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DOE OSTI2020

Microengineering Pressure Sensor Active Layers for Improved Performance

Abstract Pressure sensors play an integral role in a wide range of applications, such as soft robotics and health monitoring. In order to meet this demand, many groups microengineer the active layer—the layer that deforms under pressure and dictates changes in the output signal—of capacitive, resistive/piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric pressure sensors in order to improve sensor performance. Geometric microengineering of the active layer has been shown to improve performance parameters such as sensitivity, dynamic range, limit of detection, and response and relaxation times. There are a wide range of implemented designs, including microdomes, micropyramids, lines or microridges, papillae, microspheres, micropores, and microcylinders, each offering different advantages for a particular application. It is important to compare the techniques by which the microengineered active layers are designed and fabricated as they may provide additional insights on compatibility and sensing range limits. To evaluate each fabrication method, it is critical to take into account the active layer uniformity, ease of fabrication, shape and size versatility and tunability, and scalability of both the device and the fabrication process. By better understanding how microengineering techniques and design compares, pressure sensors can be targetedly designed and implemented.

Ruth, Sara Rachel Arussy↗

DOE OSTI2024

An iterative method to deblend AGN-Host contributions for Integral Field spectroscopic observations

ABSTRACT We present a new iterative deblending method to separate the host galaxy (HG) and their Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) emission with the use of Integral Field spectroscopic (IFS) data. The method decomposes the resolved HG emission from the unresolved AGN emission by modelling the two-dimensional surface brightness (SB) profile of the point-spread function (PSF) and the two-dimensional SB HG continuum simultaneously per each monochromatic slide. Our method does not require any prior information about the observed SB profile or a detailed fitting of the PSF, making it ideal for the automatic analysis of large galaxy samples. In this work, we test the quality of our method, its advantages, and its disadvantages. We test our method by using a set of IFS mock data cubes to quantify the reliability of our deblending process and further compare our method with the qdblend3d analysis tool. Furthermore, we applied our method to three data cubes selected from the MaNGA survey according to the dominance of either its HG or its AGN. We show that our deblending method is capable of disengaging the bright, non-resolved AGN emission from the HG continuum and its narrow emission lines. However, the decoupling depends on how well the IFS spatially resolves the PSF, and on the relative flux intensity of the HG-AGN. Therefore, the method is ideal for disentangling the bright-flux contribution from AGN-dominated spectra.

Ibarra-Medel, H. (ORCID:0000000297906313)↗

DOE OSTI2023

Universal Passive Synchronization Method for Grid-Forming Inverters Without Mode Transition

Power systems are transforming with increasing levels of inverter-based resources (IBRs). This transformation requires critical roles of grid-forming (GFM) inverters replacing synchronous generators for bulk power system stabilization and ancillary services, also allowing flexible power system operation, such as microgrid that is operated by multiple GFM IBRs to achieve system resilience against contingencies. To realize the resilient power systems allowing flexible in-and-out operation of GFM IBRs potentially programmed with different primary controls, a synchronization method universally applicable, i.e., independent of control types, would be beneficial to ease the integration process, but it has not been actively studied. To fill the gap, this paper proposes a universal synchronization method that achieves a passive synchronization to enable a smooth transition in a grid with off-nominal system parameters, i.e., voltage and frequency. The logic proposed requires no modification on the primary control, thus applicable to any type of GFMs with a voltage reference input. To validate the concept, a simulation of an IEEE 13-bus benchmark system modified with 3 GFM inverters is presented. It simulates an inverter-driven black start scenario in which GFM inverters autonomously turn on and connect to the grid under heavy loading, using the synchronization logic. The case study demonstrates that GFM inverters can tune their voltage reference to smoothly synchronize without severe transients, and contribute to a seamless black start of the grid under unbalanced load conditions. Two GFM methods - Droop and dispatchable virtual oscillator control - are used for the demo to validate feasibility and interoperability of the passive synchronization.

black start↗

DOE OSTI2024

L-PBF High-Throughput Data Pipeline Approach for Multi-modal Integration

Abstract Metal-based additive manufacturing requires active monitoring solutions for assessing part quality. Multiple sensors and data streams, however, generate large heterogeneous data sets that are impractical for manual assessment and characterization. In this work, an automated pipeline is developed that enables feature extraction from high-speed camera video and multi-modal data analysis. The framework removes the need for manual assessment through the utilization of deep learning techniques and training models in a weakly supervised paradigm. We demonstrate this pipeline’s capability over 700,000 high-speed camera frames. The pipeline successfully extracts melt pool and spatter geometries and links them to corresponding pyrometry, radiography, and processparameter information. 715 individual prints are examined to reveal melt pool areas that exceeds 0.07 mm 2 and pyrometry signal over a threshold (375 pyrometry units) were more likely to have defects. These automated processes enable massive throughput of characterization techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Analysis of Conduction Cooling Strategies for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) processing consists of numerous parameters which take time to optimize for various geometries. One aspect of the metal AM process that continues to be explored is the control of thermal energy accumulation during component manufacturing due to the melting and solidification of the feedstock. Excessive energy accumulation causes thermal failure of the component while minimal energy accumulation causes lack of fusion with the build plate or previous layer. The ability to simulate the thermal response of an AM component can increase research efficiency by reducing the time to optimize thermal energy accumulation. This paper presents an effective implementation of finite element analysis to determine the thermal response of a wire arc additive manufactured component with various build plate sizes and cooling methods including, integral build plate cooling, oversized build plates with passive cooling, and non-integral build plate cooling. The use of integral build plate cooling channels was shown to decrease the interpass temperature at the conclusion of the build process by 55% and build plate temperature by 96% compared to the conventionally deposited sample with 20 second dwell time. The use of a tall build plate with passive cooling was shown to reduce the interpass temperature by 32% as compared to the conventionally deposited sample with 20 second dwell time. Each cooling strategy evaluated decreased the interpass temperature within a range of 20–55% which enables higher deposition rates and decreased dwell times during depositions. The cooling strategies are designed to be implemented in a hybrid or retrofit AM platform to mitigate concerns of the thermal input from the additive process having detrimental effects on the precision of the machining process. This paper shows that accurate simulations of all strategies can be used to accurately predict the thermal response of the various strategies discussed. These cooling strategies will allow for increased deposition rates with comparable interpass temperature and decreased dwell time, increasing deposition efficiency. This model and these simulations are verified by experimental results. It is concluded that passive strategies, such as the over-sized tall build plate, can be used when liquid coolant in the AM environment could negatively affect the deposition process. Active cooling strategies, such as the integral build plate cooling could be used if low thermal conductivity materials are deposited or higher material deposition rates are desired. This paper discusses the use of active and passive cooling used during AM and shows how a simulation model can be used to make design choices for cooling strategies. The model also enables verification of select critical process parameters such as dwell times for a desired interpass temperature.

Heinrich, Lauren↗

DOE OSTI2020

Thermally Activated Delayed Photoluminescence: Deterministic Control of Excited-State Decay

Thermally activated photophysical processes are ubiquitous in numerous organic and metal-organic molecules, leading to chromophores with excited state properties that can be considered an equilibrium mixture of the available low-lying states. Relative populations of the equilibrated states are governed by temperature. Such molecules have been devised as high quantum yield emitters in modern organic light-emitting diode technology and for deterministic excited state lifetime control to enhance chemical reactivity in solar energy conversion and photocatalytic schemes. This recent discovery of thermally activated photophysics at CdSe nanocrystal-molecule interfaces enables a new paradigm wherein molecule-quantum dot constructs are used to systematically generate material with predetermined photophysical response and excited state properties. Semiconductor nanomaterials feature size-tunable energy level engineering, which considerably expands the purview of thermally activated photophysics beyond what is possible using only molecules. This Perspective is intended to provide a non-exhaustive overview of the advances that led to the integration of semiconductor quantum dots in thermally activated delayed photoluminescence (TADPL) schemes and to identify important challenges moving into the future. The initial establishment of excited state lifetime extension utilizing triplet-triplet excited-state equilibria is detailed. Next, advances involving the rational design of molecules composed of both metal-containing and organic-based chromophores that produce the desired TADPL are described. Lastly, the recent introduction of semiconductor nanomaterials into hybrid TADPL constructs is discussed, paving the way towards the realization of fine-tuned deterministic control of excited state decay. It is envisioned that libraries of synthetically facile composites will be broadly deployed as photosensitizers and light emitters for numerous synthetic and optoelectronic applications in the near future.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

1 kV, 10-kW SiC-Based Quadruple Active Bridge DCX Stage in a DC to Three-Phase AC Module for Medium-Voltage Grid Integration

Interfacing low voltage dc to medium voltage three-phase ac grid is often based on series-stackable modular converter architectures. To minimize energy storage requirements, it is advantageous to employ a quadruple active bridge (QAB) stage operating as a "dc transformer" in each stackable module. The QAB stage offers three isolated dc link voltages, which then allow for flexible stacking of three single-phase dc-to-ac inverter stages. Each of the module phases processes a pulsating power having a component at twice the line frequency. This presents a challenge in maintaining zero voltage switching (ZVS) on the secondary sides of the QAB during low-power portions of the line cycle. This article is focused on the design of the QAB stage. A detailed analysis of ZVS switching waveforms is presented, including effects of nonlinear device capacitances. It is shown how ZVS can be achieved at all times using a relatively small circulating current provided by the magnetizing inductance of the high-frequency transformer. Analytical expressions are given for the optimal values of the magnetizing inductance and the dead times of the QAB primary and secondary bridges. This approach is verified by experimental results on a 1 kV, 10-kW SiC-based prototype, demonstrating a relatively flat efficiency curve with a peak efficiency of 97.1% at 75% load.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Roadmap for IES Modeling and Simulation Activities

Since inception of the DOE-NE Integrated Energy Systems (IES) program, several program and modeling visions and roadmaps have been published. In 2017, the last modeling and simulation capability development plan was published. In 2020, a comprehensive roadmap for the DOE-NE Integrated Energy Systems program has been published. The current report is meant to update the 2017 modeling and simulation capability roadmap and complement the IES overall program roadmap published in 2020. The role of modeling and simulation within IES is to support the demonstration of new coupled integrated technologies along every step of the technology maturation from the strategic analysis of preferred system architecture to preliminary design, to laboratory testing, up to full commercial testing and integration. To achieve this role, modeling and simulation must be able to assess the technical performance and the economic viability of potential IES. Also, modeling and simulation must provide support for experimental evaluations, i.e., support component design and real time operations of experimental demonstration systems. Finally, modeling and simulation can help scale-up experimental systems to the final commercial systems. This report details the current state of the modeling and simulation efforts within IES for the above-mentioned areas, provides a gap analysis and proposes next steps for a time horizon over the next 4 to 5 years.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2022

CO 2 utilization potential of a novel calcium ferrite based looping process fueled with coal: Experimental evaluation of various coal feedstocks and thermodynamic integrated process analysis

Here, conversion of CO 2 to CO was performed at 800-850C via reduction of calcium ferrite (CaFe 2 O 4 ) with coal followed by oxidation of reduced CaFe 2 O 4 with CO 2 to produce CO and partially oxidized Ca ferrite. The process was evaluated with several types of coals which included lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, anthracite and pet-coke. Reduction of CaFe 2 O 4 with sub-bituminous coal and lignite coal was more favorable than that with higher rank coals. Stable reactivity performance was demonstrated for 35-cycle test conducted with lignite coal/CaFe 2 O 4 at 800°C and with high conversion of CO 2 to CO. The rate of conversion of CO 2 to CO with reduced CaFe 2 O 4 was found to be 1st order with respect to CO 2 and had a low activation energy of 7.4 kJ/mol. Thermodynamic integrated process assessments suggest that two and three reactor process concepts can be realized and net CO 2 utilization achievable. The two reactor configuration shows the highest potential for CO 2 utilization while generating a value-added CO rich syngas stream.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

High-Fidelity Analysis of EV Integration on Real Utility Feeders in Colorado

Residential electric vehicle (EV) charging has the potential to alter long-held assumptions on load characteristics impacting distribution grid planning, operations, and design standards. This study identifies analysis and control methods to increase the affordability of residential EV charging both for Xcel Energy and their customers. The project also provides solutions for more reliable grid interconnection that can support a reliable utility business model prepared for increasing EV charging load in the coming years. For this project, we referenced Level 2 alternating current (AC) onboard charging profiles for various vehicle models and high-fidelity charging data collected at the experimental setup established at the EV Research Infrastructure Laboratory at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Next, we developed EV adoption models for 2030 and 2040 for the Boulder and Aurora regions in Colorado. Moreover, we evaluated different smart charging control algorithms and compared their performance. We developed time-of-use (TOU)-based and grid-aware active EV charging control methods and integrated them within the study region to understand field impacts. Diving deeper, we selected 10 feeders in Boulder and Aurora for high-fidelity grid modeling down to the house level. We executed detailed grid analysis comparing the smart charge management (SCM) algorithms we developed. Finally, we created a novel tool, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure--Distribution System Integration Tool (EVI-DiST), to integrate all the approaches in a single software environment to provide easy integration, fast simulation, and detailed evaluation capability for utility engineers and other stakeholders.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2020

The Incorporation of Pump-and-Treat Data in the New Tracking Restoration and Closure (TRAC)Web-Based Mapping Tool - 20339

Groundwater pump-and-treat (P and T) systems are a common remediation strategy for sites with contaminated groundwater within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM). Currently, there are six DOE-EM sites with active P and T systems, but integrated information on individual systems is only primarily available in separate annual reports. To provide a broad view of both current and historical P and T operations, data has been collected on all of the P and T systems. This summary information not only includes capital and average annual costs, but also identifies contaminants treated and forecasted P and T closure dates. Principal contaminants of concern treated with P and T systems include trichloroethylene, chromium (VI), strontium-90, technetium-99, and uranium. DOE-EM is continuing to create a web-based mapping tool that compiles information on groundwater contaminants, remediation strategies and, current data related to plumes and cleanup progress within all DOE-EM sites. The information collected on P and T systems will be added to the TRAC (Tracking Restoration and Closure) tool using interactive maps to quickly access and share information. This information sharing supports the transition from active to passive remediation methods and long-term monitoring approaches. TRAC can ensure that managers, stakeholders, regulators, and contractors remain up to date on cleanup progress for all sites within the complex. The information on P and T systems expands the use of TRAC and can assist in project monitoring and budget planning and support potential shifts in management plans based on plume data. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2024

A multilayer network analysis of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis: Roles for p‐tau, synaptic peptides, and physical activity

INTRODUCTION: In the aging brain, cognitive abilities emerge from the coordination of complex pathways arising from a balance between protective lifestyle and environmental factors and accumulation of neuropathologies. METHODS: As part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project (n = 440), we measured accelerometer-based actigraphy, cognitive performance, and after brain autopsy, selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. Multilevel network analysis was used to examine the relationships among the molecular machinery of vesicular neurotransmission, Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology, cognition, and late-life physical activity. RESULTS: Synaptic peptides involved in neuronal secretory function were the most influential contributors to the multilayer network, reflecting the complex interdependencies among AD pathology, synaptic processes, and late-life cognition. Older adults with lower physical activity evidenced stronger adverse relationships among phosphorylated tau peptides, markers of synaptic integrity, and tangle pathology. DISCUSSION: Network-based approaches simultaneously model interdependent biological processes and advance understanding of the role of physical activity in age-associated cognitive impairment. Highlights: Network-based approaches simultaneously model interdependent biological processes. Secretory synaptic peptides were influential contributors to the multilayer network. Older adults with lower physical activity had adverse relationships among pathology. There was interdependence among phosphorylated tau, synaptic integrity, and tangles. Network methods elucidate the role of physical activity in cognitive impairment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Synopsis of NREL's Automated Mobility District (AMD) Research Program and Associated Publications

An automated mobility district (AMD) envisions a system of integrated mobility options that serves major activity centers such as campuses, central business districts, and large medical facilities. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been investigating the implementation prospects for fully automated passenger transport systems that are deployed to operate within dense urban settings. This document provides a synopsis of findings revealed over the last three phases of work, which have yielded insights into the creation and management of AMDs anticipated to use automated vehicle (AV) technology over the next decade. Phase I and Phase II tracked the deployment and lessons learned from 10 early-stage demonstrations of automated shuttle deployments, and their associated insights into the challenges for automated driving systems to achieve safe operations within district-scale deployments. Phase III began in-depth investigations of critical subsystem components, as automation, electrification, and on-demand service continue to converge within initial AMD operations. These directed studies focus on elements of electrification, curbfront/station management, the role of infrastructure sensing, and overall integration of AMD safety management in central, simultaneous coordination of multiple AMD fleets. Future research in AMDs includes systems engineering methodology (more frequently referred to as "digital twins") for planning, design, testing, and ongoing operation of AMDs; location (or co-location) of management functions; and human supervision and passenger communications for safety and security in unattended vehicles. The synopsis references the foundational research products (papers and presentations) that have been published through conference proceedings, journal articles, and NREL reports.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Theory of Ion-Mediated Segmental Localization, Activated Structural Relaxation, and the Glass Transition in Polymerized Ionic Liquids

Here we combine polymer integral equation theory for structural correlations with a force-level theory for activated segmental relaxation to construct a microscopic theory for how ions modify the onset of segmental localization, the polymer alpha relaxation time, and glass transition temperature, T g , in dry polymerized ionic liquids (PolyILs). Our most important findings concerning the behavior of T g are (i) a weak dependence on anion–cation Coulomb attraction strength due to strong decoupling of ion and segmental dynamics, (ii) strong reduction with increasing mobile ion size due to both plasticization effects and weakening of ion-modified monomer caging, and (iii) increase with backbone rigidity and intrachain dynamic cooperativity. We quantitatively estimate T g variations as ion size and polymer static and dynamic rigidity are widely varied. The experimental data of 19 PolyILs are organized into a specific pattern consistent with the theoretical predictions with glass transition temperatures varying over a very wide range (~250 K) as observed experimentally. Based on the theoretical results, suggestions are made concerning the search for high conductivity Li- or Na-based PolyILs based on further lowering of T g via new polymer synthesis. Calculations of the alpha time as a function of packing fraction reveal the dynamic fragility increases for larger mobile ions, a more flexible backbone, and/or a smaller degree of intrachain dynamic cooperativity, as a consequence of the increasing importance of collective elasticity in determining the activation barrier. An analysis of transient segmental localization and a crossover to activated dynamics reveals similar, but not identical, trends as predicted at the laboratory vitrification timescale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Opportunities for enhancing MLCommons efforts while leveraging insights from educational MLCommons earthquake benchmarks efforts

MLCommons is an effort to develop and improve the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem through benchmarks, public data sets, and research. It consists of members from start-ups, leading companies, academics, and non-profits from around the world. The goal is to make machine learning better for everyone. In order to increase participation by others, educational institutions provide valuable opportunities for engagement. In this article, we identify numerous insights obtained from different viewpoints as part of efforts to utilize high-performance computing (HPC) big data systems in existing education while developing and conducting science benchmarks for earthquake prediction. As this activity was conducted across multiple educational efforts, we project if and how it is possible to make such efforts available on a wider scale. This includes the integration of sophisticated benchmarks into courses and research activities at universities, exposing the students and researchers to topics that are otherwise typically not sufficiently covered in current course curricula as we witnessed from our practical experience across multiple organizations. As such, we have outlined the many lessons we learned throughout these efforts, culminating in the need for benchmark carpentry for scientists using advanced computational resources. The article also presents the analysis of an earthquake prediction code benchmark while focusing on the accuracy of the results and not only on the runtime; notedly, this benchmark was created as a result of our lessons learned. Energy traces were produced throughout these benchmarks, which are vital to analyzing the power expenditure within HPC environments. Additionally, one of the insights is that in the short time of the project with limited student availability, the activity was only possible by utilizing a benchmark runtime pipeline while developing and using software to generate jobs from the permutation of hyperparameters automatically. It integrates a templated job management framework for executing tasks and experiments based on hyperparameters while leveraging hybrid compute resources available at different institutions. The software is part of a collection called cloudmesh with its newly developed components, cloudmesh-ee (experiment executor) and cloudmesh-cc (compute coordinator).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Weighted active space protocol for multireference machine-learned potentials

Multireference methods such as multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory accurately capture electronic correlation in systems with strong multiconfigurational character, but their cost precludes direct use in molecular dynamics. Combining these methods with machine-learned interatomic potentials (MLPs) can extend their reach. However, the sensitivity of multireference calculations to the choice of the active space complicates the consistent evaluation of energies and gradients across structurally diverse nuclear configurations. To overcome this limitation, we introduce the weighted active space protocol (WASP), a systematic approach to assign a consistent active space for a given system across uncorrelated configurations. By integrating WASP with MLPs and enhanced sampling techniques, we propose a data-efficient active learning cycle that enables the training of an MLP on multireference data. We demonstrated the approach on the TiC + -catalyzed C–H activation of methane, a reaction that poses challenges for Kohn–Sham density functional theory due to its significant multireference character. This framework enables accurate and efficient modeling of catalytic dynamics, establishing a paradigm for simulating complex reactive processes beyond the limits of conventional electronic-structure methods.

enhanced sampling↗

DOE OSTI2021

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Hormones in Plant Responses to Temperature Changes

Temperature stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that adversely affect agricultural productivity worldwide. Temperatures beyond a plant’s physiological optimum can trigger significant physiological and biochemical perturbations, reducing plant growth and tolerance to stress. Improving a plant’s tolerance to these temperature fluctuations requires a deep understanding of its responses to environmental change. To adapt to temperature fluctuations, plants tailor their acclimatory signal transduction events, and specifically, cellular redox state, that are governed by plant hormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulatory systems, and other molecular components. The role of ROS in plants as important signaling molecules during stress acclimation has recently been established. Here, hormone-triggered ROS produced by NADPH oxidases, feedback regulation, and integrated signaling events during temperature stress activate stress-response pathways and induce acclimation or defense mechanisms. At the other extreme, excess ROS accumulation, following temperature-induced oxidative stress, can have negative consequences on plant growth and stress acclimation. The excessive ROS is regulated by the ROS scavenging system, which subsequently promotes plant tolerance. All these signaling events, including crosstalk between hormones and ROS, modify the plant’s transcriptomic, metabolomic, and biochemical states and promote plant acclimation, tolerance, and survival. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the ROS, hormones, and their joint role in shaping a plant’s responses to high and low temperatures, and we conclude by outlining hormone/ROS-regulated plant responsive strategies for developing stress-tolerant crops to combat temperature changes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Engineering activatable promoters for scalable and multi-input CRISPRa/i circuits

Dynamic, multi-input gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are ubiquitous in nature. Multilayer CRISPR-based genetic circuits hold great promise for building GRNs akin to those found in naturally occurring biological systems. We develop an approach for creating high-performing activatable promoters that can be assembled into deep, wide, and multi-input CRISPR-activation and -interference (CRISPRa/i) GRNs. By integrating sequence-based design and in vivo screening, we engineer activatable promoters that achieve up to 1,000-fold dynamic range in an Escherichia coli-based cell-free system. These components enable CRISPRa GRNs that are six layers deep and four branches wide. We show the generalizability of the promoter engineering workflow by improving the dynamic range of the light-dependent EL222 optogenetic system from 6-fold to 34-fold. Additionally, high dynamic range promoters enable CRISPRa systems mediated by small molecules and protein–protein interactions. We apply these tools to build input-responsive CRISPRa/i GRNs, including feedback loops, logic gates, multilayer cascades, and dynamic pulse modulators. Our work provides a generalizable approach for the design of high dynamic range activatable promoters and enables classes of gene regulatory functions in cell-free systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗