Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Thatcher W Root

Shannon S Stahl

James Anthony Dumesic

Adam Bradley Powell

David Martin Alonso

Jesse Quentin Bond

David S Mannel

Maaz S Ahmed

Mark R Etzel

James B Gerken

Daniel J Klingenberg

Mei Chia

Colin W Anson

Bu Wang

Raghavendra Ragipani

Charles Timothy Scott

Seyhun Gemili

Yuliya Preger

Robert Phillip Anex

Joseph R Samaniuk

Abhiram Arunkumar

A method of making a composition of matter comprising calcium hydroxide. The method includes the steps of contacting a calcium-containing molecule with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt having ammonium cation and a counter-anion, under conditions effective to yield a compound containing calcium and the counter-anion; and reacting the compound comprising calcium and the counter-anion with ammonia and water under conditions to yield calcium hydroxide.

Sustainable calcium hydroxide production for green cement

Anode half-cells for the electrocatalytic oxidation of a liquid or gaseous fuel or other reductant are disclosed, along with electrochemical cells that include such half-cells. The anode half-cells include redox mediator/heterogeneous redox catalyst pairs within an electrolyte solution that is also in contact with an electrode. The electrode is not in direct contact with the heterogeneous catalyst. The redox mediator must include at least one carbon atom and be capable of transferring or accepting electrons and protons while undergoing reduction or oxidation. In operation, the fuel or other reductant is oxidized and the redox mediator is reduced at the heterogeneous catalyst. The reduced form of the redox mediator can then migrate to the electrode, where it is converted back to its oxidized form, which can then migrate back to the heterogeneous catalyst, where the cycle is repeated. The disclosed anode half-cells can be used in electrochemical cells, such as in fuel cells that produce electricity, or in electrosynthetic cells that produce one or more desired chemical products.

Flow-based anode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of a fuel or other reductant

The present invention concerns methods of isolating milk proteins. Methods of the invention include charged ultrafiltration processes that use variations in pH to further separate protein species.

Methods and compositions involving whey protein isolates

Disclosed are methods for synthesizing an ester or a carboxylic acid from an organic alcohol. To form the ester one reacts, in the presence of oxygen gas, the alcohol with methanol or ethanol. This reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium and a co-catalyst comprising bismuth, tellurium, lead, cerium, titanium, zinc and/or niobium (most preferably at least bismuth and tellurium). Alternatively that catalyst can be used to generate an acid from that alcohol, when water is also added to the reaction mix.

Conversion of alcohols to carboxylic acids using heterogeneous palladium-based catalysts

Conversion of alcohols to alkyl esters and carboxylic acids using heterogeneous palladium-based catalysts

A device and a method are provided for measuring the yield stress of a fluid. The device includes a container for receiving the fluid therein and an auger having a shaft extending along an axis and a helical flange extending radially about the shaft. The auger is movable in the fluid between a first position and a second position. A sensor is operatively connected to the auger. The sensor measures a force on the auger as the auger moves from the first position to the second position. A linkage is interconnected to the sensor. The linkage translates motion to the auger.

Device and method for measuring the rheological properties of a yield stress fluid

The present invention provides systems and methods for transferring heat using a variable composition organic heat transfer fluid that remains liquid over a wide operating temperature range useful for solar heating applications. Variable composition heat transfer fluids of the present invention comprise a miscible mixture, optionally a completely miscible mixture, of a high boiling point component selected for its beneficial high temperature physical properties, and a low freezing point component selected for its beneficial low temperature physical properties. In some embodiments, the low freezing point component is removed from the heat transfer fluid as the heat transfer fluid is heated, for example by being removed in the vapor phase, thereby selectively varying the composition and physical properties (e.g., vapor pressure, boiling point, etc.) of the heat transfer fluid as a function of temperature.

Extended-range heat transfer fluid using variable composition

A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and &#x3b3;-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose by selective extraction of LA by alkylphenol (AP) and hydrogenation of LA, in which mineral acid used in the method is recycled and the final concentration of GVL is increased by successive extraction/hydrogenation steps to allow for effective separation by distillation.

Method to produce and recover levulinic acid and/or gamma-valerolactone from aqueous solutions using alkylphenols

Described is a catalytic process for converting biomass to furan derivatives (e.g., furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase containing an alkylphenol. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing furfural, furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid hydroxymethylfurfural, &#x3b3;-valerolactone, and the like. The products formed are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Thatcher W Root