The invention relates to a microbial delivery system where biochar acts as a carrier for microbes.

A class of propyl cationic peptide lipids is propyl cationic peptide lipid compounds having a general formula structure as follows. After the propyl cationic peptide lipids are dispersed in water, a cationic liposome with a particle size of approximately 100 nm is obtained. The cationic liposome can carry plasmid DNA (pDNA) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) into cells to realize the function of gene delivery, and is almost non-toxic to the cells.

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A class of propyl cationic peptide lipids is propyl cationic peptide lipid compounds having a general formula structure as follows. After the propyl cationic peptide lipids are dispersed in water, a cationic liposome with a particle size of approximately 100 nm is obtained. The cationic liposome can carry plasmid DNA (pDNA) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) into cells to realize the function of gene delivery, and is almost non-toxic to the cells.

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A composition comprising carbon and ash, wherein the composition comprises between 65 and 95% w/w carbon and between 2% and 25% w/w ash. There is also provided a method of producing the composition.

A composition comprising carbon and ash, wherein the composition comprises between 65 and 95% w/w carbon and between 2% and 25% w/w ash. There is also provided a method of producing the composition.

The present invention relates to a calcium-based bentonite and a soil-improving agent including same. More specifically, the calcium-based bentonite is characterized by including a peak at a 2θ value of 4° to 8° in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) graph.

A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.

Biochar is provided that is treated to have certain chemical and physical properties found to have the highest impact on plant growth and/or soil health. In particular, the following physical and/or chemical properties, among others, of a biochar have been identified as critical properties to control for in the selection of biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and/or enhancing treatment to increase biochar performance: (i) bulk density (ii) impregnation capacity; (iii) particle size distribution; (iv) solid particle density; (v) surface area; (vi) porosity; (vii) total porosity; (viii) ratio of macroporosity to total porosity (ix) content of residual organic compounds; (x) content of volatile organic compounds; (xii) ash content; (xiii) water holding capacity; (xiv) water retention capabilities; (xv) levels of dioxins and other potentially hazardous byproducts of pyrolysis; and (xvi) pH. Treatment can modify and preferably increase hydrophilicity/decrease hydrophobicity, remove dioxins from the raw biochar, modify electrical conductivity and/or surface charge, modify cation exchange capacity and modify anion exchange capacity, among other things.

Biochar is provided that is treated to have certain chemical and physical properties found to have the highest impact on plant growth and/or soil health. In particular, the following physical and/or chemical properties, among others, of a biochar have been identified as critical properties to control for in the selection of biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, and/or enhancing treatment to increase biochar performance: (i) bulk density (ii) impregnation capacity; (iii) particle size distribution; (iv) solid particle density; (v) surface area; (vi) porosity; (vii) total porosity; (viii) ratio of macroporosity to total porosity (ix) content of residual organic compounds; (x) content of volatile organic compounds; (xii) ash content; (xiii) water holding capacity; (xiv) water retention capabilities; (xv) levels of dioxins and other potentially hazardous byproducts of pyrolysis; and (xvi) pH. Treatment can modify and preferably increase hydrophilicity/decrease hydrophobicity, remove dioxins from the raw biochar, modify electrical conductivity and/or surface charge, modify cation exchange capacity and modify anion exchange capacity, among other things.

The invention relates to a method for producing a component, such as a structural member, free of toe pressure, including the steps of: introducing a soluble material into soil and introducing a component into the soil on the soluble material.