Engineering topics

Li, Ning

Publications and source records attributed to Li, Ning.

103 records · Page 6

DOE OSTI2015

Improving microbial fitness in the mammalian gut by in vivo temporal functional metagenomics

Abstract Elucidating functions of commensal microbial genes in the mammalian gut is challenging because many commensals are recalcitrant to laboratory cultivation and genetic manipulation. We present Temporal FU nctional Metagenomics sequencing ( TFUM seq), a platform to functionally mine bacterial genomes for genes that contribute to fitness of commensal bacteria in vivo . Our approach uses metagenomic DNA to construct large‐scale heterologous expression libraries that are tracked over time in vivo by deep sequencing and computational methods. To demonstrate our approach, we built a TFUM seq plasmid library using the gut commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt) and introduced Escherichia coli carrying this library into germfree mice. Population dynamics of library clones revealed Bt genes conferring significant fitness advantages in E. coli over time, including carbohydrate utilization genes, with a Bt galactokinase central to early colonization, and subsequent dominance by a Bt glycoside hydrolase enabling sucrose metabolism coupled with co‐evolution of the plasmid library and E. coli genome driving increased galactose utilization. Our findings highlight the utility of functional metagenomics for engineering commensal bacteria with improved properties, including expanded colonization capabilities in vivo .

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Sphere-Shaped Hierarchical Cathode with Enhanced Growth of Nanocrystal Planes for High-Rate and Cycling-Stable Li-Ion Batteries

High-energy and high-power Li-ion batteries have been intensively pursued as power sources in electronic vehicles and renewable energy storage systems in smart grids. With this purpose, developing high-performance cathode materials is urgently needed. Here we report an easy and versatile strategy to fabricate high-rate and cycling-stable hierarchical sphered cathode Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Mn 0.54 Co 0.13 O 2 , by using an ionic interfusion method. The sphere-shaped hierarchical cathode is assembled with primary nanoplates with enhanced growth of nanocrystal planes in favor of Li+ intercalation/deintercalation, such as (010), (100), and (110) planes. This material with such unique structural features exhibits outstanding rate capability, cyclability, and high discharge capacities, achieving around 70% (175 mAh g–1 ) of the capacity at 0.1 C rate within about 2.1 min of ultrafast charging. Such cathode is feasible to construct high-energy and high-power Li-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2014

A gold hybrid structure as optical coupler for quantum well infrared photodetector

A hybrid structure consisting of a square lattice of gold disk arrays and an overlaying gold film is proposed as an optical coupler for a backside-illuminated quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP). Finite difference time-domain method is used to numerically simulate the reflection spectra and the field distributions of the hybrid structure combined with the QWIP device. The results show that the electric field component perpendicular to the quantum well is strongly enhanced when the plasmonic resonant wavelength of the hybrid structure coincides with the response one of the quantum well infrared photodetector regardless of the polarization of the incident light. The effect of the diameter and thickness of an individual gold disk on the resonant wavelength is also investigated, which indicates that the localized surface plasmon also plays a role in the light coupling with the hybrid structure. The coupling efficiency can exceed 50 if the structural parameters of the gold disk arrays are well optimized.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2014

Optical spin polarization and Hanle effect in GaAsSb: Temperature dependence

Continuous-wave optical orientation spectroscopy and the Hanle effect are used to investigate the optical spin polarization and spin dephasing time (gT{sub s}) in GaAsSb with a Sb concentration of ∼6% as a function of temperature. Optical and spin polarizations up to ∼21% were achieved at ∼120 K, and the scaled spin lifetime gT{sub s} decreased monotonously from ∼1.5 ns at 5 K to ∼20 ps at 200 K. We demonstrate that the spin properties of GaAs could be modified by incorporating a small percentage of Sb into it, as a result of an increase in the spin–orbit interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2014

Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}–CNTs nanocomposites: Inorganic dispersant assisted hydrothermal synthesis and application in lithium ion batteries

Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}–CNTs nanocomposites with a particle size of ∼80 nm have been synthesized through an organic-free hydrothermal synthesis strategy by using Sn(OH){sub 6}{sup 2−} as an inorganic dispersant, and served as anode materials of lithium ion batteries. Nano-sized and micro-sized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} without CNTs have also been prepared for comparison. The cycle performances of the as-obtained Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} are highly size-dependent. The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}–CNTs nanocomposites can deliver reversible discharge capacity of ∼700 mA h/g at a current density of 50 mA/g after 50 cycles. The discharge capacity of the micro-sized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} decreased to 171 mA h/g after 50 cycles. Our work not only provides new insights into the inorganic dispersant assisted hydrothermal synthesis of metal oxides nanocrystals but also gives guidance for finding new nanocomposites as anode materials of lithium ion batteries. - Graphical abstract: Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}–CNTs nanocomposites have been prepared through an inorganic dispersant assisted hydrothermal synthesis strategy, and served as anode materials of lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance. - Highlights: • Sn(OH){sub 6}{sup 2−} is a good inorganic dispersant for the hydrothermal synthesis of nano Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. • The cycle performances of nano Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} anode are much better than that of micro Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} anode. • Compositing CNTs can enhance the cycle performances of nano Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} anode.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2014

A nitrogen-hyperdoped silicon material formed by femtosecond laser irradiation

A supersaturation of nitrogen atoms is found in the surface layer of microstructured silicon after femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation in NF{sub 3}. The average nitrogen concentration in the uppermost 50 nm is about 0.5 ± 0.2 at. %, several orders of magnitude higher than the solid solubility of nitrogen atoms in silicon. The nitrogen-hyperdoped silicon shows high crystallinity in the doped layer, which is due to the repairing effect of nitrogen on defects in silicon lattices. Nitrogen atoms and vacancies can be combined into thermal stable complexes after fs laser irradiation, which makes the nitrogen-hyperdoped silicon exhibit good thermal stability of optical properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2014

Effect of pressure on elastic, mechanical and electronic properties of WSe{sub 2}: A first-principles study

Highlights: • B, E and v increase as pressure increases, except for a sudden decrease at 40 GPa. • WSe{sub 2} under pressure has larger shear modulus and higher hardness than WSe{sub 2} at 0 GPa. • WSe{sub 2} has an isostructural semiconductor-semimetal phase transition at 40 GPa. • The covalent bonding between Se and W atoms in the slabs is enhanced under pressure. • The distance of the stacked Se–W–Se slabs is decreased with the increasing pressure. - Abstract: Effect of pressure on elastic, mechanical and electronic properties of WSe{sub 2} has been investigated using the first-principles calculations. The calculated lattice parameters, band structure and elastic constants of WSe{sub 2} at 0 GPa are in good agreement with the available experimental and calculational values. With the increasing pressure, the lattice parameters and volume of WSe{sub 2} decrease whereas the total enthalpy increases. The bulk modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of WSe{sub 2} increase with the increasing pressure, except for a sharp decrease at the pressure of 40 GPa. WSe{sub 2} under pressure has larger shear modulus and higher hardness than WSe{sub 2} at 0 GPa. With the increase of pressure, the covalent bonding between Se and W atoms in the slabs is enhanced whereas the distance of the stacked slabs is decreased. Additionally, an isostructural semiconductor-semimetal phase transition of WSe{sub 2} is found to take place at 40 GPa, which is consistent with the experimental observations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Functional characterization of a rice de novo DNA methyltransferase, OsDRM2, expressed in Escherichia coli and yeast

Highlights: ► A rice de novo DNA methyltransferase OsDRM2 was cloned. ► In vitro methylation activity of OsDRM2 was characterized with Escherichia coli. ► Assays of OsDRM2 in vivo methylation were done with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ► OsDRM2 methylation activity is not preferential to any type of cytosine context. ► The activity of OsDRM2 is independent of RdDM pathway. - Abstract: DNA methylation of cytosine nucleotides is an important epigenetic modification that occurs in most eukaryotic organisms and is established and maintained by various DNA methyltransferases together with their co-factors. There are two major categories of DNA methyltransferases: de novo and maintenance. Here, we report the isolation and functional characterization of a de novo methyltransferase, named OsDRM2, from rice (Oryza sativa L.). The full-length coding region of OsDRM2 was cloned and transformed into Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both of these organisms expressed the OsDRM2 protein, which exhibited stochastic de novo methylation activity in vitro at CG, CHG, and CHH di- and tri-nucleotide patterns. Two lines of evidence demonstrated the de novo activity of OsDRM2: (1) a 5′-CCGG-3′ containing DNA fragment that had been pre-treated with OsDRM2 protein expressed in E. coli was protected from digestion by the CG-methylation-sensitive isoschizomer HpaII; (2) methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) analysis of S. cerevisiae genomic DNA from transformants that had been introduced with OsDRM2 revealed CG and CHG methylation levels of 3.92–9.12%, and 2.88–6.93%, respectively, whereas the mock control S. cerevisiae DNA did not exhibit cytosine methylation. These results were further supported by bisulfite sequencing of the 18S rRNA and EAF5 genes of the transformed S. cerevisiae, which exhibited different DNA methylation patterns, which were observed in the genomic DNA. Our findings establish that OsDRM2 is an active de novo DNA methyltransferase gene with conserved activity in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic non-host species.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

Wave energy resources along the Hawaiian Island chain

Hawaii is subject to direct approach of swells from distant storms as well as seas generated by trade winds all year round. The island chain creates a localized weather system that modifies the wave energy resources from the far field. Here, we implement a nested computational grid across the major Hawaiian Islands at 3-min resolution in the global WaveWatch3 (WW3) model and utilize the Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model to provide high-resolution mesoscale wind forcing over the Hawaii region. Two hindcast studies representative of the year-round conditions provide a quantitative assessment of the regional wind and wave patterns as well as the wave energy resources along the Hawaiian Island chain. These events of approximately two weeks each have a range of wind speeds, ground swells, and wind waves for validation of the modeling system with satellite and buoy measurements prior to its general application.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS2000

Activities of UAH

From its start in December 1996, the Cooperative Agreement allowed that some tasks could be performed primarily by UAH, some primarily by MSFC and some in a joint manner. The detailed distribution of effort has evolved in a pragmatic fashion, with each organization focusing on those tasks that seemed most urgent and for which appropriate capabilities existed. The final, all-up experiments were envisioned as a very careful measurement process carried out jointly using components developed at both UAH and MSFC. The total project began with an air of optimism that the necessary apparatus for the adopted objectives could be quickly and easily assembled. Not surprisingly, technological difficulties were encountered by all parties and it has proven impossible to complete the challenging experiments in the term of this cooperative agreement. The UAH accomplishments toward the ultimate experiments are reported here in a taskwise manner.

Li, Ning↗

NASA NTRS1999

Test Status for Proposed Coupling of a Gravitational Force to Extreme Type II YBCO Ceramic Superconductors

As a Bose condensate, superconductors provide novel conditions for revisiting previously proposed couplings between electromagnetism and gravity. Strong variations in Cooper pair electron density, large conductivity and low magnetic permeability define superconductive and degenerate condensates without the traditional density limits imposed by the Fermi energy (about 10-6 g/cu cm). Recent experiments have reported anomalous weight loss for a test mass suspended above a rotating Type II, YBCO superconductor, with the percentage change (0.05-2.1%) independent of the test mass' chemical composition and diamagnetic properties. A variation of 5 parts per 10(exp 4) was reported above a stationary (non-rotating) superconductor. In the present experiments reported using a sensitive gravimeter (resolution <10(exp -9) unit gravity or variation of 10(exp -6) cm/sq s in accelerations), bulk YBCO superconductors were stably levitated in a DC magnetic field (0.6 Tesla) subject to lateral AC fields (60 Gauss at 60 Hz) and rotation. With magnetic shielding, thermal control and buoyancy compensation, changes in acceleration were measured to be less than 2 parts in 10(exp 8) of the normal gravitational acceleration. This result puts new limits on the strength and range of the proposed coupling between high-Tc superconductors and gravity. Latest test results will be reported, along with status for future improvements and prospects.

Noever, David↗

NASA NTRS1997

Static Test for a Gravitational Force Coupled to Type 2 YBCO Superconductors

As a Bose condensate, superconductors provide novel conditions for revisiting previously proposed couplings between electromagnetism and gravity. Strong variations in Cooper pair density, large conductivity and low magnetic permeability define superconductive and degenerate condensates without the traditional density limits imposed by the Fermi energy (approx. 10(exp -6) g cc. Recent experiments have reported anomalous weight loss for a test mass suspended above a rotating type II, YBCO superconductor, with the percentage change (0.05 - 2.1 %) independent of the test mass' chemical composition and diamagnetic properties. A variation of 5 parts per 10' was reported above a stationary (non-rotating) superconductor. In experiments using a sensitive gravimeter, bulk YBCO superconductors were stably levitated in a DC magnetic field. Changes in acceleration were measured to be less than 2 parts in 108 of the normal gravitational acceleration. This result puts new limits on the strength and range of the proposed coupling between static superconductors and gravity.

Li, Ning↗

NASA NTRS1990

The G value in plasma and radiation chemistry

The application of the G-value concept to plasma chemistry is considered. A general formula which expresses the G value for a general reaction in terms of experimentally controllable parameters is derived by applying simple gas-dynamic theory to a plasma reactor with straight walls. The formula expresses the G value as a function of the electrical power absorbed, the fraction of molecules transformed, and the flow rate of the gas entering the reactor. The formula was applied to the ammonia plasma radio-frequency discharge data of d'Agostino et al. (1981); the results showed that the G(-NH3) value lies in the range of 6.0-20 molecules/100 eV, depending on the conditions. This similarity of the G(-NH3) value with Peterson's (1974) range 2.7-10 found for the gas-phase radiolysis of ammonia, suggests that there might be a common reaction mechanism initiated by inelastic electron-molecule collisions.

Baird, James K.↗