with a longitudinal axis, the support comprising a shaft with a longitudinal axis, the shaft being housed in the passage such that relative displacement is possible between the basket and the support along the longitudinal axis, and mechanical means for displacement of the basket relative to the support by a given angle about the longitudinal axis are supported by the internal surface of the passage and the external surface of the shaft, said mechanical displacement means being actuated in each cycle, each cycle comprising a relative separation or approach displacement along the longitudinal axis of the basket and the support.

A device for automated characterization of radioactive analytes that provides an integrated system with liquid handling and plate reading components. The device can be further configured to include a chromatographic subsystem. Also provided is a method of using such a device, providing addition of a radioactive sample and a sequence of operations involving the abovementioned components of the system. The system is configured with radiation shielding in such a way that manipulations of radioactive samples do not interfere with concurrent radioactive measurements.

A device for automated characterization of radioactive analytes that provides an integrated system with liquid handling and plate reading components. The device can be further configured to include a chromatographic subsystem. Also provided is a method of using such a device, providing addition of a radioactive sample and a sequence of operations involving the abovementioned components of the system. The system is configured with radiation shielding in such a way that manipulations of radioactive samples do not interfere with concurrent radioactive measurements.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

A radiation area monitor device/method, utilizing: a radiation sensor; a rotating radiation shield disposed about the radiation sensor, wherein the rotating radiation shield defines one or more ports that are transparent to radiation; and a processor operable for analyzing and storing a radiation fingerprint acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor. Optionally, the radiation sensor includes a gamma and/or neutron radiation sensor. The device/method selectively operates in: a first supervised mode during which a baseline radiation fingerprint is acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor; and a second unsupervised mode during which a subsequent radiation fingerprint is acquired by the radiation sensor as the rotating radiation shield is rotated about the radiation sensor, wherein the subsequent radiation fingerprint is compared to the baseline radiation fingerprint and, if a predetermined difference threshold is exceeded, an alert is issued.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or other materials are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the walls and optionally the ceiling include discrete units. Such vaults are re-configurable.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or other materials are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the walls and optionally the ceiling include discrete units. Such vaults are re-configurable.

A system for manufacturing radionuclide generators includes an enclosure defining a radioactive environment. The enclosure includes radiation shielding to prevent radiation within the radioactive environment from moving to an exterior of the enclosure. The system also includes a barcode positioned on an object within the enclosure and a scanning system for scanning the barcode. The scanning system includes a camera on the exterior of the enclosure, a mirror, and a conduit extending through a wall of the enclosure for light to travel between the camera and the mirror.