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At least 253 records · Page 14

An optimized ChIP-Seq framework for profiling histone modifications in Chromochloris zofingiensis

The eukaryotic green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis is a reference organism for studying carbon partitioning and a promising candidate for the production of biofuel precursors. Recent transcriptome profiling transformed our understanding of its biology and generally algal biology, but epigenetic regulation remains understudied and represents a fundamental gap in our understanding of algal gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing (ChIP-Seq) is a powerful tool for the discovery of such mechanisms, by identifying genome-wide histone modification patterns and transcription factor-binding sites alike. Here, we established a ChIP-Seq framework for Chr. zofingiensis yielding over 20 million high-quality reads per sample. The most critical steps in a ChIP experiment were optimized, including DNA shearing to obtain an average DNA fragment size of 250 bp and assessment of the recommended formaldehyde concentration for optimal DNA-protein cross-linking. We used this ChIP-Seq framework to generate a genome-wide map of the H3K4me3 distribution pattern and to integrate these data with matching RNA-Seq data. In line with observations from other organisms, H3K4me3 marks predominantly transcription start sites of genes. Our H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq data will pave the way for improved genome structural annotation in the emerging reference alga Chr. zofingiensis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Transport and Retention of Particulate Organic Matter in Sand: Lab Experiments and Modelling

Flow-through reactor (FTR) experiments were conducted at three different downward vertical flow rates to study the transport and retention of particulate organic matter (Chlorella powder) in riverbed sediments. This data package includes data files (.csv) regarding effluent collected from the FTRs during the experiments (time, duration, volume of each sample collection; concentration of nonreactive bromide tracer; concentration of suspended Chlorella determined by absorbance measurements) and sediment (sand) slices collected from the FTRs after the experiments (mass of Chlorella retained in 1 cm depth intervals determined by loss-on-ignition method). More detailed descriptions of data are provided in the data dictionary, and detailed methods are available in the associated MSc thesis listed in ‘Related References.’ The data dictionary and file level meta data (FLMD) are included in the data package as both .csv and .xlsx files. This data package also includes timelapse videos (.mp4) of the experiments, and modelling scripts associated with the experiments. The modelling scripts are included as MATLAB ‘live scripts’ (.mlx, which can be run using MATLAB), and are also included as .pdf and .html files with output plots included (which can be viewed without a MATLAB license and installation). The data files and modelling scripts are organized into a .zip folder for each of the three FTR experiments (three flow rates).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Investigating effects of soil chemicals on density of small mammal bioindicators using spatial capture-recapture models

Monitoring the ecological impacts of environmental pollution and the effectiveness of remediation efforts requires identifying relationships between contaminants and the disruption of biological processes in populations, communities, or ecosystems. Wildlife are useful bioindicators, but traditional comparative experimental approaches rely on a staunch and typically unverifiable assumption that, in the absence of contaminants, reference and contaminated sites would support the same densities of bioindicators, thereby inferring direct causation from indirect data. We demonstrate the utility of spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models for overcoming these issues, testing if community density of common small mammal bioindicators was directly influenced by soil chemical concentrations. By modeling density as an inhomogeneous Poisson point process, we found evidence for an inverse spatial relationship between Peromyscus density and soil mercury concentrations, but not other chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, at a site formerly occupied by a nuclear reactor. Although the coefficient point estimate supported Peromyscus density being lower where mercury concentrations were higher (β = –0.44), the 95% confidence interval overlapped zero, suggesting no effect was also compatible with our data. Estimated density from the most parsimonious model (2.88 mice/ha; 95% CI = 1.63–5.08), which did not support a density-chemical relationship, was within the range of reported densities for Peromyscus that did not inhabit contaminated sites elsewhere. Environmental pollution remains a global threat to biodiversity and ecosystem and human health, and our study provides an illustrative example of the utility of SCR models for investigating the effects that chemicals may have on wildlife bioindicator populations and communities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reconsidering short-range order in complex concentrated alloys

Abstract The seemingly contradictory state of research on short-range order in many-component alloys is addressed through a critical review of the characterization of face-centered-cubic 3 d systems. Despite the paucity of direct observations, the ordering of many widely studied alloys is argued to be primarily interesting for its potential ubiquity. To clarify this situation, future research directions are proposed with reference to historical results, including a review of the fundamental principles of ordering and clustering. Graphical abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Machine Learning Surrogates of a Fuel Matrix Degradation Process Model for Performance Assessment of a Nuclear Waste Repository

Spent nuclear fuel repository simulations are currently not able to incorporate detailed fuel matrix degradation (FMD) process models due to their computational cost, especially when large numbers of waste packages breach. The current paper uses machine learning to develop artificial neural network and k-nearest neighbor regression surrogate models that approximate the detailed FMD process model while being computationally much faster to evaluate. Further, using fuel cask temperature, dose rate, and the environmental concentrations of CO 3 2- , O 2 , Fe 2+ , and H 2 as inputs, these surrogates show good agreement with the FMD process model predictions of the UO 2 degradation rate for conditions within the range of the training data. A demonstration in a full-scale shale repository reference case simulation shows that the incorporation of the surrogate models captures local and temporal environmental effects on fuel degradation rates while retaining good computational efficiency.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Coping with cold: Sorghum cold stress from germination to maturity

Abstract Sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important crop that is highly drought tolerant but susceptible to low temperatures. Many studies have begun to explore the genetic basis of variation in chilling sensitivity in the sorghum germplasm in an effort to improve sorghum's chilling tolerance. However, differences in genetic maps and updates to the sorghum reference genome have made comparing studies of chilling in sorghum challenging. Here, we review the current state of research on chilling tolerance and susceptibility in sorghum during germination and emergence, vegetative growth, and reproduction and harvest stages. Using the most recent sorghum reference genome (v3.1), we have standardized the locations of quantitative trait loci and marker‐trait associations for chilling tolerance traits across the literature. This revealed substantial overlap between quantitative trait loci/marker‐trait associations identified for similar traits across studies of different sorghum populations. Chromosomes 2, 3, and 6 contained particularly concentrated regions of markers associated with chilling tolerance traits. Although many studies have uncovered genetic variation for chilling responses in the sorghum germplasm, follow‐up studies are needed to confirm and characterize the molecular mechanisms responsible for variation in chilling tolerance in sorghum. We discuss potential molecular mechanisms for cold stress tolerance based on agreements between studies and address the challenges and opportunities for increasing chilling tolerance in sorghum and other next‐generation crops.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Robust framework and software implementation for fast speciation mapping

One of the greatest benefits of synchrotron radiation is the ability to perform chemical speciation analysis through X-ray absorption spectroscopies (XAS). XAS imaging of large sample areas can be performed with either full-field or raster-scanning modalities. A common practice to reduce acquisition time while decreasing dose and/or increasing spatial resolution is to compare X-ray fluorescence images collected at a few diagnostic energies. In this work, several authors have used different multivariate data processing strategies to establish speciation maps. Furthermore, the theoretical aspects and assumptions that are often made in the analysis of these datasets are focused on. A robust framework is developed to perform speciation mapping in large bulk samples at high spatial resolution by comparison with known references. Two fully operational software implementations are provided: a user-friendly implementation within the MicroAnalysis Toolkit software, and a dedicated script developed under the R environment. The procedure is exemplified through the study of a cross section of a typical fossil specimen. Additionally, the algorithm provides accurate speciation and concentration mapping while decreasing the data collection time by typically two or three orders of magnitude compared with the collection of whole spectra at each pixel. Whereas acquisition of spectral datacubes on large areas leads to very high irradiation times and doses, which can considerably lengthen experiments and generate significant alteration of radiation-sensitive materials, this sparse excitation energy procedure brings the total irradiation dose greatly below radiation damage thresholds identified in previous studies. This approach is particularly adapted to the chemical study of heterogeneous radiation-sensitive samples encountered in environmental, material, and life sciences.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Structural breakdown in high power GaN-on-GaN p-n diode devices stressed to failure

The morphology of GaN-on-GaN vertical p-i-n diode devices after reverse-bias electrical stressing to breakdown has been investigated. All failed devices had irreversible structural damage, showing large surface craters that were ∼15–35 μm deep with lengthy surface cracks. Cross-sectional electron micrographs of failed devices showed substantial concentrations of threading dislocations around the cracks and near the crater surfaces. Progressive ion-milling across damaged devices revealed high densities of threading dislocations and the presence of voids beneath the surface cracks; these features were not observed in any unstressed devices. These results should serve as a useful reference for future reliability studies of vertical high-power GaN devices.

Peri, Prudhvi (ORCID:000000022338441X)↗

Total Dissolved Nitrogen and Ammonia Data for the East River Watershed, Colorado (2015-2025)

This data package contains mean values for total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and ammonia concentrations for water samples taken from the East River Watershed in Colorado. The East River is part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (WFSFA) located in the Upper Colorado River Basin, United States. TDN was analyzed using a Shimadzu Total Nitrogen Module (TNM-1) combined with the TOC-VCSH analyzer (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). TNM-1 is a non-specific measurement of total nitrogen (TN). All nitrogen species in samples are combusted to nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, then reacted with ozone to form an excited state of nitrogen dioxide. Upon returning to ground state, light energy is emitted. Then, TDN is measured using a chemiluminescence detector. Ammonia was determined using a Lachat's QuikChem 8500 Series 2 Flow Injection Analysis System (LACHAT Instruments, QuckChem 8500 series 2, Automated Ion Analyzer, Loveland, Colorado). When ammonia in water samples is heated (60 degrees C) with salicylate and hypochlorite in an alkaline phosphate buffer, an emerald green color is produced which is proportional to the ammonia concentration. The color is intensified by the addition of nitroprusside. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is added to the buffer to prevent the interference of metal ions (Ca, Mg, and Fe etc.). Ammonia-N is then determined by LACHAT flow injection and a colorimetric assay at an absorbance wavelength 660 nm. (Reference: LACHAT Instruments: QuickChem Method 90-107-06-3-A, Determination of Ammonia by Flow Injection Analysis (High Throughput, Salicylate Method/DCIC) (Multi Matrix method). Written by Lynn Egan (Application group), February 08, 2011.) All files are labeled by location and variable, and data reported are the mean values upon replicate measurements. All samples were analyzed under a rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) process as detailed in the methods. This data package contains (1) a zip file (tdn_ammonia_data_2015-2025.zip) containing a total of 299 files: 298 data files of ammonia and TDN data from across the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (SFA) which is reported in .csv files per location and a locations.csv (1 file) with latitude and longitude for each location; (2) a file-level metadata (v7_20260901_flmd.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata; (3) a data dictionary (v7_20260901_dd.csv) file that contains terms/column_headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type; (4) PDF and docx files for the determination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for TDN data, which has been updated in 2026-08; and (5) PDF and docx files for the detemination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for Ammonia and the Interferences by LACHAT Flow Injection Analysis. Missing values within the anion data files are noted as either "-9999" or "0.0" for not detectable (N.D.) data. There are a total of 105 locations containing TDN and Ammonia-N data. Update 2020-10-07: Updated the data files to remove times from the timestamps, so that only dates remain. The data values have not changed. Update 2021-04-11: Added Determination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for DIC, NPOC and TDN Analyses and Determination of Method Detection Limit for Ammonia and the Interferences by LACHAT Flow Injection Analysis documents, which can be accessed as PDFs or with Microsoft Word.Update on 6/10/2022: versioned updates to this dataset was made along with these changes: (1) updated total dissolved nitrogen and ammonia data for all locations up to 2021-12-31, (2) removal of units from column headers in datafiles, (3) added row underneath headers to contain units of variables, (4) restructure of units to comply with CSV reporting format requirements, (5) added -9999 for empty numerical cells, and (6) the addition of the file-level metadata (flmd.csv) and data dictionary (dd.csv) were added to comply with the File-Level Metadata Reporting Format. Update on 2022-09-09: Updates were made to reporting format specific files (file-level metadata and data dictionary) to correct swapped file names, add additional details on metadata descriptions on both files, add a header_row column to enable parsing, and add version number and date to file names (v2_20220909_flmd.csv and v2_20220909_dd.csv). Update on 2022-12-20: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. Units were listed incorrectly, but have been fixed to reflect correct units (ug/L). File level metadata (flmd) and data dictionary (dd) files were updated to reflect the updated versions of these files. Available data was added up until 2022-06-01. Update on 2023-08-08: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available anion data was added, up until 2023-01-05. The file level metadata and data dictionary files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Update on 2024-03-11: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available anion data was added, up until 2023-10-27. Further, revisions to the data files were made to remove incorrect data points (from 1970 and 2001). The reporting format specific files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Revised versions of the PDF and docx files for determination of MDLs for TDN were added to replace previous versions. Update on 2025-05-15: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available TDN and Ammonia-N data was added, up until the end of WY2024 (September 30, 2024). International Generic Sample Numbers (IGSNs), when registered, were added to the data files. The reporting format specific files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Update on 2026-09-01: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available TDN and Ammonia-N data was added, up until the end of WY2025 (September 30, 2025). Updated versions, as of 2026-08-10, of the PDF and docx files for determination of MDLs for TDN data were added to this dataset.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Path Generation for Image Collection to Assist Heliostat Field Optical Characterization

This paper focuses on applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for measuring optical error of heliostats in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. In CSP, there is a need to measure solar-field optical errors, which is critical for future production improvement as well as for operations and maintenance of a heliostat field. This latter need is particularly challenging because of the large number of heliostats (over 10,000 for a utility-scale power plant) that individually track the sun in the field. To address this issue, a camera-equipped UAV, with an optimized drone flight path developed and uploaded to it, collects images of a precise reflection of the tower on each heliostat to evaluate optical error sources without interrupting plant operation. Generation of the drone path for capturing the reflected images is affected by a number technical and realistic constraints, which include the camera angle used to capture the image, the blocking of the camera view due to surrounding heliostats, the location of the camera in reference to the target heliostat, and the target heliostat position with reference to the tower. The effect of these constraints on calculating the camera position will be discussed in detail in this article. An effective drone-path algorithm is generated to fulfil the need of image collection under various constraints.

concentrated solar power↗

Roadmap to Advance Heliostat Technologies for Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power

Heliostat-based concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems can offer immense potential to provide low-cost, dispatchable renewable thermal and electrical energy to help achieve 100% decarbonized energy infrastructure in the United States. Heliostats are a major capital cost technology and a performance-dominating component of state-of-the-art commercial molten salt towers and Generation 3 CSP systems. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) launched the Heliostat Consortium (HelioCon), a five-year initiative to advance heliostat technologies. The HelioCon mission is threefold: (1) establish strategic core testing and modeling capabilities and infrastructure at national labs; (2) support heliostat technology development in relevant industries; and (3) serve as a central repository to integrate industry, academia, and other stakeholders for heliostat technology research, development, validation, and deployment. In this report, HelioCon presents a roadmapping study on advancing heliostat technologies, intended as a central reference for the whole CSP community.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A two-equation soot-in-flamelet modeling approach applied under Spray A conditions

Soot production (including formation and oxidation) is studied in the transient, high-pressure and turbulent n-dodecane Spray A flames from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A two-equation soot-in-flamelet modeling approach is applied within the framework of the Unsteady Flamelet Progress Variable (UFPV) model and results are validated against experimental data. Equations for soot mass fraction and soot number density derived in the mixture fraction space are solved in the context of detailed flamelet calculations. Source terms for the different steps in the soot chemistry are tabulated and incorporated in the flamelet manifold. For the reference condition, the modeling approach based on the tabulated flamelet manifold reduces the computational cost of a CFD calculation by approximately 40 times compared to a non-tabulated well-mixed (WM) modeling approach. The soot-in-flamelet approach is then extended to study the effect of ambient oxygen concentration, ambient mixture composition and ambient temperature on soot production. Results show that the modeling approach is able to capture the experimental trends for the soot volume fraction (SVF) with good quantitative agreement, especially in the soot ramp-up region.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Consequences of plane-strain and plane-stress assumptions in fully coupled chemo-mechanical Li-ion battery models

In Li-ion battery research, it is common to simulate chemo-mechanical phenomena in reduced dimensions (e.g., 2-D) as opposed to fully resolve these complex physics in 3-D. It is common to assume either (1) the out-of-plane strain is negligible (commonly referred to as plane-strain), or (2) the out-of-plane stress is negligible (commonly referred to as plane-stress). However, there is typically little consideration as to the quantitative consequences of these approximations. Furthermore, the influence of these out-of-plane assumptions can be compounded and convoluted when chemo-mechanics models implement so-called “fully coupled” formulations, where the local species concentrations influence the stress-state and the stress-state influences the local species fluxes. Here, the present manuscript explores the implications of using plane-stress and plane-strain assumptions in 2-D as compared to simulating a full 3-D electrode particle. This comparative study includes simulating both isotropic and anisotropic particle intercalation where the particles can be surrounded by either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Additionally, common Li-ion battery-model metrics such as the state-of-stress, intercalation fraction distribution, and specific capacity are compared, while also considering the effects of particle size and C-rate. As alternatives to the pure plane-strain and plane stress approximations, two modified plane-strain assumptions are found to better approximate the fully coupled chemo-mechanical 3-D behavior.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Techno-Economic Analysis of Cement Decarbonization Techniques: Oxygen Enrichment vs. Hydrogen Fuel

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming, and one of the most polluting sectors is heavy industry, where cement production is a significant contributor. This work briefly explores some alternatives, recycling, reducing clinker content, waste heat recovery, and carbon capture, discussing their advantages and drawbacks. Then, it examines the economic viability and benefits of increasing oxygen concentration in the primary burning air from 21 to 27 vol.%, which could improve clinker production by 7%, and the production of hydrogen through PEM electrolysis to make up 5% of the fuel thermal fraction, considering both in a cement plant producing 3000 tons of clinker per day. This analysis used reference values from Secil, an international company for cement and building materials, to determine the required scale of the oxygen and hydrogen production, respectively, and calculate the CAPEX of each approach. It is concluded that oxygen enrichment can provide substantial fuel savings for a relatively low cost despite a possible significant increase in NOx emissions. However, hydrogen production at this scale is not currently economically viable.

Domingues, Bruno C.↗

Towards Energy-Positive Buildings through a Quality-Matched Energy Flow Strategy

Current strategies for net-zero buildings favor envelopes with minimized aperture ratios and limiting of solar gains through reduced glazing transmittance and emissivity. This load-reduction approach precludes strategies that maximize on-site collection of solar energy, which could increase opportunities for net-zero electricity projects. To better leverage solar resources, a whole-building strategy is proposed, referred to as “Quality-Matched Energy Flows” (or Q-MEF): capturing, transforming, buffering, and transferring irradiance on a building’s envelope—and energy derived from it—into distributed end-uses. A mid-scale commercial building was modeled in three climates with a novel Building-Integrated, Transparent, Concentrating Photovoltaic and Thermal fenestration technology (BITCoPT), thermal storage and circulation at three temperature ranges, adsorption chillers, and auxiliary heat pumps. BITCoPT generated electricity and collected thermal energy at high efficiencies while transmitting diffuse light and mitigating excess gains and illuminance. The balance of systems satisfied cooling and heating demands. Relative to baselines with similar glazing ratios, net electricity use decreased 71% in a continental climate and 100% or more in hot-arid and subtropical-moderate climates. Total EUI decreased 35%, 83%, and 52%, and peak purchased electrical demands decreased up to 6%, 32%, and 20%, respectively (with no provisions for on-site electrical storage). Decreases in utility services costs were also noted. These results suggest that with further development of electrification the Q-MEF strategy could contribute to energy-positive behavior for projects with similar typology and climate profiles.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Disulfonamide Ligands as f-Element Extractants from Alkaline High-Level Waste

Almost 100 million gallons of high level waste (HLW) has been generated from defense reprocessing programs to support nuclear weapons production. HLW is currently stored at the Hanford and Savannah River Sites (SRS) [1]. It contains radioactive components, such as {sup 137}Cs, {sup 99}Tc and {sup 90}Sr, as well as large amounts of non-radioactive species, including solvated cations and insoluble metal hydroxides. HLW has high concentration of soluble hydroxides ([OH{sup -}] = 2 M at SRS [2]), complexing inorganic anions ([NO{sub 3}{sup -}] ∼ 0.65 - 3.7 M at SRS [2]) and a high ionic strength. Even though the majority of actinide component in alkaline HLW is precipitated, studies of An(III) and Ln(III) complexation in highly alkaline solutions in the presence of high nitrate concentrations have showed that soluble nitrate complexes can be formed [3]. The current treatment of HLW at SRS currently consists of two processes: The Actinide Removal Process (ARP) and the Next-Generation Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction process (NG-CSSX). Strontium and actinides are removed by sorption on monosodium titanate through the Actinide Removal Process (ARP) commonly referred to as the alpha-strike step [4]. Then, cesium is selectively extracted from the alkaline media via the Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) process [5]. The CSSX solvent consists of a calix[4]arene-crown-6 extractant dissolved in an inert hydrocarbon matrix containing i) a solvent modifier (alkylphenoxy alcohol) which increases extractant solubility and prevents third phase formation, and ii) a suppressor (trioctylamine or guanidine) - that mitigates surfactant effects. The CSSX process removes {sup 137}Cs selectively and rapidly, yet the post- CSSX aqueous stream may still contain high amounts of An, thus requiring a second ARP treatment (referred to as 'alpha-finishing') for some tanks. Despite the success of the ARP process in removing Sr and An, it often represents the kinetic bottleneck of integrated processing, as it is slower than solvent extraction. Understanding the complexation of actinides by organic ligands that are compatible with the CSSX process could eventually lead to a combined caustic-side Cs/Sr/actinide extraction process with better economics due to a reduced amount of monosodium titanate and/or a shorter required contact time with titanate during ARP. This would ensure a low-activity waste (LAW) stream with no actinides without additional ARP processing post-CSSX. Disulfonamides were studied for extraction of Sm(III) from alkaline aqueous media of pH 10-14 into dichloromethane. Up to 82% of Sm(III) was extracted from solutions of pH 12.5 -13.5 and up to 84% from solutions of pH 10.5 - 11.5. These results show some resemblance with Am extraction results by calixarene ligands previously reported [10]. Kinetic studies demonstrated that even 5 min is enough to complete stripping, whereas extraction is time-limiting process and requires up to 20 h for efficient removal of Sm(III) from alkaline aqueous media. Determination of composition of complexes in solution after extraction by the equilibrium shift method showed a 1:1 Sm(III):dsa-2 complexation ratio for the extracted species.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Anion Effects on the Interfacial Structure and Bulk Physical Properties in Choline-Based Hydrogen-Bonded Electrolytes

Electrolytes consisting of choline (Ch) salts with acetate (Ac) and oxalate (Ox) anions were studied in mixtures with ethylene glycol (EG), in comparison to chloride (Cl)- and bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide (TFSI)-containing systems to understand the impact of anion size and charge density on the bulk electrolyte and interfacial properties. These represent hydrogen-bonded concentrated electrolytes where the Ch salts are the H-bond acceptors (HBAs) and EG is the H-bond donor (HBD) in 1:2 and 1:4 HBA:HBD ratios. Increased H-bonding in Ch 2 Ox with EG compacts the liquid compared to ChAc, consistent with the increased dissociation energies of the HBA:HBD clusters with Ox –2 calculated by density functional theory (DFT), thus leading to denser and more viscous liquids. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were used to investigate interfacial charge density and the electrode surface species. Differential capacitance curves demonstrate weak dependence on potential except for ChAc:EG, where Ac – is found to adsorb on the Au surface, in particular at +0.055 V vs Ag quasi-reference while no specific adsorption was observed on glassy carbon (GC). In situ SERS measurement confirms the formation of a surface layer in the ChAc:EG systems resulting from a Au–acetate interaction. Despite the structural similarities, Ox –2 did not show specific binding or any dependence of capacitance on potential as a result of strongly solvating EG molecules via H-bonds. Furthermore, this study shows that the charge density of the HBAs impacts both bulk properties and the electrical double-layer formation in concentrated H-bonded electrolytes that is relevant to electrochemical kinetics and morphology in electrodeposition processes and energy storage applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Corresponding Standard Reference Material Data used in Partial Least Squares Regression Models for Sugar Composition Estimates in Biomass in: Economic Impact of Yield and Composition Variation in Bioenergy Crops: Populus trichocarpa

Corresponding Standard Reference Material Data used in Partial Least Squares Regression Models for Sugar Composition Estimates in Biomass in: Economic Impact of Yield and Composition Variation in Bioenergy Crops: Populus trichocarpa (for corresponding manuscript: DOI: 10.1002/bbb.2148) PDF Files: Images of 1H NMR spectra for neutralized 2-stage acid hydrolysates of 4 NIST Standard Reference Material biomass samples (Monterey Pine 8493, Sugarcane Bagasse 8491, Wheat Straw 8494, and Eastern Cottonwood/Poplar 8492) and 2 Center for Bioenergy Innovation reference biomass samples (Poplar - Populus trichocarpa and Switchgrass - Panicum Virgatum). Suppression of the water peak was achieved using a NOESY-1D with presaturation, a recycle delay of 5 s, and a total of 64 scans. Spectra were acquired at 298 K and processed with automatic phase correction, baseline correction, and chemical shift referencing to TSP-d4. Images show all 1H data from 10 to 1ppm with inset spectra of region of interest (4.0 to 3.1 ppm). Text Files: Spectra for neutralized 2-stage acid hydrolysates of 4 NIST Standard Reference Material biomass samples (Monterey Pine 8493, Sugarcane Bagasse 8491, Wheat Straw 8494, and Eastern Cottonwood/Poplar 8492) and 2 Center for Bioenergy Innovation reference biomass samples (Poplar - Populus trichocarpa and Switchgrass - Panicum Virgatum) were converted into text files for plotting. Files contain 8192 points of raw spectral data from 12.23 to -2.78 ppm. The text file contains 4 columns of data and includes: Point number, Intensity, Hz, and ppm. Xcel Spreadsheet: HPLC measured monomeric sugar concentrations and bucketed 1H NMR data used to build monomeric sugar composition prediction models. Sugar composition in biomass determined from HPLC analyses are given in mg sugar/mg of biomass. Spectral bucketing was performed using Bruker’s AMIX software. Spectra were divided into 0.005 ppm buckets in the region of 3.10– 4.15 ppm for a total of 210 buckets. Headers for the bucketed data are the chemical shift in ppm of the center of the bucket. Bucketed data was used to build partial least squares models for subsequent predictions in The Unscrambler v. 10.5(CAMO A/S, Trondheim, Norway). The formation of methanol during hydrolysis interferes with the quantitative NMR analysis of sugars, so the methanol peak centered at 3.37 ppm and spanning four buckets (3.2925 – 3.2775 ppm) was set to zero for all spectra.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗