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At least 253 records · Page 14

Chemical structure–property relationships in nanocelluloses

Abstract Nanocelluloses, nanoscale cellulosic particles or fibrils, are an appealing class of nanomaterials with enormous potential for sustainable development. They have great promise to target some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations. Nanocelluloses are derived from the most abundant biopolymer in the world, cellulose, which have multiple hydroxyl groups on their surface, enabling a vast range of chemical modifications. The interplay between the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of nanocelluloses is crucial to engineering the next generation of green, functional nanomaterials. In this review paper, we provide a comprehensive account of the structure–property relationships in nanocelluloses, which may establish the basis for the design of precision bio‐based materials. Chemical modifications of nanocelluloses, including hydrolysis, oxidation, esterification, amidation, and polymer grafting, provide an array of chemical and physical properties that open opportunities in a diverse spectrum of applications. We review how chemical modifications affect the physicochemical properties of nanocelluloses, such as thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and dispersibility in nonpolar media. Understanding nanocellulose chemical structure–property relationships is integral to the development of sustainable material platforms based on the most renewable biopolymer on earth.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The structural basis for the broad aldehyde specificity of the aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase PauC from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Despite significant differences in size and formal charge, the aldehyde dehydrogenasePaPauC (PA5312) fromPseudomonas aeruginosaPAO1 efficiently catalyzes the NAD + ‐dependent oxidation of the aminoaldehydes formed in polyamines degradation. We report here thatPaPauC also oxidizes 4‐guanidinebutyraldehyde, formed in one arginine degradation pathway, trimethylaminobutyraldehyde, of unknown metabolic origin, and indole‐3‐acetaldehyde, a precursor of the plant growth‐promoting hormone indoleacetic acid.PaPauC has been proposed as a potential target for combatingP. aeruginosa. However, understanding its structure–function relationships, crucial for developing specific inhibitors, is lacking. Using X‐ray crystallography, we identified the structural characteristics that determinePaPauC broad aldehyde specificity: a spacious aldehyde‐entrance tunnel and six active‐site residues. Docking simulations, site‐directed mutagenesis, and kinetic analyses support the interactions of Lys479 with glutamylated aminoaldehydes; Phe169, Trp176, and Phe467 with amino and guanidinium groups through cation–π interactions and with the indole group via NH–π and CH–π interactions; Asp459 with amino and indole groups; and Thr303 with amide and guanidinium groups. Exploiting the distinctive structural features of thePaPauC active site could aid in developing specific inhibitors to combatP. aeruginosainfections in humans and animals, as well as in preventing its colonization of plants, which are abundantP. aeruginosareservoirs and, therefore, a significant source of human infections.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗

Modeling regional precipitation over the Indus River basin of Pakistan using statistical downscaling

Complex processes govern spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation within the high-mountainous headwater regions (commonly known as the upper Indus basin (UIB)), of the Indus River basin of Pakistan. Reliable precipitation simulations particularly over the UIB present a major scientific challenge due to regional complexity and inadequate observational coverage. Here, we present a statistical downscaling approach to model observed precipitation of the entire Indus basin, with a focus on UIB within available data constraints. Taking advantage of recent high altitude (HA) observatories, we perform precipitation regionalization using K-means cluster analysis to demonstrate effectiveness of low-altitude stations to provide useful precipitation inferences over more uncertain and hydrologically important HA of the UIB. We further employ generalized linear models (GLM) with gamma and Tweedie distributions to identify major dynamic and thermodynamic drivers from a reanalysis dataset within a robust cross-validation framework that explain observed spatiotemporal precipitation patterns across the Indus basin. Final statistical models demonstrate higher predictability to resolve precipitation variability over wetter southern Himalayans and different lower Indus regions, by mainly using different dynamic predictors. The modeling framework also shows an adequate performance over more complex and uncertain trans-Himalayans and the northwestern regions of the UIB, particularly during the seasons dominated by the westerly circulations. However, the cryosphere-dominated trans-Himalayan regions, which largely govern the basin hydrology, require relatively complex models that contain dynamic and thermodynamic circulations. Furthermore, we also analyzed relevant atmospheric circulations during precipitation anomalies over the UIB, to evaluate physical consistency of the statistical models, as an additional measure of reliability. Overall, our results suggest that such circulation-based statistical downscaling has the potential to improve our understanding towards distinct features of the regional-scale precipitation across the upper and lower Indus basin. Additionally, such understanding should help to assess the response of this complex, data-scarce, and climate-sensitive river basin amid future climatic changes, to serve communal and scientific interests.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Refining Microstructures in Additively Manufactured Al/Cu Gradients Through TiB 2 Inclusions

Here, the additive manufacture of compositionally graded Al/Cu parts by laser engineered net shaping (LENS) is demonstrated. The use of a blue light build laser enabled deposition on a Cu substrate. The thermal gradient and rapid solidification inherent to selective laser melting enabled mass transport of Cu up to 4 mm from a Cu substrate through a pure Al deposition, providing a means of producing gradients with finer step sizes than the printed layer thicknesses. Divorcing gradient continuity from layer or particle size makes LENS a potentially enabling technology for the manufacture of graded density impactors for ramp compression experiments. Printing graded structures with pure Al, however, was prevented by the growth of Al 2 Cu 3 dendrites and acicular grains amid a matrix of Al 2 Cu. A combination of adding TiB 2 grain refining powder and actively varying print layer composition suppressed the dendritic growth mode and produced an equiaxed microstructure in a compositionally graded part. Material phase was characterized for crystal structure and nanoindentation hardness to enable a discussion of phase evolution in the rapidly solidifying melt pool of a LENS print.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High-performance n-Type Polymers Based on Multiple Electron-withdrawing Groups Decorated ( E )-1,2-Di(thiophen-2-yl)ethene Building Blocks

The performance of n-type conjugated polymers lags far behind that of p-type polymers, which significantly restricts the development of organic electronics. The (E)-1,2-di(thiophen-2-yl)ethene (TVT) unit, owing to its unique advantages, has been widely applied in the design of p-type polymer semiconductors. Previous studies have demonstrated that introducing electron-withdrawing groups can lower the frontier orbital energy levels of polymers and enhance electron injection/transporting capabilities. Based on this, we proposed incorporating multiple electronwithdrawing groups, such as amide groups, fluorine atoms, and cyano groups, into the polymer backbones of TVT-based polymer to facilitate the electron transport. Here, we successfully designed and synthesized the polymers TVTDA-4FTVT and TVTDA-2F2CNTVT. Both polymers exhibited low frontier orbital energy levels. Due to its significantly higher crystallization tendency and favorable intermolecular packing structure, the organic field-effect transistor (OFET) device based on TVTDA-4FTVT demonstrated an electron mobility one order of magnitude higher than that of TVTDA-2F2CNTVT. TVTDA-4FTVT showed the highest electron mobility of 0.87 cm 2 ·V −1 ·s −1 , while TVTDA-2F2CNTVT exhibited the highest electron mobility of 0.049 cm 2 ·V −1 ·s −1 . Owing to its deeper lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level, the OFET devices based on TVTDA-2F2CNTVT showed good air stability after being placed in a natural environment for 15 d.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ameloblastin binding to biomimetic models of cell membranes – A continuum of intrinsic disorder

A 37-residue amino acid sequence corresponding to the segment encoded by exon-5 of murine ameloblastin (Ambn), AB2 (Y67-Q103), has been implicated with membrane association, ameloblastin self-assembly, and amelogenin-binding. Here, our aim was to characterize, at the residue level, the structural behavior of AB2 bound to chemical mimics of biological membranes using NMR spectroscopy. To better define the structure of AB2 using NMR-based methods, recombinant 13 C- and 15 N-labelled AB2 (*AB2) was prepared and data collected free in solution and with deuterated dodecylphosphocholine (dPC) micelles, deuterated bicelles, and both small and large unilamellar vesicles. Amide chemical shift and intensity perturbations observed in 1 H- 15 N HSQC spectra of *AB2 in the presence of bicelles and dPC micelles suggest that a region of *AB2, S6-E36 (murine Ambn S68 – E98), associates with the membrane biomimetics. A CSI-3 analysis of the NMR chemical shift assignments for *AB2 free in solution and bound to dPC micelles indicated the peptide remains disordered except for the adoption of a short, 12-residue α-helix, F10-G21 (murine Ambn F72-G83). In dPC micelles, the NOE NMR data was void of patterns characteristic of long-lived helical structure indicating this helix was transient in nature. A continuum of intrinsic disorder in the membrane-bound state may be responsible for ameloblastin’s ability to dynamically interact with multiple partners at the same site during amelogenesis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A Trichomonas vaginalis C2-XYPPX-repeat protein with a structured C2 domain displaying dampened flexibility upon binding calcium

C2 domains are ubiquitous membrane-binding modules of ∼130 residues in eukaryotes that are often associated with proteins involved in membrane trafficking and lipid modification. The genome of Trichomonas vaginalis, the most common, non-viral, sexually transmitted human pathogen, encodes eight genes that contain a N-terminal C2 module linked to a XYPPX-repeat domain of more than four XYPPX repeats (C2-XYPPX). While the function of the XYPPX-repeat domain remains unknown, its multiple association with C2 domains in T. vaginalis suggests it is important. Here, the C2 domain from one of these C2-XYPPX-repeat proteins, Tv-C2-1, was structurally and physically characterized using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure for Tv-C2-1 shows that this domain shares a fold common to all C2 domains, a compact Greek-key motif composed of eight anti-parallel β-strands in the type-2 topology. An NMR chemical shift perturbation study with Ca 2+ showed that Tv-C2-1 bound two Ca 2+ atoms primarily via two loops (loop-1 and loop-3) on the predicted calcium binding face of the protein with K d s of 58.0 ± 0.1 μM and 232 ± 6 μM. Estimations of the overall rotational correlation time, τ c , in the apo (11.1 ns) and Ca 2+ -bound (9.2 ns) state suggests the protein becomes more compact upon Ca 2+ binding, consistent with a decrease in dynamics in loop-3 and marginally in loop-1 suggested by amide 15 N heteronuclear steady-state { 1 H}- 15 N NOEs. Showing Tv-C2-1 binds calcium and adopts a compact Greek-key motif structure, two primary features of C2 domains, suggests understanding the function of the XYPPX-repeat domain may be warranted.

NMR spectroscopy↗

Modeling of Hidden Structures Using Sparse Chemical Shift Data from NMR Relaxation Dispersion

NMR relaxation dispersion measurements report on conformational changes occurring on the μs-ms timescale. Chemical shift information derived from relaxation dispersion can be used to generate structural models of weakly populated alternative conformational states. Current methods to obtain such models rely on determining the signs of chemical shift changes between the conformational states, which are difficult to obtain in many situations. Here, we use a “sample and select” method to generate relevant structural models of alternative conformations of the C-terminal-associated region of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), using only unsigned chemical shift changes for backbone amides and carbonyls ( 1 H, 15 N, and 13 C'). We find that CS-Rosetta sampling with unsigned chemical shift changes generates a diversity of structures that are sufficient to characterize a minor conformational state of the C-terminal region of DHFR. The excited state differs from the ground state by a change in secondary structure, consistent with previous predictions from chemical shift hypersurfaces and validated by the x-ray structure of a partially humanized mutant of E. coli DHFR (N23PP/G51PEKN). The results demonstrate that the combination of fragment modeling with sparse chemical shift data can determine the structure of an alternative conformation of DHFR sampled on the μs-ms timescale. Such methods will be useful for characterizing alternative states, which can potentially be used for in silico drug screening, as well as contributing to understanding the role of minor states in biology and molecular evolution.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamic, hollow nanotubular networks with superadjustable pH-responsive and temperature resistant rheological characteristics

Recently, the interest in stimuli-responsive and adaptable materials has continuously grown in various fields and applications. For such responsive systems, different triggers, including pH, light, pressure, temperature, and electric field, have been utilized to control dynamics and assembly. Among these, pH is one of the most convenient, energy-efficient, and economic modalities. Besides, plenty of traditional materials have poor thermal and salt stability, limiting their applications. Herein, we report a new design of a pH-responsive viscoelastic supramolecular complex (VSC) based on commplexation of a new long-chain amino-amide and maleic acid. In this study, the system demonstrated a sol–gel-sol transition from pH 2 to 10, with the largest static viscosity occurring at pH 6 (~1000 Pa·s) and the smallest viscosity at pH 4 (~3.3 Pa·s), indicating ~ 300-fold control over the viscosity. For a given concentration, the static viscosity of VSC was about 15 times larger than that of CTAB/NaSal, a well-established dynamic viscoelastic system, and no pH-responsiveness was observed for the traditional system. In addition, the VSC demonstrated a superior temperature tolerance and lower temperature dependence. The potential of these intriguing dynamics viscoelastic systems was evaluated for hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery applications. Proppant settling velocity of DMAA/MA was 500 ~ 1000 times lower than that of CTAB/NaSal and common traditional polymers. Likewise, the oil recovery percentage could be significantly improved with the utilization of DMAA/MA compared to the CTAB/NaSal (86 % vs 52 %). Aside from applications in hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery, we anticipate that the intriguing rheological properties of this viscoelastic system can be beneficial for other chemical engineering applications including personal care products, cosmetics, lubricants, and biomedical gels.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hydropower and environmental flow management: System-level trade-offs at Glen Canyon Dam

The research focuses on the Colorado River Basin, specifically examining the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) and its influence on surrounding aquatic ecosystems. This area is crucial due to its role in hydropower production and its impact on downstream environments, including the Grand Canyon National Park. This study explores the integration of environmental factors into hydro dispatch modeling at GCD to tackle ecological challenges posed by the invasive smallmouth bass (SMB). Utilizing the GTMax SL and SERM models, the research assesses the effects of SMB control experiments on hydropower generation, economic value, and grid stability. The study examines the financial and economic impacts of bypass flows designed to release colder water to prevent SMB spawning, which can significantly reduce hydropower output and increase costs. The research identifies that declining reservoir levels and rising water temperatures in Lake Powell have facilitated SMB spawning, posing a threat to native fish populations like the endangered humpback chub. The findings highlight the importance of adaptive management strategies to balance ecological preservation with hydropower generation amid long-term weather-related challenges. The study underscores the need for comprehensive assessments of flow options to prevent SMB establishment below GCD, considering the broader implications for sediment dynamics and ecological interactions.

Ecological impact assessment↗

Evaluation of Phase Change Plaster/Paste Composites for Building Envelopes

Thermal energy storage (TES) materials increase a building’s thermal mass and provide the flexibility to shave and time-shift energy use. These materials are needed to enable grid-interactive efficient buildings, allowing building occupants to lower costs by leveraging free ambient heating/cooling as well as shifting consumption to cheaper electricity periods. Phase change materials (PCMs) that store heat through a solid-liquid/solid-solid transformation are of particular interest for TES because of their ability to store large amounts of energy across a constant temperature or very small temperature range. Furthermore, previous studies on PCM building envelopes evaluated products that may only be incorporated as part of new construction and are not easily applicable to existing, energy-intensive buildings. In this work, we leverage laboratory PCM characterization and whole-building energy simulation to study the energy and cost savings of PCM plaster/paste coatings, which can be applied post construction to both new builds and retrofits of existing buildings (about 40% of residential buildings in the United States fall into the retrofit category). We evaluated the energy impact of PCM plaster/paste composites for a single-family residential building in the United States, including layer design (location and thickness), composite properties (phase change temperature, energy density, and shape of the enthalpy curve), and U.S. climate zone. The enthalpy curve shape of PCM shows that phase change temperature and energy density are not the only two parameters that must be considered for PCM selection. Maximizing the energy density amid the effective TES zone is key to boosting energy savings. We also studied PCM price targets with the aim of achieving reasonable payback periods based on both block and time-of-use electricity rates. Moreover, we developed an empirical equation to provide a rough estimate of the energy savings potential of incorporating PCM without the need to perform detailed simulations. These results will help guide the selection and design of PCM plaster/paste composite elements for residential building envelopes.

ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION↗

Migrating Populus with climate change: Phenology, coppice management, cold spell susceptibility, leaf dynamics, and biomass production

Understanding the phenology and productivity of Populus species is crucial for effective management and conservation strategies amid climate change. We investigated leaf budbreak timing, susceptibility to cold damage, leaf dynamics, and biomass production of 168 Populus genotypes with diverse provenances in the southeastern United States. Our study revealed significant variation in budbreak timing across different taxa and years, with genotypes inheriting traits adapted to their parents’ local climates. Temperature emerged as a key factor triggering budbreak, while leaf development depended on other environmental cues such as photoperiod. Notably, budbreak occurred approximately 20 days earlier in 2023 compared to 2022 due to higher accumulated degree days (ADDs). Short-rotation-coppice (SRC) management delayed budbreak by five to ten days. Cold damage was significant in 2023, particularly for genotypes from northern provenances and those with P. maximowiczii parentage. Severe damage was also observed in eastern cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ​× ​ Populus deltoides (D ​× ​D)) genotypes, despite most having southeastern US parentages. Leaf dynamics, including leaf duration and leaf area index (LAI), varied across taxa and sites, with earlier budbreak correlating with extended growing seasons and increased LAI. Biomass production was intricately linked to phenological events, with earlier budbreak leading to increased biomass production and greater susceptibility to cold damage. Our findings highlight the importance of genetics, environment, and coppicing management in understanding and managing Populus phenology and biomass production. These insights provide valuable guidance for developing effective breeding, conservation, and management strategies for Populus species in the context of climate change.

Accumulated degree days (ADDs)↗

Isotope effects at the origin of life: Fingerprints of the Strecker synthesis

We report strecker synthesis creates α-amino acids from prebiotically plausible substrates (cyanide, ammonia, and aldehydes) and is widely hypothesized to be a key mechanism in the chemistry that led to life on Earth and on other planets. To better constrain the synthetic environments and precursors of abiotic α-amino acids, and to determine unique signatures of abiogenic amino acids, we measured the molecular-averaged and site-specific carbon and nitrogen isotope effects for the Strecker synthesis of alanine. The reaction steps of the Strecker synthesis can be divided into two groups: an initial series of reversible amination and nitrile-addition reactions (‘equilibration’) and a second series of irreversible hydrolysis reactions (‘hydrolysis’). The equilibration of cyanide, acetaldehyde, and ammonia with the intermediate, α-aminopropionitrile (α-APN), has a measured 55.1‰ equilibrium nitrogen isotope effect between the 15 N-rich amine nitrogen in α-aminopropionitrile and the 15 N-poor ammonia and a 20.0‰ equilibrium carbon isotope effect between the 13 C-poor C-2 site in α-aminopropionitrile and the 13 C-rich carbonyl carbon in acetaldehyde. The first irreversible hydrolysis step is inferred to have an up to 10‰ normal carbon fractionation (i.e., faster for 12 C, slower for 13 C) for the whole molecule, but it also has one or more side reactions that deplete the reactive α-APN reservoir by up to 15‰. The second hydrolysis step has a 15.4‰ normal kinetic isotope effect on the amide (C-1) site of alaninamide, which becomes the carboxyl site of alanine. Other α-amino acids will likely experience similar nitrogen isotope fractionations between ammonia and their amine sites, and similar carbon isotope fractionations between the carbonyl carbon in reactant aldehydes or ketones and the intermediate α-aminonitrile, and between cyanide and the carboxyl site. Therefore, these isotope effects allow us to predict the carbon and nitrogen isotopic contents and intramolecular structures of α-amino acids formed by Strecker synthesis based on their substrates’ isotopic compositions, or to infer the isotopic compositions of substrates from which amino acids formed, for example in the case of the amino-acid-rich carbonaceous chondrites. The site-specific C and N isotopic compositions of amino acids formed by Strecker chemistry contrast with those typical of terrestrial biosynthetic amino acids, so these data also provide a means of discriminating between biogenic and abiogenic α-amino acids.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Integrating science for water security governance

Hydrological extremes are intensifying globally, increasing the complexity of decisions required to ensure water security. Advances in hydrological science, modeling, and data systems have expanded the technical frontier of water research, yet uptake of scientific insights in policy and management decisions remains limited. This persistent science–policy gap is not primarily a failure of knowledge generation or robustness, but an institutional challenge shaped by how scientific and governance systems are organized, coordinated, and connected to support the effective use of scientific knowledge. These challenges are particularly pronounced in multi-level and transboundary water governance, where decisions span jurisdictions and require coordination across institutional and political boundaries. We synthesize research at the science–policy interface and evidence from water security initiatives to show how institutional arrangements, scientific tool development, and research practices enable or constrain the sustained use of scientific knowledge in water-security governance processes. Building on these insights, we develop ‘shared decision infrastructure’ as a framing to describe how scientific knowledge is embedded within the institutional, relational, and procedural arrangements that connect science to decision-making processes over time. We translate this framing into a practical intervention roadmap centered on institutional design, tool translation, sustained co-production, and outcome-oriented evaluation to support the integration of science into ongoing governance processes. By positioning science as shared decision infrastructure, the roadmap clarifies how researchers can design scientific efforts that support more coordinated, accountable, and adaptive water security decisions amid deepening uncertainty.

M whitney, Kristen [NASA Goddard Space Flight Cent↗

Geological study of an outburst flood event in the upper Yangtze River and risk of similar extreme events

Here, outburst flood sediments are studied on the upper course of the Yangtze River (known as the Jinsha River) where is a key region for the development of hydroelectric power. As the history and magnitude of outburst flooding in this stretch of the Jinsha River during historic times has remained largely undocumented, we have endeavored as part of this study to conduct field investigations into, and provide numerical dating (using OSL and 14 C dating techniques) of outburst flood evidence found in the First Bend area of the Yangtze River. Carbonized nutshells and charcoal from the ancient settlement yielded 14 C ages that precisely pinpointed an outburst flood event ~1200–1300 cal yr BP, during China's Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). However, OSL ages using the minimum age model for all outburst flood samples ranged from 9.1 to 1.8 ka, which was ~0.5–7.8 ka older than the 14 C-dated outburst flood. This discrepancy suggests a potential overestimation of quartz age when dating outburst flood sediments from the Holocene period. Furthermore, using 2D hydraulic modeling, we estimated the magnitude of the aforementioned outburst flood, revealing a reconstructed peak flow discharge of 51,000–55,300 m 3 /s. This discharge was three times greater than the 10,000-year flood for the hydroelectric power station nearest to the study area. Our study underscores the significant role of combining archaeological and geological evidence in enhancing paleoflood hydrology research. Through a multidisciplinary approach, our findings emphasize the importance of paleoflood hydrology studies in comprehending both the latent and catastrophic flood risks in alpine mountain areas amid the context of global warming.

14C dating↗

Equilibrium vapor pressure properties for absorbent and adsorbent materials

Sorption devices are important tools for the efficient utilization of fuels and waste heat. Amid a tremendous diversity of cycles and applications, all sorption systems have an equilibrium vapor pressure that depends on the sorbent temperature and composition. The vapor pressure properties of working fluids are reported in the literature in a variety of ways, which impedes wide-ranging cross comparisons or screening studies for novel applications. This work compiles equilibrium vapor pressure properties for 123 liquid absorbents with 31 absorbates and 139 solid adsorbents with 16 adsorbates. The adsorption pairs are represented with six functional forms. Additionally, most of the absorption pairs are represented with 10 functional forms, plus several that are represented with custom empirical equations. Because the functional forms used in the literature vary widely, in this work each functional form was generalized. This paper is designed to facilitate comparisons of working fluid properties for screening studies, provide a quick reference to existing research, and present a framework for standardizing the reportage of vapor pressure equilibrium data for existing and future working pairs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Localized energy burden, concentrated disadvantage, and the feminization of energy poverty

Energy burden directly influences households' health and safety. Amid a growing literature on energy, poverty and gender remains relatively understudied. We evaluate socioeconomic, geographic, and health factors as multidimensions of concentrated disadvantage that magnify energy burden in the United States over time. We show that the energy burden is more pronounced in disadvantaged counties with larger elderly, impoverished, disabled people, and racialized populations where people do not have health insurance. Neighborhoods with households headed by women of color (especially Black women) are more likely to face a high energy burden, which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although energy costs are often regarded as an individual responsibility, these findings illustrate the feminization of energy poverty and indicate the need for an intersectional and interdisciplinary framework in devising energy policy directed to households with the most severe energy burden.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗