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Results for “Modular cell engineering”

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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Optical Design and Validation of an Infrared Transmissive Spectrum Splitting Concentrator Photovoltaic Module

A new modular, hybrid solar power system is designed to generate both electrical and thermal energy by utilizing the full solar spectrum. The key element, an infrared-transparent concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module, acts as a spectrum splitter, dividing solar radiation into two parts. The ultraviolet and visible light (“in-band”) are converted to electricity with high efficiency in CPV cells, while the infrared light (“out-of-band”) is transmitted directly to a thermal receiver, where thermal power may be converted to electricity by a suitable heat engine or used directly for industrial process heat applications whenever needed. Here, we describe the optical design, modeling, fabrication, and performance validation of this novel spectrum splitting CPV module. A transfer matrix style approach, cumulative transmission model, is built to study the reflection, absorption, and transmission in each layer of the CPV module. To optimize the optical performance, different materials for module superstrate/substrate, encapsulant, cell substrate, and cooling fluids are compared in order to enhance the transmission of out-of-band light through the CPV module by minimizing absorption. Six antireflection coatings along with front and backside electrical contact grids are designed to maximize transmittance of in-band light to the cell and out-of-band light to the thermal receiver. Here, the final design, currently being prototyped, predicts out-of-band light transmission to the thermal receiver of 74.1% (for the passively cooled version) and 65.3% (for the actively cooled version). When epitaxial liftoff technology is applied, the transmission will change to 80.8% (passively cooled) and 71.9% (actively cooled). Experimental prototypes show good agreement with modeled optical performance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

A bioarchitectonic approach to the modular engineering of metabolism

Dissociating the complexity of metabolic processes into modules is a shift in focus from the single gene/gene product to functional and evolutionary units spanning the scale of biological organization. When viewing the levels of biological organization through this conceptual lens, modules are found across the continuum: domains within proteins, co-regulated groups of functionally associated genes, operons, metabolic pathways and (sub)cellular compartments. Combining modules as components or subsystems of a larger system typically leads to increased complexity and the emergence of new functions. By virtue of their potential for 'plug and play' into new contexts, modules can be viewed as units of both evolution and engineering. Through consideration of lessons learned from recent efforts to install new metabolic modules into cells and the emerging understanding of the structure, function and assembly of protein-based organelles, bacterial microcompartments, a structural bioengineering approach is described: one that builds from an architectural vocabulary of protein domains. Further, this bioarchitectonic approach to engineering cellular metabolism can be applied to microbial cell factories, used in the programming of members of synthetic microbial communities or used to attain additional levels of metabolic organization in eukaryotic cells for increasing primary productivity and as the foundation of a green economy.This article is part of the themed issue 'Enhancing photosynthesis in crop plants: targets for improvement'.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Rational Modulation of Plant Root Development Using Engineered Cytokinin Regulators

Achieving precise control over quantitative developmental phenotypes is a key objective in plant biology. Recent advances in synthetic biology have enabled tools to reprogram entire developmental pathways; however, the complexity of designing synthetic genetic programs and the inherent interactions between various signaling processes remains a critical challenge. Here, we leverage Type-B response regulators to modulate the expression of genes involved in cytokinin-dependent growth and development processes. We rationally engineered these regulators to modulate their transcriptional activity (i.e., repression or activation) and potency while reducing their sensitivity to cytokinin. By localizing the expression of these engineered transcription factors using tissue-specific promoters, we can predictably tune cytokinin-regulated traits. As a proof of principle, we deployed this synthetic system in Arabidopsis thaliana to either decrease or increase the number of lateral roots. The simplicity and modularity of our approach makes it an ideal system for controlling other developmental phenotypes of agronomic interest in plants.

Cell signaling↗
DOE OSTI2020

A New Configuration of Paralleled Modular ANPC Multilevel Converter Controlled by an Improved Modulation Method for 1 MHz, 1 MW EV Charger

In this work, a new configuration of the modular multilevel converter (MLC) based on the parallel connection of three-level active-neutral-point-clamped (3L-ANPC) cells as well as its improved modulation method is proposed for 1 MHz, 1 MW electric vehicle (EV) megacharger. In the proposed paralleled modular ANPC-MLC, only six high-frequency silicon carbide (SiC) power switches operating at 333 kHz are required to generate 1 MHz switching frequency spectrum. Moreover, the operating voltage of all power devices is halved, the magnitude of the first switching frequency harmonic cluster is decreased by the factor of five, and the load current is equally distributed between the 3L-ANPC legs by employing the proposed improved modulation method. Hence, the modularity, efficiency, and power density of the proposed converter are notably increased, whereas the value of passive components and the overall switching loss are remarkably decreased. In addition, an optimized design of the one 3L-ANPC cell of the proposed paralleled modular ANPC-MLC for 1 MHz, 1MW EV megacharger using Ansys SIwave, Icepak, and Q3D finite element method platforms is presented and analyzed in detail. The provided experimental results of the down-scaled setup verify the feasibility and viability of the proposed configuration as well as its improved switching pattern.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Rocket Engine Test System for Development of Novel Propulsion Technologies

A 150 lb f thrust class, modular, bi-propellant, rocket engine/gas-generator and supporting test infrastructure has been developed in a cooperative effort between Sandia National Laboratories and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology’s (NMIMT’s) Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC). This modular test engine design consists of a head end fuel-oxidizer injector, a spark ignition gaseous H 2 /O 2 torch igniter, combustion chamber and nozzle module. This robust design allows for rapid configuration changes as well as economical repair should hardware become damaged in testing. The engine interfaces with a permanently installed pressurizing system capable of delivering liquid nitrous oxide and a variety of liquid fuels for both rocket engine development and propellant performance evaluation. The regulated high pressure systems allow for delivery of liquefied gases above their saturation pressure as well as allowing for high pressure rocket engine/gas-generator operation. The facility test cell houses a 1 ton thrust capacity test stand leaving room for larger scale engine development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modular 5'-UTR hexamers for context-independent tuning of protein expression in eukaryotes

Functional characterization of regulatory DNA elements in broad genetic contexts is a prerequisite for forward engineering of biological systems. Translation initiation site (TIS) sequences are attractive to use for regulating gene activity and metabolic pathway fluxes because the genetic changes are minimal. However, limited knowledge is available on tuning gene outputs by varying TISs in different genetic and environmental contexts. Here, we created TIS hexamer libraries in baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae directly 5' end of a reporter gene in various promoter contexts and measured gene activity distributions for each library. Next, selected TIS sequences, resulted in almost 10-fold changes in reporter outputs, were experimentally characterized in various environmental and genetic contexts in both yeast and mammalian cells. From our analyses, we observed strong linear correlations (R 2 = 0.75–0.98) between all pairwise combinations of TIS order and gene activity. Finally, our analysis enabled the identification of a TIS with almost 50% stronger output than a commonly used TIS for protein expression in mammalian cells, and selected TISs were also used to tune gene activities in yeast at a metabolic branch point in order to prototype fitness and carotenoid production landscapes. Taken together, the characterized TISs support reliable context-independent forward engineering of translation initiation in eukaryotes.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗
DOE OSTI2018

Controllable protein phase separation and modular recruitment to form responsive membraneless organelles

Abstract Many intrinsically disordered proteins self-assemble into liquid droplets that function as membraneless organelles. Because of their biological importance and ability to colocalize molecules at high concentrations, these protein compartments represent a compelling target for bio-inspired materials engineering. Here we manipulated the intrinsically disordered, arginine/glycine-rich RGG domain from the P granule protein LAF-1 to generate synthetic membraneless organelles with controllable phase separation and cargo recruitment. First, we demonstrate enzymatically triggered droplet assembly and disassembly, whereby miscibility and RGG domain valency are tuned by protease activity. Second, we control droplet composition by selectively recruiting cargo molecules via protein interaction motifs. We then demonstrate protease-triggered controlled release of cargo. Droplet assembly and cargo recruitment are robust, occurring in cytoplasmic extracts and in living mammalian cells. This versatile system, which generates dynamic membraneless organelles with programmable phase behavior and composition, has important applications for compartmentalizing collections of proteins in engineered cells and protocells.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

High flux thermal receiver and method of use

A thermal receiver, such as a solar flux thermal receiver, is disclosed comprising a modular arrangement of arrayed microchannels or micropins to heat a working fluid by heat transfer. Disclosed solar receivers provide a much higher solar flux and consequently a significant reduction in thermal losses, size, and cost, relative to known receivers. Unit cell receivers can be numbered up and combined in parallel to form modules, and modules combined to form full scale receivers.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Modular Metal–Organic Polyhedra Superassembly: From Molecular‐Level Design to Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract Targeted drug delivery remains at the forefront of biomedical research but remains a challenge to date. Herein, the first superassembly of nanosized metal–organic polyhedra (MOP) and their biomimetic coatings of lipid bilayers are described to synergistically combine the advantages of micelles and supramolecular coordination cages for targeted drug delivery. The superassembly technique affords unique hydrophobic features that endow individual MOP to act as nanobuilding blocks and enable their superassembly into larger and well‐defined nanocarriers with homogeneous sizes over a broad range of diameters. Various cargos are controllably loaded into the MOP with high payloads, and the nanocages are then superassembled to form multidrug delivery systems. Additionally, functional nanoparticles are introduced into the superassemblies via a one‐pot process for versatile bioapplications. The MOP superassemblies are surface‐engineered with epidermal growth factor receptors and can be targeted to cancer cells. In vivo studies indicated the assemblies to have a substantial circulation half‐life of 5.6 h and to undergo renal clearance—characteristics needed for nanomedicines.

Zhu, Wei↗
DOE OSTI2017

Development of a reactor with carbon catalysts for modular-scale, low-cost electrochemical generation of H 2 O 2

The development of small-scale, decentralized reactors for H 2 O 2 production that can couple to renewable energy sources would be of great benefit, particularly for water purification in the developing world. Herein, we describe our efforts to develop electrochemical reactors for H 2 O 2 generation with high Faradaic efficiencies of >90%, requiring cell voltages of only ~1.6 V. The reactor employs a carbon-based catalyst that demonstrates excellent performance for H 2 O 2 production under alkaline conditions, as demonstrated by fundamental studies involving rotating-ring disk electrode methods. Finally, the low-cost, membrane-free reactor design represents a step towards a continuous, modular-scale, de-centralized production of H 2 O 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Structure of the Wnt–Frizzled–LRP6 initiation complex reveals the basis for coreceptor discrimination

Wnt morphogens are critical for embryonic development and tissue regeneration. Canonical Wnts form ternary receptor complexes composed of tissue-specific Frizzled (Fzd) receptors together with the shared LRP5/6 coreceptors to initiate β-catenin signaling. The cryo-EM structure of a ternary initiation complex of an affinity-matured XWnt8–Frizzled8–LRP6 complex elucidates the basis of coreceptor discrimination by canonical Wnts by means of their N termini and linker domains that engage the LRP6 E1E2 domain funnels. Chimeric Wnts bearing modular linker “grafts” were able to transfer LRP6 domain specificity between different Wnts and enable non-canonical Wnt5a to signal through the canonical pathway. Synthetic peptides comprising the linker domain serve as Wnt-specific antagonists. The structure of the ternary complex provides a topological blueprint for the orientation and proximity of Frizzled and LRP6 within the Wnt cell surface signalosome.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Robust Rapid Cellular Metabolite Sensing Using Benchtop NMR and SABRE-Hyperpolarized [1- 13 C]Pyruvate

Hyperpolarized NMR has emerged as a powerful analytical technique to significantly enhance targeted NMR signals, improving the sensitivity for investigations of unique chemical and biological dynamics. Here, we demonstrate the use of a hyperpolarization strategy based on Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) to generate highly reproducible doses of a hyperpolarized [1- 13 C]pyruvate probe for benchtop characterization of yeast metabolism. This method allows rapid, scalable, and benchtop preparation of biocompatible hyperpolarized solutions suitable for live-cell experiments. We show that this production can be dove-tailed into a modular, compact workflow to characterize real-time metabolism in cell cultures, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s yeast) as a model organism. With high temporal resolution, we show that this method can resolve the conversion of hyperpolarized [1- 13 C]pyruvate into oxidative decarboxylation products CO 2 and bicarbonate. This conversion exhibits sustained and detectable metabolic activity for over 300 s after introduction of the agent to the cells. We model the metabolite kinetics to show decarboxylation activity and derive estimates of the pH over time from the CO 2 and bicarbonate (carbonic acid buffer system) equilibrium to probe changes in the cellular environment during active metabolism. These results highlight the utility of benchtop SABRE-hyperpolarized [1- 13 C]pyruvate as a scalable, specific probe for metabolic phenotyping of living cells using compact, low-cost instrumentation well-suited for future high-throughput applications across microbial engineering, drug response profiling, and dynamic metabolic screening.

fungi↗
DOE OSTI2025

Idaho National Laboratory’s Mobile Hot Cell Transportation: Engineering Solutions for Global Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources.

Title: Idaho National Laboratory’s Mobile Hot Cell Transportation: Engineering Solutions for Global Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources. Abstract: The Mobile Hot Cell (MHC), currently under development by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for the Off-Site Source Recovery Project (OSRP), is designed to help international partners meet the unique challenges of end-of-life radioactive material management. The MHC will provide a critical resource for countries that require assistance securing and disposing of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS) and orphaned sources in challenging environments, allowing these sources to be secured against misuse and nefarious activities. The MHC is a rapidly deployable system for conditioning and preparing end-of-life radioactive sources for transportation or storage. It is designed to handle sources of up to 1,000 Ci Co-60 equivalent while maintaining full radiological and biological containment. It will be deployable within 48 hours of an alert, making it ideal for emergency situations. The MHC features an operational suite for control, support racks for electronics, pneumatics, and welding systems, and a modular robust steel structure providing radiological shielding and internal robotic support. This design allows configurations for multiple device types to be conditioned and the ability to safely manage routine issues such as leaking or damaged sources. The MHC has been designed with the transportation challenges of rapid deployment to difficult environments in mind. The system weighs approximately 150,000 pounds, with individual systems breaking down into pieces not exceeding 20,000 pounds. Components are to be transportable on standard 20ft ISO containers, with shielding shells on 20ft flat racks. It is estimated that a total of eight containers and flat racks will be required. The use of 20ft containers, as opposed to 40ft containers, minimizes the impact on less developed road infrastructures, enabling the MHC to be positioned in constrained environments such as hospital parking lots. The system’s modularity also allows for deployment using smaller equipment, such as a 10-ton boom truck or forklift, which is crucial given the potential logistical challenges in different countries. This transportation strategy, evaluated in collaboration with Utah State University, ensures the MHC can be deployed via ground, rail, sea, or air, addressing the primary concern of international transport logistics.

99 - GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modular Thermal Hub For Building Cooling, Heating and Water Heating

A thermally activated hub for modular, scalable, distributed cooling and heating in buildings, which uses working fluids with zero Global Warming Potential (GWP), and can run on thermal energy from combustion, low grade waste heat, or solar energy, was developed and demonstrated in this project. The concept capitalizes on several-fold enhancements in coupled heat and mass transfer possible in microscale passages to remove the primary hurdle that has hindered the implementation of thermally activated heat pumps for more than a century. Cooling capacities of hundreds of watts to tens of kilowatts are possible simply through scaling up of component geometry. In this project, the proof-of-concept 300 W capacity unit was successfully scaled up to 3.5 kW cooling capacity, and packaged into a compact system. These systems can be utilized for a variety of cooling, heating, and air-conditioning applications in residential and commercial buildings. Additional current and potential market opportunities include CCHP applications (military and private sector mobile power generation, and small residential and light commercial stationary power systems (engine, microturbine and fuel cell driven)), solar cooling applications, distributed process waste heat recovery applications, and long-haul transport refrigeration.

HVAC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modular Thermal Hub For Building Cooling, Heating and Water Heating

A thermally activated hub for modular, scalable, distributed cooling and heating in buildings, which uses working fluids with zero Global Warming Potential (GWP), and can run on thermal energy from combustion, low-grade waste heat, or solar energy, was developed and demonstrated in this project. The concept capitalizes on several-fold enhancements in coupled heat and mass transfer possible in microscale passages to remove the primary hurdle that has hindered the implementation of thermally activated heat pumps for more than a century. Cooling capacities of hundreds of watts to tens of kilowatts are possible simply through scaling-up of component geometry. In this project, the proof-of-concept 300 W capacity unit was successfully scaled up to 3.5 kW cooling capacity, and packaged into a compact system. These systems can be utilized for a variety of cooling, heating, and air-conditioning applications in residential and commercial buildings. Additional current and potential market opportunities include CCHP applications (military and private sector mobile power generation, and small residential and light commercial stationary power systems (engine, microturbine and fuel cell driven)), solar cooling applications, distributed process waste heat recovery applications, and long-haul transport refrigeration.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Status Update for the Bearing Test Article Design Development – FY2025

Argonne National Laboratory’s (ANL) Mechanism Engineering Test Loop (METL) team has completed the design of a new Bearing Test Article (BTA) to test mechanical bearings for sodium fast reactor (SFR) mechanism applications. Recognition of the need for further bearing testing arose due to failure of rolling element bearings during testing of components for in-vessel fuel handling machines (FHMs) conducted at ANL in the METL facility. While the initial concept of the BTA arose from a need for bearing testing for FHM applications, the BTA design is configurable to test bearings of various sizes, types, and materials submerged in liquid sodium. Requirements for loading, shaft speed, temperature, and bearing size range were chosen based on requirements for SFR fuel handling. Modular components in the test bearing housings and shaft sleeves allow the design to accommodate a wide range of bearing sizes without modification to the larger assembly. Loading will be applied with screw jacks on the air side of the test article that will be adjusted to apply radial, thrust, or combined loading conditions. Applied force will be measured by load cells in-line with the loading mechanisms. In FY25 we have completed the design of the test article that will be fabricated and undergo testing at the METL facility. Drawing packages for the fabrication of the test article have been drafted and are being reviewed to add part tolerances and we have started ordering off-the-shelf components. The report will summarize the development of the Bearing Test Article design starting with an overview of the entire test article, then a more detailed examination of the bearing test section, loading mechanisms, test article ports and seals, and support structures, including analysis that went into significant design choices.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Proteome reallocation enables the selective de novo biosynthesis of non-linear, branched-chain acetate esters

The one-carbon recursive ketoacid elongation pathway is responsible for making various branched-chain amino acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and acetate esters in living cells. Controlling selective microbial biosynthesis of these target molecules at high efficiency is challenging due to enzyme promiscuity, regulation, and metabolic burden. In this study, we present a systematic modular design approach to control proteome reallocation for selective microbial biosynthesis of branched-chain acetate esters. Through pathway modularization, we partitioned the branched-chain ester pathways into four submodules including keto-isovalerate submodule for converting pyruvate to keto-isovalerate, ketoacid elongation submodule for producing longer carbon-chain keto-acids, ketoacid decarboxylase submodule for converting ketoacids to alcohols, and alcohol acyltransferase submodule for producing branched-chain acetate esters by condensing alcohols and acetyl-CoA. By systematic manipulation of pathway gene replication and transcription, enzyme specificity of the first committed steps of these submodules, and downstream competing pathways, we demonstrated selective microbial production of isoamyl acetate over isobutyl acetate. In this work, we found that the optimized isoamyl acetate pathway globally redistributed the amino acid fractions in the proteomes and required up to 23-31% proteome reallocation at the expense of other cellular resources, such as those required to generate precursor metabolites and energy for growth and amino acid biosynthesis. From glucose fed-batch fermentation, the engineered strains produced isoamyl acetate up to a titer of 8.8 g/L (> 0.25 g/L toxicity limit), a yield of 0.22 g/g (61% of maximal theoretical value), and 86% selectivity, achieving the highest titers, yields and selectivity of isoamyl acetate reported to date.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

LaserSnake2: An Innovative Approach to Nuclear Decommissioning - 17080

Nuclear decommissioning challenges exist the world over and require innovative approaches to ensure safe and cost effective dismantling of high hazard nuclear facilities. LaserSnake technology makes use of the flexibility and dexterity of snake arm robots to deploy high-powered laser cutting, lifting and manipulation tools. This paper describes the development and use of the system to achieve the successful size reduction and removal of a substantial stainless steel vessel within the First Generation Reprocessing Plant (FGRP) at Sellafield in the UK. Due to the environment, nuclear decommissioning is an extremely challenging activity. High ambient radiation levels often preclude entry to the areas involved, and as industry tries to minimise dose uptake, even moderate radiation levels now require remote solutions. 'In-situ' size reduction of process plant, including vessels and pipework, will allow the removal of the nuclear inventory from a building prior to further decontamination and demolition. The term 'in situ' is in this case used to mean work done on plant items within their existing cells as opposed to moving items from their original location to a dedicated size reduction facility. Traditional size reduction cutting methods, such as reciprocating saws or grinders, pose a significant challenge for remote deployment platforms. This includes the loss of haptic feedback and the length of time taken to perform the task, and difficulty dealing with the reaction forces. Although remote engineered solutions for these tools are possible, they are are typically complicated, unreliable and expensive. Robot deployed laser cutting is widely used in non-nuclear industrial sectors, and offers a simpler method for size reduction. LaserSnake2 is a UK collaborative project, co-funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Innovate UK and the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The project combined the skills of robotic experts and laser and optic specialists, to develop a remote handling technology suited for deployment within active nuclear environments. As well as meeting strict safety case requirements, the system provides a safe and cost effective method for decommissioning of complex nuclear spaces. An overview of the system development and deployment is presented in this paper. In July 2016, a successful decommissioning campaign was conducted in the FGRP at Sellafield. The LaserSnake2 system was used to size reduce a double-skinned dissolver vessel within a radiologically active nuclear cell. Planning of the size reduction method and processes, as well as results of the campaign itself are described in this paper. The containment procedures and radiological considerations for the system are presented along with the effects of operations on the cell and ventilation systems. LaserSnake, developed as a modular arm system with up to 4.5 m of articulation, carries an integrated tool comprising a high power, decommissioning specific, laser cutting head, high definition cameras and high powered illumination LEDs. It is designed for precise dismantling work within confined and hazardous environments. The tool can be interchanged, allowing the snake-arm robot also to carry grippers, environmental mapping sensors and other tools which may prove advantageous during a decommissioning campaign. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗