Engineering topics

Matsunaga, Tadashi

Publications and source records attributed to Matsunaga, Tadashi.

7 records

DOE OSTI2020

Restoration and Modification of Magnetosome Biosynthesis by Internal Gene Acquisition in a Magnetotactic Bacterium

We report that the Integration of a large-sized DNA fragment into a chromosome is an important strategy for characterization of cellular functions in microorganisms. Magnetotactic bacteria synthesize intracellular organelles comprising membrane-bound single crystalline magnetite, also referred to as magnetosomes. Magnetosomes have gained interest in both scientific and engineering sectors as they can be utilized as a material for biomedical and nanotechnological applications. Although genetic engineering of magnetosome biosynthesis mechanism has been investigated, the current method requires cumbersome gene preparation processes. Here, the chromosomal integration of a plasmid containing ≈27 magnetosome genes (≈26 kbp region) in a non-magnetic mutant of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 using a broad-host-range plasmid is shown. The genome sequencing of gene-complemented strains reveals the chromosomal integration of the plasmid with magnetosome genes at a specific site, most likely by catalysis of an endogenous transposase. Magnetosome production is successfully enhanced by integrating a variation of magnetosome gene operons in the chromosome. This chromosomal integration mechanism will allow the design of functional magnetosomes de novo and M. magneticum AMB-1 may be used as a chassis for the designed magnetosome production.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

MECHANICAL STRENGTH RESPONSES OF POLED LEAD ZIRCONATE TITANATE UNDER EXTREME ELECTRIC FIELD AND VARIOUS TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS

PZT (lead zirconate titanate), particularly PZT-5A, is used in a variety of critical actuation and sensing systems because of its high Curie temperature and large piezoelectric coefficients. However, PZT is susceptible to mechanical failure. The evaluation of the mechanical strength of the material under the target working conditions is very important. This study presents part of the recent experimental developments in mechanical testing and evaluation of PZT materials at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Ball-on-ring and four-point bending testing setups were used, with modifications made to account for testing requirements from high-level electric field and elevated temperature. The poled PZT-5A or equivalent material was tested under various specimen and testing conditions. The parameters of the distribution of strengths (characteristic strength and Weibull modulus) are discussed in relation to the testing conditions. Fractographic results based on scanning electron microscopy are also presented and discussed. The related data can serve as input for the design of piezoceramic devices, not only those used in energy systems like fuel injectors in heavy-duty diesel engines, but also those used in structural health monitoring, energy harvesting, and other critical systems in aerospace and civil engineering.

electric field↗

DOE OSTI2014

Functional expression of an scFv on bacterial magnetic particles by in vitro docking

Highlights: • We present a novel expression system called “in vitro docking” on bacterial magnetic particles. • An scFv–Fc was functionally expressed on bacterial magnetic particles of magnetotactic bacteria. • Our novel expression system on BacMPs will be effective for disulfide-bonded proteins. - Abstract: A Gram-negative, magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 produces nano-sized magnetic particles (BacMPs) in the cytoplasm. Although various applications of genetically engineered BacMPs have been demonstrated, such as immunoassay, ligand–receptor interaction or cell separation, by expressing a target protein on BacMPs, it has been difficult to express disulfide-bonded proteins on BacMPs due to lack of disulfide-bond formation in the cytoplasm. Here, we propose a novel dual expression system, called in vitro docking, of a disulfide-bonded protein on BacMPs by directing an immunoglobulin Fc-fused target protein to the periplasm and its docking protein ZZ on BacMPs. By in vitro docking, an scFv–Fc fusion protein was functionally expressed on BacMPs in the dimeric or trimeric form. Our novel disulfide-bonded protein expression system on BacMPs will be useful for efficient screening of potential ligands or drugs, analyzing ligand–receptor interactions or as a magnetic carrier for affinity purification.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2012

Microstructure and mechanical properties of joints in sintered SiC fiber-bonded ceramics brazed with Ag Cu Ti alloy

Active metal brazing of a new high thermal conductivity sintered SiC-polycrystalline fiber-bonded ceramic (SA-Tyrannohexs) has been carried out using a Ti-containing Ag Cu active braze alloy (Cusil-ABAs). The brazed composite joints were characterized using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM EDS). The results show that this material can be successfully joined using judiciously selected off-the shelf active braze alloys to yield metallurgically sound joints possessing high integrity. Uniform and continuous joints were obtained irrespective of differences in the fiber orientation in the substrate material. Detailed interfacial microanalysis showed that the titanium reacts with C and Si to form TiC layer and a Ti Si compound, respectively. Furthermore, the evaluation of shear strength of the joints was also conducted at ambient and elevated temperatures in air using the single-lap offset (SLO) shear test. The perpendicular-type SA-Tyrannohex joints exhibited apparent shear strengths of about 42 MPa and 25 MPa at 650 1C and 750 1C, respectively. The fracture at the higher temperature occurred at the interface between the reactionformed TiC layer and braze. This might be caused by generation of stress intensity when a shear stress was applied, according to m-FEA simulation results.

Singh, Mrityunjay↗

DOE OSTI2012

Piezoelectric and Dielectric Performance of Poled Lead Zirconate Titanate Subjected to Electric Cyclic Fatigue

Poled lead zirconate titanate (PZT) material as a single-layer plate was tested using piezodilatometer under electric cyclic loading in both unipolar and bipolar modes. Their responses were evaluated using unipolar and bipolar measurements on the same setup. Mechanical strain and charge density or polarization loops exhibited various variations when the material was cycled to more than 10^8 cycles. Important quantities including loop amplitude, hysteresis, switchable polarization, coercive field have been characterized accordingly under corresponding measurement conditions. At the same time, offset polarization and bias electric field of the material were observed to be changed and the trend was found to be related to the measurement condition also. Finally, the piezoelectric and dielectric coefficients were analyzed and their implications to the application of interest have been discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2011

Thermomechanical Performance of Si-Ti-C-O and Sintered SiC Fiber-Bonded Ceramics at High Temperatures

The stress-temperature-lifetime response of Si-Ti-C-O fiber-bonded ceramic (Tyrannohex ) and sintered SiC fiber-bonded ceramic (SA-Tyrannohex ) materials were investigated in air from 500 to 1150 C and 500 to 1400 C, respectively. The apparent threshold stress of Si-Ti-C-O fiber-bonded ceramic was about 175 MPa in the 500-1150 C temperature range. When the applied stress of the sintered SiC fiber-bonded ceramic was below an apparent threshold stress (e.g., ~225MPa) for tests conducted 1150 C, no failures were observed for lifetimes up to 1000h. In the case of sintered SiC fiber-bonded ceramic, at the temperature of 1300 C, the apparent threshold stress decreased to 175 MPa. The decrease in strength seemed to be caused by grain growth which was confirmed from the SEM fractography. Both fiber-bonded ceramics exhibited much higher durability than a commercial SiC/SiC composite at temperatures above 500 C. In addition, results suggested that the sintered SiC fiber-bonded ceramic (SA-Tyrannohex) is more stable than a Hi-Nicalon/MI SiC composite with BN/SiC fiber coating at temperatures above 1300 C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2010

Magnetic nanotubes

A magnetic nanotube includes bacterial magnetic nanocrystals contacted onto a nanotube which absorbs the nanocrystals. The nanocrystals are contacted on at least one surface of the nanotube. A method of fabricating a magnetic nanotube includes synthesizing the bacterial magnetic nanocrystals, which have an outer layer of proteins. A nanotube provided is capable of absorbing the nanocrystals and contacting the nanotube with the nanocrystals. The nanotube is preferably a peptide bolaamphiphile. A nanotube solution and a nanocrystal solution including a buffer and a concentration of nanocrystals are mixed. The concentration of nanocrystals is optimized, resulting in a nanocrystal to nanotube ratio for which bacterial magnetic nanocrystals are immobilized on at least one surface of the nanotubes. The ratio controls whether the nanocrystals bind only to the interior or to the exterior surfaces of the nanotubes. Uses include cell manipulation and separation, biological assay, enzyme recovery, and biosensors.

Matsui, Hiroshi↗