A method and apparatus for extracting active components from a plant material by: introducing the material containing the active components in an extraction chamber: introducing a hydrofluorocarbonated compound in a tank at a pressure between 482.6 kPa and 1,447.9 kPa (70 psi to 210 psi): introducing ethanol in a receptacle; mixing the hydrofluorocarbonated compound with ethanol; allowing the mixture to reach the plant material; allowing the mixture enriched with ethanol and the hydrofluorocarbonated compound to flow out of the extraction chamber and into a tank; allowing the ethanol to evaporate and become separated from the residual mixture slower than the hydrofluorocarbonated compound; optionally, the hydrofluorocarbonated compound is recovered by condensing and returning it to the pressurised tank; optionally, the ethanol is recovered by condensing and returning it to the mixing receptacle.

In order to reduce the contamination of scandium oxide products, the present disclosure provides a process for removing at least one metal contaminant from a scandium (Sc) concentrate. The process is based on contacting the Sc concentrate with an ion exchange resin to obtain a purified Sc eluate or raffinate. The first ion exchange resin and the second ion exchange resin are strong acid cationic resins with sulfonic acid functional groups in a potassium or sodium form. The purified Sc eluate or raffinate can be used to make scandium oxide products having a reduced amount of metal ion contaminants.

A process for the recovery of lithium from waste lithium ion batteries or parts thereof is disclosed. The process comprising the steps of A) providing a crude lithium hydroxide as a solid, which contains fluoride; and (B) dissolving the crude lithium hydroxide solid with a lower alcohol such as methanol or ethanol provides good separation of lithium in high purity.

Methods for increasing cannabinoid production in growing cannabis plants, and for lowering the hydrophobicity of soil are described. Foliar application of compositions comprising cannabinoids extracted from Cannabis sativa hemp to the growing plants and/or drenching the soil surrounding the growing cannabis plants therewith have been demonstrated to produce significant changes in cannabinoid production, thereby generating an increase in the marketable portion of the crop. Additionally, application of these compositions to the soil reduces soil hydrophobicity.

A method and system of using a supercritical fluid are disclosed. Exemplary methods include using temperature and pressure variation (e.g., above or below supercritical conditions) to remove material from a substrate to form separated and to cause movement of fluid within the system.

The invention provides compositions and methods for the breeding, production, processing and use of specialty Cannabis.

Systems and methods for extracting solute from a source material in multiple canister systems are shown and described.

Disclosed are date palm compositions and methods of use of such compositions. Such compositions may be used as part of a growth medium for culture of microorganisms. In certain embodiments, date palm extracts of the disclosure are used as part a culture medium to grow Lactobacilli.

Soil contamination by heavy metals constitutes an important environmental problem, whereas field applicability of existing remediation technologies has encountered numerous obstacles, such as long operation time, high chemical cost, large energy consumption, secondary pollution, and soil degradation. A design and demonstration of a method is provided which is based on asymmetrical alternating current electrochemistry (AACE) that achieves high degrees of contaminant removal for different heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd) at different initial concentrations (from 100 to 10,000 ppm), all reaching corresponding regulation levels for residential scenario after rational treatment time (from 30 min to 6 h). No excessive nutrient loss in treated soil was observed and no secondary toxic product was produced. Long-term experiment and plant assay showed the high sustainability of the method and its feasibility for agricultural use.

A traditional Chinese medicine composition includes 60%-80% by weight of Eucommia ulmoides extract, 15%-30% by weight of Rhizoma Drynariae extract and 5%-10% by weight of Semen Cuscutae extract. A method of preparing the traditional Chinese medicine composition is also provided. Uses of the traditional Chinese medicine composition in the prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis are also provided.