Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Adaptive laboratory evolution”

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.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Understanding and Harnessing the Robustness of Undomesticated Yarrowia lipolytica Strains for Biosynthesis of Designer Bioesters (Final Report)

This project seeks to elucidate and harness the exceptional robustness of novel and undomesticated Y. lipolytica isolates, which were identified from a genetic diversity screening for compatibility with bioenergy development. Bioenergy-relevant isolates were further developed as microbial platforms for efficient conversion of undetoxified biomass hydrolysates into designer bio-esters continuously recovered by solvent extraction. The project has three major goals. Goal 1. Elucidate and enhance the endogenous metabolism of Y. lipolytica for superior growth, sugar utilization, and lipid accumulation in undetoxified biomass hydrolysates under hypoxic conditions. Goal 2. Understand and enhance the underlying mechanism of exceptional tolerance of Y. lipolytica to organic solvents. Goal 3. Elucidate and rewire endogenous metabolism of the most robust Y. lipolytica strains for effective conversion of accumulating lipids to designer bio-esters. Significant progress has been made toward completing all research goals. We elucidated and optimized the robustness of Y. lipolytica by utilizing mixed C5 and C6 sugars in switchgrass hydrolysates (SGH) for lipid production (Aim 1). We conducted extensive omics analysis to investigate how genetic diversity among Yarrowia strains, derived from natural isolates or developed through adaptive laboratory evolution, influences lipid production when utilizing SGH. In Aim 2, novel mechanisms and underlying genetics were discovered that enabled Yarrowia strains to thrive in cultures containing high ionic liquid (IL) concentrations. Amongst other novel findings, it was found that sterols strengthened cell membranes to confer IL toxicity resistance, specifically via increased ergosterol content upon exposure to IL. In Aim 3, mechanistic studies elucidated how Y. lipolytica utilized intracellular lipids and alkanes/alkenes, leading to our discovery of novel enzymes and pathways for making short-chain esters. Most notably, thermostable chloramphenicol transferases were repurposed to function as alcohol acetyltransferases in Y. lipolytica, as well as the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria Escherichia coli and thermophile Clostridium thermocellum, respectively.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Degradable Biocomposite Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

In this project, the team developed tough and degradable biocomposite thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) by incorporating bacterial spores into TPUs as a biofunctional living filler. The team screened various bacteria and selected the Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 strain as the final candidate, primarily due to its genomic availability, sporulation ability and TPU assimilation activity. The heat-shock tolerance of ATCC 6633 spores was further improved through evolutionary engineering via Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE), demonstrating a 17.7-fold enhanced germination efficiency post heat-shock treatment compared to the wild-type strain (WT). The team fabricated biocomposite TPUs by incorporating lyophilized powder of heat-shock tolerized (HST) spores during the hot melt extrusion (HME) of TPU at 135 °C. The baseline TPU used in this project is a commercially available soft-grade TPU (BCF45) manufactured by BASF. Colony forming unit (CFU) assays quantified that WT and HST spores in the TPU matrix retained approximately 20% and 100% survivability, respectively, after HME. Tensile testing demonstrated that the spores behaved as a polymer-reinforcing filler, positively affecting the overall tensile properties of the biocomposite TPU. For example, biocomposite TPU with WT and HST spores (BC TPU WT and BC TPU HST , respectively) exhibited up to 25% and 37% improved toughness, respectively, compared to TPU without spores. BC TPU HST showed remarkably improved disintegration in autoclaved compost (92% mass loss in 5 months), which simulated a microbially poor environment for TPU degradation. When compared to TPU without spores (44% mass loss in 5 months) the acceleration of degradation is marked. Respirometry confirmed that 72% of BC TPU HST was biomineralized into CO2 within 6 months, indicating that spores in the biocomposite TPU were germinated by utilizing nutrients in the autoclaved compost, facilitating TPU degradation at the end of the material's life. The team demonstrated the scale-up of biocomposite TPU fabrication using continuous extrusion and injection molding techniques. Processing conditions optimized in a lab-scale microcompounder were successfully transferred to a continuous extruder with a 30-fold increased throughput. Biocomposite TPUs prepared using these industry-relevant processes showed comparable toughness improvements to samples prepared in the lab-scale extruder. Excitingly, following compounding in the pilot-extruder the composite material could be injection molded, while retaining high spore viability and similar toughness improvements. The team also found that spores in biocomposite TPU served as antioxidants, preventing toughness decay during the recycled extrusion of BC TPU HST . Long-term storage tests over one year showed that the addition of spores had no negative effect on the longevity of the TPU. Furthermore, the team demonstrated the fabrication of spore-bearing biocomposite polymers with other polyesters such as PBAT, PLA, and PCL. We obtained promising preliminary data that showed overall toughness improvements for all polymers with spore addition. Finally, life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) were carried out, which indicated minimal additional cost of fabrication. Overall, a tough and degradable biocomposite thermoplastic was successfully developed through this project, with all tasks completed successfully, achieving >100% of the objectives.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

RNAseq data for P. putida with vanillate

Illumina sequencing reads from RNA sequencing of vanillate-utilizing strains of Pseudomonas putida, described in Evolution and engineering of pathways for aromatic O-demethylation in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 by A. Bleem, et al. (2024)

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

Applied genomics for industrially relevant microalgal strain development & optimization: characterizing genotype-phenotype relationships towards scalable environment-enhancing energy systems

Multiple planetary boundaries considered a safe operating space for humanity have been exceeded in recent years, with twice as many boundaries transgressed in 2023 as in 2009. Bioenergy systems are unique in that they can interact with and improve many of the transgressed boundaries directly, including multiple geochemical cycles, water and land use, and climate change. Among bioenergy systems, microalgae-based environment enhancing energy (E 2 -energy) are promising bioenergy systems for drop-in biofuels, valuable materials, chemicals and therapeutics, while making deep emission cuts and remediating wastewater, all without competing for agricultural resources.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB108

plasmid used in https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2404295

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB109

plasmid used in https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2404295

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB110

plasmid used in https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2404295

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB111

plasmid used in https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2404295

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB112

For recombinant expression of fghA (PP_1617 from Pseudomonas putida) with the S11R mutation and a C-terminal His tag

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB113

For recombinant expression of fghA (PP_1617 from Pseudomonas putida) with the W15C mutation and a C-terminal His tag

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB120

For recombinant expression of fghA (PP_1617 from Pseudomonas putida) with five mutations (K10N, S11R, W15C, G76V, G258D) and a C-terminal His tag

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pACB143

For recombinant expression of vanB (PP_3737 from Pseudomonas putida) with the A24P mutation and an N-terminal thrombin-cleavable His tag

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2026

pSN95

For recombinant expression of vanA (PP_3736 from Pseudomonas putida) with a C-terminal His tag

Adaptive laboratory evolution↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hyporheic-zone Processes and Stream Oxygen Dynamics: Insights from a Multiscale Reactive Transport Model: Modeling Archive

This archive contains the data and Python scripts required to reproduce the analyses and figures in the study: Gomez-Velez, J. D., Rathore, S. S., Cohen, M. J., & Painter, S. L. (2025). Hyporheic-zone Processes and Stream Oxygen Dynamics: Insights from a Multiscale Reactive Transport Model. Submitted to Water Resources Research. The analysis utilizes the subgrid model Advection Dispersion Equation with Lagrangian Subgrids (ADELS) implemented in the Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS; https://amanzi.github.io/ats/stable/). In this case, the ATS and Amanzi versions are (1) ATS version 1.5.1_f5ba18f8 and (2) Amanzi version 1.6-dev_53444cca4. The repository includes a Jupyter Notebook and the necessary data (Pandas DataFrames stored as pickle files) to generate the figures for the manuscript. Additionally, it contains Python scripts to create ATS input files, run the ATS simulations, and post-process the results. Finally, it provides routines for parameter estimation using the Single-Station Metabolism (SSM) model with the Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM) Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm with ZS enhancements (DREAM-ZS).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Efficient Berry phase calculation via adaptive variational quantum computing approach

We present an adaptive variational quantum algorithm to estimate the Berry phase accumulated by a nondegenerate ground state under cyclic, adiabatic evolution of a time-dependent Hamiltonian. Our method leverages cyclic adiabatic evolution of the Hamiltonian and employs adaptive variational quantum algorithms for state preparation and evolution, optimizing circuit efficiency while maintaining high accuracy. We benchmark our approach on dimerized Fermi–Hubbard chains with four sites, demonstrating precise Berry phase simulations in both noninteracting and interacting regimes. Our results show that circuit depths reach up to 106 layers for noninteracting systems and increase to 279 layers for interacting systems due to added complexity. In addition, we demonstrate the robustness of our scheme across a wide range of parameters governing adiabatic evolution and variational algorithms. These findings highlight the potential of adaptive variational quantum algorithms for advancing quantum simulations of topological materials and computing geometric phases in strongly correlated systems.

Mootz, Martin [Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (U↗
DOE OSTI2025

Recent Progress in Solid‐State Lithium Batteries through Cathode Microstructure Engineering

A high‐performance cathode is necessary to realize the great potentials of solid‐state batteries such as high energy density and long cycle life. It is also needed to validate electrolyte performance, which is lacking. Currently, cathodes for solid‐state batteries are thinner and have lower cathode active material content than their lithium‐ion battery counterpart, resulting from insufficient conductivity and limiting the battery energy density. This review article provides an overview of recent development in cathode microstructures and their impact on battery properties, including compatibility between cathode and electrolyte, cathode architecture design, interface engineering, correlation between material properties, cathode processing approaches, and performance, as well as the advanced characterization methods used to understand the above correlations . Some perspectives on future development are shared including utilizing in situ and operando characterization tools to better understand dynamic evolution of the cathode/electrolyte interface, adapting artificial intelligence and machine learning to design and optimize cathode structures. The article is aimed to promote research interest on cathode development and advance solid‐state battery technologies.

cathode engineering↗
DOE OSTI2025

Krylov Subspace Methods for Quantum Dynamics with Time-Dependent Generators

Krylov subspace methods in quantum dynamics identify the minimal subspace in which a process unfolds. To date, their use is restricted to time evolutions governed by time-independent generators. Here, we introduce a generalization valid for driven quantum systems governed by a time-dependent Hamiltonian that maps the evolution to a diffusion problem in a one-dimensional lattice with nearest-neighbor hopping probabilities that are inhomogeneous and time dependent. This representation is used to establish a novel class of fundamental limits to the quantum speed of evolution and operator growth. We also discuss generalizations of the algorithm, adapted to discretized time evolutions and periodic Hamiltonians, with applications to many-body systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2026

Functional Nano-to-Microstructures by Jet Printing and Direct Ink Writing

Jet-based printing techniques and direct ink writing have emerged as complementary, convergent technologies serving as key platforms in additive manufacturing for functional nano- to microscale architectures. This review highlights how these approaches enable fine feature resolution and three-dimensional structures in advanced electronics and biointerfacing applications. The interplay of fluid mechanics, viscoelastic ink rheology, droplet–substrate interactions, and drying dynamics is examined as a critical determinant of printing fidelity. Application-focused case studies, from flexible thin-film transistors to bioprinted artificial tissues, demonstrate how precise structural control via printing translates to enhanced device performance and new functionality in electronic and biological systems. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future opportunities driving the evolution of these printing platforms toward autonomous, adaptive, and intelligent manufacturing systems.

Luo, Junchen [Sichuan Univ. of Arts and Science (C↗