Metabolic engineering of microbial competitive advantage for industrial fermentation processes
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Shaw, A. Joe↗
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Interrelation of technologies for RW preparation and sites for final isolation of the wastes from pyrochemical processing of SNF
For the justification of engineering solutions and practical testing of the radiochemical component of the perspective nuclear power complex with on-site variant of nuclear fuel cycle (NFC), it is planned to establish a multi-functional research-development complex (MFCRC) for radiochemical processing of spent nuclear fuels (SNF) from fast reactors. MFCRC is being established at the NIIAR site, it comprises technological process lines, where innovation pyro-electrochemical and hydrometallurgical technologies are realized, with an option for closing the inter-chain material flows for testing the combined radiochemically converted materials. The technological flowchart for processing at the MFCRC is subdivided into 3 segments: -) complex of the lead operations for dismantling the fuel elements (FE) and fuel assemblies (FA), -) pyrochemical extraction flowchart for processing SNF, and -) hydrometallurgical flowchart for processing SNF. The engineered solutions for the management and disposition of the radioactive wastes from MFCRC are reviewed.
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
Plant biomass fermentation by the extreme thermophile Caldicellulosiruptor bescii for co-production of green hydrogen and acetone: Technoeconomic analysis
A variety of chemical and biological processes have been proposed for conversion of sustainable low-cost feedstocks into industrial products. Here, a biorefinery concept is formulated, modeled, and analyzed in which a naturally (hemi)cellulolytic and extremely thermophilic bacterium, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, is metabolically engineered to convert the carbohydrate content of lignocellulosic biomasses (i.e., soybean hulls, transgenic poplar) into green hydrogen and acetone. Experimental validation of C. bescii fermentative performance demonstrated 82% carbohydrate solubilization of soybean hulls and 55% for transgenic poplar. A detailed technical design, including equipment specifications, provides the basis for an economic analysis that establishes metabolic engineering targets. This robust industrial process leveraging metabolically engineered C. bescii yields 206 kg acetone and 25 kg H 2 per metric ton of soybean hull, or 174 kg acetone and 21 kg H 2 per metric ton transgenic poplar. Beyond this specific case, the model demonstrates industrial feasibility and economic advantages of thermophilic fermentation.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Uptake and speciation of trace metal inputs to Wetland Soils from Illinois and South Carolina and Stream Sediments from Tennessee
Metals occur in all ecosystems, although their concentrations vary depending on their natural geologic conditions and surrounding human activities. In addition to metals intrinsically present from the geology of a particular system, metals can enter environmental systems from a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, such as sediment re-suspension, mining operations, industrial processes, agricultural activities, and atmospheric deposition. While metals can be toxic at high concentrations, some metals serve as essential micronutrients for biogeochemical processes. Metal transport and availability in engineered and natural water systems depend on processes of adsorption/desorption, oxidation/reduction, dissolution/precipitation, and ligand complexation. Insights into the speciation of metals and their bioavailability will also help advance understanding of the roles of metals in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. We conducted batch experiments under anoxic conditions on soils and sediments collected from three different natural aquatic systems to understand their response to influxes of dissolved Cu, Ni and Zn. While soils and sediments from all sites could strongly bind added trace metals, there were substantial differences in trace metal uptake trends between different sites, especially for Cu. There was no distinct correlation between trace metal uptake and the total organic matter, iron, and sulfur content present in the samples. X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicated that the speciation of the freshly added metals taken up by the solids differs substantially from the speciation of the metals originally present in unamended samples. Cu sulfides dominated speciation at low loadings (1 µmol/g), whereas complexation to thiol groups and formation of metallic Cu governed speciation at high loadings (10 µmol/g). For Ni and Zn, adsorption to mineral surfaces and organic matter governed their speciation in materials from most sites. This study suggests that the background speciation of metals in natural aquatic systems is a poor predictor of the speciation and lability of metals introduced to terrestrial aquatic systems from anthropogenic or natural processes. Our findings imply that geochemical processes controlling trace metal speciation may vary considerably with metal loading in different natural systems. Data are provided for marsh wetland soils at Argonne National Laboratory (Marsh 1 and Marsh 2), riparian wetland soils (Riparian 1 and Riparian 2) in the Tims Branch watershed at Savannah River National Laboratory, and stream bed sediments (Stream 1 and Stream 2) from East Fork Poplar Creek near Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Data package includes the results of trace metal uptake experiments conducted on the selected sites for determining their capacity to immobilize metals under different loadings. XANES spectra for Cu, Ni, ad Zn at different loadings are included in the package. The abundance of different trace metal species obtained using linear combination fitting in ATHENA are also included in the data.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Real-time kinematic (RTK) Drone-collected Data and Processed Models of Port Arthur Coastal Neighborhood and Pleasure Island Golf Course, June 2024
The Southeast Texas Urban Integrated field lab’s Co-design team captured aerial photos in the Port Arthur Coastal Neighborhood Community and the Golf Course on Pleasure Island, Texas, in June 2024. Aerial photos taken were through autonomous flight, and models were processed through the DroneDeploy engine. All aerial photos are in .JPG format and contained in zipped files for each area. The processed data package includes 3D models, geospatial data, mappings, and point clouds. Please be aware that DTM, Elevation toolbox, Point Cloud, and Orthomosaic use EPSG: 6588. And 3D Model uses EPSG: 3857.For using these data:- The Adobe Suite gives you great software to open .Tif files.- You can use LASUtility (Windows), ESRI ArcGIS Pro (Windows), or Blaze3D (Windows, Linux) to open a LAS file and view the data it contains.- Open an .OBJ file with a large number of free and commercial applications. Some examples include Microsoft 3D Builder, Apple Preview, Blender, and Autodesk.- You may use ArcGIS, Merkaartor, Blender (with the Google Earth Importer plug-in), Global Mapper, and Marble to open .KML files.- The .tfw world file is a text file used to georeference the GeoTIFF raster images, like the orthomosaic and the DSM. You need suitable software like ArcView to open a .TFW file.This dataset provides researchers with sufficient geometric data and the status quo of the land surface at the locations mentioned above. This dataset will support researchers' decision-making processes under uncertainties.
2D mapping↗
A Practical Application of Integrated Systems Engineering and Project Management on a Complex EPC Project - 17207
This paper introduces how an integrated set of Systems Engineering (SE) and Project Management (PM) processes were applied in a practical way, to address the challenges on a complex, highly technical, Engineering Procurement Construction project within the nuclear field. This approach was inspired by: - the principles contained in a Community of Practice on Lean in Program Management jointly established in May 2012 by MIT, PMI and INCOSE; - an opportunity to apply international standard ISO/IEC 15288:2008(E) Systems and software engineering - System life cycle processes on a real-life situation; - and the belief that there is great value in applying Systems Engineering and Project Management in an integrated manner on a project. The project offering this opportunity was the Detail Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Cold Commissioning (EPC) of the Silo Direct-encapsulation Plant (SDP). This project was undertaken by the Joint Venture (JV) formed by Areva, Mace and Atkins (a.m.a. Nuclear Ltd). Unfortunately, early termination of the project, at a stage when only a part of the processes and tools were being implemented, did not allow this integrated approach to be demonstrated in full. However, the benefits achieved in the early stages in aligning and forming an integrated project execution team, showed potential for great benefits. This paper covers an introductory analysis of the situation, the successes and benefits achieved from implementing an integrated SE - PM approach up to the stage when the project was terminated, and possible path forward had the project continued. (authors)
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
Aerial Captured Data and Processed Models in Beaumont-Port Arthur Region in Feb and Oct, 2023
Our Co-design team is from the University of Texas, working on a Department of Energy-funded project focused on the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. As part of this project, we will be developing climate-resilient design solutions for areas of the region. More on www.caee.utexas.edu.We used a DJI Mavic 2 Pro to capture aerial photos in Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, in February 2023, including:I. Beaumont Soccer ClubII. Corps’ Port Arthur Resident OfficeIII. Halbouty Pump Station comprises its vicinityIV. Lamar University (Including Exxon Power Plants close to Lamar Univ.)V. MLK Boulevard for aerial images of the industry and the ship channelVI. Salt Water Barrier (include some aerial images about the Big Thicket)Aerial photos taken were through DroneDeploy autonomous flight, and models were processed through the DroneDeploy engine as well. All aerial photos are in .JPG format and contained in zipped files for each location.The processed data package including 3D models, geospatial data, mappings, point clouds, and the animation video of Halbouty Pump Station has various file types:- The Adobe Suite gives you great software to open .Tif files.- You can use LASUtility (Windows), ESRI ArcGIS Pro (Windows), or Blaze3D (Windows, Linux) to open a LAS file and view the data it contains.- Open an .OBJ file with a large number of free and commercial applications. Some examples include Microsoft 3D Builder, Apple Preview, Blender, and Autodesk.- You may use ArcGIS, Merkaartor, Blender (with the Google Earth Importer plug-in), Global Mapper, and Marble to open .KML files.- The .tfw world file is a text file used to georeference the GeoTIFF raster images, like the orthomosaic and the DSM. You need suitable software like ArcView to open a .TFW file.This dataset provides researchers with sufficient geometric data and the status quo of the land surface at the locations mentioned above. This dataset could streamline researchers' decision-making processes and enhance the design as well.In October 2023, we had our follow-up data collection, including:I. Beaumont Soccer ClubII. Shipping and Receiving Center at Lamar UniversityAfter the aerial collection, we obtained aerial photos of those two locations mentioned above, as well as processed data (such as point clouds and models).
2D mapping↗
Aerial Data and Processed Models of Port Arthur Coastal Neighborhood and Pleasure Island Golf Course, June 2024
Our Co-design team is from the University of Texas, working on a Department of Energy-funded project focused on the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. As part of this project, we will be developing climate-resilient design solutions for areas of the region. More on www.caee.utexas.edu.We captured aerial photos in the Port Arthur Coastal Neighborhood Community and the Golf Course on Pleasure Island, Texas, in June 2024.Aerial photos taken were through DroneDeploy autonomous flight, and models were processed through the DroneDeploy engine as well. All aerial photos are in .JPG format and contained in zipped files for each area.The processed data package includes 3D models, geospatial data, mappings, and point clouds. Please be aware that DTM, Elevation toolbox, Point cloud, and Orthomosaic use EPSG: 6588. And 3D Model uses EPSG: 3857.For using these data:- The Adobe Suite gives you great software to open .Tif files.- You can use LASUtility (Windows), ESRI ArcGIS Pro (Windows), or Blaze3D (Windows, Linux) to open a LAS file and view the data it contains.- Open an .OBJ file with a large number of free and commercial applications. Some examples include Microsoft 3D Builder, Apple Preview, Blender, and Autodesk.- You may use ArcGIS, Merkaartor, Blender (with the Google Earth Importer plug-in), Global Mapper, and Marble to open .KML files.- The .tfw world file is a text file used to georeference the GeoTIFF raster images, like the orthomosaic and the DSM. You need suitable software like ArcView to open a .TFW file.This dataset provides researchers with sufficient geometric data and the status quo of the land surface at the locations mentioned above. This dataset could streamline researchers' decision-making processes and enhance the design as well.
2D mapping↗
Aerial and Processed Model Data Representing As-built Conditions in Coastal Port Arthur, Texas in May 2025
This dataset was collected by the Co-Design Team of the Southeast Texas Urban Integrated Field Lab, a research initiative led by the University of Texas at Austin and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The broader project focuses on developing climate-resilient design solutions for the Beaumont–Port Arthur region, with more information available at www.setx-uifl.org. Our team conducted aerial surveys of the Port Arthur coastal neighborhood in May 2025, before the start of construction scheduled for Summer 2026. These pre-construction datasets are designed to facilitate comparative analyses, including pre- and post-construction assessments and simulated inundation scenario evaluations. Aerial images were captured using DroneDeploy autonomous flight systems, with imagery processed through the DroneDeploy engine. All original aerial photographs are provided in JPG format and organized in zipped folders by area. The processed data package includes: 3D surface models Orthomosaics Geospatial and topographic mappings Point clouds For guidance on file contents, structure, and recommended usage, please refer to the included README file.
2D mapping↗
High Throughput Solvent-free Manufacturing of Battery Electrodes
The project goal is to develop and demonstrate an advanced solvent-free lithium-ion battery electrode process through proposed Advanced Dry Electrode Process (ADEP) equipment, which is expected to exhibit a better binder fibrillization and high throughput and suitable for high performance electrode manufacturing, and commonize the anode and cathode dry processing equipment, supply chain and operation for lithium-ion battery OEMs for replacing the solvent-based slurry casting. Our proposed approach will facilitate low-cost battery production by addressing the following gaps in present dry electrode processing: • Extend the dry electrode fabrication process to lithium-ion battery anode manufacturing • Increase the active material content for anodes and cathodes • Intensify the process through improved mixing, powder rheology and surface modifications • Enable processing of next-generation electrode materials that are not stable to solvent or ambient air exposure. The project objectives include the development of anode-compatible binder and binder fibrillization promoter for low irreversible capacity loss, low electrode binder content yet higher film mechanical strength, and the optimization of solvent-free anode and cathode process for low cost (>60% electrode cost reduction), high performance (10% increase in energy density without sacrificing cycle life) and high throughput to enable next generation lithium-ion battery electrode production. Solvent-free electrode manufacturing will also enable next-generation cell designs based on prelithiated anodes or solid-state electrolytes.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Developing Digital Twin Visualizations: A Methodology and Case Study on Chemical Separation Processing
As advances in digital engineering continue to push the technological boundaries, digital twin (DT) visualizations for diagnostics and safeguards advancement become much more feasible and practical. DTs generate large and complex data streams that require effective user interfaces to provide monitoring and diagnostic capabilities. Unfortunately, while these frameworks exist, there is not much research on the systematic documentation of human–computer interaction (HCI) for DT visualization. This work presents a dual-mode visualization methodology (two dimensional [2D] graphical user interface dashboard and 3D mixed reality) designed to support diagnostic tasks in DT systems and building on a validated framework and applying established HCI principles. The methodology is demonstrated through a case study of aqueous processing at Idaho National Laboratory, using experimental data from the chemical solvent extraction runs. Our interfaces display real-time alerts and monitoring to inform users of safeguards anomalies. The interfaces use immersive 3D mixed-reality visualization for further system and experiment investigation. This work demonstrates how the systematic application of HCI principles can inform DT visualization design for diagnostic and safeguards applications. While formal user evaluation studies remain as future work, this paper documents the systematic design methodology and demonstrates a proof-of-concept implementation.
3D visualization↗
TEV-3776 Hybrid – ZIRCEX Process Demonstration Siting Study
The purpose of this technical evaluation (TEV) is to detail the siting considerations for supporting pre-conceptual design of the engineering-scale Hybrid – ZIRCEX Process (formerly known as Hybrid Uranium Recovery Demonstration [HURD]) demonstration. This process represents the first-of a kind integration of a select group of technologies meant to recover high enriched uranium (HEU) from zirconium and aluminum clad used nuclear fuel (UNF) for down-blending to produce high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU).
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Coalescence dynamics of prismatic dislocation loops due to vacancy supersaturation
Recovery processes in metals with a high defect concentration are at the heart of a structural alloy's usability in engineering applications. However, such processes take place via nonconservative mechanisms mediated by point defect diffusion and are governed by their interactions with the underlying microstructure. Indeed, one of the main challenges in studying recovery processes is their intrinsic multiscale complexity, which often negates the direct use of experimental techniques. Here, in this Research Letter, we study the mechanism of dislocation loop coalescence in metals by simulating the interaction dynamics between vacancies and prismatic loops using a stochastic framework that seamlessly bridges point defect kinetics with dislocation mechanics. Our simulations reveal two fundamental discoveries: first, that climb processes are governed by local fluctuations that are not captured by continuum elastodiffusion models, and, second, that prismatic loops create internal traps for vacancies, leading to the formation of rings around the perimeter of the loops that affect how coalescence takes place. Our results show an excellent agreement with in situ experimental observations of loop coalescence in Fe under irradiation.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Rewiring yeast metabolism for producing 2,3-butanediol and two downstream applications: Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and agricultural biostimulant production
Rising concerns for sustainability and global climate change have driven the development of sustainable pro- duction pathways for biofuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass via integrated biological and chemical processes. We constructed an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae capable of producing 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) from glucose without accumulating ethanol and glycerol, which hinder downstream processing of 2,3-BDO, through extensive metabolic reprogramming. Specifically, we introduced heterologous 2,3-BDO biosynthetic enzymes and deleted the major isozymes of ethanol and glycerol biosynthetic enzymes. In addition, we introduced an NAD + regenerating Pyruvate-Malate (PM) cycle and enhanced the NAD + regenerating capability of the PM cycle to resolve the redox imbalance from the deletion of ethanol and glycerol production pathways. The resulting engineered yeast produced 109.9 g/L of 2,3-BDO with a productivity of 1.0 g/L/h and a yield of 0.36 g/ g glucose in a fed-batch fermentation. We also conducted techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the production of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) through catalytic dehydration of 2,3-BDO. A TEA based on the experimental results indicated that the minimum product selling price (MPSP) was estimated to be $1.90/kg. Regarding cradle-to-grave LCA, 100-year global warming potential (GWP100) and fossil energy consumption (FEC) were found to be 0.37 kg CO 2 eq/kg and 3.1 MJ/kg, respectively. These results demonstrated the feasibility of cost-competitive and sustainable bio-based MEK production via yeast fermentation. In addition, we explored the possibility of using the fermentation broth containing 2,3-BDO as a biostimulant inducing drought tolerance in plants. As a result, the yeast 2,3-BDO fermentation broth can induce drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana without a complicated purification process.
2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO)↗
Efficient light harvesting and photon sensing via engineered cooperative effects
Abstract Efficient devices for light harvesting and photon sensing are fundamental building blocks of basic energy science and many essential technologies. Recent efforts have turned to biomimicry to design the next generation of light-capturing devices, partially fueled by an appreciation of the fantastic efficiency of the initial stages of natural photosynthetic systems at capturing photons. In such systems extended excitonic states are thought to play a fundamental functional role, inducing cooperative coherent effects, such as superabsorption of light and supertransfer of photoexcitations. Inspired by this observation, we design an artificial light-harvesting and photodetection device that maximally harnesses cooperative effects to enhance efficiency. The design relies on separating absorption and transfer processes (energetically and spatially) in order to overcome the fundamental obstacle to exploiting cooperative effects to enhance light capture: the enhanced emission processes that accompany superabsorption. This engineered separation of processes greatly improves the efficiency and the scalability of the system.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Using Co-Optimized Machine Learned Manifolds for Modeling Chemically Reacting Flows
Chemically reacting flows play a key role in a wide range of engineered systems, from chemical and polymer processing to combustion-based energy conversion technologies. Simulations of these flows involve solving a coupled set of partial differential equations for mass, momentum, energy, and all relevant chemical species in the system. Chemical reaction pathways may be extremely complex and involve hundreds or more intermediate species, with reactions that occur over timescales varying by several orders of magnitude - presenting a significant numerical stiffness challenge. The combination of these factors makes simulation of chemically reacting flows vastly more expensive than nonreactive simulations, and often makes direct solution of the governing equations intractable. It is necessary to apply lower-fidelity models in place of the detailed governing equations in order to reduce computational cost to enable reacting flow simulation tools to be used in the engineering design process. Many of the models employed for this purpose are based on reducing the dimension of the thermochemical state, motivated by the observation that the observed thermochemical states in a system lie on a low-dimensional manifold in thermochemical state space. This behavior occurs due to the fast equilibration of certain reactive and transport processes, and physics-based manifold models rely on idealized assumptions about the balance of timescales and the way in which chemistry and transport are coupled. In this work, we apply a novel method for data-driven manifold-based modeling that can leverage data from high-fidelity reacting flow simulations to improve model accuracy in cases where the physics-based modeling assumptions break down. The approach is designed to be broadly applicable across chemically reacting flow systems but is applied here to turbulent combustion modeling.
machine learning↗
The history and evolution of optically accessible research engines and their impact on our understanding of engine combustion
The development and application of optically accessible engines to further our understanding of in-cylinder combustion processes is reviewed, spanning early efforts in simplified engines to the more recent development of high-pressure, high-speed engines that retain the geometric complexities of modern production engines. Limitations of these engines with respect to the reproduction of realistic metal test engine characteristics and performance are identified, as well as methods that have been used to overcome these limitations. Finally, the role of the work performed in these engines on clarifying the fundamental physical processes governing the combustion process and on laying the foundation for predictive engine simulation is summarized.
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
Campaign 76 - Production of 252 CF and the Recovery of Curium Feed Material at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center
Californium-252 is a strong neutron emitter with several specialized uses. It is produced in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) by irradiating curium targets followed by several steps, collectively called a processing campaign. These steps involve chemical processing at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC) to recover and purify Cf and Cm, and to fabricate new targets using recovered Cm. The ultimate goal of a campaign is to replenish the Cf stock for the Californium Production Program. This report describes the processing and results of Campaign 76.
07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗