Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “open”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

NRAP-Open-IAM Analytical Reservoir Model: Development and Testing

Geological carbon sequestration (GCS) is a key technology for reducing global carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Energy has invested in understanding the science base, developing practical implementation methods, and demonstrating secure GCS technologies to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with the atmospheric release of CO 2 . As part of the National Risk Assessment Partnership, a systems-level risk assessment tool, called the NRAP-Open-IAM, has been developed to conduct risk assessment and enable safe operations at a GCS site. The current NRAP-Open-IAM contains a simple reservoir model component that calculates the evolution of CO 2 saturation and fluid pressure in a storage reservoir during CO 2 injection operations. This report presents the development and testing of a new analytical reservoir reduced-order model (ROM), which is extended from an existing semi-analytical model for estimation of CO 2 and brine leakage along legacy wells, and enhances the capability of the NRAP-Open-IAM to simulate more types of reservoir conditions. The developed model is validated against three reference studies, and the results indicate that the new ROM predicts the behavior of the two-phase fluids (brine and injected CO 2 ) well and is applicable to different reservoir simulation boundary conditions (i.e., constant pressure boundary and infinite-acting boundary) without a priori user specification of the boundary type. Sensitivity analysis for a set of model parameters is performed using 4,000 synthetic cases prepared via a fully automated process and using machine-learning-based feature selection. The stochastic analysis identifies gravitational number (i.e., ratio of gravitational forces to viscous force) and distance between the injection well and observation location as the most impactful parameters for matching the pressure and CO 2 saturation, respectively, between the numerical simulations and the ROM. This report details the possible ROM uncertainties and serves as a guide for users to understand the use and limitations of this ROM. The code implementation of the model will be released as a module within the NRAP-Open-IAM.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Open-Air Manufacturing of Efficient Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells to Meet Stability and Cost Targets

This SETO-funded project (DE-EE0009516) developed a fully open-air manufacturing pathway for perovskite solar cells and modules, eliminating vacuum-based processing steps while improving device stability. Open-air ultrasonic spray deposition, solution combustion synthesis, rapid thermal processing, and atmospheric plasma curing were developed and optimized for all functional device layers — perovskite absorber, hole transport layers (HTLs), electron transport layers (ETLs), transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), and rear electrodes — without reliance on vacuum. Sprayed organic ETLs preserved perovskite crystal structure and enabled power conversion efficiencies exceeding 20%, and open-air processed TCOs and rear electrodes achieved optoelectronic performance comparable to sputtered alternatives at substantially lower manufacturing cost. Device stability was assessed through accelerated aging protocols aligned with IEC and ISOS standards, combined with high-throughput optical diagnostics that identified key degradation mechanisms and antagonistic interactions among heat, humidity, and illumination stressors. A comprehensive technoeconomic analysis quantified the cost and throughput advantages of open-air manufacturing over conventional vacuum-based processes, identifying vacuum deposition as the dominant cost driver and demonstrating a clear pathway toward the $0.02/kWh target. The project produced five peer-reviewed journal publications, eleven conference presentations, two patents/applications, and five Ph.D. dissertations.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping Survey. VI. Galactic Chemical Gradient Analysis from APOGEE DR17

The goal of the Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping (OCCAM) survey is to constrain key Galactic dynamic and chemical evolution parameters by the construction and analysis of a large, comprehensive, uniform data set of infrared spectra for stars in hundreds of open clusters. This sixth contribution from the OCCAM survey presents analysis of SDSS/APOGEE Data Release 17 (DR17) results for a sample of stars in 150 open clusters, 94 of which we designate to be "high-quality" based on the appearance of their color–magnitude diagram. We find the APOGEE DR17-derived [Fe/H] values to be in good agreement with those from previous high-resolution spectroscopic open cluster abundance studies. Using a subset of the high-quality sample, the Galactic abundance gradients were measured for 16 chemical elements, including [Fe/H], for both Galactocentric radius ($R$ GC ) and guiding center radius ($R$ guide ). We find an overall Galactic [Fe/H] versus RGC gradient of -0.073 ± 0.002 dex kpc -1 over the range of 6 > $R$ GC < 11.5 kpc, and a similar gradient is found for [Fe/H] versus $R$ guide . Significant Galactic abundance gradients are also noted for O, Mg, S, Ca, Mn, Na, Al, K, and Ce. Our large sample additionally allows us to explore the evolution of the gradients in four age bins for the remaining 15 elements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2016

NASA WorldWind: Open Source Visualization Technology for Earth Observation

NASA WorldWind: Open Source Visualization Technology for Earth Observation WorldWind, open source virtual globe technology for Java, iOS, Android and Web, is provided by NASA and is architected as API-centric modular componentry. This enable it to be continually optimized and feature-enriched in ways that allow applications based on this SDK (Software Development Kit) to benefit Earth Observation, especially Open Science, with minimal or no adjustment for the decade ahead. The next-generation National Airspace System (NAS) aviation management system for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, uses WorldWind, as do applications currently being developed by the European Space Agency, along with several other US and European government agencies and industry partners. This presentation will demonstrate several NASA open source use cases for WorldWind technology that include advances being made to optimize access to NetCDF and HDF data via WebWorldWind.NASA WorldWind: Multidimensional Geospatial Web Platform The ability to see spatial data in its native context is essential for that data to be appreciated whether by the scientific community, policy and decision-makers or the general public. Recently, the accessibility of spatial data has dramatically improved. Without the need to install an application, spatial data can now be experienced via any web browser, mobile devices included. For developers, by simply updating the app on your server, the latest version of your application is now immediately available to your entire usercommunity. Unlike other virtual globes such as Google Earth, NASA World Wind offers something very special, full control to customize the interface with any features or functionalities you might need. You decide how the data is accessed and experienced. This allows you to provide maximum value of the information to your user community. The web version of NASA WorldWind (WebWorldWind) has made it possible for a whole new suite of applications for managing and sharing spatial data. Apps built with this web version are ideal for immediate social media type activity and also facilitate delivery of sophisticated data exchange scenarios such as weather and climate research, disaster response, personal navigation, and industrial-strength tracking for transportation, supply chain, aviation and satellites. WebWorldWind is an application component, not an app in itself. It is written in JavaScript and provides the real world geographic context for spatial data and information visualization, using a rich set of shapes and graphic primitives. WebWorldWind also provides platform independence, while accommodating any number of data types. Web WorldWind runs on any platform via a browser, i.e., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari. Features include, 3D virtual globe, 2D map with multiple projection choices (Mercator, Polar, UPS, Equirectangular), imagery and elevation import, extensible, data retrieval (via REST, WMS, WCS, WFS, Bing, User-Defined), decluttering, measurement, accurate line-ofsight, subsurface visualization, and more.

Open Source Mapping↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Open Science for Climate at NASA

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) currently provides more than 75 Petabytes of open access data through NASA’s Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). Many of these datasets are commonly used in WCRP research, including the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission dataset, the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission dataset, the IceBridge dataset, and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) dataset. These datasets are essential tools for understanding patterns in precipitation, soil moisture, ice mass changes, atmospheric circulation, and their impacts on climate. NASA is also a leader in the White House OSTP’s “Federal Year of Open Science” in 2023, promoting open access and open source solutions.

Climate Data↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA Open Science Data Repository: Maximizing Spaceflight Bioscience Data

The next era in human space exploration is rapidly approaching and will require the use of countermeasures to deep space health hazards. The development of countermeasures (or, the re-purposing of existing agents) will be highly dependent on our understanding of basic biological responses to space stressors (e.g. ionizing radiation, altered gravitational fields, altered day-night cycles, confinement, isolation, hostile-closed environments, distance-duration from Earth, exposure to celestial regolith, etc.). The fast-growing array of space biological data, which in the past was simply archived after minimal analysis, holds great potential if it can be reorganized and formatted for data re-analysis and re-use via Open Science. Organizing the data for such analysis is a challenge because of its diverse nature (molecular, cellular, tissue, imaging, whole organism and behavior). To address the challenges posed by gaining new knowledge from a vast and diverse amount of biological, health and environmental data in space, the NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR - osdr.nasa.gov/bio) plays a crucial role in curating and openly publishing biological data from space-related experiments. Its design incorporates successes and lessons from NASA GeneLab, encompassing not only high-throughput sequencing data but also physiological, phenotypic, and telemetry data. The OSDR makes space biological data FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable), and facilitates effective data ingestion, dissemination, and Open Science collaborations. The OSDR also has the capability to integrate human astronaut data with state-of-the-art security and accessibility procedures. We will discuss here several strategies that NASA’s Biological and Physical Science Division have put in place to maximize the return on investment for spaceflight bioscience data.

space biology↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Simple Route for Open Fluidic Devices with Particle Walls

Open fluidics, allowing liquid in a flow channel to interact with the external environment, is a revolutionary concept. However, fabricating a highly stable open fluidic device of arbitrary complexity, while maintaining reconfigurability, is still a challenge. This is achieved by the use of a patterned substrate and liquids that are covered with functional, readily available hydrophobic particles, providing great flexibility in the construction and use of open fluidic structures. Decorated with a coating of modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to encapsulate the fluids, the study capitalizes on the photothermal characteristics of CNTs to fabricate a device to probe the effects of temperature on tumor chemotherapy. The strategy substantially increases the availability and potential use of open fluidic devices.

Liu, Heng↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficient Simulation of Open Quantum Systems on NISQ Trapped‐Ion Hardware

Abstract Simulating open quantum systems, which interact with external environments, presents significant challenges on noisy intermediate‐scale quantum (NISQ) devices due to limited qubit resources and noise. In this study, an efficient framework is proposed for simulating open quantum systems on NISQ hardware by leveraging a time‐perturbative Kraus operator representation of the system's dynamics. This approach avoids the computationally expensive Trotterization method and exploits the Lindblad master equation to represent time evolution in a compact form, particularly for systems satisfying specific commutation relations. The efficiency of this method is demonstrated by simulating quantum channels, such as the continuous‐time Pauli channel and damped harmonic oscillators, on NISQ trapped‐ion hardware, including IonQ Harmony and Quantinuum H1‐1. Additionally, hardware‐agnostic error mitigation techniques are introduced, including Pauli channel fitting and quantum depolarizing channel inversion, to enhance the fidelity of quantum simulations. These results show strong agreement between the simulations on real quantum hardware and exact solutions, highlighting the potential of Kraus‐based methods for scalable and accurate simulation of open quantum systems on NISQ devices. This framework opens pathways for simulating more complex systems under realistic conditions in the near term.

Burdine, Colin [Department of Electrical and Compu↗
DOE OSTI2021

Non-Markovian dynamics of open quantum system with memory

Highlights: • Non-Markovian master equation for open quantum system with power-law memory is proposed. • Non-Markovian dynamics of two-level quantum system with memory is described. • Solutions of non-Markovian quantum master equations are derived. • Complete positivity and bi-positivity in non-Markovian quantum dynamics with memory are described. • Exact solution of non-Markovian equations of system with memory is proposed. In this paper, non-Markovian generalization of master equation for open quantum system is proposed. Non-Markovian dynamics of two-level quantum system with memory and interaction with environment is described. To describe this system, the Gorini–Kossakowski–Sudarshan equation for open quantum states is generalized by taking into account power-law fading memory. The non-Markovian quantum processes with power-law memory are described by using integration and differentiation of non-integer orders. Complete positivity and bi-positivity in non-Markovian quantum dynamics with memory are described. An example of two-level quantum systems with power-law memory is suggested. Exact solution of the non-Markovian master equations of two-level open quantum systems with memory is derived.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Robust Spin-Moiré-Superlattice-Driven Gap Opening in EuAg 4 Sb 2 under in-Plane Magnetic Field

Moiré superlattices introduce new length and energy scales, enabling discoveries, such as unconventional superconductivity, in 2D systems. This concept has recently been extended to bulk materials with multiple-q spin textures, opening exciting opportunities for spin moiré physics. A notable example is EuAg 4 S b2 , where a spin moiré superlattice (SMS), manifested as a double-q spin modulation, induces a superzone gap opening. In this work, we investigate the tunability of this gap by an in-plane magnetic field in EuAg 4 Sb 2 by using neutron scattering, magnetization, and transport measurements. We reveal a cycloidal ground state and multiple spin-reoriented phases induced by the in-plane field, highlighting the critical role of in-plane components in driving magnetic transitions. Moreover, we demonstrate that a robust gap opening persists in the double-q phase, regardless of in-plane field orientation. Model calculations attribute this robustness to the stability of the SMS under tilted fields. Here, our results establish EuAg 4 Sb 2 as a tunable platform for exploring the spin-texture-driven superzone gap opening in electronic states.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electronic and Spintronic Open-Shell Macromolecules, Quo Vadis ?

Open-shell macromolecules (i.e., polymers containing radical sites either along their backbones or at the pendant sites of repeat units) have attracted significant attention owing to their intriguing chemical and physical (e.g., redox, optoelectronic, and magnetic) properties, and they have been proposed and/or implemented in a wide range of potential applications (e.g., energy storage devices, electronic systems, and spintronic modules). These successes span multiple disciplines that range from advanced macromolecular chemistry through nanoscale structural characterization and on to next-generation solid-state physics and the associated devices. In turn, this has allowed different scientific communities to expand the palette of radical-containing polymers relatively quickly. However, critical gaps remain on many fronts, especially regarding the elucidation of key structure–property–function relationships that govern the underlying electrochemical, optoelectronic, and spin phenomena in these materials systems. Here, we highlight vital developments in the history of open-shell macromolecules to explain the current state of the art in the field. Moreover, we provide a critical review of the successes and bring forward open opportunities that, if solved, could propel this class of materials in a meaningful manner. Finally, we provide an outlook to address where it seems most likely that open-shell macromolecules will go in the coming years. Furthermore, our considered view is that the future of radical-containing polymers is extremely bright and the addition of talented researchers with diverse skills to the field will allow these materials and their end-use devices to have a positive impact on the global science and technology enterprise in a relatively rapid manner.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quantitative Determination of Electronic Effects in Free Radicals through Open-Shell Hammett Substituent Constants

Hammett substituent constants (σ), which quantify the electronic effects of functional groups, are widely used for predicting the properties of organic compounds and investigating reaction mechanisms. While these values have been obtained for a wide range of closed-shell substituents, measurements of analogous values for open-shell substituents are rare due to challenges associated with their short lifetimes. Here, in this report, we developed a combined experimental and computational approach for quantifying the electronic properties of open-shell substituents based on changes in nitrile vibrational frequencies (ν(C≡N)). By coupling pulse radiolysis and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (PR-TRIR), we measured ν(C≡N) IR bands of 30 para - and meta -substituted benzonitriles bearing C-, N-, and S-centered radicals. A linear scaling relationship was obtained between these experimental values and values obtained from DFT calculations. Using these computed values, two different Hammett constants, σ m , and σ p + , were determined for a series of C-, N-, O-, S-, Si-, and B-centered radicals. The differences between σm and σp+ values enable the separate evaluation of inductive and resonance effects in these open-shell substituents. The results suggest that there are three classes of radicals: one is electron withdrawing (σ m , σ p + > 0), one is electron donating (σm, σp+ < 0), and one is inductively withdrawing but resonance donating (σ m > 0, σ p + < 0). Our study represents a general approach to the analysis of the electronic properties of open-shell species and has potential applications in a wide range of molecular processes involving free radical intermediates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Stabilized open metal sites in bimetallic metal–organic framework catalysts for hydrogen production from alcohols

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers such as alcohols and polyols are a high-capacity means of transporting and reversibly storing hydrogen that demands effective catalysts to drive the (de)hydrogenation reactions under mild conditions. We employed a combined theory/experiment approach to develop MOF-74 catalysts for alcohol dehydrogenation and examine the performance of the open metal sites (OMS), which have properties analogous to the active sites in high-performance single-site catalysts and homogeneous catalysts. Methanol dehydrogenation was used as a model reaction system for assessing the performance of five monometallic M-MOF-74 variants (M = Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni). Co-MOF-74 and Ni-MOF-74 give the highest H 2 productivity. However, Ni-MOF-74 is unstable under reaction conditions and forms metallic nickel particles. To improve catalyst activity and stability, bimetallic (NixMg 1-x )-MOF-74 catalysts were developed that stabilize the Ni OMS and promote the dehydrogenation reaction. An optimal composition exists at (Ni 0.32 Mg 0.68 )-MOF-74 that gives the greatest H2 productivity, up to 203 mL gcat -1 min -1 at 300 °C, and maintains 100% selectivity to CO and H 2 between 225–275 °C. The optimized catalyst is also active for the dehydrogenation of other alcohols. DFT calculations reveal that synergistic interactions between the open metal site and the organic linker lead to lower reaction barriers in the MOF catalysts compared to the open metal site alone. This work expands the suite of hydrogen-related reactions catalyzed by MOF-74 which includes recent work on hydroformulation and our earlier reports of aryl-ether hydrogenolysis. Moreover, it highlights the use of bimetallic frameworks as an effective strategy for stabilizing a high density of catalytically active open metal sites.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Structure of the human cation–chloride cotransport KCC1 in an outward-open state

Cation–chloride cotransporters (CCCs) catalyze electroneutral symport of Cl - with Na + and/or K + across membranes. CCCs are fundamental in cell volume homeostasis, transepithelia ion movement, maintenance of intracellular Cl - concentration, and neuronal excitability. Here, we present a cryoelectron microscopy structure of human K + –Cl - cotransporter (KCC)1 bound with the VU0463271 inhibitor in an outward-open state. In contrast to many other amino acid–polyamine–organocation transporter cousins, our first outward-open CCC structure reveals that opening the KCC1 extracellular ion permeation path does not involve hinge-bending motions of the transmembrane (TM) 1 and TM6 half-helices. Instead, rocking of TM3 and TM8, together with displacements of TM4, TM9, and a conserved intracellular loop 1 helix, underlie alternate opening and closing of extracellular and cytoplasmic vestibules. We show that KCC1 intriguingly exists in one of two distinct dimeric states via different intersubunit interfaces. Our studies provide a blueprint for understanding the mechanisms of CCCs and their inhibition by small molecule compounds.

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

Neutral leakage, power dissipation and pedestal fueling in open vs closed divertors

The effect of divertor closure on neutral leakage, power dissipation and pedestal fueling is explored using the SOLPS code for different densities including attached and detached divertor conditions for DIII-D open and closed divertors. Here, a metric for divertor closure in terms of the percentage of neutrals escaping the divertor is presented. At the detachment onset the population of neutrals escaping the divertor is 12% for the closed divertor and 35% for the open divertor. This results in a lower contribution of the convective term to the total heat flux and increased power losses in the closed divertor. The comparison between the two geometries reveals that for the same upstream density, the upstream temperature is 23% higher in the closed divertor. The physical mechanisms for detachment at lower upstream density in the closed divertor are also identified with the reduction of the convective term directly resulting in 40% decrease and the increased power losses contributing with a factor of 2. The baffling also lowers the neutral flux refueling the pedestal resulting in further reduction of the core density for achieving detachment. The results introduced here show that the divertor recycling is the primary fueling mechanism in DIII-D. It is shown that fueling occurring in the region between the X-point and the outer midplane is at least four times lower in the closed divertor due the baffling structure which enhances target neutral trapping and consequently reduced upstream leakage. Due to the openness of the inner leg to the common flux and HFS regions both open and closed divertor experience almost identical fueling at the HFS highlighting the need to also consider the inboard divertor for shape optimization.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of 𝐵 meson production fraction ratios in proton-proton collisions at √𝑠 = 13 TeV using open-charm and charmonium decays

Production fraction ratios of 𝐵 + , 𝐵 0 , and 𝐵$^{0}_{𝑠}$ mesons are measured in proton-proton collisions at √𝑠 = 13 TeV using a special dataset recorded in 2018 with high-rate triggers designed to collect an unbiased sample of 1⁢010 𝑏 hadrons with the CMS experiment at the LHC. These data allow the study of the open-charm decays of 𝐵 mesons (𝐵 (𝑠) → 𝜋⁢𝐷 (𝑠) ) where the 𝐷 meson decays into fully hadronic final states. By utilizing known branching fractions and precise theoretical calculations, production fraction ratios as functions of 𝐵 meson transverse momentum (𝑝 T ) and rapidity (𝑦) are measured using open-charm decays in the kinematic range of 8 < 𝑝 T < 60 GeV and |𝑦| <2.25. In addition, the same dataset is used to measure the relative production fraction ratios with the charmonium decay channels [𝐵 (𝑠) →𝑋⁢𝐽/𝜓 with 𝑋 indicating a 𝐾 + , 𝐾*(892) 0 , or 𝜙⁡(1020) meson] where the 𝐽/𝜓 meson decays into a pair of muons. The open-charm results are used to normalize the relative production fraction ratios obtained from the charmonium samples. Measurements of the ratios of branching fractions of 𝐵 meson decays to charmonium and open-charm final states are also reported, which will improve the world-average values of these ratios. Finally, we test isospin invariance in 𝐵 meson production in proton-proton collisions and observe that it holds within the experimental precision.

Bottom mesons↗
DOE OSTI2021

Redundancy in Aromatic O -Demethylation and Ring-Opening Reactions in Novosphingobium aromaticivorans and Their Impact in the Metabolism of Plant-Derived Phenolics

ABSTRACT Lignin is a plant heteropolymer composed of phenolic subunits. Because of its heterogeneity and recalcitrance, the development of efficient methods for its valorization still remains an open challenge. One approach to utilize lignin is its chemical deconstruction into mixtures of monomeric phenolic compounds, followed by biological funneling into a single product. Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM 12444 has been previously engineered to produce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) from depolymerized lignin by simultaneously metabolizing multiple aromatics through convergent routes involving the intermediates 3-methoxygallic acid (3-MGA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA). We investigated enzymes predicted to be responsible for O -demethylation and oxidative aromatic ring opening, two critical reactions involved in the metabolism of phenolic compounds by N. aromaticivorans . The results showed the involvement of DesA in O -demethylation of syringic and vanillic acids, LigM in O- demethylation of vanillic acid and 3-MGA, and a new O- demethylase, DmtS, in the conversion of 3-MGA into gallic acid (GA). In addition, we found that LigAB was the main aromatic ring-opening dioxygenase involved in 3-MGA, PCA, and GA metabolism and that a previously uncharacterized dioxygenase, LigAB2, had high activity with GA. Our results indicate a metabolic route not previously identified in N. aromaticivorans that involves O -demethylation of 3-MGA to GA. We predict that this pathway channels ∼15% of the carbon flow from syringic acid, with the rest following ring opening of 3-MGA. The new knowledge obtained in this study allowed for the creation of an improved engineered strain for the funneling of aromatic compounds that exhibits stoichiometric conversion of syringic acid into PDC. IMPORTANCE For lignocellulosic biorefineries to effectively contribute to reduction of fossil fuel use, they need to become efficient at producing chemicals from all major components of plant biomass. Making products from lignin will require engineering microorganisms to funnel multiple phenolic compounds to the chemicals of interest, and N. aromaticivorans is a promising chassis for this technology. The ability of N. aromaticivorans to efficiently and simultaneously degrade many phenolic compounds may be linked to having functionally redundant aromatic degradation pathways and enzymes with broad substrate specificity. A detailed knowledge of aromatic degradation pathways is thus essential to identify genetic engineering targets to maximize product yields. Furthermore, knowledge of enzyme substrate specificity is critical to redirect flow of carbon to desired pathways. This study described an uncharacterized pathway in N. aromaticivorans and the enzymes that participate in this pathway, allowing the engineering of an improved strain for production of PDC from lignin.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2022

SODA Synthesizer: an Open-source, Multi-level, Modular, Extensible Compiler from High-level Frameworks to Silicon

The SODA Synthesizer is an open-source modular, end-to-end hardware compiler framework. The SODA frontend, developed in MLIR, performs system-level design, code partitioning, and high-level optimizations to prepare the specifications for the hardware synthesis. The backend is based on a state-of-the-art high-level synthesis tool, and generates the final hardware design. The backend can interface with logic synthesis tools for field programmable gate arrays or with commercial and open-source logic synthesis tools for application-specific integrated circuits. We discuss the opportunities and challenges in integrating with commercial and open-source tools both at the frontend and backend, and the unique opportunities that an open-source hardware design ecosystem provides.

Bohm Agostini, Nicolas↗