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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

TRACER-Tethersonde VOC data

One objective of TRACER-Tethersonde campaign was to deploy a volatile organic compound (VOC) sampler on the Tethered Balloon System (TBS) to create vertical profiles and characterize VOC composition. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are highly reactive precursor species that undergo atmospheric processing to form secondary products, including aerosol. VOC emissions are influenced by many factors that include but are not limited to temperature, time of day, local anthropogenic activities, and local vegetation, which result in large spatiotemporal variability. The vertical distribution of volatile species is crucial for understanding gas-phase processing for particle production but challenging to accomplish using currently available sampling devices. The standalone sampler built during the campaign enabled the execution of robust experimental designs, including sample collection using resin tubes at multiple altitudes on subsequent flights. Following field sampling, resin tubes were transported back to Baylor University for chemical analysis using a Markes International thermal desorption unit coupled with a gas chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific). The target analyte list includes biogenic and anthropogenic VOCs.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Analysis and modeling of Nannochloropsis growth in lab, greenhouse, and raceway experiments

Efficient production of algal biofuels could reduce dependence on foreign oil by providing a domestic renewable energy source. Moreover, algae-based biofuels are attractive for their large oil yield potential despite decreased land use and natural resource (e.g., water and nutrients) requirements compared to terrestrial energy crops. Important factors controlling algal lipid productivity include temperature, nutrient availability, salinity, pH, and the light-to-biomass conversion rate. Here, computational approaches allow for inexpensive predictions of algae growth kinetics for various bioreactor sizes and geometries without the need for multiple, expensive measurement systems. Parametric studies of algal species include serial experiments that use off-line monitoring of growth and lipid levels. Such approaches are time consuming and usually incomplete, and studies on the effect of the interaction between various parameters on algal growth are currently lacking. However, these are the necessary precursors for computational models, which currently lack the data necessary to accurately simulate and predict algae growth. In this work, we conduct a lab-scale parametric study of the marine alga Nannochloropsis salina and apply the findings to our physics-based computational algae growth model. We then compare results from the model with experiments conducted in a greenhouse tank and an outdoor, open-channel raceway pond. Results show that the computational model effectively predicts algae growth in systems across varying scale and identifies the causes for reductions in algal productivities. Applying the model facilitates optimization of pond designs and improvements in strain selection.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Cooperative Self‐Assembly of Pyridine‐2,6‐Diimine‐Linked Macrocycles into Mechanically Robust Nanotubes

Abstract Nanotubes assembled from macrocyclic precursors offer a unique combination of low dimensionality, structural rigidity, and distinct interior and exterior microenvironments. Usually the weak stacking energies of macrocycles limit the length and mechanical strength of the resultant nanotubes. Imine‐linked macrocycles were recently found to assemble into high‐aspect ratio (>10 3 ), lyotropic nanotubes in the presence of excess acid. Yet these harsh conditions are incompatible with many functional groups and processing methods, and lower acid loadings instead catalyze macrocycle degradation. Here we report pyridine‐2,6‐diimine‐linked macrocycles that assemble into high‐aspect ratio nanotubes in the presence of less than 1 equiv of CF 3 CO 2 H per macrocycle. Analysis by gel permeation chromatography and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed a cooperative self‐assembly mechanism. The low acid concentrations needed to induce assembly enabled nanofibers to be obtained by touch‐spinning, which exhibit higher Young's moduli (1.33 GPa) than many synthetic polymers and biological filaments. These findings represent a breakthrough in the design of inverse chromonic liquid crystals, as assembly under such mild conditions will enable the design of structurally diverse and mechanically robust nanotubes from synthetically accessible macrocycles.

Strauss, Michael J.↗

Uranium-Mediated Peroxide Activation and a Precursor toward an Elusive Uranium cis -Dioxo Fleeting Intermediate

The activation of chalcogen–chalcogen bonds using organometallic uranium complexes has been well documented for S–S, Se–Se, and Te–Te bonds. In stark contrast, reports concerning the ability of a uranium complex to activate the O–O bond of an organic peroxide are exceedingly rare. Herein, we describe the peroxide O–O bond cleavage of 9,10-diphenylanthracene-9,10-endoperoxide in nonaqueous media, mediated by a uranium(III) precursor [(( Me,Ad ArO) 3 N)U III (dme)] to generate a stable uranium(V) bis-alkoxide complex, namely, [(( Me,Ad ArO) 3 N)U V (DPAP)]. This reaction proceeds via an isolable, alkoxide-bridged diuranium(IV/IV) species, implying that the oxidative addition occurs in two sequential, single-electron oxidations of the metal center, including rebound of a terminal oxygen radical. Furthermore, this uranium(V) bis-alkoxide can then be reduced with KC 8 to form a uranium(IV) complex, which upon exposure to UV light, in solution, releases 9,10-diphenylanthracene to generate a cyclic uranyl trimer through formal two-electron photooxidation. Analysis of the mechanism of this photochemical oxidation via density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicates that the formation of this uranyl trimer occurs through a fleeting uranium cis-dioxo intermediate. At room temperature, this cis-configured dioxo species rapidly isomerizes to a more stable trans configuration through the release of one of the alkoxide ligands from the complex, which then goes on to form the isolated uranyl trimer complex.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Catalytic Upgrading of Ethanol to C8+ Distillate Range Ethers via Guerbet Coupling and Etherification

Guerbet coupling followed by etherification is a two step process for conversion of ethanol into distillate range molecules. This involves first alcohol oligomerization, followed by acid-catalyzed dehydration. As we will show in this presentation, ethanol can be converted to higher linear and α-branched alcohols by C-C coupling reactions (ethanol oligomerization) as well as to high molecular weight esters by C-O coupling reactions with Cu/MgxAlOy (CuHT) catalysts. Alcohols may be converted to ethers via bimolecular dehydration in a subsequent step. We have identified more than 160 number of species in the products including alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketonces, and olefins. Alcohols range from C4 to C10. Both alcohols and esters follow a Schulz-Flory chain growth model. We show the relationship between the catalyst properties (BET surface area, acid and base site count and Cu loading and synthesis method) and the performance in the reactions. We also show that physical mixtures of CuHT and HT can have similar product selectivity of low loading CuHT catalysts. The selectivity towards diesel fuel precursor compounds (hereafter ‘DFPC’) increased with conversion until reaching a plateau at high ethanol conversion (~70%). Alcohol selectivity follows a Schultz-Flory distribution at all studied conversions, and that adsorbed ethanol-derived species may undergo surface oligomerization into 1-butanol and higher alcohols before desorbing in a chain-growth mechanism. Zeolite catalysts convert the C4+ alcohols into C8+ ethers in both batch and continuous flow reactors. Selectivities of up to 80% to C8+ ethers at around 70% conversion using a single pass continuous flow system are able to be achieved. The final product feedstocks obtained from etherification have been used in technoeconomic (TEA) and lifecycle analysis (LCA), which indicate a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 50% relative to conventional diesel. These final feedstocks are undergoing engine testing to elucidate the physiochemical properties and will be compared to diesel #2 ASTM standards as a reference and will serve as a basis to improve the final bio-diesel blendstocks from etherification.

Huber, George↗

Quantifying precursors to void nucleation and coalescence in aluminum

Ductile rupture is a common failure mode for engineering alloys. It is generally comprised of three mechanisms: void nucleation at secondary particles, void growth, and coalescence of voids. Conventional models for ductile rupture have limited precision for predicting macroscopic failure. This is partially because they have been corroborated using ex-situ observations of these three mechanisms and calibrated by macroscopic strain or stress metrics. In this study, in-situ high-energy X-ray characterization was conducted to correlate sites of void nucleation via particle cracking and sites of void growth with grain-scale metrics. Here it is shown that particle cracking is not predicated by elevated stress metrics, which disagrees with classical models. Instead, particle cracking tended to occur for the largest, least spherical particles. This trend persisted on the aggregate-scale and within individual neighborhoods around particles. Furthermore, an Eshelby analysis illuminated a statistically significant increase in maximum principal stress within a cracked particle, compared to an uncracked particle. In-situ observations also revealed two separate examples of intragranular void growth comprised of flat, crack-like features that grew showing alignment with slip systems of the highest resolved shear stress. Post-mortem fractography revealed a secondary population of dimples on these crack-like features, implying that void sheeting may be occurring during this crack-like void growth. Furthermore, these in-situ observations imply that classical models for void growth, that assume a homogenous medium, should be extended to account for the anisotropic grain-level behavior to correctly capture distinct features of void nucleation and growth.

Al-2219↗

Bottom-Up Two-Dimensional Electron-Capture Dissociation Mass Spectrometry of Calmodulin

Two-dimensional mass spectrometry (2D MS) is a tandem mass spectrometry technique that allows data-independent fragmentation of all precursors in a mixture without previous isolation, through modulation of the ion cyclotron frequency in the ICR-cell prior to fragmentation. Its power as an analytical technique has been proven particularly for proteomics. Recently, a comparison study between 1D and 2D MS has been performed using infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) on calmodulin (CaM), highlighting the capabilities of the technique in both top-down (TDP) and bottom-up proteomics (BUP). The goal of this work is to expand this study on CaM using electron-capture dissociation (ECD) 2D MS as a single complementary BUP experiment in order to enhance the cleavage coverage of the protein under analysis. By adding the results of the BUP 2D ECD MS to the 2D IRMPD MS analysis of CaM, the total cleavage coverage increased from ~40% to ~68%. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Tigutcystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor from Triatoma infestans midgut expressed in response to Trypanosoma cruzi

Highlights: {yields} Tigutcystatin inhibits Trypanosoma cruzi cysteine proteases with high specificity. {yields} Tigutcystatin expression is up-regulated in response to T. cruzi infection. {yields} It is the first cysteine proteases inhibitor characterized from a triatomine insect. -- Abstract: The insect Triatoma infestans is a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. A cDNA library was constructed from T. infestans anterior midgut, and 244 clones were sequenced. Among the EST sequences, an open reading frame (ORF) with homology to a cystatin type 2 precursor was identified. Then, a 288-bp cDNA fragment encoding mature cystatin (lacking signal peptide) named Tigutcystatin was cloned fused to a N-terminal His tag in pET-14b vector, and the protein expressed in Escherichia coli strain Rosetta gami. Tigutcystatin purified and cleaved by thrombin to remove His tag presented molecular mass of 11 kDa and 10,137 Da by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, respectively. Purified Tigutcystatin was shown to be a tight inhibitor towards cruzain, a T. cruzi cathepsin L-like enzyme (K{sub i} = 3.29 nM) and human cathepsin L (K{sub i} = 3.78 nM). Tissue specific expression analysis showed that Tigutcystatin was mostly expressed in anterior midgut, although amplification in small intestine was also detected by semi quantitative RT-PCR. qReal time PCR confirmed that Tigutcystatin mRNA is significantly up-regulated in anterior midgut when T. infestans is infected with T. cruzi. Together, these results indicate that Tigutcystatin may be involved in modulation of T. cruzi in intestinal tract by inhibiting parasite cysteine proteases, which represent the virulence factors of this protozoan.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Designing Multiscale Porous Metal by Simple Dealloying with 3D Morphological Evolution Mechanism Revealed via X-ray Nano-tomography

Designing materials with multiscale, hierarchical structure is critical to drive the advancement of new technology. Specifically, porous metals with multiscale porosity from nanometer to micrometer sizes would lead to enhanced physical and chemical properties—the micron-sized pores can increase the effective diffusivity of ion transport within the porous media, and the nano-sized pores provide high specific surface area, enabling functionalities that are unique to nanoporous metals. A new ternary precursor alloy selection concept utilizing the different mixing enthalpies is demonstrated in this work for the design of multiscale, bimodal porous copper from a simple, one-step dealloying of Cu–Fe–Al ternary alloy. The nanoporosity in the bimodal porous structure is formed from dealloying of the Cu-rich phase, whereas the microporosity is controlled by dissolving the Fe-rich phase, determined by both the initial Fe particle size and sintering profile. In addition to advancing the materials design method, the multiscale pore formation during dealloying was directly visualized and quantified via an interrupted in situ synchrotron X-ray nano-tomography. The 3D morphological analysis on tortuosity showed that the presence of the microporosity can compensate the increase of the diffusion path length due to nanoporosity, which facilitates diffusion within the porous structure. Altogether the focus of the work is to introduce a new strategy to design multiscale porous metals with enhanced transport properties, and sheds light on the fundamental mechanisms on the 3D morphological evolution of the system using advanced synchrotron X-ray nano-tomography for future materials development and applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Sulfur dimers adsorbed on Au(111) as building blocks for sulfur octomers formation: A density functional study

Experimental scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies have shown for more than two decades rectangular formations when sulfur atoms are deposited on Au(111) surfaces. The precursors have ranged from simple molecules or ions, such as SO{sub 2} gas or sulfide anions, to more complex organosulfur compounds. We investigated, within the framework of the Density Functional Theory, the structure of these rectangular patterns assuming them entirely composed of sulfur atoms as the experimental evidence suggests. The sulfur coverage at which the simulations were carried out (0.67 ML or higher) provoked that the sulfur-sulfur association had to be taken into account for achieving a good agreement between the sets of simulated and experimental STM images. A combination of four sulfur dimers per rectangular formation properly explained the trends obtained by the experimental STM analysis which were related with the rectangles' size and shape fluctuations together with sulfur-sulfur distances within these rectangles. Finally, a projected density of states analysis showed that the dimers were capable of altering the Au(5d) electronic states at the same level as atomic sulfur adsorbed at low coverage. Besides, sulfur dimers states were perfectly distinguished, whose presence near and above the Fermi level can explain both: sulfur-sulfur bond elongation and dimers stability when they stayed adsorbed on the surface at high coverage.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Overoxidation of Fe−N−C Catalysts: Implications for ORR Activity

Fe−N−C (iron-nitrogen-carbon) electrocatalysts have emerged as promising alternatives to precious metals for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), but they remain insufficiently stable for widespread adoption in fuel cell technologies. One plausible mechanism to explain this lack of stability, and the associated catalyst degradation, is oxidative attack on the catalyst surface by hydrogen peroxide, a non-selective byproduct of the ORR. In this work, we perform a detailed analysis of this degradation mechanism, using a combination of periodic Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations to probe the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen peroxide activation on a series of candidate active sites for the Fe−N−C catalyst. The results demonstrate that carbon atoms neighbouring FeN 4 active sites can be strongly over-oxidized via formation of hydroxyl or epoxy groups when hydrogen peroxide is present in the electrolyte. In most cases, the interaction between the over-oxidizing groups and the ORR reaction intermediates reduces the ORR activity, and we further propose that the over-oxidized sites are likely precursors to irreversible carbon corrosion and further catalyst deactivation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Application of a new coordination compound for the preparation of AgI nanoparticles

Graphical abstract: Silver iodide nanoparticles have been sonochemically synthesized by using silver salicylate complex, [Ag(HSal)], as silver precursor. A series of control experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of solvent, surfactant concentration, sonication time and temperature on the morphology of AgI nanostructures. - Highlights: • Silver salicylate as a new precursor was applied to fabricate γ-AgI nanoparticles. • To further decrease the particle size of AgI, SDS was used as surfactant. • The effect of preparation parameters on the particle size of AgI was investigated. - Abstract: AgI nanoparticles have been sonochemically synthesized by using silver salicylate, [Ag(HSal)], as silver precursor. To investigate the effects of solvent, surfactant concentration, sonication time and temperature on the morphology of AgI nanostructures, several experiments were carried out. The products were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA/DTA, UV–vis, and FT-IR. Based on the experimental findings in this research, it was found that the size of AgI nanoparticles was dramatically dependent on the silver precursor, sonochemical irradiation, and surfactant concentration. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was applied as surfactant. When the concentration of SDS was 0.055 mM, very uniform sphere-like AgI nanoparticles with grain size of about 25–30 nm were obtained. These results indicated that the high concentration of SDS could prevent the aggregation between colloidal nanoparticles due to its steric hindrance effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comparing Top-Down Proteoform Identification: Deconvolution, PrSM Overlap, and PTM Detection

Generating top-down tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) for complex mixtures of proteoforms has become possible through improvements in fractionation, on-line separation, dissociation, and mass analysis. The algorithms to match tandem mass spectra to sequences have undergone a parallel evolution, with both spectral alignment and peak matching being paired with diverse methods for scoring proteoform-spectral matches (PrSMs). This study assesses state-of-the-art algorithms for top-down identification through three distinct challenges. The first is identifying a large yield of PrSMs while controlling false discovery rate (FDR) in identifying thousands of proteoforms from complex cell lysates via four software workflows: ProSight Proteome Discoverer, TopPIC, Informed Proteomics, and pTop. The second is the deconvolution of data from both Thermo Orbitrap-class and Bruker maXis Q-TOF instruments to produce consistent precursor charge and mass determinations while generating fragment mass lists to optimize identification. The third attempts to detect diverse post-translational modifications (PTMs) in proteoforms from cow milk and human ovarian tissue. The data demonstrate that existing software suites produce admirable sensitivity, in some cases identifying a third of collected tandem mass spectra with FDR controlled below 2%; the overlap in these PrSMs, however, illustrates real value in searching data with multiple search engines. Differences among identification workflows seem to result from each search algorithm incorporating its own deconvolution algorithm. By transmitting deconvolution data from multiple deconvolution routes (Thermo Xtract, Bruker Auto MSn, Mascot Distiller, TopFD, and FLASHDeconv) to the downstream TopPIC search algorithm, we were able to detect common causes of deconvolution disagreement. The detection of PTMs was very inconsistent among search algorithms, with some workflows suggesting as little as 1% of PrSMs from cow’s milk were singly-phosphorylated while other workflows found that 18% of PrSMs were singly-phosphorylated. Taken together, these results make a strong argument for top-down researchers to adopt a standard practice of analyzing each MS/MS experiment with at least two different search engines.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Spatial Molecular Layer Deposition of Ultrathin Polyamide To Stabilize Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Cycling stability is central to implementing silicon (Si) anodes in next-generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries. However, challenges remain due to the lack of effective strategies to enhance the structural integrity of the anode during electrochemical cycling. Here, we develop a nanoscale polyamide coating, using spatial molecular layer deposition (MLD) of m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride precursors, to preserve the structural integrity of Si anodes. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) has been widely used in Si-based anodes as a binding agent due to its effective binding interactions with Si particles. However, the structural integrity of the anode is compromised by thermochemical decomposition of the poly(acrylic acid) binder, which can occur during electrode drying or during electrochemical cycling. Decomposition causes a 62% decrease in the elastic modulus of the Si anode, as measured by nanoindentation in electrolyte-soaked conditions. This study shows that an ultrathin polyamide coating counteracts this structural degradation, increases the elastic modulus of the degraded anode by 345%, and improves cohesion. Electrochemical analysis of polyamide-coated anodes reveals a film thickness dependence in cycling behavior. High overpotentials and fast capacity fading are observed for Si anodes with a 15 nm coating, whereas Si anodes with a 0.5 nm coating demonstrate stable cycling over 150 cycles with a capacity >1400 mAh g-1. Our findings identify polyamide as an effective electrode coating material to enhance structural integrity, leading to excellent cyclability with higher capacity retention. Furthermore, the use of the spatial MLD approach to deposit the coating enables short deposition time and a facile route to scale-up.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Reproducibility and Replication of Experimental Particle Physics Results

Recently, much attention has been focused on the replicability of scientific results, causing scientists, statisticians, and journal editors to examine closely their methodologies and publishing criteria. Experimental particle physicists have been aware of the precursors of non-replicable research for many decades and have many safeguards to ensure that the published results are as reliable as possible. The experiments require large investments of time and effort to design, construct, and operate. Large collaborations produce and check the results, and many papers are signed by more than three thousand authors. This paper gives an introduction to what experimental particle physics is and to some of the tools that are used to analyze the data. It describes the procedures used to ensure that results can be computationally reproduced, both by collaborators and by non-collaborators. It describes the status of publicly available data sets and analysis tools that aid in reproduction and recasting of experimental results. It also describes methods particle physicists use to maximize the reliability of the results, which increases the probability that they can be replicated by other collaborations or even the same collaborations with more data and new personnel. Examples of results that were later found to be false are given, both with failed replication attempts and one with alarmingly successful replications. While some of the characteristics of particle physics experiments are unique, many of the procedures and techniques can be and are used in other fields.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Final Progress Report for Collaborative Research: Aging of Black Carbon during Atmospheric Transport: Understanding Results from the DOE’s 2010 CARES and 2012 ClearfLo Campaigns

Over the course of this project, we have analyzed data and samples from the Carbonaceous Aerosol and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) and the Clear air for London (ClearfLo) campaign, as well as conducted or participated in laboratory experiments designed to better understand black carbon mixing state and climate-relevant properties. The laboratory campaigns took place at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University to study various climate-relevant aerosol properties of different sources of soot mixing with secondary organic aerosol precursors. Results from some of these activities were summarized in the previous progress report. This final report presents the manuscripts that have been published (many in the period since the last progress report), lists presentations at different conferences based on grant-related activities, and presents some results that are likely to be submitted for publication in the near future.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Computational Insights into Fuels and Chemicals Extraction from Microbial Biorefineries

Over the past two decades, substantial investments have been made in engineering microorganisms to produce specific fuels and chemicals as part of the global bioeconomy. Many target molecules accumulate intracellularly, and a challenge is how to effectively extract the product from the cells without needing to destroy them due to the barrier imposed by the cell membrane. For some hydrophobic compounds, an organic overlay is an effective strategy for nondestructive product extraction, although the relationship between functional groups on the product and the rate of extraction are not well understood. Through both biased and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations for a range of fatty acyl compounds and terpenoids, we directly compute permeability coefficients for different steps of the extraction process. Via comparative analysis between the calculated permeability coefficients and observed interactions between the compounds and the membrane, we determine how the rate limiting steps vary depending on product chemistry. For instance, fatty aldehydes are found to transfer very rapidly across the membrane bilayer relative to alcohols, although their comparable rate of extraction into the organic phase makes them equally effective at extraction from the cell. In assessing the terpenoids, it is found that in general a modestly hydrophilic product improves desorption rates into an organic phase sufficiently to make up for their lower bilayer crossing rate. With this new insight, we can more effectively engineer microorganisms towards the production of these modestly hydrophilic fuel precursors or chemicals.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗