The present invention provides methods for mineral precipitation of porous particulate starting materials using isolated urease.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

Compositions and methods for producing materials for construction and for dust control utilizing enzyme producing cells, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium such as calcium chloride. Calcium contributes to the formation of calcium carbonate which creates a solid structure, layer or shield. One or more compositions containing components of the invention can be sprayed or otherwise applied to surfaces for erosion control, foundation support, prevention of sink hole formation, prevention of dust formation, or other applications. Ammonia, water and other by-products of the process can be recycled and re-utilized for the same or other purposes including, for example, as fertilizers and energy sources, or independently fermented from selectively cultivated microorganisms.

A method/shirt cutting jig for converting a textile into yarn comprises mounting a tubular body of a textile on the jig's base, securing a first folded edge of the tubular body using a clamping bar and securing the second folded edge of the tubular body using a clamping panel. The clamping panel includes teeth that allow a user of the jig to cut the tubular body into strips of material fully past the second folded edge. A movable cutting fence enables the user to cut the tubular body into multiple strips of material, but where each cut does not extend fully past the tubular body's first folded edge. The tubular body with the cuts is removed from the jig and then manually cut in a diagonal pattern along its first folded edge to produce a single strip of material that is then easily converted into reusable yarn.

The present invention relates to a method for inducing ground consolidation. The method comprises providing a first chamber in a first hole in the ground, and a second chamber in a second hole in the ground, the first and second chambers being liquid-impermeable and electrically conductive; providing a first electrolytic fluid in the first chamber and a second electrolytic fluid in the second chamber; placing at least a first electrode in the first chamber, and at least a second electrode in the second chamber, the first and second electrodes being operatively connected to a power supply; feeding consolidation fluids into the ground for feeding reactants of a consolidation process, and catalysers for the reactants into the ground; and applying to the first and second electrodes an electric current. The current causes the first electrode to operate as an anode and the second electrode to operate as a cathode thereby inducing electric polarization in the ground to cause the reactants and catalysers to cross paths to thereby cause consolidation of the ground.

Multi-use biosensors are disclosed that include enzymes that have been modified to reduce the solubility thereof; the multi-use biosensors are used to detect analytes in fluidic biological samples, and the biosensors also maintain their enzyme activity after many uses. Multi-sensor arrays are disclosed that include multiple biosensors. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using these devices.

The present invention provides methods for mineral precipitation and/or cementation of permeable or fractured non-porous materials using isolated urease.

Methods for purifying urease are described that make use of a precipitating agent such as ammonium sulfate to obtain urease as a precipitate. The method can involve use of a solubilizing agent, such as a citrate-containing solution, to dissolve the precipitate. The method can involve the use of a sugar to provide protected urease in a sugar-urease solution and immobilization of the urease. The method can involve freeze drying of the immobilized urease. A sugar-urease preparation and an immobilized urease, and a sorbent cartridge containing the urease are described as well as methods to conduct dialysis.

A method/shirt cutting jig for converting a textile into yarn comprises mounting a tubular body of a textile on the jig's base, securing a first folded edge of the tubular body using a clamping bar and securing the second folded edge of the tubular body using a clamping panel. The clamping panel includes teeth that allow a user of the jig to cut the tubular body into strips of material fully past the second folded edge. A movable cutting fence enables the user to cut the tubular body into multiple strips of material, but where each cut does not extend fully past the tubular body's first folded edge. The tubular body with the cuts is removed from the jig and then manually cut in a diagonal pattern along its first folded edge to produce a single strip of material that is then easily converted into reusable yarn.

The present invention provides methods for mineral precipitation of porous particulate starting materials using isolated urease.