Disinfecting particulate material includes combining the particulate material with a photocatalyst to yield a mixture, irradiating the mixture for a length of time with pulses from a light source having broadband emission spectrum between 190 nm-1100 nm to yield an irradiated mixture, and separating the photocatalyst from the disinfected mixture to yield the disinfected particulate matter. Irradiating the mixture inactivates microorganisms in the mixture to yield a disinfected mixture. A system for disinfecting particulate material includes a pulsed light source having a broadband emission spectrum in a range between about 190 nm and about 1100 nm, a chamber defining a cavity optically coupled to the pulsed light source, a humidifier, a fan, and one or more sensors. The chamber includes a conveyor configured to accept the particulate material and arranged such that the pulses emitted by the pulsed light source irradiate the particulate material on the conveyor.

The present invention relates to a thawing-apparatus, in which a substance is preferably heated. The present invention further relates to a method to thaw a substance with radio-frequency waves.

Methods are described for increasing the concentration of one or more bio-actives in grains, and in some instances, the specific bio actives gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and/or Avenanthramide (AVA). The increased concentration of the one or more bio-actives is greater than the concentration of the bio-actives in the naturally occurring grains. Compositions that include grains having an increased concentration of one or more bio-actives are described. Methods for promoting health functions such as one or more of reducing oxidative stress, flow mediated dilation (FMD), reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of developing hypertension, improving blood vessel function, improving endothelial function, improving sleep and/or relaxation by providing the compositions are described.

Methods are described for increasing the concentration of one or more bio-actives in grains, and in some instances, the specific bio actives gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and/or Avenanthramide (AVA). The increased concentration of the one or more bio-actives is greater than the concentration of the bio-actives in the naturally occurring grains. Compositions that include grains having an increased concentration of one or more bio-actives are described. Methods for promoting health functions such as one or more of reducing oxidative stress, flow mediated dilation (FMD), reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of developing hypertension, improving blood vessel function, improving endothelial function, improving sleep and/or relaxation by providing the compositions are described.

A rapid method to detect and/or remove mobile insects inside granular material is presented. The core of this method is to heat grain samples to the desired temperatures (about 55 C) using microwave or radio frequency energy to force insects to move out of the granular material.

A rapid method to detect and/or remove mobile insects inside granular material is presented. The core of this method is to heat grain samples to the desired temperatures (about 55 C) using microwave or radio frequency energy to force insects to move out of the granular material.

The present invention relates to a heating apparatus, which heats a substance in a chamber. The present invention further relates to a food production line and a method to heat a substance with radio-frequency waves.

Disinfecting particulate material includes combining the particulate material with a photocatalyst to yield a mixture, irradiating the mixture for a length of time with pulses from a light source having broadband emission spectrum between 190 nm-1100 nm to yield an irradiated mixture, and separating the photocatalyst from the disinfected mixture to yield the disinfected particulate matter. Irradiating the mixture inactivates microorganisms in the mixture to yield a disinfected mixture. A system for disinfecting particulate material includes a pulsed light source having a broadband emission spectrum in a range between about 190 nm and about 1100 nm, a chamber defining a cavity optically coupled to the pulsed light source, a humidifier, a fan, and one or more sensors. The chamber includes a conveyor configured to accept the particulate material and arranged such that the pulses emitted by the pulsed light source irradiate the particulate material on the conveyor.

Pasteurization systems, devices and methods are generally described that use synchronized peak electric and magnetic fields. Example pasteurization systems may include a first resonant circuit that includes a first capacitive element coupled to a first inductive element, a second resonant circuit that includes a second capacitive element coupled to a second inductive element. The first inductive element and the second capacitive element may be positioned about the first treatment region, and the second inductive element and the first capacitive element may be positioned about the second treatment region. A controller coupled to the first and second resonant circuits may provide a first signal to the first resonant circuit and a second signal to the second resonant circuit, phase shifted by a predetermined amount.

Pasteurization systems, devices and methods are generally described that use synchronized peak electric and magnetic fields. Example pasteurization systems may include a first resonant circuit that includes a first capacitive element coupled to a first inductive element, a second resonant circuit that includes a second capacitive element coupled to a second inductive element. The first inductive element and the second capacitive element may be positioned about the first treatment region, and the second inductive element and the first capacitive element may be positioned about the second treatment region. A controller coupled to the first and second resonant circuits may provide a first signal to the first resonant circuit and a second signal to the second resonant circuit, phase shifted by a predetermined amount.