Disclosed are materials and methods for managing aerobic biosynthesis. The materials include a fermenter system comprising a fermenter, a microorganism provided to the fermenter, and at least two control loops. The methods are directed to measuring and controlling different oxygen concentrations within the fermenter.

A light emitting diode (LED) module includes: an LED that emits an ultraviolet ray; an information holding apparatus; and a module-side connector electrically connected to the LED and the information holding apparatus.

An anaerobic fermentation apparatus has at least one fermentation tank. Each fermentation tank has a container, a pumping pipe, a conveying pipe, and a spray pipe. The pumping pipe communicates with the top of the container. The conveying pipe is mounted in the container. The spray pipe is mounted in the container and has a trunk and multiple branches. The trunk communicates with the conveying pipe. Each branch communicates with the trunk and has two nozzles formed through the wall of the branch. An imaginary connection line that connects the two nozzles is oblique with respect to the axis of the branch as viewed from the top, causing multiple vortexes at the bottom of the container to make the organic substances stirred thoroughly and the fermentation processing more evenly, and increase the efficiency of the fermentation.

The invention relates to means and methods for the biomethanation of H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2. In particular, the invention relates to devices for producing methane by means of methanogenic microorganisms by converting H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2, wherein the devices comprise at least one reactor, an aqueous medium, which is provided in the at least one reactor, wherein the methanogenic microorganisms are contained in the aqueous medium, a feeding apparatus, which is designed to introduce H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 into the at least one reactor, wherein H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 form a gaseous mixture therein, and a reaction-increasing device, which is designed to enlarge the contact surface between the aqueous medium having the methanogenic microorganisms and the gaseous mixture. The invention further relates to methods for producing methane in a reactor device by means of methanogenic microorganisms.

Disclosed is a method of adding a feed medium into a bioprocess. The method includes receiving a stream of CO2-rich gas; treating the stream of CO2-rich gas to remove impurities therefrom; preparing an aqueous mixture for absorbing carbon dioxide, the aqueous mixture having at least one inorganic nitrogen compound in a range of 0.1-50 wt % of the aqueous mixture, the at least one inorganic nitrogen compound is a nitrogen source for microorganisms; absorbing carbon dioxide from the stream of CO2-rich gas into the aqueous mixture, the aqueous mixture with absorbed carbon dioxide forming a feed medium; and adding the feed medium into a bioprocess.

A method includes placing a sample of cells, tissue, or an organ into an oxygen imaging system, circulating a humidified gas mixture around the tissue or organ, circulating conditioned air through the oxygen imaging system to maintain a temperature around the sample, and acquiring a three-dimensional oxygen map of the sample. The oxygen map provides a quantitative measure of cell viability and functionality.

This disclosure describes hardware for microfluidic chips and an associated platform for facilitating operation of one or more microfluidic chips. The microfluidic chips described herein are designed for supporting multiple different tissue types, including kidney tissue, liver tissue, adipose cells, and so forth. Chip geometry facilities fluid flow through one or more channels of the chip with a particular flow rate. For example, shear forces are reduced where needed to ensure proper flow rate of fluid in the channels. The chamber geometry and the geometry of the channels ensures that a desired amount of oxygen is delivered to sample cells or tissues in a controlled manner.

A measuring apparatus and a method for determining the degree of bacterial contamination of process liquids uses at least one gas sensor for measuring the gas concentration of a gas producible by aerobic bacteria in the process liquid. An evaluating device is connected with the sensor for evaluating a sensor signal generated by the sensor and correlated with the degree of bacterial contamination. To determine the degree of bacterial contamination a funnel-shaped gas collecting bell is partly immersed in the process liquid so that a gas collection cavity for collection of the escaping gas is formed directly above the process liquid surface in the gas collecting bell. The gas escaping can be fed by a gas pump via a gas feed line to the sensor, conducted via the sensor and pumped back again to the gas collection cavity by way of a gas return line.

According to present disclosure, there is disclosed an algae growth and cultivation system that provides a cost-efficient means of producing algae biomass as feedstock for algae-based products, such as, biofuel manufacture, and desirably impacts alternative/renewable energy production, nutrient recovery from waste streams, and valued byproducts production. The system as discussed herein is an integrated systems approach to wastewater treatment, algal strains selection for byproducts production, and recycle of algal-oil extraction waste or additional algae harvested as feedstock for fertilizer production. Embodiments of a system as discussed herein present an economically viable algae production system and process that allows algae-derived products such as biofuels, fertilizer, etc. to compete with petroleum products in the marketplace.

One aspect of the invention provides a device for quantifying and controlling oxygen concentration within a bioreactor containing a cell-containing sample that is actively consuming oxygen. The device includes: a bioreactor vessel adapted and configured to receive a cell-containing sample; a perfusion loop adapted and configured to circulate a perfusate from within the bioreactor vessel and back into the bioreactor vessel, the perfusion loop including a first pump; a gas exchanger including one or more gas exchange sources adapted and configured to add or remove gases from the perfusate; a sensor within the bioreactor adapted and configured to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration in the perfusate; and a controller programmed to control one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of the specified flow rate of the perfusate through the gas exchanger and the rate of gas exchange through the one or more gas exchange sources.