An apparatus and a method for the automated processing of samples containing biological cellsin particular, of blood samples or other cell samples is provided. The apparatus has a sample receiving device configured to receive samples, an auxiliary material receiving device configured to receive auxiliary materials, a sample carrier receiving device configured to receive sample carriers, a discharge device configured to discharge samples from a discharge position, and a capture device configured to capture discharged samples in a capture position to obtain prepared samples, and at least one temperature control device for controlling the temperature of at least one of the sample carriers. The distance between the discharge position and the capture position can be adjusted to a prespecified height. The method includes wetting a temperature-controlled sample carrier with at least one auxiliary material and discharging the sample onto the wetted temperature-controlled sample carrier from a prespecified height.

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.

The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system forming a pretreatment effluent and introducing the pretreatment effluent to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate. The hydrolysate may be introduced to a lignin separation system to form a sugar-rich stream and a lignin-rich stream. The sugar-rich stream may be introduced to a purification system comprising at least one toxin converting microorganism or subcellular material to form a purified sugar-rich stream, and the purified sugar-rich stream and one or more sugar converting microorganisms are introduced to a bioreactor configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also related to systems for production of hydrocarbon fuels including, a pretreatment system, a hydrolysis system, a lignin separation system, a purification system, and at least one bioreactor.

The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors. Alternatively a system may include a pretreatment system, a hydrolysis system, a sugar separation system, and one or more bioreactors.

Provided are a method and an apparatus for isolating stromal cells from biological tissue without using an enzyme, in which spontaneous migration of the stromal cells of the biological tissue is induced to move the stromal cells to the outside of the biological tissue, wherein the induction of the spontaneous migration of the stromal cells is performed in a state in which the biological tissue is attached to an attachment member formed of a material to which biological tissue is attachable, and is performed in a culture medium in which the stromal cells can survive.

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.

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 relates to improving the results of anaerobic digestion of organic waste especially animal manure such as chicken manure by removing the grit in the waste by digesting the waste in a slurry at a temperature of about 50 C. or more for a period of time sufficient for the grit to settle out of the slurry.

Provided is a system for hydrolyzing a cellulosic feedstock slurry. The system comprises one or more unmixed reactors for receiving and partially hydrolyzing the cellulosic feedstock slurry so as to produce a mixture of partially hydrolyzed slurry. The unmixed reactors may be plug flow reactors. One or more mixed reactors are downstream of the unmixed reactors for continuing the hydrolysis of the mixture of the partially hydrolyzed slurry. The one or more unmixed and mixed reactors may be connected in series, parallel or a combination thereof.