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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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103 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Multiparameter optical fiber sensing for energy infrastructure through nanoscale light–matter interactions: From hardware to software, science to commercial opportunities

Monitoring of energy infrastructure through robust yet economical sensing platforms is becoming an area of increased importance, with ubiquitous applications including the electrical grid, natural gas and oil transportation pipelines, H2 infrastructure (storage and transportation), carbon storage, power generation, and subsurface environments. Plasmonic and functional nanomaterial enabled fiber optic sensors show excellent promise for a wide range of sensing applications due to their versatility to be engineered for specific analytes of interest while retaining inherent advantages of the optical fiber sensor platform. Through the design of novel sensing layers, the optical transduction mechanism and wavelength dependence can also be tailored for ease of integration with low-cost interrogation systems enabling an inexpensive yet highly functional optical fiber sensing platform. In addition, recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning theoretical methods have been leveraged to simultaneously extract multiple parameters through multi-wavelength interrogation such that unique wavelengths can also serve as unique sensing elements, analogous to electronic nose sensor technologies. The concept of an optical fiber based “photonic nose” via multiple interrogation wavelengths and/or sensor nodes offers a compelling platform technology to realize multiparameter speciation of chemical analytes within complex gas mixtures. In this Perspective, we further generalize the notion of multiparameter sensing through the novel “photonic nervous system” concept based upon low-cost, functionalized optical fiber sensor probes monitoring a variety of distinct analyte classes (physical, chemical, electromagnetic, etc.) simultaneously to provide broad situational awareness via integrated sensors.

Su, Yang-Duan (ORCID:0000000214820902)↗
NASA NTRS1996

Mechanisms of Bone Mineralization and Effects of Mechanical Loading

The data suggest that PTH and PKC inhibit nodule formation, and that alternative energy sources are utilized by osteoblasts in the process of mineralization. The conditions and techniques to grow, fix, photograph, and measure bone mineralization in vitro were defined. The results are presently in preliminary form and require further assessment as follows; quantitate the surface area of nodules + treatments via computer-aided image analysis; use PTH + inhibitors of signaling pathways to determine the mechanism of nodule formation; determine how protein kinase C is involved as a promotor of nodule formation; cell proliferation vs. cell death affected by modulation of signal transduction (i.e., PTH, enzyme inhibitors and activators); identify mRNA induced or decreased in response to PTH and signaling modulators that encode proteins that regulate cell morphology, proliferation, and nodule formation. Therefore, several follow-up studies between the laboratories at NASA-Ames Research Center and my laboratory at the University of Illinois have been initiated.

Babich, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2000

Invited review: gravitational biology of the neuromotor systems: a perspective to the next era

Earth's gravity has had a significant impact on the designs of the neuromotor systems that have evolved. Early indications are that gravity also plays a key role in the ontogenesis of some of these design features. The purpose of the present review is not to assess and interpret a body of knowledge in the usual sense of a review but to look ahead, given some of the general concepts that have evolved and observations made to date, which can guide our future approach to gravitational biology. We are now approaching an era in gravitational biology during which well-controlled experiments can be conducted for sustained periods in a microgravity environment. Thus it is now possible to study in greater detail the role of gravity in phylogenesis and ontogenesis. Experiments can range from those conducted on the simplest levels of organization of the components that comprise the neuromotor system to those conducted on the whole organism. Generally, the impact of Earth's gravitational environment on living systems becomes more complex as the level of integration of the biological phenomenon of interest increases. Studies of the effects of gravitational vectors on neuromotor systems have and should continue to provide unique insight into these mechanisms that control and maintain neural control systems designed to function in Earth's gravitational environment. A number of examples are given of how a gravitational biology perspective can lead to a clearer understanding of neuromotor disorders. Furthermore, the technologies developed for spaceflight studies have contributed and should continue to contribute to studies of motor dysfunctions, such as spinal cord injury and stroke. Disorders associated with energy support and delivery systems and how these functions are altered by sedentary life styles at 1 G and by space travel in a microgravity environment are also discussed.

Review, Tutorial↗
DOE OSTI2026

Rewiring the unfolded protein response for plant growth recovery after stress

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a highly coordinated signaling network that alleviates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a condition induced by diverse environmental challenges in plants. Over the past two decades, substantial progress has been made in elucidating the genetic and molecular mechanisms of ER stress sensing and signal transduction in plants, largely through studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana . These advances have established the UPR as a central regulator of proteostasis and underscored its broader relevance to plant growth and development and crop productivity under stress conditions. Despite this progress, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning the downstream biological processes required for growth recovery once ER stress has subsided and how these processes are coordinated by UPR regulators. Recent systems-level and integrative studies have begun to reveal critical roles of UPR signaling in pathways governing growth re-establishment and homeostasis of nutrient allocation and energy metabolism. In this review, we highlight recent findings on the functional roles of the plant UPR in recovery from ER stress, with a focus on mechanisms mediated by UPR regulators and downstream biological pathways that enable the transition from stress mitigation to growth restoration. Although this research area is still emerging, accumulating evidence supports a model in which the UPR functions as a dynamic regulatory network that actively coordinates post-stress physiological recovery to support plant fitness.

ER stress↗
DOE OSTI2024

Inducing Circularly Polarized Single-Photon Emission via Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity

One of the central aims of the field of spintronics is the control of individual electron spins to effectively manage the transmission of quantized data. One well-known mechanism for controlling electronic spin transport is the chiral-induced spin-selectivity (CISS) effect in which a helical nanostructure imparts a preferential spin orientation on the electronic transport. One potential application of the CISS effect is as a transduction pathway between electronic spin and circularly polarized light within nonreciprocal photonic devices. Here in this work, we identify and quantify the degree of chiral-induced spin-selective electronic transport in helical polyaniline films using magnetoconductive atomic force microscopy (mcAFM). We then induce circularly polarized quantum light emission from CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots placed on these films, demonstrating a degree of circular polarization of up to ~21%. Utilizing time-resolved photoluminescence microscopy, we measure the radiative lifetime difference associated with left- and right-handed circular polarizations of single emitters. These lifetime differences, in combination with Kelvin probe mapping of the variation of surface potential with magnetization of the substrate, help establish an energy level diagram describing the spin-dependent transport pathways that enable the circularly polarized photoluminescence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advancing Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Detect and Measure NOW Pheromones (CPRB 2022 proposal)

Insect sex pheromones are chemical compounds that insects release to attract their partners over distances of hundreds of meters or even kilometers, in complete darkness and without any audible signals. Use of synthetic forms of key compounds have in some cases become an essential component of monitoring and/or managing key pests of agricultural crops, including navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella) (NOW) in California tree nuts. These pheromone-based strategies can include monitoring, mating disruption, mass trapping, attract-and-kill and push-pull. There are currently multiple commercially available mating disruption products available for NOW and recent studies have demonstrated that they can be effectively used to reduce crop damage by this pest. Just how mating disruption works is not fully established and likely varies across products and target species. For instance, the extent to which synthetic pheromones compete with natural pheromone is not well understood, or in the case of monitoring, how efficaciously the insect follows the diffusing plumes, especially across large blocks and at plot borders. Furthermore, there may be specific conditions under which poor or impeded diffusion of synthetic pheromone diminishes the disruption effect, which could result in some males effectively locating females for reproduction. At the same time, many commercially available synthetic lures are also available, and growers have been effectively using them to track population development – although the attractive range of these lures remains unclear. That is, while pheromone lures can attract many moths, the relationship between trap capture and local populations, much less crop damage, remains unclear. Regardless of the emission source (aerosol puffers, meso emitters, lures etc.), we currently lack the ability to fully understand how these synthetic pheromone compounds diffuse away from their point-source of emission – and subsequently how this might affect the efficacy of mating disruption and/or the accuracy of monitoring efforts. Raman spectroscopy (RS) may offer a means to detect synthetic pheromone because of its analytical properties and recent technological advancements. In combination with nanostructured probes, RS has a demonstrated capability to detect volatiles at extremely low concentrations. While other methods for detecting pheromones have proven to be successful, such analytical methods like mass spectrometry (MS) gas chromatography (GC) require sampling in the fields and are not real-time. Other methods such as EAG/ EAD are also invasive (use antennas) but are of course valuable. Opto-electronic, micro and nano sensors just recently enticed interest. We fall in this latter category, proposing the use of optical spectroscopy (Raman) in a fiber aided by nanostructures to provide a chemical fingerprint without transductions and in real-time (i.e. no sampling). To date, we have been able to generate Raman signatures for the main chemicals in synthetic pheromones (a first for science, to the best of our knowledge), observe their trends at different concentrations, and also provide a clear distinction of such signatures in mixed samples via Principal Component Analysis (PCA) – all of which strengthens our conclusions on the ability of RS to detect emissions in more realistic conditions. We also established processes to enhance the detection sensitivity via preconcentration with Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) fibers and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to increase the overall optical signals. Furthermore, we explored limitations and requirements for detecting from dispensers, lures, or live moths, including Dept. of Energy and CA State regulatory approvals. Finally, we setup some of our first “orchard in a box” experiments to measure pheromone diffusion along with developing appropriate models.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mechanism of tethered agonist-mediated signaling by polycystin-1

Mutations of polycystin-1 (PC1) are the major cause (85% of cases) of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), which is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. PC1 is thought to function as an atypical G protein-coupled receptor, yet the mechanism by which PC1 regulates G-protein signaling remains poorly understood. A significant portion of ADPKD mutations of PC1 encode a protein with defects in maturation or reduced function that may be amenable to functional rescue. In this work, we have combined complementary biochemical and cellular assay experiments and accelerated molecular simulations, which revealed an allosteric transduction pathway in activation of the PC1 C-terminal fragment. Our findings will facilitate future rational drug design efforts targeting the PC1 signaling function. Polycystin-1 (PC1) is an important unusual G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with 11 transmembrane domains, and its mutations account for 85% of cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). PC1 shares multiple characteristics with Adhesion GPCRs. These include a GPCR proteolysis site that autocatalytically divides these proteins into extracellular, N-terminal, and membrane-embedded, C-terminal fragments (CTF), and a tethered agonist (TA) within the N-terminal stalk of the CTF that is suggested to activate signaling. However, the mechanism by which a TA can activate PC1 is not known. Here, we have combined functional cellular signaling experiments of PC1 CTF expression constructs encoding wild type, stalkless, and three different ADPKD stalk variants with all-atom Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations to investigate TA-mediated signaling activation. Correlations of residue motions and free-energy profiles calculated from the GaMD simulations correlated with the differential signaling abilities of wild type and stalk variants of PC1 CTF. They suggested an allosteric mechanism involving residue interactions connecting the stalk, Tetragonal Opening for Polycystins (TOP) domain, and putative pore loop in TA-mediated activation of PC1 CTF. Key interacting residues such as N3074–S3585 and R3848–E4078 predicted from the GaMD simulations were validated by mutagenesis experiments. Together, these complementary analyses have provided insights into a TA-mediated activation mechanism of PC1 CTF signaling, which will be important for future rational drug design targeting PC1.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Testing piezoelectric sensors in a nuclear reactor environment

Several Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) programs, such as the Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FCRD), Advanced Reactor Concepts (ARC), Light Water Reactor Sustainability, and Next Generation Nuclear Power Plants (NGNP), are investigating new fuels, materials, and inspection paradigms for advanced and existing reactors. A key objective of such programs is to understand the performance of these fuels and materials during irradiation. In DOE-NE’s FCRD program, ultrasonic based technology was identified as a key approach that should be pursued to obtain the high-fidelity, high-accuracy data required to characterize the behavior and performance of new candidate fuels and structural materials during irradiation testing. The radiation, high temperatures, and pressure can limit the available tools and characterization methods. In this work piezoelectric transducers capable of making these measurements are developed. Specifically, three piezoelectric sensors (Bismuth Titanate, Aluminum Nitride, and Zinc Oxide) are tested in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research reactor to a fast neutron fluence of 8.65x1020 nf/cm2. It is demonstrated that Bismuth Titanate is capable of transduction up to 5 x1020 nf/cm2, Zinc Oxide is capable of transduction up to at least 6.27 x1020 nf/cm2 , and Aluminum Nitride is capable of transduction up to at least 8.65x x1020 nf/cm2.

T. Reinhardt, Brian↗
DOE OSTI2024

Thiol-based pathways in the thylakoid lumen and their role in photoprotection

The long-term goal of this research is to elaborate the catalysis of thiol-disulfide transactions in the thylakoid lumen, a compartment required for transducing energy via photophosphorylation. The molecular identity of the redox players catalyzing thiol-disulfide exchanges, their relevant targets of action in vivo and how thiol-disulfide chemistry in general controls photosynthesis are the experimental questions this research aims to address. Through previous work, we documented the requirement of catalyzed disulfide formation and reduction for the biogenesis of two photosynthetic enzymes, namely Photosystem II and the cytochrome b6f complex. We established that dedicated trans-thylakoid pathways operate in these processes by delivering reducing and oxidizing power to cysteine-containing subunits of the photosynthetic complexes, which are localized in the lumen compartment. Here we focused on CCDA, CCS4 and CCS5/HCF164, the components of the disulfide-reducing pathway which maintains the heme binding cysteines of apoforms of plastid cytochrome c in the reduced form prior to covalent heme ligation. We showed that CCS4 and CCS5 operate in functionally redundant pathways for the supply of reducing power and postulate a role for CCS4 in recruiting the source of reductants to CCDA or controlling the CCDA-dependent transduction of reducing equivalents. We also demonstrate the disulfide reducing pathway operates to counter thiol oxidation of the heme-binding cysteines by disulfide forming enzyme LTO1 in the thylakoid lumen.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Novel small molecule FGF 23 inhibitors increase serum phosphate and improve skeletal abnormalities in Hyp mice

We report that excess fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) causes hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets, such as X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) and tumor induced osteomalacia (TIO). A small molecule that specifically binds to FGF23 to prevent activation of the FGFR/a-Klotho complex has potential advantages over the currently approved systemically administered FGF23 blocking antibody. Using structure-based drug design we previously identified ZINC13407541 (N-[[2-(2-phenylethenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]methylidene]hydroxylamine) as a small molecule antagonist for FGF23. Additional structure-activity studies developed a series of ZINC13407541 analogues with enhanced drug-like properties. In this study, we tested in a pre-clinical Hyp mouse homologue of XLH a direct connect analogue (8n) [(E)-2-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)cyclopent-1-ene-1-carbaldehyde oxime] that exhibited the greatest stability in microsomal assays, and 13a [(E)-2-((E)-4-methylstyryl)benzaldehyde oxime] that exhibited increased in vitro potency. Using cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) structure and computational docking, we identified a key binding residue (Q156) of the FGF23 antagonists, ZINC13407541 and its analogues (8n and 13a) in the N-terminal domain of FGF23 protein. Site-directed mutagenesis and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC)-fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay confirmed the binding site of these three antagonists. We found that pharmacological inhibition of FGF23 with either of these compounds blocked FGF23 signaling and increased serum phosphate and 1,25(OH)2D concentrations in Hyp mice. Long-term parenteral treatment with 8n or 13a also enhanced linear bone growth, increased mineralization of bone, and narrowed the growth plate in Hyp mice. The more potent 13a compound had greater therapeutic effects in Hyp mice. Further optimization of these FGF23 inhibitors may lead to versatile drugs to treat excess FGF23-mediated disorders.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2009

Simulation of TGF-Beta Activation by Low-Dose HZE Radiation in a Cell Culture

High charge (Z) and energy (E) (HZE) nuclei comprised in the galactic cosmic rays are main contributors to space radiation risk. They induce many lesions in living matter such as non-specific oxidative damage and the double-strand breaks (DSBs), which are considered key precursors of early and late effects of radiation. There is increasing evidence that cells respond collectively rather than individually to radiation, suggesting the importance of cell signaling1. The transforming growth factor (TGF ) is a signaling peptide that is expressed in nearly all cell type and regulates a large array of cellular processes2. TGF have been shown to mediate cellular response to DNA damage3 and to induce apoptosis in non-irradiated cells cocultured with irradiated cells4. TFG molecules are secreted by cells in an inactive complex known as the latency-associated peptide (LAP). TGF is released from the LAP by a conformational change triggered by proteases, thrombospondin-1, integrins, acidic conditions and .OH radical5. TGF then binds to cells receptors and activates a cascade of events mediated by Smad proteins6, which might interfere with the repair of DNA. Meanwhile, increasingly sophisticated Brownian Dynamics (BD) algorithms have appeared recently in the literature7 and can be applied to study the interaction of molecules with receptors. These BD computer models have contributed to the elucidation of signal transduction, ligand accumulation and autocrine loops in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EFGR) system8. To investigate the possible roles of TGF in an irradiated cell culture, our Monte-Carlo simulation codes of the radiation track structure9 will be used to calculate the activation of TFG triggered by .OH produced by low doses of HZE ions. The TGF molecules will then be followed by a BD algorithm in a medium representative of a cell culture to estimate the number of activated receptors.

Plante, Ianik↗
DOE OSTI2025

Synthetic feed-forward loop circuit boosts transgene expression in sugarcane

Bio-based products derived from natural plant-derived materials offer a promising alternative to petroleum-based products, which are essential for achieving global sustainability (Gupta et al. 2022). Sugarcane provides 40% of the world’s biofuel (Brant et al. 2025). Recently, metabolic engineering of sugarcane for hyperaccumulation of biomass oil is emerging as a strategy to elevate the crop’s energy content (Cao et al. 2023; Maitra et al. 2024). Synthetic transcription factors offer a powerful tool for modulating entire metabolic pathways by enabling fine-tuned activation or repression of specific genes (Liu and Stewart 2016; Hooghvorst and Altpeter 2023). However, the application of these technologies faces challenges, including the availability of well-characterized genetic building blocks for precise manipulation of gene expression, and the inherently challenging properties of gene expression in highly polyploid crops like sugarcane (Liu and Stewart 2016).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

A roadmap to understanding and anticipating microbial gene transfer in soil communities

Engineered microbes are being programmed using synthetic DNA for applications in soil to overcome global challenges related to climate change, energy, food security, and pollution. However, we cannot yet predict gene transfer processes in soil to assess the frequency of unintentional transfer of engineered DNA to environmental microbes when applying synthetic biology technologies at scale. This challenge exists because of the complex and heterogeneous characteristics of soils, which contribute to the fitness and transport of cells and the exchange of genetic material within communities. Here, we describe knowledge gaps about gene transfer across soil microbiomes. Here, we propose strategies to improve our understanding of gene transfer across soil communities, highlight the need to benchmark the performance of biocontainment measures in situ, and discuss responsibly engaging community stakeholders. We highlight opportunities to address knowledge gaps, such as creating a set of soil standards for studying gene transfer across diverse soil types and measuring gene transfer host range across microbiomes using emerging technologies. By comparing gene transfer rates, host range, and persistence of engineered microbes across different soils, we posit that community-scale, environment-specific models can be built that anticipate biotechnology risks. Such studies will enable the design of safer biotechnologies that allow us to realize the benefits of synthetic biology and mitigate risks associated with the release of such technologies.

bioccontainment↗