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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Chemical clocks: using otolith geochemistry to enhance estimation of age and growth of white hake (Urophycis tenuis)

The white hake (Urophycis tenuis) is a groundfish distributed throughout the Gulf of Maine. Catch advice is based on stock assessments done with age-based population dynamics models; however, otolith aging is challenging because of unclear growth increments. To address this concern, we compared the consistency of aging with counts of visual annuli to that of aging with cycles of elemental concentrations measured by using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We tested the hypothesis that oscillations in both environmental conditions and internal physiology through time influence uptake of elements during otolith mineralization. Concentrations of manganese, in comparison with those of the other investigated trace elements (magnesium, strontium, and barium), had the most promising correlation with visual growth increments (~100% age agreement, ±1 year), offering an additional tool to enhance increment identification. In our examination of 550 otoliths collected during 2007–2021, we found that white hake lived a maximum of 10.3 years and exhibited sexual dimorphism in maximum length and age. By using generated von Bertalanffy growth functions, L(t)=110(1–e–0.113(t+0.45)) for males and L(t)=140(1–e–0.113(t–0.30)) for females (where L(t) is length at time t), size and age at maturity were calculated for males (37.4 cm in total length (TL), 3.3 years) and females (47.4 cm TL, 4.2 years). These results demonstrate that otolith geochemistry can be used to improve the accuracy and precision of the estimation of fish age and maturity, even for challenging species.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of Two-Phase Dense Fluid Expander for Advanced Cryogenic Air Separation and Low-Grade Heat Recovery

Cryogenic air separation represents the state-of-the-art technology to produce oxygen to feed coal gasification units. Given the maturity of this technology, it is difficult to identify opportunities to improve process efficiency and reduce the cost of the oxygen produced. However, Air Products conducted research and a feasibility investigation into the use of a two-phase (liquid-vapor) dense fluid expander (DFE) to improve the overall efficiency of cryogenic air separation. Demonstration of this novel concept was intended to allow two important process improvements: 1) elimination of the need for the DFE discharge to be single phase 2) expansion of the operating region of expanders in ASU service. Expanding the scope of turboexpander application beyond current application limits and traditional device designs would allow an increase in power recovery, and application of refrigeration and power recovery at new locations in process cycles would also enable the implementation of new process concepts. These new process concepts include power recovery from compression waste heat and refrigeration extraction and power recovery by replacing let-down valves with two-phase DFEs. Considering the maturity of cryogenic air separation, these new process options could represent a step change in power reduction and provide significant savings in operating costs. These new concepts would be particularly well-suited to large-scale oxygen production by cryogenic air separation and would enhance the economics of producing oxygen for use in coal gasification processes. Rotoflow, an Air Products business unit, manufactures dense fluid expanders in Pennsylvania for sites around the world. This project was executed in two phases, which are illustrated in Figure 1 below. Phase 1 consisted of a feasibility investigation of multiple applications of two-phase DFEs. In Phase 2, devices were identified, designed, fabricated and tested to explore the feasibility of commercial applications of DFEs operating in two-phase service. Engineering and testing were performed by personnel in Air Products’ Rotoflow business unit, with coordination with other Air Products business units.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2021

Technology Advancement and Insertion into Operating Nuclear Facilities

Key challenges in the NNSA modernization effort are centered around the selection of new processing / production technologies to deploy in existing, operating, and oftentimes, aging nuclear facilities. New uranium processing technologies may offer significant improvements in worker and environmental safety, material control and accountability, and production efficiencies, but adaptation of these technologies into existing facilities presents unique (and usually, difficult) engineering solutions for each new technology. This presentation discusses approaches utilized at Y-12 to mature and demonstrate new processing and production technologies for deployment into nuclear facilities. The technology advancement lifecycle (from concept to deployment) of uranium electrorefining technologies will be reviewed, as a prototypical example, to describe steps and approaches utilized at Y-12 (and NNSA Sites) to (i) mature technologies and manufacturing strategies, (ii) establish testbed capabilities for full-scale process demonstrations, and (iii) reduce risks associated with operational disruptions when commissioning new uranium processing technologies.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Technology Advancement and Insertion into Operating Nuclear Facilities

Key challenges in the NNSA modernization effort are centered around the selection of new processing / production technologies to deploy in existing, operating, and oftentimes, aging nuclear facilities. New uranium processing technologies may offer significant improvements in worker and environmental safety, material control and accountability, and production efficiencies, but adaptation of these technologies into existing facilities presents unique (and usually, difficult) engineering solutions for each new technology. This presentation discusses approaches utilized at Y-12 to mature and demonstrate new processing and production technologies for deployment into aging nuclear facilities. The technology advancement lifecycle (from concept to deployment) of uranium electrorefining technologies will be reviewed, as a prototypical example, to describe steps and approaches utilized at Y-12 (and NNSA Sites) to (i) mature technologies and manufacturing strategies, (ii) establish testbed capabilities for full-scale process demonstrations, and (iii) reduce risks associated with operational disruptions when commissioning new uranium processing technologies.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2020

Metal Bioavailability and Ecotoxicity of Bioremediated Oils and Tailings by BioTiger{sup TM}, a Microbial Consortium

Oil Sands and Mature Fine Tailings: Oil sand reserves are a major source of oil for the United States. Oil sands are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen. The refining process requires large volumes of water and generates hazardous Mature Fine Tailings (MFTs) that are stored in engineered settling ponds. They are of major environmental concern due to their persistence and difficulty to naturally biodegrade. MFT Contaminants of Concern: Naphthenic Acids (NAs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX), Metals, Residual Bitumen. BioTiger{sup TM} (BT{sup TM}), the SRNL patented 12 component microbial consortia was found to cometabolically degrade some NAs and PAHs. Previous studies performing short term exposure (48 hours and 7 days) to BT{sup TM} have resulted in increased toxicity due to the partial degradation of PAHs forming toxic intermediates. Objective: Evaluate the ecotoxicity of BT{sup TM} remediated MFTs exposed to a 2 week period w/ yeast (Y) extract. This work will determine BT{sup TM}'s remediation of MFTs from Fort McMurray, Alberta. Acute toxicity tests will be performed under section 9 of EPA's Method for Measuring Acute Toxicity using the freshwater organism, Ceriodaphnia dubia. Monitor BT{sup TM} growth through Most Probable Number (MPN) counts, pH, and metal bioavailability will also be evaluated. Preparing tailing solutions for biodegradation: BT{sup TM} components were grown in R2A media and combined. Mother BT{sup TM} was centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 20 minutes and resuspended in Bushnell Haus. 33 g of tailings were added to 1100 mL Bushnell Haus along with yeast extract (11 g) to create a 3% tailing solution. Treatments were performed in triplicate. Preparing solutions for toxicity tests using C. dubia: Supernatant was collected immediately after centrifuging at 7000 rpm for 20 min. Supernatant was filtered via a 0.22 μm sterile system. All treatments except MFT, Y peaked at T=4. This decrease in microbial growth could be associated with toxicity from intermediate byproducts. Treatments containing only MFTs decreased in the initial 11 days before growing significantly. Final solution for MFT, Y treatment had the highest pH. This could potentially be due to increased microbial activity linked with yeast consumption. All treatments except MFT, Y peaked at T=4. This decrease in microbial growth could be associated with toxicity from intermediate byproducts. Treatments containing only MFTs decreased in the initial 11 days before growing significantly. Future Direction: Await results from Acute Toxicity Tests and Metal Bioavailability Quantification of biosurfactant production. Evaluate hydrocarbon degradation byproducts using an analytical chemistry approach. More toxicity experiments with variations in time and conditions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Technology Assessment for Radioiodine at the Hanford Site - 20240

An evaluation was conducted to assess the practicability of technologies of sufficient promise and maturity to warrant treatability tests for remediating radioiodine (I-129) in groundwater at the 200-UP-1 operable unit at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site. Technologies were evaluated based on recent updated knowledge of subsurface iodine transport behavior at Hanford, and the effectiveness, implementability, and cost of potential treatment technologies for I-129. Because more than two-thirds of the iodine at Hanford is estimated to be present in its oxidized form as iodate, treatment technologies were evaluated with respect to addressing iodate. In situ treatments were identified as having limited implementability because the plume core is located directly beneath the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility disposal cells, a landfill used for the disposal of low-level radioactive, hazardous, and mixed wastes generated from Hanford cleanup activities. Further limitations in treatment technologies for radioiodine were due to the isotopic distribution of subsurface iodine. Data indicate that stable iodine (I- 127) concentrations are up to three orders of magnitude greater than I-129, limiting the effectiveness of potential technologies because they are not isotope-specific. Ex situ approaches also lacked the effectiveness and maturity required to treat I-129. Hence, the technology evaluation did not identify any technologies that needed treatability testing, driven by site and contaminant properties that hinder effectiveness and/or implementability of the technologies. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Current Status of the Synroc Waste Treatment Facility - 20263

Construction of the Synroc Waste Treatment Facility is well underway at ANSTO. This plant has been designed to treat intermediate level liquid waste arising from the production of Mo-99 within the newly constructed ANSTO Nuclear Medicine (ANM) precinct [1]. The facility utilises ANSTO Synroc technology that has been tailored to the chemical, physical, and radiological properties of the waste. The result is a highly durable wasteform with a significant reduction in the final volume of the treated waste. This paper presents the construction status of the Synroc Waste Treatment Facility and the status of the associated technology maturation plan. Construction of the building is scheduled for completion in late 2020 followed by process installation and commissioning. A key component of the technology maturation plan has been the construction of an Inactive Engineering Demonstrator [2]. This has aided in the mitigation of risks with respect to technology selection, process integration, and process nuclearisation. Furthermore, the demonstration facility has provided an environment for the design and development of the instrumentation and control philosophy resulting in a seamlessly integrated plant control system. Successful demonstration of the technology by the inactive engineering demonstrator has significantly reduced the associated risks. Details of the Synroc Waste Treatment Facility project progress will also be presented. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

Preparing For Advanced Air Mobility: A System-Level Framework For Infrastructure, Investment, and Deployment

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is moving from demonstration toward early deployment, supported by a growing national strategy that outlines how these systems may evolve across airspace, infrastructure, and operations. As this transition takes shape, a more practical question comes into focus: what does it mean to be ready? This paper introduces a Capability Maturity Model (CMM) as a structured way to think about that challenge. Rather than treating readiness as a fixed condition, it frames it as a progression - one that develops across multiple, interdependent domains over time.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

High-Biomass Sorghums as a Feedstock for Renewable Fuels and Chemicals

High-biomass sorghums are intended for use in biorefineries that convert vegetative biomass into renewable fuels and chemicals. The majority of plant biomass consists of cell walls, a complex matrix of cellulose, hemicellulosic polysaccharides and lignin. In the biorefinery, the biomass is ground and then subjected to a thermo-chemical pretreatment (elevated temperature, high pressure, chemical catalysts) that disrupts the cell wall matrix and solubilizes some of the cell wall polymers, followed by enzymatic saccharification of the cellulose, which produces D-glucose. The glucose and sometimes also the xylose derived from the hydrolysis of the hemicellulosic polysaccharides, are subsequently converted to fuels or other useful chemicals by microbial biocatalysts. The genetic improvement of high-biomass sorghums has as its ultimate goals to maximize the yield of fermentable sugars on a per-hectare basis, to minimize the inputs of fertilizer, irrigation, fungicides and pesticides and to reduce the environmental footprint. Breeding strategies thus need to target biomass yield, biomass composition, maturity, pest and disease resistance and nutrient use efficiency. Furthermore, this chapter reviews the genetic basis of these traits and their potential application in breeding programs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

The HypA and HypB metallochaperones from Methanococcus maripaludis have unique metal-binding properties and a distinct nickel transfer mechanism

[NiFe] hydrogenases are widespread microbial metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible conversion of hydrogen (H2) to protons and electrons, playing key roles in energy metabolism. The biosynthesis of the NiFe(CN) 2 CO cofactor involves a suite of maturation proteins, including the HypA and HypB nickel metallochaperones. Here, we define the metal-binding properties, nucleotide-dependent behavior, and functional interplay of HypA and HypB from the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaeon, Methanococcus maripaludis . Methanogens have multiple essential nickel-dependent enzymes, so they require efficient systems for nickel delivery that remain largely unexplored. Purified M. maripaludis HypA binds zinc or mononuclear iron at the C-terminal metal binding site, the latter of which has not been reported in other HypA proteins and may serve a unique regulatory role in methanogens. The G-protein metallochaperone HypB binds nickel at the G-domain, which stimulates GTPase activity. Size exclusion chromatography experiments reveal that HypA and HypB form complexes in the presence of nickel, and zinc-bound HypA is optimized for nickel transfer from HypB. The identity of the nucleotide bound to HypB (GDP or GTP) alters the oligomeric state of HypA-HypB complexes, supporting a GTPase-mediated nickel delivery pathway. The HypA-HypB 2 complex configuration is enriched and stable in the presence of GDP and nickel, indicating that this complex delivers nickel to the hydrogenase as opposed to HypA alone. Interestingly, affinity purification-mass spectrometry revealed that HypB interacts with several nickel-dependent proteins, suggesting that HypB may play a broader role in nickel homeostasis in M. maripaludis . Together, this work establishes a biochemical framework for HypAB-mediated nickel trafficking in methanogens.

[NiFe] hydrogenase↗
DOE OSTI2021

Recent advances in the mechanical characterization of shales at nano-to micro-scales: A review

Understanding geomechanical properties of shales, such as stiffness properties and fracture toughness, is important in different areas of petroleum industry-related activities. Nanoscale to microscale experiments on shale samples require a much smaller sample compared to macroscale experiments. This is a major advantage because irregularly-shaped drill cuttings from shales can be used for experimental analyses, such as nanoindentation or atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, characterization of mechanical properties at the nano- to micro-scale is a relatively new addition to classical geomechanical experiments on shales, and there is still a lack of both fundamental knowledge and standard procedures for conducting experiments at this scale. The theoretical principles of nanoindentation-based (Gridded Nanoindentation and Modulus Mapping) and AFM-based experimental methods (PeakForce QNMTM and AFM-IR), a review of the literature results and the major findings are explained in Sections 2 and 3, respectively. These experimental techniques are compared in Section 4. Overall, nanoindentation experiments reveal the anisotropy of organic matter (OM)-rich shales at the nanoscale, and it is shown that gridded nanoindentation is capable of characterizing different minerals with respect to their stiffness properties. The capability of AFM (PeakForce QNMTM) to differentiate between different minerals within OM-rich shales with distinct mechanical properties, in particular stiffness, is also demonstrated. It is shown that AFM-based methods are more straightforward than gridded-nanoindentation to characterize OM-rich shales based on the stiffness of different constituent minerals of OM-rich shales, but nanoindentation can apply higher loads than AFM-based methods. Therefore, they can measure creep properties and fracture toughness of OM-rich shales. Here, it is shown that the OM is the most compliant part of the OM-rich shales, but it is still unclear if thermal maturation has an impact on the stiffness of OM. It is necessary to investigate if there is a relationship between the OM type (kerogen, bitumen, etc.) and mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and Creep rate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optimized simple and affordable procedure for differentiation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells from LRF: An accessible and valid alternative biological source

Dendritic cells are one of the most popular immune cells, which plays a remarkable role in both immunotherapy and tolerance induction. Due to unwanted side effects of leukocyte presence in donated blood, the policy of blood service is the pre-storage reduction of leukocytes, which today, filtration is the most common method for this purpose. The filtration method has led to diminished access to Buffy coat as a generally used conventional source of biological cells. We developed a simple, affordable, and reproducible method for dendritic cell differentiation from filter-derived monocytes and, the results of the filter study were compared with differentiated DCs from the conventional buffy coat-derived monocytes. The Monocytes were recovered from leukoreduction filter using an optimized protocol with supplemented PBS buffer. Following the adhesion method, CD14{sup +} Monocyte-enriched population with the purity of 94 % was obtained. After cytokine stimulation over a 6-day period and maturation induction by LPS, differentiated DCs were evaluated for morphology, surface markers (CD86, CD40, CD83 and, HLA-DR), antigen uptake potency and IL-12 secretion. Analysis and comparison of the results represented no significant difference between the two groups. Accordingly, we conclude that leukoreduction filters could be introduced as a reliable and research-grade source of monocyte for DC generation in biological research.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evaluation of “Tight Oil” Well Performance and Completion Practices in the Powder River Basin - “Time Slice” Analysis

The objective of this paper is to assess how well completion practices and well performance have evolved over time (“time slices”) in the tight sands and shales of the Powder River Basin (PRB). This information can provide a foundation for helping operators define more effective well completion practices and thus optimize well performance in an emerging “tight oil” basin. To start, the authors assembled a “database” containing well completion practices, production data, and geologic information for more than 800 horizontal (Hz) wells targeting three “tight oil” formations -- Turner, Frontier, and Mowry--placed on production in the past dozen years. To control for the impact of geologic and reservoir properties on well performance, the authors defined 12 geologically distinct areas (“partitions”) for the Turner, Frontier, and Mowry Shale in the Powder River Basin (4 partitions in each formation). This paper discusses the methodology for establishing “time slices” for each partition within each of the three “tight oil” formations, including (1) taking out, to the extent practical, the effects of geology by partitioning the three “tight oil” formations based on their geologic parameters; (2) using type curves and estimated ultimate recoveries (EURs) to establish a reliable measure of well performance; and (3) rigorously inspecting the production and well completion data to assure a quality dataset. Partition #2, a high thermal maturity area of the Frontier Sandstone in the western Powder River Basin, helps illustrate the results of the study. Using a dataset of 55 Hz wells, the study found that well performance has steadily improved, with oil EURs increasing from 180 MBbl in 2012-13 to 290 MBbl in 2018-19. Much of this improvement was due to the use of longer Hz laterals, increasing notably from 3,765 ft in 2012-13 to 10,260 ft in 2018-19. More intensive completion practices contributed, as well. For example, the number of frac stages more than doubled, from 17 to 35, and proppant concentrations increased from 1,060 lbs/ft to 1,320 lbs/ft. Finally, the data show diminishing returns to longer laterals and more intensive completion practices. For example, the key performance measure of oil EUR per 1,000 ft of lateral is decreasing. For 2012-13, Hz wells recovered 50 MBbl of oil per 1,000 ft of lateral while the more recent 2018-19 Hz wells only provide 30 MBbl of oil per 1,000 ft of lateral. Considerable insight can be gained by using “time slices” and geologic partitioning to better understand the relationship between changes in well drilling and completion practices and changes in well performance in emerging “tight oil” plays. The results from this study can also serve as a foundation for subsequent, more intense efforts involving data analytics for defining more optimum well completion practices targeting specified geologic settings and formations.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2020

Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition to Scale Manufacturing of Robust Catalysts for Biomass Conversion Applications: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-17-715

This CRADA will facilitate technology maturation for NREL-developed ALD-coated catalyst materials that are tailored for durability during harsh biomass conversion chemistries. This project will address optimizing process parameters for scale-up of Al2O3 ALD-coated catalysts, demonstrating ALD-coated catalyst performance for muconic acid hydrogenation, and validating economic models that project significant cost benefits for ALD-enhanced catalytic processes. This work will strengthen private-public partnerships in the area of advanced catalyst manufacturing for energy-related technology. Critical information will be collected to elevate the Technology Readiness Level and increase our competitiveness for cooperative R&D agreements and licensing. Success of this work will be crosscutting as it can facilitate advanced catalyst development for both renewable and conventional processes.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Viral Capsid Change upon Encapsulation of Double-Stranded DNA into an Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus-like Particle

In this study, we aimed to encapsulate the sizable double-stranded DNA (dsDNA, 3.9 kbp) into a small-sized infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus-like particle (IHHNV-VLP; T = 1) and compared the changes in capsid structure between dsDNA-filled VLP and empty VLP. Based on our encapsulation protocol, IHHNV-VLP was able to load dsDNA at an efficiency of 30–40% (w/w) into its cavity. Structural analysis revealed two subclasses of IHHNV-VLP, so-called empty and dsDNA-filled VLPs. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the empty VLP produced in E. coli was similar to that of the empty IHHNV-VLP produced in Sf9 insect cells. The size of the dsDNA-filled VLP was slightly bigger (50 Å) than its empty VLP counterpart; however, the capsid structure was drastically altered. The capsid was about 1.5-fold thicker due to the thickening of the capsid interior, presumably from DNA–capsid interaction evident from capsid protrusions or nodules on the interior surface. In addition, the morphological changes of the capsid exterior were particularly observed in the vicinity of the five-fold axes, where the counter-clockwise twisting of the “tripod” structure at the vertex of the five-fold channel was evident, resulting in a widening of the channel’s opening. Whether these capsid changes are similar to virion capsid maturation in the host cells remains to be investigated. Nevertheless, the ability of IHHNV-VLP to encapsulate the sizable dsDNA has opened up the opportunity to package a dsDNA vector that can insert exogenous genes and target susceptible shrimp cells in order to halt viral infection.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Shaping the Infrared luminescence of Colloidal Nanocrystals Using a Dielectric Microcavity

As they have gained maturity, colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) have also expand the spectral range over of which they could be used for photonic and optoelectronic applications. In particular, the infrared use of NCs has become of utmost interest to develop cost-effective alternatives to current technologies. It is then critical not to let the material dictate the light–matter interaction, which is why the coupling of NCs to photonic cavities has been proposed. For infrared NCs, this approach has first been devoted to the control of absorption with in mind the increase of the signal magnitude for detectors. A Lot of efforts have been focused on the use of metallic metasurfaces. However, these generate significant optical losses and yield low quality factor. Here, this study rather focus on the coupling of infrared NCs to a dielectric mirror cavity. HgTe/CdS core-shell NCs are used and integrated into a cavity made of aperiodic dielectric mirrors. The effect of the substrate is systematically study on spectral linewidth, carrier dynamic, and emission directivity. The cavity is shown to narrow the PL by a factor 10, while focusing the emission over a 12° angle. Monitoring the power dependence of the emission, this study shows that the cavity leads to 250 K increase in the effective electronic temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low‐Loss Far‐Infrared Surface Phonon Polaritons in Suspended SrTiO 3 Nanomembranes

Phonon polaritons (PhPs), excitations arising from the coupling of light with lattice vibrations, enable light confinement and local field enhancement, which is essential for various photonic and thermal applications. To date, PhPs with high confinement and low loss are mainly observed in the mid-infrared regime and mostly in manually exfoliated flakes of van der Waals (vdW) materials. In this work, the existence of low-loss, thickness-tunable phonon polaritons in the far-infrared regime within transferable freestanding SrTiO 3 membranes synthesized through a scalable approach, achieving high figures of merit is demonstrated, which are comparable to the previous record values from the vdW materials. Leveraging atomic precision in thickness control, large dimensions, and compatibility with mature oxide electronics, functional oxide membranes present a promising large-scale 2D platform alternative to vdW materials for on-chip polaritonic technologies in the infrared regime.

functional oxide membranes↗
DOE OSTI2026

Peptide‐Induced Ferroelectricity in Charge‐Transfer Supramolecular Materials

Organic ferroelectrics are of great interest in sustainable energy conversion, information storage, flexible electronics, and potential biomedical applications as soft implants, among many other applications. Despite their broad potential, the development of organic ferroelectrics has remained limited, with only a few known examples in solid-state systems, primarily due to the lack of well-established design strategies compared to inorganic systems. Bio-inspired supramolecular chemistry offers a path to create functional nanostructures that are water-processable and biocompatible. We report here on supramolecular charge transfer (CT) systems in which peptides are covalently linked to dyads of electron-donating and electron-accepting moieties, creating amphiphiles that self-assemble into nanoscale ribbons in water. The peptide chirality-induced symmetry breaking in these crystalline nanostructures not only results in second harmonic activity but also generates ferroelectric behavior across multiple CT systems, demonstrating a versatile supramolecular approach to the design of new organic ferroelectrics. Furthermore, culturing primary neuron cells on coatings of the ferroelectric materials promoted axonal growth and enhanced action potentials, indicating improved neuronal maturity facilitated by the polar structure of the ferroelectric nanomaterials. The supramolecular strategy used here holds promise to create new water-processable ferroelectric biomaterials, opening avenues for innovative applications in cell charge transfer, neuronal axon growth, peptide symmetry breaking, self-assembling peptides, supramolecular ferroelectrics, proliferation, and bioelectronics.

charge transfer↗