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Results for “substrate interactions”

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 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Structure and function of the divalent anion/Na + symporter from Vibrio cholerae and a humanized variant

Integral membrane proteins of the divalent anion/Na + symporter (DASS) family translocate dicarboxylate, tricarboxylate or sulphate across cell membranes, typically by utilizing the preexisting Na + gradient. The molecular determinants for substrate recognition by DASS remain obscure, largely owing to the absence of any substrate-bound DASS structure. Here we present 2.8-Å resolution X-ray structures of VcINDY, a DASS from Vibrio cholerae that catalyses the co-transport of Na + and succinate. These structures portray the Na + -bound VcINDY in complexes with succinate and citrate, elucidating the binding sites for substrate and two Na + ions. Furthermore, we report the structures of a humanized variant of VcINDY in complexes with succinate and citrate, which predict how a human citrate-transporting DASS may interact with its bound substrate. Our findings provide insights into metabolite transport by DASS, establishing a molecular basis for future studies on the regulation of this transport process.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Structure and energetics of pairwise interactions between proteasome subunits RPN2, RPN13, and ubiquitin clarify a substrate recruitment mechanism

This work presents that the 26S proteasome is a large cellular assembly that mediates the selective degradation of proteins in the nucleus and cytosol and is an established target for anticancer therapeutics. Protein substrates are typically targeted to the proteasome through modification with a polyubiquitin chain, which can be recognized by several proteasome-associated ubiquitin receptors. One of these receptors, RPN13/ADRM1, is recruited to the proteasome through direct interaction with the large scaffolding protein RPN2 within the 19S regulatory particle. To better understand the interactions between RPN13, RPN2, and ubiquitin, we used human proteins to map the RPN13-binding epitope to the C-terminal 14 residues of RPN2, which, like ubiquitin, binds the N-terminal pleckstrin-like receptor of ubiquitin (PRU) domain of RPN13. We also report the crystal structures of the RPN13 PRU domain in complex with peptides corresponding to the RPN2 C terminus and ubiquitin. Through mutational analysis, we validated the RPN2-binding interface revealed by our structures and quantified binding interactions with surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence polarization. In contrast to a previous report, we find that RPN13 binds ubiquitin with an affinity similar to that of other proteasome-associated ubiquitin receptors and that RPN2, ubiquitin, and the deubiquitylase UCH37 bind to RPN13 with independent energetics. In conclusion, these findings provide a detailed characterization of interactions that are important for proteasome function, indicate ubiquitin affinities that are consistent with the role of RPN13 as a proteasomal ubiquitin receptor, and have major implications for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Shear sensitive monomer-polymer laminate structure and method of using same

Monomer cholesteric liquid crystals have helical structures which result in a phenomenon known as selective reflection, wherein incident white light is reflected in such a way that its wavelength is governed by the instantaneous pitch of the helix structure. The pitch is dependent on temperature and external stress fields. It is possible to use such monomers in flow visualization and temperature measurement. However, the required thin layers of these monomers are quickly washed away by a flow, making their application time dependent for a given flow rate. The laminate structure according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal polymer substrate attached to a test surface of an article. A light absorbing coating is applied to the substrate and is thin enough to permit bonding steric interaction between the liquid crystal polymer substrate and an overlying liquid crystal monomer thin film. Light is directed through and reflected by the liquid crystal monomer thin film and unreflected light is absorbed by the underlying coating. The wavelength of the reflected light is indicative of the shear stress experienced by the test surface. Novel aspects of the invention include its firm bonding of a liquid crystal monomer to a model and its use of a coating to reduce interference from light unreflected by the monomer helical structure.

Singh, Jag J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Method of determining shear stress employing a monomer-polymer laminate structure

A laminate structure attached to the test surface of an article is presented. The laminate structure is comprised of a liquid crystal polymer substrate. A light absorbing coating is applied to the substrate and is thin enough to permit bonding steric interaction between the liquid crystal polymer substrate and an overlying liquid crystal monomer thin film. Light is directed through and reflected by the liquid crystal monomer thin film and unreflected light is absorbed by the underlying coating. The wavelength of the reflected light is indicative of the shear stress experienced by the test surface.

Singh, Jag J.↗
DOE OSTI2019

The Influence of the Configuration and Material of Interdigital Transducers on the Excitation of Surface and Pseudosurface Acoustic Waves in Lithium Niobate Substrates

We have studied the excitation, propagation, and interaction of surface and pseudosurface acoustic waves in X-cut lithium niobate substrate. Resonance excitation frequencies, propagation velocities, and dispersion characteristics for the acoustic waves of each type are determined. It is established that the electrode material influences the efficiency of excitation and interaction between the acoustic waves of various types. Requirements for the material and configuration of electrodes in integrated acousto-optic devices are determined.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enhanced and stabilized hydrogen production from methanol by ultrasmall Ni nanoclusters immobilized on defect-rich h-BN nanosheets

Employing liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) to transport hydrogen to where it can be utilized relies on methods of efficient chemical dehydrogenation to access this fuel. Therefore, developing effective strategies to optimize the catalytic performance of cheap transition metal-based catalysts in terms of activity and stability for dehydrogenation of LOHCs is a critical challenge. Here, we report the design and synthesis of ultrasmall nickel nanoclusters (∼1.5 nm) deposited on defect-rich boron nitride (BN) nanosheet (Ni/BN) catalysts with higher methanol dehydrogenation activity and selectivity, and greater stability than that of some other transition-metal based catalysts. The interface of the two-dimensional (2D) BN with the metal nanoparticles plays a strong role both in guiding the nucleation and growth of the catalytically active ultrasmall Ni nanoclusters, and further in stabilizing these nanoscale Ni catalysts against poisoning by interactions with the BN substrate. We provide detailed spectroscopy characterizations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to reveal the origin of the high productivity, high selectivity, and high durability exhibited with the Ni/BN nanocatalyst and elucidate its correlation with nanocluster size and support–nanocluster interactions. This study provides insight into the role that the support material can have both regarding the size control of nanoclusters through immobilization during the nanocluster formation and also during the active catalytic process; this twofold set of insights is significant in advancing the understanding the bottom-up design of high-performance, durable catalytic systems for various catalysis needs.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2017

Dynamic phases, clustering, and chain formation for driven disk systems in the presence of quenched disorder

In this paper, we numerically examine the dynamic phases and pattern formation of two-dimensional monodisperse repulsive disks driven over random quenched disorder. We show that there is a series of distinct dynamic regimes as a function of increasing drive, including a clogged or pile-up phase near depinning, a homogeneous disordered flow state, and a dynamically phase separated regime consisting of high-density crystalline regions surrounded by a low density of disordered disks. At the highest drives the disks arrange into one-dimensional moving chains. The phase separated regime has parallels with the phase separation observed in active matter systems, but arises from a distinct mechanism consisting of the combination of nonequilibrium fluctuations with density-dependent mobility. We discuss the pronounced differences between this system and previous studies of driven particles with longer-range repulsive interactions moving over random substrates, such as superconducting vortices or electron crystals, where dynamical phase separation and distinct one-dimensional moving chains are not observed. Finally, our results should be generic to a broad class of systems in which the particle-particle interactions are short ranged, such as sterically interacting colloids or Yukawa particles with strong screening driven over random pinning arrays, superconducting vortices in the limit of small penetration depths, or quasi-two-dimensional granular matter flowing over rough landscapes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Crystal structures of Hsp104 N-terminal domains from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans suggest the mechanism for the function of Hsp104 in dissolving prions

Hsp104 is a yeast member of the Hsp100 family which functions as a molecular chaperone to disaggregate misfolded polypeptides. To understand the mechanism by which the Hsp104 N-terminal domain (NTD) interacts with its peptide substrates, crystal structures of the Hsp104 NTDs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScHsp104NTD) and Candida albicans (CaHsp104NTD) have been determined at high resolution. The structures of ScHsp104NTD and CaHsp104NTD reveal that the yeast Hsp104 NTD may utilize a conserved putative peptide-binding groove to interact with misfolded polypeptides. In the crystal structures ScHsp104NTD forms a homodimer, while CaHsp104NTD exists as a monomer. The consecutive residues Gln105, Gln106 and Lys107, and Lys141 around the putative peptide-binding groove mediate the monomer–monomer interactions within the ScHsp104NTD homodimer. Dimer formation by ScHsp104NTD suggests that the Hsp104 NTD may specifically interact with polyQ regions of prion-prone proteins. The data may reveal the mechanism by which Hsp104 NTD functions to suppress and/or dissolve prions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Trace Analysis and Reaction Monitoring by Nanophotonic Ionization Mass Spectrometry from Elevated Bowtie and Silicon Nanopost Arrays

We present that silicon nanopost arrays (NAPA) are used in trace analysis by mass spectrometry (MS) because they enable highly efficient ion production from small molecules and thin tissue sections by UV laser desorption ionization (LDI). Such nanophotonic ionization of adsorbates relies on localized interactions between a nanostructured substrate and laser radiation. In LDI from NAPA, only the component of the oscillating electric field vector that is parallel with the posts couples the laser energy into the nanostructure. Enhancements in control over adsorbate ionization and fragmentation are expected if the surface-parallel component can also interact with the nanostructure. Here, an alternative nanophotonic ionization platform is introduced for LDI-MS, the elevated bowtie (EBT) array by adding triangular chromium features on top of silicon post pairs to form bowties. Compared to NAPA, the threshold fluence for ionization from EBT is lower, and at low laser fluences the ionization efficiency is increased by a factor of ≈17. The EBT platform with optimized apex angle exhibits a higher survival yield for molecular ions produced from biomolecules and xenobiotics and allows more control over fragmentation by adjusting the fluence. Finally, these unique nanophotonic ionization attributes are utilized for trace analysis and reaction monitoring in complex biological samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

On the Extended Holstein–Hubbard Model for Epitaxial Graphene on Metal

A model that combines the extended Hubbard model involving intra-atomic and interatomic Coulomb repulsion and the Holstein model describing the interaction of a band electron with an Einstein phonon is proposed. Three regions of the phase diagram are considered. The regions correspond to the states of spin- and charge-density waves and the state uniform in spin and charge. Numerical estimations for the Rh, Ir, and Pt substrates show that Coulomb interaction plays a leading part, making possible transitions from the uniform state to the states of spin- and charge-density waves.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1981

Investigation into the role of NaCL deposited on oxide and metal substrates in the initiation of hot corrosion

The conversion to Na2SO4 of NaCl deposited on oxide substrates was studied as a function of temperature, in air with various SO2 and H2O partial pressures. The substrate was either a pure oxide or an oxide scale growing on a metal specimen. The progress of the reaction was observed using the SEM-EDAX technique to monitor morphological effects and, as far as possible, establish the rate of the process. The physical characteristics of the interaction between salt and substrate were also examined with particular reference to physical damage to the underlying oxide, especially when this is a scale on a metal specimen. An effort was also made to establish the conditions under which liquid phases may form and the mechanisms by which they form.

Birks, N.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nonvolatile Magnetoelectric Switching of Magnetic Tunnel Junctions with Dipole Interaction

The magnetoelectric effect is technologically appealing because of its ability to manipulate magnetism using an electric field rather than magnetic field or current, thus providing a promising solution for the development of energy-efficient spintronics. Although 180° magnetization switching is vital to spintronic devices, the achievement of 180° magnetization switching via magnetoelectric coupling is still a fundamental challenge. Here, in this work, voltage-driven full resistance switching of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with dipole interaction on a ferroelectric substrate through switchable parallel/antiparallel magnetization alignment is demonstrated. Parallel magnetization alignment along the y direction is obtained under a bias magnetic field. By rotating the magnetic easy axis via strain-mediated magnetoelectric coupling, the parallel magnetizations in the MTJ reorient to the x axis with opposite paths because of dipole interaction, thus resulting in antiparallel alignment. Moreover, this voltage switching of MTJs is nonvolatile owing to variations in dipole interaction and can be well understood via phase field simulations. The results provide an avenue to realize electrical switching of MTJs and are significant for exploring energy-efficient spintronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spin-Dependent $\pi$$\pi$* Gap in Graphene on a Magnetic Substrate

Here, we present a detailed analysis of the electronic properties of graphene/Eu/Ni(111). By using angle- and spin-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we show that the intercalation of Eu in the graphene/Ni(111) interface gives rise to a gapped freestanding dispersion of the $\pi$$\pi$* Dirac cones at the K point with an additional lifting of the spin degeneracy due to the mixing of graphene and Eu states. The interaction with the magnetic substrate results in a large spin-dependent gap in the Dirac cones with a topological nature characterized by a large Berry curvature and a spin-polarized Van Hove singularity, whose closeness to the Fermi level gives rise to a polaronic band.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1987

Low Earth orbit environmental effects on the space station photovoltaic power generation systems

A summary of the Low Earth Orbital Environment, its impact on the Photovoltaic Power systems of the space station and the solutions implemented to resolve the environmental concerns or issues are described. Low Earth Orbital Environment (LEO) presents several concerns to the Photovoltaic power systems of the space station. These concerns include atomic oxygen interaction with the polymeric substrate of the solar arrays, ionized environment effects on the array operating voltage, the effects of the meteoroids and debris impacts and penetration through the different layers of the solar cells and their circuits, and the high energy particle and radiation effects on the overall solar array performance. Potential solutions to some of the degrading environmental interactions that will provide the photovoltaic power system of the space station with the desired life are also summarized.

Nahra, Henry K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Low earth orbit environmental effects on the Space Station photovoltaic power generation systems

A summary of the low earth orbital environment, its impact on the photovoltaic power systems of the Space Station and the solutions implemented to resolve the environmental concerns or issues are described. Low earth orbital environment (LEO) presents several concerns to the photovoltaic power systems of the Space Station. These concerns include atomic oxygen interaction with the polymeric substrate of the solar arrays, ionized environment effects on the array operating voltage, the effects of the meteoroids and debris impacts and penetration through the different layers of the solar cells and their circuits, and the high energy particle and radiation effects on the overall solar array performance. Potential solutions to some of the degrading environmental interactions that will provide the photovoltaic power system of the Space Station with the desired life are also summarized.

Nahra, H. K.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Final Technical Report

This report highlights of the last 3 years research. Discovery that one-layer (1L) epitaxial graphene plus one carbon interfacial buffer layer (BfL) , both grown by sublimation on SiC(0001), present a stiffness upon indentation similar/larger than bulk diamond and resist to perforation by a diamond indenter. Discovery of an sp 2 - sp 3 phase transformation upon indentation at room temperature of 1L+BfL epitaxial graphene on SiC, the new ultra-hard, ultra-stiff and insulating sp 3 phase was named Diamene . Demonstration of Å-Indentation (ÅI) measurements to measure the stiffness (up to 1 TPa) of ultra-thin (down to 1 atomic layer) films on substrates. First measurement by ÅI of the stiffness of Q-Carbon nano-filaments. Discovery of an oscillatory behavior in friction forces and work function values for even and odd number of layers in polycrystalline MoS 2 films, associated to the oscillatory piezoelectricity of the grains . Demonstration that monolayer MoS 2 can efficiently screen the vdW interaction of the underlying substrate with external systems. Identification of SiC buried terraces and graphene number of layers in a continuous film of epitaxial graphene on SiC by machine learning algorithms. New understanding of defects formation in monolayer MoS 2 . Demonstration of a new method based on thermal scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) for patterning electrodes on 2D materials overcoming EBL limitations . Demonstration of t-SPL for patterning nanoscale magnetic quantum waveguides . New understanding of how charged nanoparticles electrostatically assemble in 1D .

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mapping periplasmic binding protein oligosaccharide recognition with neutron crystallography

Numerous studies have shown how periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) bind substrates with exquisite specificity, even distinguishing between sugar epimers and anomers, or structurally similar ions. Yet, marked substrate promiscuity is also a feature encoded in some PBPs. Except for three sub-Ångström crystal structures, there are no reports of hydrogen atom positions in the remaining (> 1000) PBP structures. The previous X-ray crystal structure of the maltodextrin periplasmic-binding protein from Thermotoga maritima (tmMBP) complexed with oligosaccharide showed a large network of interconnected water molecules stretching from one end of the substrate binding pocket to the other. These water molecules are positioned to form multiple hydrogen bonds, as well as forming interactions between the protein and substrate. Here we present the neutron crystal structure of tmMBP to a resolution of 2.1 Å. This is the first neutron crystal structure from the PBP superfamily and here we unambiguously identify the nature and orientation of the hydrogen bonding and water-mediated interactions involved in stabilizing a tetrasaccharide in the binding site. More broadly, these results demonstrate the conserved intricate mechanisms that underlie substrate-specificity and affinity in PBPs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗