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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.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Performance-Limiting Factors of Hydrocarbon Ionomeric Binders for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Here, the move toward nonfluorinated hydrocarbon ionomers for fuel cells and electrolyzers is driven by potential restrictions on polyfluoroalkyl substances such as Nafion. This study examines the key limitations of hydrocarbon ionomers through half- and single-cell experiments with model hydrocarbon ionomers. Half-cell tests reveal three major performance barriers: undesirable adsorption, electrochemical oxidation, and low gas permeability. Competitive sulfate adsorption helps counteract ionomer adsorption and oxidation. These findings align with single-cell performance data, which further reveal additional oxygen mass transport limitations likely caused by localized electrode flooding. Together, these findings offer valuable insights to guide the development of high-performance, fluorine-free hydrocarbon ionomers for next-generation fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Choi, Jong-Ho [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LAN↗
DOE OSTI2023

Isoform- and ligand-specific modulation of the adhesion GPCR ADGRL3/Latrophilin3 by a synthetic binder

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) are cell-surface proteins with large extracellular regions that bind to multiple ligands to regulate key biological functions including neurodevelopment and organogenesis. Modulating a single function of a specific aGPCR isoform while affecting no other function and no other receptor is not trivial. Here, we engineered an antibody, termed LK30, that binds to the extracellular region of the aGPCR ADGRL3, and specifically acts as an agonist for ADGRL3 but not for its isoform, ADGRL1. The LK30/ADGRL3 complex structure revealed that the LK30 binding site on ADGRL3 overlaps with the binding site for an ADGRL3 ligand – teneurin. In cellular-adhesion assays, LK30 specifically broke the trans-cellular interaction of ADGRL3 with teneurin, but not with another ADGRL3 ligand – FLRT3. Our work provides proof of concept for the modulation of isoform- and ligand-specific aGPCR functions using unique tools, and thus establishes a foundation for the development of fine-tuned aGPCR-targeted therapeutics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ultra-low binder content 3D printed calcium phosphate graphene scaffolds as resorbable, osteoinductive matrices that support bone formation in vivo

Bone regenerative engineering could replace autografts; however, no synthetic material fulfills all design criteria. Nanocarbons incorporated into three-dimensional printed (3DP) matrices can improve properties, but incorporation is constrained to low wt%. Further, unmodified nanocarbons have limited osteogenic potential. Functionalization to calcium phosphate graphene (CaPG) imparts osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity, but loading into matrices remained limited. This work presents ultra-high content (90%), 3DP-CaPG matrices. 3DP-CaPG matrices are highly porous (95%), moderately stiff (3 MPa), and mechanically robust. In vitro, they are cytocompatible and induce osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), indicated by alkaline phosphatase, mineralization, and COL1α1 expression. In vivo, bone regeneration was studied using a transgenic fluorescent-reporter mouse non-union calvarial defect model. 3DP-CaPG stimulates cellular ingrowth, retains donor cells, and induces osteogenic differentiation. Histology shows TRAP staining around struts, suggesting potential osteoclast activity. Apparent resorption of 3DP-CaPG was observed and presented no toxicity. 3DP-CaPG represents an advancement towards a synthetic bone regeneration matrix.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A inhibitors and other drug-like compounds as covalent binders of SARS-CoV-2 main protease

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), threatens global public health. The world needs rapid development of new antivirals and vaccines to control the current pandemic and to control the spread of the variants. Among the proteins synthesized by the SARS-CoV-2 genome, main protease (M pro also known as 3CL pro ) is a primary drug target, due to its essential role in maturation of the viral polyproteins. In this study, we provide crystallographic evidence, along with some binding assay data, that three clinically approved anti hepatitis C virus drugs and two other drug-like compounds covalently bind to the M pro Cys145 catalytic residue in the active site. Also, molecular docking studies can provide additional insight for the design of new antiviral inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 using these drugs as lead compounds. One might consider derivatives of these lead compounds with higher affinity to the M pro as potential COVID-19 therapeutics for further testing and possibly clinical trials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

RNA polymerase II trapped on a molecular treadmill: Structural basis of persistent transcriptional arrest by a minor groove DNA binder

Elongating RNA polymerase II (Pol II) can be paused or arrested by a variety of obstacles. These obstacles include DNA lesions, DNA-binding proteins, and small molecules. Hairpin pyrrole-imidazole (Py-Im) polyamides bind to the minor groove of DNA in a sequence-specific manner and induce strong transcriptional arrest. Remarkably, this Py-Im–induced Pol II transcriptional arrest is persistent and cannot be rescued by transcription factor TFIIS. In contrast, TFIIS can effectively rescue the transcriptional arrest induced by a nucleosome barrier. The structural basis of Py-Im–induced transcriptional arrest and why TFIIS cannot rescue this arrest remain elusive. Here we determined the X-ray crystal structures of four distinct Pol II elongation complexes (Pol II ECs) in complex with hairpin Py-Im polyamides as well as of the hairpin Py-Im polyamides–dsDNA complex. We observed that the Py-Im oligomer directly interacts with RNA Pol II residues, introduces compression of the downstream DNA duplex, prevents Pol II forward translocation, and induces Pol II backtracking. These results, together with biochemical studies, provide structural insight into the molecular mechanism by which Py-Im blocks transcription. Our structural study reveals why TFIIS fails to promote Pol II bypass of Py-Im–induced transcriptional arrest.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

MOOSE-Python Binder

This code is a wrapper for Python code so that it can be accessed by MOOSE and the two can pass variables back and forth. Since this code was developed by ORNL, it must be independently approved before being added to the MOOSE repository.

Cheniour, Amani↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optimizing liquid free ionomer binders for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for heavy duty vehicles

This report documents tech transfer from Penn State to Ionomer Solutions LLC for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. High-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells are enticing power plants for heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) transportation because their elevated temperature operation fosters greater heat rejection through larger temperature differentials. In 2021, over 6 million battery electric light duty vehicles (LDVs) were sold. Conversely, only 19,000 LDVs using fuel cell power trains were sold in 2021. Given the meteoric rise of battery-based powertrains for LDVs and its projected growth, stakeholders for fuel cell technology for transportation have shifted their focus towards HDVs rather than LDVs given fuel cells specific and volumetric energy density advantage over batteries when the vehicle is large, heavy, and/or needs to move large distances before refueling.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗