Disclosed are systems and methods for aseptically filling pharmaceutical containers with a pharmaceutical substance and then lyophilizing it. In one general aspect, the system and method can employ a lyophilizer loader subsystem having an interior chamber in communication with an interior chamber of a lyophilizer subsystem via a portal with a sealable door, with the collective interior being aseptically sealable. An articulated robotic arm can be employed to batch transfer to the lyophilizer subsystem container nests bearing the pharmaceutical containers. In one embodiment, the nests may be transferred serially to the loader subsystem, with the articulated robotic arm being configured to transfer the nests of containers in batches to the lyophilizer subsystem. The articulated robotic arm can also be configured to be used to move batches of nests within the lyophilizer subsystem. One implementation includes two articulated arms and a joint rotary wrist driven by two rotary shoulders.

Disclosed herein are devices systems and methods for removing moisture from a material via radio frequency electromagnetic wave exposure. A moisture-removal system can include having spaced apart a first and a second electrical conductor extending along a same first direction, each of the first and second electrical conductor comprising opposing broad top and bottom sides, the broad bottom side of the first electrical conductor facing the broad top side of the second electrical conductor. The system includes a material containing moisture at least partially filling the space between the first and the second electrical conductor. The system further includes at least one first wire attached to a first radio frequency generator and to the first end of the first electrical conductor. The system also includes at least one second wire attached to the electrical ground of the first radio frequency generator to the first end of the second electrical conductor.

A method and an apparatus for preparing aerogel by drying under reduced pressure. The gel to be dried is placed into a sealed drying apparatus which can be depressurized by air extraction or/and can be heated to raise the temperature. The methods of reducing pressure by air extraction or/and raising temperature are acted upon the water and solvents within the aerogel to be dried, and an outward force is thus generated for the water and solvents to be volatilized outwards. By controlling the rates of reducing pressure by air extraction or/and raising temperature, the outward force is allowed to be equal to or close to the inward capillary force, such that the pores of the gel may not be collapsed or cracked. At the same time, drying is carried out continuously, and finally the interior water and solvents are removed completely.

A system for monitoring environmental conditions of a tobacco curing site within which tobacco is cured is provided. A power supply of the system may include a supercapacitor configured to provide power, and a photovoltaic cell connected to and from which the supercapacitor may be chargeable. A temperature and humidity sensor may be positioned proximate the tobacco curing site and configured to measure a temperature or humidity within the tobacco curing site, and generate a signal corresponding to the temperature or humidity so measured. A local control unit may have a distal position relative the tobacco and be configured to receive the signal, and generate corresponding measurement data, and wirelessly transmit the corresponding measurement data to a remote control unit configured for display or analysis.

Embodiments herein include devices adaptable to dehydrate articles, including foods. Embodiments are shown which can be compacted for reduced storage, and/or shipping requirements and/or for other purposes. Embodiments include simple, inexpensive means for controlling dehydrating conditions, including airflow. Various article holding devices, including devices to hold foods being dehydrated, are also shown. Such devices include vertical, diagonal, and horizontal panels to secure articles. Embodiments shown have variations which include the use of non-motorized convection airflow, as well as devices which incorporate motor driven air movement means. Embodiments are shown which may be used for preparing articles, including foods, for dehydration, including slicing such articles.

A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

A method for cell disruption and extraction of a plant, includes placing plant material on a porous container, placing the porous container into a reaction device, and producing water ion steam of an atmospheric pressure by a water ion generator. The water ion steam infiltrates the porous container and permeates the plant material. The water ion steam penetrate cells of the plant material and breaks the cell wall of the cells, to cause a cell disruption. The residual water ion steam is drained outward from the exhaust pipe of the box.

A vegetation tray includes a base. The base is formed from a thin wall having a plurality of spaced peaks and valleys. A plurality of apertures are in the base. The apertures enables passage of air for drying vegetation on the tray. A boundary wall extending from the base.

An improved locker seat includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding sidewalls having a pair of lateral edges. A generally horizontal seat is disposed between the lateral edges of the sidewalls. In a first mode, an air source is connected to an airway formed within the seat to create an airflow. The airflow from the air source creates a first temperature differential to cool the seat. In a second mode, an external or internal heat source provides heat to a top surface of the seat, creating a second temperature differential to heat the seat. The first and second temperature differential are distributed across the top surface of the seat. The seat is hinged to be movable about the hinge between an open and a closed position.

A data collector for use in monitoring a lyophilisation process of a product in a test product container in a lyophilisation chamber, said data collector comprising a battery, a measuring device including an electronics unit and a sensor configured for being arranged in said test product container, a first compartment in a first portion, a second compartment in a second portion, a first end surface configured for resting on the support surface, and a second end surface opposite to the first end surface, wherein said first and second portions are arranged side-by-side when seen in a plane defined by the first end surface, and wherein the battery is housed in the first compartment and the electronics unit of the measuring device is housed in the second compartment, such that the battery and the electronics unit are separate from each other.