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Results for “bio-inspired design”

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 OSTI2020

Anisotropic Optical and Frictional Properties of Langmuir–Blodgett Film Consisting of Uniaxially-Aligned Rod-Shaped Cellulose Nanocrystals

Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film deposition gives an opportunity to control the packing density and orientation of anisotropic nanoparticles at a monolayer level, allowing accurate characterization of their anisotropic material properties. Additionally, the uniaxial deposition of rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) over a macroscopically large area is achieved by aligning the long axis of CNCs on the LB trough with the direction of the maximum drag force within the meniscus during the vertical pulling of the substrate from the LB trough. On the uniaxially-aligned LB films, anisotropic linear and non-linear optical properties of CNCs are obtained using Mueller matrix spectroscopy and sum frequency generation spectroscopy, respectively, and explained with time-dependent density functional theory calculations. Also, the frictional anisotropy of the LB film is measured using atomic force microscopy and explained theoretically. The findings of this study will be valuable for preparation of anisotropic nanoparticle thin films with uniform arrangements and utilization of their anisotropic material properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Allosteric control of electron transfer in nitrogenase and nitrogenase-like enzymes (Final Report)

More than a third of all known proteins to date are either oxidoreductases or metalloproteins. The diversity of metal cofactors and redox centers in these proteins make them attractive candidates for engineering protein-based biocatalysts, biosensors, and biofuel cells, among other necessary tools for the bioeconomy. Many of these enzymes function as large multi-subunit complexes arranged as symmetric or asymmetric assemblies, and the purpose of this architecture is unclear. The goal of the project was to address this fundamental question by investigating the mechanism of action of two oxidoreductases: Nitrogenase and DPOR (Dark-Operative Protochlorophyllide Oxidoreductase, a nitrogenase-like oxidoreductase). Nitrogenase and DPOR play key roles in nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis, processes essential to sustaining life. Both proteins are arranged as two symmetrical halves with each half capable of substrate reduction. For more than half a century, substrate reduction by nitrogenase has been presumed to occur independently within the two identical halves. Funded by this DOE grant we have now shown that both nitrogenase and DPOR function asymmetrically. Electron transfer in one half suppresses activity in the other. Thus, we have demonstrated that the two halves do not function in an independent manner; rather, catalytic events in one-half allosterically suppress activity and electron transfer (ET) in the other. This alternating-site mechanism has significant implications on our current understanding of substrate reduction by these enzymes and offers a new mechanistic paradigm for the reactions they catalyze. Our work now provides a mechanistic map of the how the two symmetric catalytic halves work together to establish and maintain the sequential-site mechanism through multiple ET cycles to achieve substrate reduction. There is substantive need for bio-inspired tools that enable reduction of nitrogen and other substrates, as well as photosynthesis, for energy and food production. Understanding the workings of enzymes like nitrogenase and DPOR that mediate multi-electron redox chemistry is vital for designing such synthetic tools. The timing of our research coincides with the biotechnological breakthrough of light-driven artificial N2 reduction by nitrogenase, achieved using the native enzyme with both halves arranged in a mirror-like architecture as catalyst. Together with such discoveries, our research now reveal unknown facets of the reaction mechanism and hold promise for designing more effective catalysts.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Developing Scaling Relationships for Molecular Electrocatalysis through Studies of Fe-Porphyrin-Catalyzed O 2 Reduction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a multiproton/multielectron transformation in which dioxygen (O 2 ) is reduced to water or hydrogen peroxide and serves as the cathode reaction in most fuel cells. The ORR (O 2 + 4e – + 4H + → 2H 2 O) involves up to nine substrates and thus requires navigating a complicated reaction landscape, typically with several high-energy intermediates. Many catalysts can perform this reaction, though few operate with fast rates and at low overpotentials (close to the thermodynamic potential). Attempts to optimize these parameters, both in homogeneous and heterogeneous electrocatalytic systems, have focused on modifying catalyst design and understanding kinetic/thermodynamic relationships between catalytic intermediates. One such method for analyzing and predicting catalyst reactivity and efficiency has been the development of “molecular scaling relationships”. In this work, we share our experience deriving and utilizing molecular scaling relationships for soluble, iron-porphyrin-catalyzed O 2 reduction in organic solvents. These relationships correlate turnover frequencies (TOF max ) and effective overpotentials (η eff ), properties uniquely defined for homogeneous catalysts. Following a general introduction of scaling relationships for both homogeneous and heterogeneous electrocatalysis, we describe the components of such scaling relationships: (i) the overall thermochemistry of the reaction and (ii) the rate and rate law of the catalyzed reaction. We then show how connecting these thermodynamic and kinetic parameters reveals multiple molecular scaling relationships for iron-porphyrin-catalyzed O 2 reduction. For example, the log(TOF max ) responds steeply to changes in ηeff that result from different catalyst reduction potentials (18.5 decades in TOF max /V in η eff ) but much less dramatically to changes in η eff that arise from varying the pKa of the acid buffer (5.1 decades in TOF max /V in η eff ). Thus, a single scaling relationship is not always sufficient for describing molecular electrocatalysis. This is particularly evident when the catalyst identity and reaction conditions are coupled. Using these multiple scaling relationships, we demonstrate that the metrics of turnover frequency and effective overpotential can be predictably tuned to achieve faster rates at lowered overpotentials. This Account uses a collection of related stories describing our research on soluble iron-porphyrin-catalyzed ORR to show how molecular scaling relationships can be derived and used for any electrocatalytic reaction. Such scaling relationships are powerful tools that connect the thermochemistry, mechanism, and rate law for a catalytic system. We hope that this collection shows the utility and simplicity of the molecular scaling approach for understanding catalysis, for enabling direct comparisons between catalyst systems, and for optimizing catalytic processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Steam-Induced Coarsening of Single-Unit-Cell MFI Zeolite Nanosheets and Its Effect on External Surface Brønsted Acid Catalysis

Commonly used methods to assess crystallinity, micro-/mesoporosity, Brønsted acid site density and distribution (in micro- vs. mesopores), and catalytic activity suggest nearly invariant structure and function for aluminosilicate zeolite MFI two-dimensional nanosheets before and after superheated steam treatment. Yet, pronounced reaction rate decrease for benzyl alcohol alkylation with mesitylene, a reaction that cannot take place in the zeolite micropores, is observed. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal pronounced changes in nanosheet thickness, aspect ratio and roughness indicating that nanosheet coarsening and the associated changes in the external (mesoporous) surface structure are responsible for the changes in the external surface catalytic activity. Finally, superheated steam treatment of hierarchical zeolites can be used to alter nanosheet morphology and regulate external surface catalytic activity while preserving micro- and mesoporosity, and micropore reaction rates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2013

Microgravity Fluids for Biology, Workshop

Microgravity Fluids for Biology represents an intersection of biology and fluid physics that present exciting research challenges to the Space Life and Physical Sciences Division. Solving and managing the transport processes and fluid mechanics in physiological and biological systems and processes are essential for future space exploration and colonization of space by humans. Adequate understanding of the underlying fluid physics and transport mechanisms will provide new, necessary insights and technologies for analyzing and designing biological systems critical to NASAs mission. To enable this mission, the fluid physics discipline needs to work to enhance the understanding of the influence of gravity on the scales and types of fluids (i.e., non-Newtonian) important to biology and life sciences. In turn, biomimetic, bio-inspired and synthetic biology applications based on physiology and biology can enrich the fluid mechanics and transport phenomena capabilities of the microgravity fluid physics community.

biology↗
NASA NTRS2012

Materials, Structures and Manufacturing: An Integrated Approach to Develop Expandable Structures

Membrane dominated space structures are lightweight and package efficiently for launch; however, they must be expanded (deployed) in-orbit to achieve the desired geometry. These expandable structural systems include solar sails, solar power arrays, antennas, and numerous other large aperture devices that are used to collect, reflect and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation. In this work, an integrated approach to development of thin-film damage tolerant membranes is explored using advanced manufacturing. Bio-inspired hierarchical structures were printed on films using additive manufacturing to achieve improved tear resistance and to facilitate membrane deployment. High precision, robust expandable structures can be realized using materials that are both space durable and processable using additive manufacturing. Test results show this initial work produced higher tear resistance than neat film of equivalent mass. Future research and development opportunities for expandable structural systems designed using an integrated approach to structural design, manufacturing, and materials selection are discussed.

Belvin, W. Keith↗
DOE OSTI2020

Bio-inspired gas sensing: boosting performance with sensor optimization guided by “machine learning”

The performance of existing gas sensors often degrades in field conditions because of the loss of measurement accuracy in the presence of interferences. Thus, new sensing approaches are required with improved sensor selectivity. We are developing a new generation of gas sensors, known as multivariable sensors, that have several independent responses for multi-gas detection with a single sensor. In this study, we analyze the capabilities of natural and fabricated photonic three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures as sensors for the detection of different gaseous species, such as vapors and non-condensable gases. We employed bare Morpho butterfly wing scales to control their gas selectivity with different illumination angles. Next, we chemically functionalized Morpho butterfly wing scales with a fluorinated silane to boost the response of these nanostructures to the vapors of interest and to suppress the response to ambient humidity. Further, we followed our previously developed design rules for sensing nanostructures and fabricated bioinspired inorganic 3-D nanostructures to achieve functionality beyond natural Morpho scales. These fabricated nanostructures have embedded catalytically active gold nanoparticles to operate at high temperatures of ≈300 °C for the detection of gases for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications. Our performance advances in the detection of multiple gaseous species with specific nanostructure designs were achieved by coupling the spectral responses of these nanostructures with machine learning (a.k.a. multivariate analysis, chemometrics) tools. Our newly acquired knowledge from studies of these natural and fabricated inorganic nanostructures coupled with machine learning data analytics allowed us to advance our design rules for sensing nanostructures toward the required gas selectivity for numerous gas monitoring scenarios at room and high temperatures for industrial, environmental, and other applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2017

Biologically-Inspired Control for a Planetary Exploration Tensegrity Robot

Tensegrity structures are becoming increasingly popular as mechanical structures for robots. Their inherent compliance makes them extremely robust to environmental disturbances, and their design allows them to have a high strength-to-weight ratio whilst being lightweight compared to traditional robots. For these reasons they would be of interest to the aerospace industry, particularly for planetary exploration. However, being such compliant structures thanks to their network of elastic elements also means that their control is not an easy task. Relying solely on traditional control strategies to generate efficient locomotion would surely be near impossible due to the complex oscillatory motions and nonlinear interactions of its members. The goal of this project was to use bio-inspired control techniques to generate locomotion for a tensegrity icosahedron, namely the SUPERball project of the Intelligent Robotics Group of NASA Ames Research Center.

Leroy, Marc↗
DOE OSTI2020

Frenkel excitons in heat-stressed supramolecular nanocomposites enabled by tunable cage-like scaffolding

Delocalized Frenkel excitons—coherently shared excitations among chromophores—are responsible for the remarkable efficiency of supramolecular light-harvesting assemblies within photosynthetic organisms. The translation of nature’s design principles to applications in optoelectronic devices has been limited by the fragility of the supramolecular structures used and the delicate nature of Frenkel excitons, particularly under mildly changing solvent conditions and elevated temperatures and upon deposition onto solid substrates. Here, we overcome those functionalization barriers through composition of stable supramolecular light-harvesting nanotubes enabled by tunable (~4.3–4.9 nm), uniform (±0.3 nm) cage-like scaffolds. High-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy, combined with scanning electron microscopy, broadband femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and near-field scanning optical microscopy revealed that excitons within the cage-like scaffolds are robust, even under extreme heat stress, and control over nanocomposite dimensions is maintained on solid substrates. Our bio-inspired nanocomposites provide a general framework for the development of next-generation organic devices made from stable supramolecular materials.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2018

Biocene 2018 - Welcome to the Period of New Life

Biocene is the period of new life. When our descendants look back at this period in time, they will see evidence, in the geologic and electronic record, of anthropic climate change, growing population, and scarcity of resources. But they will also see the rebirth of human ingenuity as we overcame the challenges that faced us through nature-inspired exploration. The Periodic Table of Life (PeTaL) is a proposed tool and open source framework that uses artificial intelligence to aid in the systematic inquiry of biology for its application to human systems. This presentation defines the PeTaL concept and workflow. Biomimicry, biophysics, biomimetics, bionics and numerous other terms refer to the use of biology and biological principles to inform practices in other disciplines. For the most part, the domain of inquiry in these fields have been confined to extant biological models with the proponents of biomimicry often citing the evolutionary success of extant organisms relative to extinct ones. The primary objective of this paper is to expand the domain of inquiry for human processes that seek to model those that are, were or could be found in nature with examples that relate to the field of aerospace and to spur development of tools that can work together to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in problem solving. Specifically specialized fields such as paleomimesis, anthropomimesis and physioteleology are proposed in conjunction with artificial evolution. Blockchain technology may be vital in allowing open source design tools such as PeTaL to democratize design and yet protect intellectual property. The overarching philosophy outlined here can be thought of as physiomimetics, a holistic and systematic way of learning from natural history. The backbone of PeTaL integrates an unstructured database with an ontological model consisting of function, morphology, environment, state of matter and ecosystem. Tools include text classification, thesaurus, data visualization, and analysis. Applications of PeTaL include guiding human space exploration, understanding human and geological history, and discovering new or extinct life.

Biocene↗
NASA NTRS2004

Cooperative Lander-Surface/Aerial Microflyer Missions for Mars Exploration

Concepts are being investigated for exploratory missions to Mars based on Bioinspired Engineering of Exploration Systems (BEES), which is a guiding principle of this effort to develop biomorphic explorers. The novelty lies in the use of a robust telecom architecture for mission data return, utilizing multiple local relays (including the lander itself as a local relay and the explorers in the dual role of a local relay) to enable ranges ~10 to 1,000 km and downlink of color imagery. As illustrated in Figure 1, multiple microflyers that can be both surface or aerially launched are envisioned in shepherding, metamorphic, and imaging roles. These microflyers imbibe key bio-inspired principles in their flight control, navigation, and visual search operations. Honey-bee inspired algorithms utilizing visual cues to perform autonomous navigation operations such as terrain following will be utilized. The instrument suite will consist of a panoramic imager and polarization imager specifically optimized to detect ice and water. For microflyers, particularly at small sizes, bio-inspired solutions appear to offer better alternate solutions than conventional engineered approaches. This investigation addresses a wide range of interrelated issues, including desired scientific data, sizes, rates, and communication ranges that can be accomplished in alternative mission scenarios. The mission illustrated in Figure 1 offers the most robust telecom architecture and the longest range for exploration with two landers being available as main local relays in addition to an ephemeral aerial probe local relay. The shepherding or metamorphic plane are in their dual role as local relays and image data collection/storage nodes. Appropriate placement of the landing site for the scout lander with respect to the main mission lander can allow coverage of extremely large ranges and enable exhaustive survey of the area of interest. In particular, this mission could help with the path planning and risk mitigation in the traverse of the long-distance surface explorer/rover. The basic requirements of design and operation of BEES to implement the scenarios are discussed. Terrestrial applications of such concepts include distributed aerial/surface measurements of meteorological events, i.e., storm watch, seismic monitoring, reconnaissance, biological chemical sensing, search and rescue, surveillance, autonomous security/ protection agents, and/or delivery and lateral distribution of agents (sensors, surface/subsurface crawlers, clean-up agents). Figure 2 illustrates an Earth demonstration that is in development, and its implementation will illustrate the value of these biomorphic mission concepts.

Thakoor, Sarita↗
DOE OSTI2023

Plant defensin MtDef4–derived antifungal peptide with multiple modes of action and potential as a bio–inspired fungicide

Chemical fungicides have been instrumental in protecting crops from fungal diseases. However, increasing fungal resistance to many of the single-site chemical fungicides calls for the development of new antifungal agents with novel modes of action (MoA). The sequence-divergent cysteine-rich antifungal defensins with multisite MoA are promising starting templates for design of novel peptide-based fungicides. Here, we experimentally tested such a set of 17-amino-acid peptides containing the γ-core motif of the antifungal plant defensin MtDef4. These designed peptides exhibited antifungal properties different from those of MtDef4. Focused analysis of a lead peptide, GMA4CG_V6, showed that it was a random coil in solution with little or no secondary structure elements. Additionally, it exhibited potent cation-tolerant antifungal activity against the plant fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould disease in fruits and vegetables. Its multisite MoA involved localization predominantly to the plasma membrane, permeabilization of the plasma membrane, rapid internalization into the vacuole and cytoplasm, and affinity for the bioactive phosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P), PI4P, and PI5P. The sequence motif RRRW was identified as a major determinant of the antifungal activity of this peptide. While topical spray application of GMA4CG_V6 on Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato plants provided preventive and curative suppression of grey mould disease symptoms, the peptide was not internalized into plant cells. Our findings open the possibility that truncated and modified defensin-derived peptides containing the γ-core sequence could serve as promising candidates for further development of bio-inspired fungicides.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design, characterization and shape recovery behavior of 3D/4D printed shape memory polymers (SMPs)

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) represent a paradigm shift in material science, uniquely capable of undergoing reversible shape transformations triggered by external stimuli, positioning them as pivotal in developing next-generation biomedical devices, aerospace components, and adaptive structures. Extensive research has been done on SMPs with a major focus on high-temperature programming methods, which can limit energy efficiency and applicability with temperature-sensitive materials. Additionally, while various SMP blends have demonstrated great potential, limited work has been done on the suitability for 3D printing these materials, particularly under high-strain and ambient temperature programming conditions. In this study, a three-component optimized SMP composition was evaluated by 3D printing via the Material Extrusion (MEX) technique and investigating its ambient temperature-programming behavior at high strains. The SMP formulation studied was a tailored blend of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polycaprolactone (PCL), and an octadecane diol-based copolymer (OBC) that exhibits robust shape memory behavior, high strain tolerance, and efficient force generation. Rigorous thermal, mechanical, and shape recovery analyses, along with optimized printing parameters and consistent shape recovery rates of up to 90%, were achieved under dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), even under ambient programming conditions. This work demonstrates the SMP composition’s potential for adaptive, self-deployable systems with 4D printing characteristics ideal for bio-inspired structures and artificial muscle fibers.

Sudan, Kavish [University of Louisville, KY]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Two-Dimensional Silk Crystal Films as Matrix Layer for High-Performance Microelectronics

This study explores a bio-inspired approach for memristive devices by combining Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs)-[SiW 12 O 40 ] 4 (POM-T) and [PW 12 O 40 ] 3 (POM-P), with silk fibroin (SF) to create 2D SF–POM layers on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as resistive switching layers for memristors. We propose that the ordered SF layer template 0D POMs facilitate the formation of conductive filaments, thereby enhancing the variability of the manufactured memristors. AFM analysis revealed that both SF and SF–POM layers shared similar morphologies, while SF–POM–T formed larger aggregates, likely due to the stronger acidity of POM-T, which probably caused SF to aggregate and alter its secondary structure. Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) revealed that POMs reduced the contact potential difference of HOPG, resulting in lower work functions. Compared to an SF device, the SF–POM–P device showed improved memristive behavior, with a larger current gap and good repeatability over multiple sweeps; whereas the SF–POM–T device did not exhibit memristor activity, likely due to acidity-induced disruption of the SF template’s order and CF formation. More importantly, SF–POM–P devices also demonstrated programmable memristive states. Finally, combining simulation-driven memristor modeling, we showcase a co-design workflow for advancing bioinspired memristors through new materials design, synthesis, and device modeling and development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2005

Insect-Inspired Flight Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Flight-control and navigation systems inspired by the structure and function of the visual system and brain of insects have been proposed for a class of developmental miniature robotic aircraft called "biomorphic flyers" described earlier in "Development of Biomorphic Flyers" (NPO-30554), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 11 (November 2004), page 54. These form a subset of biomorphic explorers, which, as reported in several articles in past issues of NASA Tech Briefs ["Biomorphic Explorers" (NPO-20142), Vol. 22, No. 9 (September 1998), page 71; "Bio-Inspired Engineering of Exploration Systems" (NPO-21142), Vol. 27, No. 5 (May 2003), page 54; and "Cooperative Lander-Surface/Aerial Microflyer Missions for Mars Exploration" (NPO-30286), Vol. 28, No. 5 (May 2004), page 36], are proposed small robots, equipped with microsensors and communication systems, that would incorporate crucial functions of mobility, adaptability, and even cooperative behavior. These functions are inherent to biological organisms but are challenging frontiers for technical systems. Biomorphic flyers could be used on Earth or remote planets to explore otherwise difficult or impossible to reach sites. An example of an exploratory task of search/surveillance functions currently being tested is to obtain high-resolution aerial imagery, using a variety of miniaturized electronic cameras. The control functions to be implemented by the systems in development include holding altitude, avoiding hazards, following terrain, navigation by reference to recognizable terrain features, stabilization of flight, and smooth landing. Flying insects perform these and other functions remarkably well, even though insect brains contains fewer than 10(exp -4) as many neurons as does the human brain. Although most insects have immobile, fixed-focus eyes and lack stereoscopy (and hence cannot perceive depth directly), they utilize a number of ingenious strategies for perceiving, and navigating in, three dimensions. Despite their lack of stereoscopy, insects infer distances to potential obstacles and other objects from image motion cues that result from their own motions in the environment. The concept of motion of texture in images as a source of motion cues is denoted generally as the concept of optic or optical flow. Computationally, a strategy based on optical flow is simpler than is stereoscopy for avoiding hazards and following terrain. Hence, this strategy offers the potential to design vision-based control computing subsystems that would be more compact, would weigh less, and would demand less power than would subsystems of equivalent capability based on a conventional stereoscopic approach.

Thakoor, Sarita↗
DOE OSTI2025

Morphogenic Growth 3D Printing

Inspired by nature's morphogenesis, a new 3D printing process –growth printing (GP)– takes advantage of a self‐propagating curing front to produce 3D polymeric parts following a growth‐like development plan. The propagation of the curing front is driven by the exothermic polymerization of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), which transforms the liquid resin into a stiff polymer as it propagates at 1 mm s −1 . GP is triggered when a heated initiator contacts the uncured liquid resin in an open container. The initiator nucleates the frontal polymerization reaction and the isotropic radial propagation of the growth front. Simultaneously, the initiator is moved up across the free surface of the resin, pulling the cured object out of the uncured resin. The motion trajectory of the initiator with respect to the free resin surface controls the growth morphology of the 3D part. An inverse design algorithm is developed to produce 3D parts by modeling the reaction‐diffusion‐driven solidification process. This process has substantial energy savings and high printing speeds.

3D printing↗
DOE OSTI2021

Maturation of Rhodobacter capsulatus Multicopper Oxidase CutO Depends on the CopA Copper Efflux Pathway and Requires the cutF Product (Final Report)

The goal is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the nature, mechanism of function and biogenesis of c-type cytochromes and their oligomeric complexes. These cytochrome are ubiquitous heme proteins that are required for cellular bioenergetics, including photosynthesis (Ps) and respiration (Res), which are central to chemical energy (ATP) production by oxidative- and photophosphorylation. We contribute to the molecular characterization of individual and membrane-integral cytochromes as parts of Ps and Res electron transport (ET) pathways, using the facultative phototrophic bacteria of as excellent models for multidisciplinary investigations. Supported by this grant we discovered novel membrane-bound cytochromes and cyts c complexes that are important for Ps- and Res-ET. We worked out their biogenesis including maturation (covalent heme addition) and assembly of mature subunits into complexes. These involve fundamental process found virtually in all organisms and are fundamental processes with major significance to the “Photosynthetic Systems” program of DOE-BES, because the cytochromes are integral components of natural energy production systems. Elucidation of basic principles, and the knowledge gained by their study greatly impact on our ability to design, engineer, and create new natural, bio-hybrid, bio-inspired and artificial systems to better capture light, transduce and store its energy with improved efficacy and are of broad significance.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗