Methods for forming melt processable, actinic radiation polymerizable and crosslinkable adhesives are described. In certain versions, the adhesives or pre-adhesive compositions include two initiators and are polymerized and/or crosslinked by exposure to actinic radiation such as UV light or electron beam radiation. Also described are pre-adhesive compositions including polymerizable monomers, articles including the adhesives, and various methods and systems related to the adhesives and their application. In addition, various apparatuses are described for polymerizing or crosslinking the compositions.

More specifically, granules made of biocompatible metal material, preferably osteoinductive metal, for use in vertebroplasty surgery, as well as the use of these granules for this purpose, are the object of the present invention.

Materials such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) and hydrocarbon-containing materials are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, or oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, bitumen, and coal to produce altered materials such as fuels (e.g., ethanol and/or butanol). The processing includes exposing the materials to an ion beam.

An electron-beam-curing resin or a photocurable resin not containing a photopolymerization initiator is cured by photoirradiation under an atmosphere equal to or lower than predetermined oxygen concentration for not causing oxygen inhibition to polymerization of photocurable resin or electron beam-curable resin, an ultraviolet ray in wavelength region corresponding to a light absorption characteristic of the photocurable resin or the electron beam-curable resin is irradiated on the photocurable resin or the electron beam-curable resin to polymerize the photocurable resin or the electron beam-curable resin. After an ultraviolet ray is irradiated on the photocurable resin or the electron beam-curable resin to polymerize at least a surface layer, an electron beam is irradiated on the photocurable resin or the electron beam-curable resin to polymerize a deep part, and the entire photocurable resin or the entire electron beam-curable resin is cured.

Methods are provided for reducing one or more dimensions of individual pieces of biomass; treating biomass, such as size-reduced biomass; changing a molecular structure of a biomass material; and, optionally, subjecting the biomass to a primary process to form a product. The methods include processing biomass materials using a screw extrusion process, and treating the biomass material with a screw extrusion process in size-reduction and treating steps.

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.

Methods for forming melt processable, actinic radiation polymerizable and crosslinkable adhesives are described. In certain versions, the adhesives or pre-adhesive compositions include two initiators and are polymerized and/or crosslinked by exposure to actinic radiation such as UV light or electron beam radiation. Also described are pre-adhesive compositions including polymerizable monomers, articles including the adhesives, and various methods and systems related to the adhesives and their application. In addition, various apparatuses are described for polymerizing or crosslinking the compositions.

Materials such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) and hydrocarbon-containing materials are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, or oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, bitumen, and coal to produce altered materials such as fuels (e.g., ethanol and/or butanol). The processing includes exposing the materials to an ion beam.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, equipment, 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 hazardous gases are removed, destroyed and/or converted. The treatments are efficient and can reduce the recalcitrance of the lignocellulosic material so that it is easier to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., sugars, alcohols, sugar alcohols and energy, from the lignocellulosic material.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.