Cornell University

Cornell Research Foundation Inc.

Larry P Walker

Emmanuel P Giannelis

Stephane Cedric Corgie

Xiaonan Duan

Daniel Aneshansley

Patarawan Kahawong

David B Wilson

Sheng Zhang

Jefferson W Tester

Jeremy Luterbacher

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin, remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

Hierarchical magnetic nanoparticle-enzyme mesoporous assemblies embedded in macroporous scaffolds

Enzyme forming mesoporous assemblies embedded in macroporous scaffolds

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

Method for epoxidation to produce alkene oxide

Method for inhibiting growth of microorganisms with macroporous scaffolds

A composition comprising mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles and free-radical producing enzyme (i.e., enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates), wherein the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles have mesopores in which the free-radical-producing enzyme is embedded. Methods for synthesizing the enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates are also described. Processes that use said enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates for depolymerizing lignin, removing aromatic contaminants from water, and polymerizing monomers polymerizable by a free-radical reaction are also described.

Mesoporous catalysts of magnetic nanoparticles and free-radical-producing enzymes, and methods of use

Hierarchical magnetic nanoparticle enzyme mesoporous assemblies embedded in macroporous scaffolds

A process for pretreatment of a biomass material, comprising subjecting a biomass material to a biphasic mixture of water and supercritical COat a temperature in the range of 150&#xb0; C. to 250&#xb0; C. under high pressure for a time of from 10 seconds to 100 minutes. In particular embodiments, the process is performed as a two-stage temperature process wherein an initial short high-temperature stage is conducted at a temperature of at least 200&#xb0; C. for up to 20 minutes and a subsequent longer low-temperature stage is conducted at a temperature of at least 140&#xb0; C. and up to 190&#xb0; C. for 10-120 minutes.

Biphasic supercritical carbon dioxide-water pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass

The invention relates to a gene isolated from Thermomonospora fusca, wherein the gene encodes a thermostable cellulase. Disclosed is the nucleotide sequence of the T. fusca gene; and nucleic acid molecules comprising the gene, or a fragment of the gene, that can be used to recombinantly express the cellulase or a catalytically active polypeptide thereof, respectively. The isolated and purified recombinant cellulase or catalytically active polypeptide may be used to hydrolyze substrate either by itself; or in combination with other cellulases, with the resultant combination having unexpected hydrolytic activity.

Thermostable cellulase from a thermomonospora gene

Growing community of inventors

Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Larry P Walker