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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

High End Computer Network Testbedding at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The Earth & Space Data Computing (ESDC) Division, at the Goddard Space Flight Center, is involved in development and demonstrating various high end computer networking capabilities. The ESDC has several high end super computers. These are used to run: (1) computer simulation of the climate systems; (2) to support the Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) project; (3) to support the Grand Challenge (GC) Science, which is aimed at understanding the turbulent convection and dynamos in stars. GC research occurs in many sites throughout the country, and this research is enabled by, in part, the multiple high performance network interconnections. The application drivers for High End Computer Networking use distributed supercomputing to support virtual reality applications, such as TerraVision, (i.e., three dimensional browser of remotely accessed data), and Cave Automatic Virtual Environments (CAVE). Workstations can access and display data from multiple CAVE's with video servers, which allows for group/project collaborations using a combination of video, data, voice and shared white boarding. The ESDC is also developing and demonstrating the high degree of interoperability between satellite and terrestrial-based networks. To this end, the ESDC is conducting research and evaluations of new computer networking protocols and related technologies which improve the interoperability of satellite and terrestrial networks. The ESDC is also involved in the Security Proof of Concept Keystone (SPOCK) program sponsored by National Security Agency (NSA). The SPOCK activity provides a forum for government users and security technology providers to share information on security requirements, emerging technologies and new product developments. Also, the ESDC is involved in the Trans-Pacific Digital Library Experiment, which aims to demonstrate and evaluate the use of high performance satellite communications and advanced data communications protocols to enable interactive digital library data access between the U. S. Library of Congress, the National Library of Japan and other digital library sites at 155 MegaBytes Per Second. The ESDC participation in this program is the Trans-Pacific access to GLOBE visualizations in real time. ESDC is participating in the Department of Defense's ATDNet with Multiwavelength Optical Network (MONET) a fully switched Wavelength Division Networking testbed. This presentation is in viewgraph format.

Gary, James Patrick↗
NASA NTRS2010

Ares V: Progress Toward Unprecedented Heavy Lift

Every major examination of America s spaceflight capability since the Apollo program has highlighted and reinforced the need for a heavy lift vehicle for human exploration, science, national security, and commercial development. The Ares V is NASA s most recent effort to address this gap and provide the needed heavy lift capability for NASA and the nation. An Ares V-class heavy lift capability is important to supporting beyond earth orbit (BEO) human exploration. Initially, that consists of exploration of the Moon vastly expanded from the narrow equatorial Apollo missions to a global capability that includes the interesting polar regions. It also enables a permanent human outpost. Under the current program of record, both the Ares V and the lunar exploration it enables serve as a significant part of the technology and experience base for exploration beyond the Moon, including Mars, asteroids, and other destinations. The Ares V is part of NASA s Constellation Program architecture. The Ares V remains in an early stage of concept development, while NASA focused on development of the Ares I crew launch vehicle to replace the Space Shuttle fleet. However, Ares V development has benefitted from its commonality with Ares I, the Shuttle, and contemporary programs on which its design is based. The Constellation program is currently slated for cancellation under the proposed 2011 federal budget, pending review by the legislative branch. However, White House guidance on its 2011 budget retains funding for heavy lift research. This paper will discuss progress to date on the Ares V and its potential utility to payload users.

Sumrall, Phil↗
NASA NTRS2017

An Overview of NASA SPoRT GOES-R JPSS Proving Ground Testbed Activities

The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center is funded by NASA's Earth Science Division and NOAA's JPSS and GOES-R Proving Grounds to transition satellite products and capabilities to the NWS to improve short term (0-48 hr) forecasts on a regional and local scale. SPoRT currently collaborates with 30+ NWS WFOs (at least one in each NWS region) and 5 National Centers/Testbeds. SPoRT matches user-identified forecast challenges to specific products, providing access to these data in AWIPS through new plug-in development, and generating applications-based training to use the products for their needs (R20). Upon transition, SPoRT collaborates with the user to assess the product impact in a real-world environment for feedback to product developers (O2R) and to benefit their peers.

GOES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluating the effects of a low-carbon energy transition on existing U.S. fossil energy communities

On-going efforts and the growing movement to transition from our current energy systems towards low-carbon and renewable sources have uncovered a range of challenges and concerns communities may face under this transition. An understanding of the current relationships and dynamics within communities can offer critical insights that stakeholders, as well as decision and policy makers can use to better support and affect the outcome of these transitions. To support this need, the National Energy Technology Laboratory has been developing a data-driven framework to aid in the characterization of fossil energy communities across the U.S. and offer insights to comprehensively address energy transaction concerns by different stakeholder groups and various stages associated with a low-carbon energy system. This presentation will offer details on our current work to integrate multiple environmental, social, and economic data variables, as well as key trends and insights that are being used to characterize these communities at a local and regional scale. These insights will be used to evaluate with alternative opportunities, including, but not limited to, hydrogen, rare earth elements and critical minerals, and energy storage, that could be aid in the transition for these communities from conventional energy resources.

Bauer, Jennifer↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Towards A Flexible Data Fusion Tool Incorporating Model, Satellite, Regulatory Monitor and Low-Cost Sensor Data for Air Quality Estimation and Forecasting

Air quality managers, researchers, and concerned community scientists around the world have a variety of sources for air quality information, ranging from traditional regulatory monitoring networks and atmospheric chemistry models to remote sensing data products and low-cost sensor networks. However, the ability to incorporate data from these disparate sources and synthesize a comprehensive overview of the local air quality situation remains a considerable barrier for many end-users. This presentation will outline a tool, currently in development, which will address this need using a flexible data fusion approach. The tool will make use of air quality forecast model outputs (primarily from the NASA GEOS-CF composition forecast modeling system), satellite remote sensing data (from instruments including MODIS, VIIRS, TROPOMI, plus TEMPO for the US when available), and in-situ data from official regulatory and/or low-cost networks where these are available. The ability to incorporate data from low-cost sensor networks will be a key feature of the tool; it will make use of other available data sources to calibrate the low-cost sensor data on a regional scale, then use these calibrated low-cost sensor data for localized updating to resolve finer-scale air quality patterns. Development of this tool is taking place with the help of national and international partners and end-user groups, coordinated through the US EPA and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The tool is being developed on the Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform to facilitate integration of diverse data sources and free access by a broad community of end-users. Stewardship of the tool will be passed to US EPA and UNEP to support future activities with end-users in the US and around the world, and the tool itself will remain freely accessible. We hope that this tool will lower the barrier to entry for various user groups worldwide, including community scientists, who struggle to integrate disparate data sources to gain insight into their local air quality situations. This presentation will cover the early stages of the development of the tool, including the underlying methods and some pilot case studies in integrating low-cost sensor data.

global models↗
DOE OSTI2025

In-Situ FTIR Detection of Transition Metal (TM)-Ion Dissolution From Cathodes in Li-Ion Batteries

Transition metal (TM) ions, commonly Ni and Mn, play a crucial role in Li-ion battery cathodes as the reaction centers for rapid redox reactions. A major challenge with TM-based cathodes is capacity degradation, particularly at higher operating voltages. This degradation is closely linked to the dissolution of TMs from the cathode materials and their subsequent deposition on the anode. This process not only modifies the surface structure of the cathode but, more significantly, alters the SEI composition on the anode [1-2]. The dissolution of TMs cations into a liquid electrolyte from cathode materials, such as Mn-ion dissolution from Mn-rich cathode (LMR), is detrimental to the cycling performance of Li-ion batteries [3-4]. Much attention has been paid to this issue but there remains a lack of characterization techniques which can detect the TM-ion dissolution from the cathode during electrochemical measurements. In our study, we use in-situ ATR-FTIR as an effective technique to probe the TM-ion dissolution from the cathode. We have first demonstrated the detrimental effects of TM ions on the electrochemical performance of Li-ion batteries by adding a small amount of TM salt (50 mM Mn(PF6)) to the electrolyte of a Li-ion coin cell with LFP and graphite electrode. We observed a rapid capacity fade after the first delithiation cycle. To investigate TM ion dissolution, we established a baseline IR spectrum for various TM solvation states (such as Mn and Ni) by measuring concentration-dependent IR spectra. This baseline spectrum helps us detect TM ion dissolution during battery cycling. In this work, we discuss in detail the effect of TM ions on the electrochemical performance of Li-ion batteries and the detection of TM ions during battery cycling using in-situ FTIR spectroscopy. We will compare TM dissolution between coated and uncoated cathodes to examine the effect of cathode coatings to mitigate degradation due to TM dissolution and cross-over from cathode to anode. References: (1) Zhan, C.; Wu, T.; Lu, J.; Amine, K. Dissolution, migration, anddeposition of transition metal ions in Li-ion batteries exemplified byMn-based cathodes - a critical review. Energy Environ. Sci. 2018, 11,243-257. (2) Jung, R.; Linsenmann, F.; Thomas, R.; Wandt, J.; Solchenbach,S.; Maglia, F.; Stinner, C.; Tromp, M.; Gasteiger, H. A. Nickel,Manganese, and Cobalt Dissolution from Ni-Rich NMC and TheirEffects on NMC622-Graphite Cells. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2019, 166,A378-A389. (3) Zhao, L.; Chenard, E.; Capraz, O. O.; Sottos, N. R.; White, S.R. Direct Detection of Manganese Ions in Organic Electrolyte by UV-Vis Spectroscopy. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2018, 165, A345-A348 (4) Zhang, Y.; Hu, A.; Xia, D.; Hwang, S.; Sainio, S.; Nordlund, D.;Michel, F. M.; Moore, R. B.; Li, L.; Lin, F. Operando characterization and regulation of metal dissolution and redeposition dynamics nearbattery electrode surface. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2023, 18, 790.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Optimal celestial bodies for dark matter detection

A wide variety of celestial bodies have been considered as dark matter detectors. Which stands the best chance of delivering the discovery of dark matter? Which is the most powerful dark matter detector? We investigate a range of objects, including the Sun, Earth, Jupiter, Brown Dwarfs, White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, Stellar populations, and Exoplanets. We quantify how different objects are optimal dark matter detectors in different regimes by deconstructing some of the in-built assumptions in these search sensitivities, including observation potential and particle model assumptions. We find new constraints and future sensitivities across a range of dark matter annihilation final states. We quantify mediator properties leading to detectable celestial-body energy injection or Standard Model fluxes, and show how different objects can be expected to deliver corroborating signals. We discuss different search strategies, their opportunities and limitations, and the interplay of regimes where different celestial objects are optimal dark matter detectors. Deconstructing the assumptions of these searches leads us to point out a new search using the Galactic center stellar population that can provide greater sensitivity to the dark matter-nucleon scattering cross section than the Sun, despite being significantly further away in our Galaxy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

ICESat-2 Mission: Status, Outlook, and Contributions to Polar Science

The Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) mission carries the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) lidar to measure the changing height of Earth surface. After more than 3 years of science data collection, ATLAS has emitted well over a trillion laser pulses and continues to operate nominally. The ICESat-2 data products were initially released in May 2019, and have been used in over 150 peer-reviewed publications to date. Recent community white papers have noted the importance of ice elevation measurements for the coming decades, and as CryoSat-2 has entered it’s second decade and future missions are uncertain, ICESat-2 will be a critical part of the Earth System Observatory for the 2020s. In the polar regions, ICESat-2 has enabled year-round sea ice freeboard measurements as well as ice sheet elevation changes on seasonal, annual, and decadal time scales when combined with other missions. These data enable measurement of change at fine spatial and temporal scales to help understand or characterize the processes driving these observations. As of this presentation, Release 005 is the current version of the along-track data products, including surface-specific products for sea ice, land ice, ground and canopy height, ocean, and inland water heights. In addition, first versions of gridded data products for land ice, sea ice, and ocean are all available. Data spans the start of the mission (14 October 2018) through early 2022. The ICESat-2 project has also begun to produce and distribute QuickLook products with a nominal 3-day latency (as opposed to the ~45-day latency of the final data products). Initial versions of these QuickLook products have elevation accuracy of ~3 meters, and geolocation accuracy of ~50 meters. All products are available through the National Snow and Ice Data Center (nsidc.org). This presentation will summarize the current state and health of the observatory, current state of the ICESat-2 data products, data product quality assessment, and outlook for the future.

ICESat-2↗
NASA NTRS2015

The Global Exploration Roadmap: Opportunities for Lunar Science

The Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) has been developed by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG comprised of 14 space agencies) to define various pathways to getting humans beyond low Earth orbit and eventually to Mars. Such pathways include visiting asteroids or the Moon before going on to Mars. This document has been written at a very high level and many details are still to be determined. However, a number of important papers regarding international space exploration can form a basis for this document.This poster will focus on developing the Lunar Vicinity scenario by adding detail via mapping a number of recent reportsdocuments into the GER. The documents highlighted here are in no way meant to be all encompassing and other documents can and should be added, (e.g., the JAXA Space Exploration Roadmap). This exercise is intended to demonstrate that existing documents can be mapped into the GER despite the major differences in granularity, and that this mapping is a way to promote broader national and international buy-in to the Lunar Vicinity scenario.The documents used here are: the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Panel on Exploration report on developing a global space exploration program, the Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) report from the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG), the Lunar Exploration Roadmap developed by LEAG, the National Research Council report Scientific Context for the Exploration of the Moon (SCEM), and two journal articles, the scientific rationale for resuming lunar surface exploration, and the astrobiological benefits of human space exploration.In addition, the ISECG is in the process of developing a Science White Paper (SWP) to accompany the next edition of the GER, due in late 2016. The SWP will be an important tool to communicate science which will be able to be accomplished at human exploration destinations to policymakers. This abstract will discuss the process of developing this SWP and ways in which the global science community can become engaged in its development.

Schmidt, Gregory↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Grand Valley Ecological Forecasting II: Forecasting Trends in Pinyon-Juniper and Sagebrush Habitat Relative to Wildfire, Drought, Beetle Disturbance, and Treatment Impact for Management Planning

Disturbances and landcover change in pinyon-juniper and sagebrush ecosystems are exacerbated by environmental conditions such as variability in climate characteristics. Our DEVELOP team partnered with the National Park Service (NPS) in Colorado National Monument and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in McInnis Canyons and Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Areas to investigate disturbances to land cover. NPS partners were interested in identifying areas at risk of pinyon-juniper die-off or encroachment by invasive species. The BLM partners prioritized identifying areas suitable for fire reduction and prevention treatment. To address these concerns, we forecasted landcover change in the Grand Valley region of Colorado using NASA Earth observation data from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard Terra and Aqua. We collected and analyzed these data in conjunction with Term I of this project. We found that the primary drivers of forecasted landcover change in the study area were aspect and elevation. Our forecasted land cover maps, created using the Idrisi TerrSet Land Change Modeler, indicated that by 2040, ecosystems within partner management areas will likely see tree encroachment on shrublands. These maps addressed the needs of our partners by showing potential habitat suitability trends, which will inform management planning.

Bill Curtiss↗
DOE OSTI2025

Czochralski Growth and Characterization of a Compositionally Complex Rare Earth Aluminum Garnet Scintillator: (Gd 1/4 Y 1/4 Tb 1/4 Lu 1/4 ) 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce

Compositionally complex oxides have garnered increasing interest for their enhanced phase stability and tunable functional properties, yet their development as bulk single crystal scintillators remains limited. Herein, we report the Czochralski growth and characterization of (Gd 1/4 Y 1/4 Tb 1/4 Lu 1/4 ) 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce (GYTLAG), a compositionally complex garnet incorporating four dodecahedrally coordinated principal rare earth elements. The garnet phase was confirmed by powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, and macroscopic defects are described. X-ray absorption near-edge structure measurements confirm the 3+ oxidation state of all rare earths and support their occupation of the same crystallographic site; white line intensity variations correlate with the anticipated segregation behavior. Elemental segregation is quantified by SEM/EDS and ICP-OES, and a linear trend was established between the segregation coefficient and the difference between each rare earth’s ionic radius (r) and the average ionic radius (AIR) of the dodecahedral site. This trend offers a predictive framework for compositional control in future REAG crystals grown by the Czochralski method. Photoluminescence and radioluminescence measurements reveal both Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ emission. Scintillation pulses exhibit four-component decay with dominant ~230 µs and ~1.2 ms components, and the light yield is estimated to be up to 43,000 ph/MeV under 137Cs γ-ray excitation. GYTLAG also demonstrates a strong radioluminescence efficiency and 50% lower afterglow at 20 ms compared to a LuAG:Ce reference, underscoring its promise for scintillator applications.

Compositionally complex oxide, high entropy oxide,↗
NASA NTRS2022

Grand Valley Ecological Forecasting II: Forecasting Trends in Pinyon-Juniper and Sagebrush Habitat Relative to Wildfire, Drought, Beetle Disturbance, and Treatment Impact for Management Planning

Disturbances and landcover change in pinyon-juniper and sagebrush ecosystems are exacerbated by environmental conditions such as variability in climate characteristics. Our DEVELOP team partnered with the National Park Service (NPS) in Colorado National Monument and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)in McInnis Canyons and Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Areas to investigate disturbances to land cover. NPS partners were interested in identifying areas at risk of pinyon-juniper die-off or encroachment by invasive species. The BLM partners prioritized identifying areas suitable for fire reduction/prevention treatment. To address these concerns, we forecasted landcover change in the Grand Valley region of Colorado using NASA Earth observation data from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard Terra and Aqua. We collected and analyzed these data in conjunction with Term I of this project. We found that the primary drivers of forecasted landcover change in the study area were aspect and elevation. Our forecasted landcover change maps, created using the Idrisi TerrSet Land Change Modeler, addressed the needs of our partners by showing potential habitat suitability trends, which will inform management planning. Forecasted landcover maps indicated that by 2040, ecosystems within partner management areas will likely see tree encroachment on shrublands.

William Curtiss↗
NASA NTRS2009

United States Human Access to Space, Exploration of the Moon and Preparation for Mars Exploration

In the past, men like Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne imagined the future and envisioned fantastic inventions such as winged flying machines, submarines, and parachutes, and posited human adventures like transoceanic flight and journeys to the Moon. Today, many of their ideas are reality and form the basis for our modern world. While individual visionaries like da Vinci and Verne are remembered for the accuracy of their predictions, today entire nations are involved in the process of envisioning and defining the future development of mankind, both on and beyond the Earth itself. Recently, Russian, European, and Chinese teams have all announced plans for developing their own next generation human space vehicles. The Chinese have announced their intention to conduct human lunar exploration, and have flown three crewed space missions since 2003, including a flight with three crew members to test their extravehicular (spacewalking) capabilities in September 2008. Very soon, the prestige, economic development, scientific discovery, and strategic security advantage historically associated with leadership in space exploration and exploitation may no longer be the undisputed province of the United States. Much like the sponsors of the seafaring explorers of da Vinci's age, we are motivated by the opportunity to obtain new knowledge and new resources for the growth and development of our own civilization. NASA's new Constellation Program, established in 2005, is tasked with maintaining the United States leadership in space, exploring the Moon, creating a sustained human lunar presence, and eventually extending human operations to Mars and beyond. Through 2008, the Constellation Program developed a full set of detailed program requirements and is now completing the preliminary design phase for the new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, and the associated infrastructure necessary for humans to explore the Moon. Component testing is well underway, and integrated flight testing will begin in 2009. This white paper summarizes 3 years of Constellation Program progress and accomplishments, and it describes the foundation set for human lunar return in 2020.

Rhatigan, Jennifer L.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hyperspectral Cathodoluminescence of Bastnäsite at the Mountain Pass Mine, USA: Implications for REE Mineralisation and Mining

This study uses micro-analyses including hyperspectral cathodoluminescence to image and obtain mineral spectral to help evaluate REE deportment via from Mountain Pass Mine in California. It presents the first known CL-based spectra for bastnäsite, new information regarding baryte CL spectra, providing insights on the coeval and spatial relationship between REE, Ba, and S in carbonatite systems. Bastnäsite, baryte, and monazite are often intergrown in both brecciated, “blue ore” samples, and these minerals occur as an apparent intercumulus texture in the dolomite-rich, “white ore” samples. Bastnäsite luminescence is present, but very low compared to baryte in the visible spectrum. Bastnäsite illustrates some textural variability related to its main luminescent peak ~1.4 eV, which is indicative of Nd3+. It also exhibits several other small peaks comprised of multiple activators related to various REE, including Ce3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, and potentially Eu2+. Baryte displays textures of variable complexity but often with darker rims near crystal margins. It luminesces mainly at 1.4-1.52 eV, 2.05 eV, and 3.59-4.08 eV. The 2.05 eV peak is likely attributed to Ag+, but the other peaks are more enigmatic.

58 - GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1999

Wind Field Measurements With Airborne Doppler Lidar

In collaboration with lidar atmospheric remote sensing groups at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Technology Laboratory, we have developed and flown the Multi-center Airborne Coherent Atmospheric Wind Sensor (MACAWS) lidar on the NASA DC-8 research aircraft. The scientific motivations for this effort are: to obtain measurements of subgrid scale (i.e. 2-200 km) processes and features which may be used to improve parameterizations in global/regional-scale models; to improve understanding and predictive capabilities on the mesoscale; and to assess the performance of Earth-orbiting Doppler lidar for global tropospheric wind measurements. MACAWS is a scanning Doppler lidar using a pulsed transmitter and coherent detection; the use of the scanner allows 3-D wind fields to be produced from the data. The instrument can also be radiometrically calibrated and used to study aerosol, cloud, and surface scattering characteristics at the lidar wavelength in the thermal infrared. MACAWS was used to study surface winds off the California coast near Point Arena, with an example depicted in the figure below. The northerly flow here is due to the Pacific subtropical high. The coastal topography interacts with the northerly flow in the marine inversion layer, and when the flow passes a cape or point that juts into the winds, structures called "hydraulic expansion fans" are observed. These are marked by strong variation along the vertical and cross-shore directions. The plots below show three horizontal slices at different heights above sea level (ASL). Bottom plots are enlargements of the area marked by dotted boxes above. The terrain contours are in 200-m increments, with the white spots being above 600-m elevation. Additional information is contained in the original.

Menzies, Robert T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Arctic sea-ice loss drives a strong regional atmospheric response over the North Pacific and North Atlantic on decadal scales

Previous studies have suggested that Arctic sea-ice loss can have a profound influence on atmospheric circulation far away from the Arctic. However, there is little scientific consensus on the features of these remote responses, with the opposite impacts reported. Here we present a multi-model analysis of the decadal climate response to Arctic sea-ice loss using state-of-the-art energy conserving methodologies to isolate the impacts of sea-ice decline. We observe weakening of the Aleutian Low and development of a geopotential ridge in the North Pacific, associated with drier winter conditions over the southwest United States. Over the Atlantic, a negative NAO-like response drives wetter winter conditions across the western Mediterranean. These decadal-scale impacts substantially differ from reported centennial-scale responses to Arctic sea-ice loss simulated using non-energy conserving methodologies. Factors such as the timescale of the response and methodologies used to isolate the impacts of disappearing sea-ice cover should be carefully considered when consolidating scientific understanding on the future impacts of changing Arctic.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Catabolism of lignin-related methoxylated compounds in white-rot fungi utilizes non-canonical oxidoreductases

White-rot fungi (WRF) are the most effective lignin-degrading organisms in nature, making them essential to Earth’s carbon cycle. Lignin is a highly methoxylated, heterogeneous biopolymer derived from plants. However, the pathways WRF use to metabolize methoxylated aromatic monomericcompounds as carbon sources remain unidentified. Here, we employ a systems biology approach to elucidate the intracellular catabolism of vanillate – a monomethoxylated aromatic compound – in two white-rot fungi (WRF), Gelatoporia subvermispora and Trametes versicolor. We identified and biochemically validated a four-enzyme pathway that converts vanillate into ß-ketoadipate – a metabolite that enters central carbon metabolism. This pathway deviates from typical bacterial pathways, where vanillate is initially demethylated and ring-cleaved by intradiol dioxygenases; instead, oxidative decarboxylation occurs prior to ring cleavage by extradiol dioxygenases. Thus, we conducted an in-depth investigation of ring cleavage and further downstream catabolism by the identified fungal enzymes using biochemical and structural approaches. This revealed non-canonical enzymes, including a highly substrate-specific extradiol dioxygenase and a metal-free, promiscuous reductase, the latter capable of acting on catabolic intermediates derived from both methoxylated and non-methoxylated aromatic compounds. This work emphasizes the potential of WRF and their enzymes to advance lignin valorization and enhance our understanding of their role during wood decay.

dioxygenase↗
DOE OSTI2025

Topography restoration in white-light interferometry using an instrument transfer function evaluated with binary pseudo-random arrays

Accurate knowledge of the instrument transfer function (ITF) is vital for topography measurements using white-light interferometry (WLI). To this end, we derive a complete set of analytical expressions for the power spectral density (PSD) of a discretely sampled binary pseudo-random array (BPRA) as a theoretical benchmark. We then determine the ITF by comparing this theoretical PSD with the measured PSD of the BPRA. For the Zygo ZeGage Pro HR with a objective, the determined ITF closely matches the nominal modulation transfer function (MTF). Accordingly, we integrate the nominal MTF into Fourier-domain restoration filters and apply them to practical WLI topography data, yielding restored topographies that show improved agreement with atomic force microscopy measurements. Overall, our integrated BPRA-based ITF measurement and filtering methodology offers a robust yet practical means of characterizing WLI performance and enhancing the accuracy of surface measurements.

Hirose, Shigenobu [Japan Agency for Marine Earth S↗