TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Method: In the method (M1), the chamber is high-pressure vessel; and the shock event is shock wave. The method (M1) further involves pretreating the biomass with a chemical before introducing the biomass to the chamber; pretreating the shocked biomass with a chemical after transferring the shocked biomass from the chamber; feeding a gaseous mixture to the chamber; and igniting the gaseous mixture in the chamber; adding an explosive material to the chamber; detonating the explosive material in the chamber; converting at least a portion of the shocked biomass to a sugar-based product, after transferring the shocked biomass from the chamber; reacting at least a portion of the sugar-based product to produce an alcohol. The method (M1) further involves: pretreating the lignin-based biomass prior to introduction into the chamber by adding calcium oxide or hydroxide, water, and an oxidizing agent to the biomass to form a slurry mixture; and oxidizing lignin in the slurry mixture while maintaining the mixture at greater than ambient temperature. In the method (M1), the shock event comprises a time elapse of less than 1 second, and a pressure increase is at least 100 psi. In the method (M1), the chamber comprises a first end and a second end, each end having an end cap movably attached to it, where each of the end caps comprise a sloped surface configured to assist in rapid opening, closing, and sealing of the covers with the ends, and the shocked biomass is transferred from the chamber by opening the second end and gravitational force. The method (M2) further involves: counter-currently washing at least a portion of the shocked biomass with water; and forming biomass slurry with the wash water and the pretreated biomass. The method (M2) further involves processing the shocked biomass to produce a biofuel, where the shock event comprises a pressure increase of at least 100 psi in less than 1 second. In the method (M2), the high-pressure vessel comprises a first end and a second end, each end having an end cap removably attached thereto, where each of the end caps comprise a sloped surface configured to assist in rapid opening, closing, and sealing of the end caps with the ends, and the shocked biomass is transferred from the high-pressure vessel from opening the second end and gravitational pull.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises: a second actuator coupled with the frame, where the second actuator is configured for opening and closing the second end cap, and a second clamp coupled with the frame, where the second clamp is operable to hold the second end cap in a sealingly engaged position with the second end, where the predetermined position is along a vertical axis with respect to an earthen surface; additional first clamp coupled with the frame, where the additional first clamp is operable to hold the first end cap in a sealingly engaged position with the first end, and an additional second clamp coupled with the frame, where the additional second clamp is operable to hold the second end cap in a sealingly engaged position with the second end, where the biomass is lignin-based or grain-based. In the apparatus, the first actuator, the second actuator, the first clamp, and the second clamp are each separately operable with a movable piston; each of the movable pistons is pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically actuated; the first end cap comprises a first sloped surface, where the second end cap comprises a second sloped surface, where engagement between the first clamp, the first sloped surface, and the main body results in compression between them, and where engagement between the second clamp, the second sloped surface, and the main body results in compression between them; the first end cap comprises a first sloped surface, and where engagement between the first clamp, the first sloped surface, and the first end results in compression between them; the biomass is transferred to the apparatus through the first end, where the shock event comprises a time elapse of less than 1 second, and a pressure increase of at least 100 psi, where the biomass is grain-based or lignin-based, and where shocked biomass is transferred from the apparatus through the second end; the shock event results from ignition of a gaseous mixture fed into the chamber; and the first end cap is first conical shaped end cap.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The chemical is one of an alkali material, or ash material. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.