An apparatus for the automated processing of samples containing biological cells—in particular, of blood samples or other cell samples is provided. The apparatus has at least the following components: a sample receiving device configured to receive one or more samples; an auxiliary material receiving device configured to receive one or more auxiliary materials; a sample carrier receiving device configured to receive one or more sample carriers; a discharge device configured to discharge one or more samples from a discharge position; and a capture device configured to capture one or more discharged samples in a capture position to obtain one or more prepared samples; wherein the distance between the discharge position and the capture position can be adjusted to a prespecified height, and the apparatus further includes at least one temperature control device for controlling the temperature of at least one of the sample carriers.

An arrangement for and a method of biomass hydrolysis includes a feed pump, a pre-hydrolysis reactor and a feed line there-between for feeding fresh biomass slurry to the pre-hydrolysis reactor. The feed pump is a centrifugal feed pump and the pre-hydrolysis reactor is an upflow reactor.

The invention concerns a method for treating lignocellulosic biomass, said method comprising the following steps: a, Preparing an impregnation liquor (4) containing a chemical catalyst intended to impregnate the biomass b. Introducing the crushed biomass (6) through an inlet of an impregnation reactor (5), said inlet being situated in a first impregnation area (5a) of said impregnation reactor that comprises two superposed areas, said first impregnation area and a second so-called dewatering area (5b) above the impregnation area c. Introducing the liquor (4a) through a first liquor inlet situated in said first impregnation area (5a) of the reactor, d. Introducing said liquor (4b) into said reactor through a second liquor inlet in another area of the reactor (5d) situated below the biomass inlet in the first impregnation area (5b). The invention also concerns the facility for implementing the method.

A system, methods, and apparatus are described to collect and prepare single cells, nuclei, subcellular components, and biomolecules from specimens including tissues and in some embodiments use the single cells to form organoids or microtissues. The system can perform enzymatic and/or physical disruption of the tissue to dissociate it into single-cells and then use a hanging droplet method to form organoids or microtissues.

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for the pretreatment of biomass within seconds with low inhibitor formation. The pretreatment process is used to convert biomass to a fuel or other useful chemicals by subjecting the feedstock to a rapid retention time under pressure and temperature and/or chemical reactant. The system includes a continuously-operating valve discharge apparatus to discharge pretreated feedstock while maintaining uniform pressure on the pretreatment system.

Anaerobic digestion apparatus comprises a first chamber for retaining organic matter before and/or during anaerobic digestion and a second chamber for retaining organic matter during anaerobic digestion. The anaerobic digestion apparatus is configured to refrigerate or heat the first chamber to suppress methanogenesis in the first chamber. The anaerobic digestion apparatus comprises a controller programmed to regulate the anaerobic digestion process and to thereby reduce system perturbations. The flow of organic matter to the second chamber where methanogenesis is regulated. There is disclosed an inoculum for anaerobic digestion comprising Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosaeta concilii.

Anaerobic digestion apparatus comprises a first chamber for retaining organic matter before and/or during anaerobic digestion and a second chamber for retaining organic matter during anaerobic digestion. The anaerobic digestion apparatus is configured to refrigerate or heat the first chamber to suppress methanogenesis in the first chamber. The anaerobic digestion apparatus comprises a controller programmed to regulate the anaerobic digestion process and to thereby reduce system perturbations. The flow of organic matter to the second chamber where methanogenesis is regulated. There is disclosed an inoculum for anaerobic digestion comprising Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosaeta concilii.

The present invention relates to a new apparatus and a new method for the purification and the recovery of extra-chromosomal nucleic acids sequence(s).

The invention is directed to a simple and economical method for producing nanocrystalline cellulose from microcrystalline cellulose by contacting frozen concentrated sulfuric acid with microcrystalline cellulose, diluting the mixture in water and hair-shaped ice to hydrolyze the microcrystalline cellulose, and separating the NCC. Another aspect of the invention pertains to an apparatus for conducting this method which includes an acid resistant hydrolysis container having a cooling jacket containing a hollow stirrer each of which may be filled with liquid nitrogen.

The present invention is related to an anaerobic photobioreactor and a method for active biomass cultivation, wastewater treatment, nutrients recovery, energy production and high-value products synthesis. Phototrophic bacteria are cultured in the anaerobic photobioreactor lighted with solar or artificial irradiation where certain light wavelengths are selectively discarded with a light selector installed on the top of the photobioreactor. In this light-based process wastewater treatment and resources recovery, like nutrients and high-value bioproducts (fertilizers, polymers and proteins) present in wastewater are performed simultaneously. Cultured biomass is treated by anaerobic digestion for biofuel production, including optative hydrolytic pre-treatment, and/or valuable bioproducts can be obtained in a downstream process.