Strategies in photochemical alcohol oxidation on noble-metal free nanomaterials as heterogeneous catalysts
We highlight the challenges and recent progress in using semiconductors to harvest solar energy for carrying out alcohol oxidation.
Chemistry↗
SEARCH · Search NASA
Results for “alcohol”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Selective oxidation of linear alcohols: the promotional effect of water and inhibiting effect of carboxylates over dilute PdAu catalysts
The promotional effect of Pd for selective alcohol oxidation over dilute Pd-in-Au bimetallic alloy catalysts strongly depends on the alkyl chain length and is characterizedviaa combination of reactor andin situinfrared studies.
Chemistry↗
Toward alcohol synthesis from CO hydrogenation on Cu(111)-supported MoS 2 – predictions from DFT+KMC
In the quest for cheap and efficient catalysts for alcohol synthesis from syngas, a material of interest is single-layer MoS2 owing to its low cost, abundancy, and flexible structure. Because of the inertness of its basal plane, however, it is essential to find ways that make it catalytically active. Herein, by means of density functional theory based calculations of reaction pathways and activation energy barriers and accompanying kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we show that while S vacancy row structures activate the MoS 2 basal plane, further enhancement of chemical activity and selectivity can be achieved by interfacing the MoS 2 layer with a metallic support. When defect-laden MoS2 is grown on Cu(111), there is not only an increase in the active region (surface area of active sites) but also charge transfer from Cu to MoS 2 , resulting in a shift of the Fermi level such that the frontier states (d orbitals of the exposed Mo atoms) appear close to it, making the MoS 2 /Cu(111) system ready for catalytic activity. Finally, our calculated thermodynamics of reaction pathways lead to the conclusion that the Cu(111) substrate promotes both methanol and ethanol as the products, while kinetic Monte Carlo simulations suggest a high selectivity toward the formation of ethanol.
2D materials↗
Clinical practice gaps and challenges in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis care: An international physician needs assessment
Abstract Background and aims Even as several pharmacological treatments for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are in development, the incidence of NASH is increasing on an international scale. We aim to assess clinical practice gaps and challenges of hepatologists and endocrinologists when managing patients with NASH in four countries (Germany/Italy/United Kingdom/United States) to inform educational interventions. Methods A sequential mixed‐method design was used: qualitative semi‐structured interviews followed by quantitative online surveys. Participants were hepatologists and endocrinologists practising in one of the targeted countries. Interview data underwent thematic analysis and survey data were analysed with chi‐square and Kruskal‐Wallis tests. Results Most interviewees ( n = 24) and surveyed participants (89% of n = 224) agreed that primary care must be involved in screening for NASH, yet many faced challenges involving and collaborating with them. Endocrinologists reported low knowledge of which blood markers to use when suspecting NASH (56%), when to order an MRI (65%) or ultrasound/FibroScan® (46%), and reported sub‐optimal skills interpreting alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 37%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 38%) blood marker test results, causing difficulty during diagnosis. Participants believed that more evidence is needed for upcoming therapeutic agents; yet, they reported sub‐optimal knowledge of eligibility criteria for clinical trials. Knowledge and skill gaps when managing comorbidities, as well as skill gaps facilitating patient lifestyle changes were reported. Conclusions Educational interventions are needed to address the knowledge and skill gaps identified and to develop strategies to optimize patient care, which include implementing relevant care pathways, encouraging referrals and testing, and multidisciplinary collaboration, as suggested by the recent Global Consensus statement on NAFLD.
Lazure, Patrice↗
Rewired phenolic metabolism and improved saccharification efficiency of a Zea mays cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (zmcad2) mutant
Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant byproduct from cereal crops that can potentially be valorized as a feedstock to produce biomaterials. Zea mays CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE 2 (ZmCAD2) is involved in lignification, and is a promising target to improve the cellulose–to–glucose conversion of maize stover. Here, we analyzed a field–grown zmcad2 Mutator transposon insertional mutant. Zmcad2 mutant plants had an 18% lower Klason lignin content, whereas their cellulose content was similar to that of control lines. The lignin in zmcad2 mutants contained increased levels of hydroxycinnamaldehydes, i.e. the substrates of ZmCAD2, ferulic acid and tricin. Ferulates decorating hemicelluloses were not altered. Phenolic profiling further revealed that hydroxycinnamaldehydes are partly converted into (dihydro)ferulic acid and sinapic acid and their derivatives in zmcad2 mutants. Syringyl lactic acid hexoside, a metabolic sink in CAD–deficient dicot trees, appeared not to be a sink in zmcad2 maize. The enzymatic cellulose–to–glucose conversion efficiency was determined after 10 different thermochemical pre–treatments. Zmcad2 yielded significantly higher conversions compared with controls for almost every pre–treatment. However, the relative increase in glucose yields after alkaline pre–treatment was not higher than the relative increase when no pre–treatment was applied, suggesting that the positive effect of the incorporation of hydroxycinnamaldehydes was leveled off by the negative effect of reduced p–coumarate levels in the cell wall. Here, taken together, our results reveal how phenolic metabolism is affected in CAD–deficient maize, and further support mutating CAD genes in cereal crops as a promising strategy to improve lignocellulosic biomass for sugar–platform biorefineries.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
A neural substrate of compulsive alcohol use
Inhibitory PKCδ-expressing neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala promote compulsive alcohol use in rats.
Domi, Esi↗
RB-TnSeq barcode abundance data sets for Novosphingobium aromaticivorans grown on the β-5-linked aromatic dimer dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol
ABSTRACT A randomly barcoded transposon insertion sequencing (RB-TnSeq) library of Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 was grown in media containing either glucose or the β-5-linked aromatic dimer dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DC-A) as the sole carbon source. The cultures were grown to saturation and then sequenced, yielding the barcode abundance data sets presented here.
Metz, Fletcher↗
Transcriptomic data sets for Novosphingobium aromaticivorans grown with the β-5-linked aromatic dimer dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol and the related G-aromatic monomers vanillin and ferulic acid
ABSTRACT The transcriptomes of a 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid-producing strain of Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 were determined when grown in minimal medium containing glucose alone or glucose plus vanillin, ferulic acid, or the β-5-linked aromatic dimer dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol as carbon sources. Here, we present the RNA-sequencing data we obtained.
Metz, Fletcher↗
Biophysical characterization and a roadmap towards the NMR solution structure of G0S2, a key enzyme in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
In the United States non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million people. It occurs in every age group, but predominantly in people with risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD is marked by fat accumulation in the liver leading to liver inflammation, which may lead to scarring and irreversible damage progressing to cirrhosis and liver failure. In animal models, genetic ablation of the protein G0S2 leads to alleviation of liver damage and insulin resistance in high fat diets. The research presented in this paper aims to aid in rational based drug design for the treatment of NAFLD by providing a pathway for a solution state NMR structure of G0S2. Here we describe the expression of G0S2 in an E. coli system from two different constructs, both of which are confirmed to be functionally active based on the ability to inhibit the activity of Adipose Triglyceride Lipase. In one of the constructs, preliminary NMR spectroscopy measurements show dominant alpha-helical characteristics as well as resonance assignments on the N-terminus of G0S2, allowing for further NMR work with this protein. Additionally, the characterization of G0S2 oligomers are outlined for both constructs, suggesting that G0S2 may defensively exist in a multimeric state to protect and potentially stabilize the small 104 amino acid protein within the cell. This information presented on the structure of G0S2 will further guide future development in the therapy for NAFLD.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Improved chemical pulping and saccharification of a natural mulberry mutant deficient in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase
Lignin content and its molecular structure influence various wood characteristics. In this study, the anatomical and physicochemical properties of wood derived from a naturally occurring mulberry mutant deficient in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis, were analyzed using conventional staining assays on stem sections, length and width measurements of xylem fiber cells, wood pulping and saccharification assays, and sugar compositional analysis of extractive-free wood powder. Here, the present data indicate that the mutation in the CAD gene leads to improved wood delignification efficiency, increased pulp yield under alkaline pulping conditions, and enhanced saccharification efficiency following alkaline pretreatment. This study opens up new avenues for the multipurpose use of the mulberry CAD-deficient mutant as a raw material for biorefinery processes, in addition to its traditional use as a favored feed for silkworms.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Syntrophic Co-Cultures of Clostridium Organisms to Produce Higher Alcohols & Other C6-C8 Metabolites (Final Report)
The goal of this project was to advance the systems biology understanding and predictive modeling of synthetic & syntrophic Clostridium microbial consortia, focusing on elucidation of metabolic networks and environmental signals in the consortia. The project has direct applicability to lignocellulosic-biomass based production of higher alcohols as advanced biofuels and C6-C8 metabolites, that can be used as chemicals or serve as biofuel precursors. This project studied and optimized three synthetic syntrophic systems. It examined the population dynamics using flow-cytometry, time-lapse microscopy and PCR analysis. 13C-based tracer analyses was used to examine the metabolite exchange between the syntrophic cell populations and the impact of those interactions on the transcriptome of the individual populations. To enhance our analytical and predictive capabilities, genome-scale models (GSMs) for these syntrophies was developed. RNAseq data for these syntrophic coculture systems were acquired to enable a molecular level understanding of the syntrophies aiming to identify the genetic networks of each organism in the co-culture and compare those against the networks of pure cultures.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
Improved Value of the Gasoline and Fuel Oil Co-Product Fractions Generated by the PNNL/LanzaTech Alcohol-to-Jet Process (Final Report)
The BETO-funded PNNL collaboration with LanzaTech, Inc. utilizes patented technology to address the need for low aromatic jet fuel blendstocks. The PNNL/LanzaTech alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) process converts ethanol from LanzaTech’s syngas fermentation process to jet-range isoparaffins. The aim of this Cooperative Research Development Agreement (CRADA) project was to improve the commercial viability of the LanzaTech/ PNNL ATJ process by developing two new co-product options. Two Focus Areas (FA) were explored: FA1) Increasing the RON of the lighter-than-jet gasoline fraction above 98; and FA2) Creating a synthetic lubricant base oil from the heavier-than-jet fraction. For FA 1, multiple processing approaches were evaluated, and RONs ranging from 96-100 were obtained, each comprising different processing costs. The most cost effective approach identified was a single-step process and yielded a liquid product of 97. Thus, additional development is required to obtain a RON > 98. We will continue work on this focus area with separate Direct Funding Opportunity (DFO) funding within the DOE-BETO Co-Optima Consortium (expected to begin Q2-FY21). Experimental work will focus on i) increasing single pass conversion to > 50%, and ii) obtaining a > 98 RON product. Technoeconomic analysis performed in this project suggests cost competitiveness provided these technical targets can be met. For FA2, multiple approaches were evaluated for increasing the viscosity index (VI) of the heavier-than-jet fraction to at least 120 in order to meet ASTM specifications for a Group III Base Oil (ASTM D6074). All other ASTM specifications are already met. A viscosity index of 115 was obtained, and with minimal undesirable cracking products. We believe a VI of 115 is about the highest possible from a catalytic approach, per review of the patent literature. In order to further increase the VI to > 120 we believe additives and/or liquid-liquid extraction is required. TEA performed earlier in the project suggests cost competitiveness with market prices assuming cracking byproducts are kept < 10 wt.%. If TEA updated with this additional processing still projects economic feasibility next steps could be taken in a subsequent effort.
02 PETROLEUM↗
MAGs from alcoholic fermentation in sugarcane biorefineries
Genome-resolved metagenomics was applied to recover microbial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from alcoholic fermentation samples collected at two sugarcane biorefineries in São Paulo state, Brazil, during the 2024 harvest season.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Yeast host cells and methods for producing fatty alcohols
The present invention provides for a genetically modified yeast cell comprising at least six or more of the following modifications: increased expression of Mus musculus fatty acid reductase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase 1, fatty acid synthase 2, a mutant of the bottleneck enzyme encoded by ACC1 insensitive to post-transcriptional and post-translational repression, and/or a desaturase encoded by OLE1, and reduced expression of DGA1, HFD1, ADH6, and/or GDH1. The present invention provides a method for constructing the genetically modified yeast cell, and a method for producing a fatty alcohol from the genetically modified yeast cell.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
Oxidation of alkanes to alcohols
The invention provides processes and materials for the efficient and cost-effective functionalization of alkanes, such as methane from natural gas, to provide esters, alcohols, and other compounds. The method can be used to produce liquid fuels such as methanol from a natural gas methane-containing feedstock. The soft oxidizing electrophile, a compound of a main group, post-transitional element such as Tl, Pb, Bi, and I, that reacts to activate the alkane C—H bond can be regenerated using inexpensive regenerants such as hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, halogens, nitric acid, etc. Main group compounds useful for carrying out this reaction includes haloacetate salts of metals having a pair of available oxidation states, such as Tl, Pb, Bi, and I. The inventors herein believe that a unifying feature of many of the MXn electrophiles useful in carrying out this reaction, such as Tl, Pb, and Bi species, is their isoelectronic configuration in the alkane-reactive oxidation state; the electrons having the configuration [Xe]4f145d10, with an empty 6s orbital. However, the iodine reagents have a different electronic configuration.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
Yeast cells and methods for producing fatty alcohols
The present invention provides for a genetically modified yeast cell comprising at least six or more of the following modifications: increased expression of Mus musculus fatty acid reductase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase 1, fatty acid synthase 2, a mutant of the bottleneck enzyme encoded by ACC1 insensitive to post-transcriptional and post-translational repression, and/or a desaturase encoded by OLE1, and reduced expression of DGA1, HFD1, ADH6, and/or GDH1. The present invention provides a method for constructing the genetically modified yeast cell, and a method for producing a fatty alcohol from the genetically modified yeast cell.
D'Espaux, Leopold↗
Catalytic conversion of bio-mass derivable aliphatic alcohols to valuable alkenes or oxygenates
Disclosed is a catalyst system, its methods of preparation and its use for producing, among others, alkenes and/or saturated or unsaturated oxygenates and, which include at least one of an aldehyde and an acid (such as propyl aldehyde, acrolein, acrylic acid, isobutyl aldehyde, methacrolein, methacrylic acid), comprising subjecting the corresponding an alcohol or a diol selected from the group consisting of propanol, propanediol and isobutanol that is derivable from biomass, to a vapor phase process over the catalytic system described herein in the presence of a gas mixture of oxygen, air or nitrogen and/or other suitable diluting gas. In the case where one of 1-propanol, or 1,2-propanediol or 1,3-propanediol or a mixture thereof is subjected to a vapor phase catalytic process over the said catalytic system in the presence of air or oxygen, and a co-fed gas, such as nitrogen or other diluting gas, the product is at least one of propylene, propyl aldehyde, acrolein and acrylic acid. In the case where isobutanol is subjected to such a process, the product is at least one of isobutylene, isobutyl aldehyde, methacrolein and methacrylic acid. The catalyst system comprises a single catalytic zone or multi-catalytic zones, in each of which the composition of the co-feed and other reaction parameter can be independently controlled.
Lin, Manhua↗
High titer fatty alcohol production in Lipomyces starkeyi by fed-batch fermentation
Not Available
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗