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At least 1,153 records · Page 64
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage hub development on the Gulf Coast

Abstract The Gulf Coast of the United States hosts diverse power generation, refining, and petrochemical processing facilities, resulting in the nation's largest volumetric concentration of industrial CO 2 emissions, rivaled only by the Ohio River Valley. These emissions sources are concentrated in specific industrial clusters that allow combining emissions streams to achieve economies of scale. The region is currently undergoing globally significant industrial expansion and investment as a result of abundant and inexpensive regional unconventional natural gas availability, and is a growing exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Opportunities to integrate CO 2 emission management within the diverse energy chains in the region are volumetrically significant and include both concentrated and dilute sources. Significant examples of capture, transport, and storage exist. Offshore storage is particularly attractive, as it provides simplified land leasing models (single governmental land owner), proven reservoir quality, and presents fewer risks to both protected groundwater and populated areas. Projects can now take advantage of recently expanded opportunities under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Service tax code. The region continues to evolve as an active carbon‐handling hub, and is uniquely suited to justify additional investment in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies via a large‐scale integrated project development. Continued development of integrated projects will allow the region to continue to grow economically within its strong fossil‐fuel handling competence focus while advancing low‐carbon energy technologies that maintain globally competitiveness. © 2021 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

45Q↗
DOE OSTI2025

Predictive links between microbial communities and biological oxygen utilization in the Arctic Ocean

Microbial metabolism influences rates of net community production (NCP), exerting a direct biological control on marine oxygen and carbon fluxes. In the Arctic, it is increasingly important to understand and quantify this process, as ecological and oceanographic conditions shift due to changing climate. Here, we describe potential ecological links between pelagic microbial diversity and an NCP precursor, biological oxygen utilization, using machine learning and paired observations of community structure and metabolic activity from a seasonally and spatially variable transect of the Arctic Ocean (2019–2020 MOSAiC Expedition). Community structure was determined using 16S (prokaryotic) and 18S (eukaryotic) rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and metabolic activity was derived from ΔO 2 /Ar. Using self-organizing maps, we identified clear successional patterns in observed microbial community structure that were seasonally driven in the upper ocean and vertically stratified with depth. Metabolic activity was also stratified, with a primarily net heterotrophic water column (median −1.5% biological oxygen saturation), excepting periodic oxygen supersaturation (maximum: 13.6%) within the mixed layer. Using DNA sequences as predictor variables, we then constructed a random forest regression model that reliably reconstructed biological oxygen concentrations (root mean squared error = 4.14 μmol kg −1 ). Top predictors from this model were from heterotrophic (bacteria) or potentially mixotrophic (dinoflagellate) taxa. These analyses highlight biologically driven diagnostic tools that can be used to expand biogeochemical datasets and improve the microbial perspectives and metabolisms represented in ecological models of net productivity and carbon flux in a changing Arctic Ocean.

Chamberlain, Emelia J. [Univ. of San Diego, San Di↗
DOE OSTI2022

Utilization of the Critic Subnetwork of a Generative Adversarial Network as Detector of Morphological Material Change in Image Data

The resolution of computed tomography (CT) has become high enough to monitor morphological changes due to aging in materials in long-term applications. For this work, we explored the utility of the critic of a generative adversarial network (GAN) to automatically detect such changes. The GAN was trained with images of pristine Pharmatose, which is used as a surrogate energetic material. It is important to note that images of the material with altered morphology were only used during the test phase. The GAN-generated images reproduced the microstructure of Pharmatose well, although some unrealistic particle fusion was seen. Calculated morphological metrics (volume fraction, interfacial line length, and local thickness) for the synthetic images also showed good agreement with the training data, albeit with signs of mode collapse in the interfacial line length. While the critic exposed changes in particle size, it showed limited ability to distinguish images by particle shape. The detection of shape differences was also a more challenging task for the selected morphological metrics that related to energetic material performance. We further tested the critic with images of aged Pharmatose. Subtle changes due to aging are difficult for the human analyst to detect; but both critic and morphological metrics analysis showed image differentiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Utilizing Geo-located Sensors and Social Media for Studying Population Dynamics and Land Classification

The ability to understand where, when, and why humans move across space and time has always been essential to research areas such as urban planning, transportation, population dynamics, and emergency preparedness and response. The increasing sources of activity data is generating novel opportunities to understand human dynamics that previously was not possible; Geo-located user generated content from mobile devices and sensors allow a level of spatial and temporal granularity that could possibly answer the reasons for human movement at a high-resolution. This work discusses a broad array of research agenda in human dynamics and land use by proposing an explicit model that assists in delineating and articulating the opportunities, challenges, and limitations of using new forms of unauthoritated data, such as social media in main-stream GIS research. We study mobile phone call volume and GPS locations to characterize human activity patterns and provide inference on land use. Later, we demonstrate the ability of geo-located social media posts to provide insight on population density estimates for special events and Points of Interest detection. The chapter underpins the need to utilize new forms of data collection mechanism as well as their use to augment our understanding of human dynamics research and future application of geographical information systems.

Thakur, Gautam Malviya↗
DOE OSTI2019

The utility of ultrasound guidance in transjugular liver biopsy: our experience

Purpose: To demonstrate the utility of ultrasound (US) guidance in improving the safety and efficacy of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) by analyzing all the TJLBs performed by us in the last 4 years. Materials and methods: Forty-seven patients who underwent TJLB in the last 4 years in our two centers were retrospectively analyzed. US guidance was used for all but for one patient during the two crucial steps of the procedure—for internal jugular vein (IJV) access and during the parenchymal biopsy. Biopsies were obtained under real-time sonographic guidance from the right lobe after confirming an adequate room for needle throw without breaching the liver capsule or any major hilar structures. Post-procedure complications, tissue yield, and histopathological adequacy of samples were analyzed. Results: Overall technical success rate was 100%. No major complications were found where ultrasound-assisted TJLB (uTJLB) was performed. One patient who underwent non-US guided TJLB had an event of a capsular breach and intra-peritoneal hemorrhage requiring coil embolization. Samples were of adequate dimension. Histopathological positivity was 100%. The overall complication rate for uTJLB was 4.7% which was due to minor complications in two patients. Conclusions: Addition of US unit to the angiographic suite is effortless and Interventional Radiologists being already skilled in US can easily implement this simple yet valuable modification to conventional TJLB procedures. Our experience on uTJLB further emphasizes the role of US guidance in improving the procedural success rate, safety profile, and efficacy in the histopathological outcome of TJLB in all patients irrespective of age and disease burden.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Management of Gastric Varices in the Pediatric Population with Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO) Utilizing Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate Foam Sclerosis with or without Partial Splenic Artery Embolization

It is unknown whether spontaneous gastrorenal shunts actually develop in the pediatric population. The minimum age documented in studies from Asia is 32 (range 32–44) years. This study describes three pediatric patients undergoing balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) for bleeding gastric varices with two of the three patients undergoing combined partial splenic embolization. The first BRTO is a selective-BRTO via a surgical splenorenal shunt (15 years old) and the other two patients underwent conventional-BRTO via a spontaneous gastrorenal shunt (8 and 14 years old). The recurrent significant bleeding that they exhibited before the combined endovascular therapy did not recur for an average of 7.1 (range 1.4–14) months. In the second patient, quantitative digitally subtracted angiography was utilized to evaluate the inline portal venous flow before and after BRTO.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Promoting microbial utilization of phenolic substrates from bio-oil

Abstract The economic viability of the biorefinery concept is limited by the valorization of lignin. One possible method of lignin valorization is biological upgrading with aromatic-catabolic microbes. In conjunction, lignin monomers can be produced by fast pyrolysis and fractionation. However, biological upgrading of these lignin monomers is limited by low water solubility. Here, we address the problem of low water solubility with an emulsifier blend containing approximately 70 wt% Tween® 20 and 30 wt% Span® 80. Pseudomonas putida KT2440 grew to an optical density (OD600) of 1.0 ± 0.2 when supplied with 1.6 wt% emulsified phenolic monomer-rich product produced by fast pyrolysis of red oak using an emulsifier dose of 0.076 ± 0.002 g emulsifier blend per g of phenolic monomer-rich product. This approach partially mitigated the toxicity of the model phenolic monomer p-coumarate to the microbe, but not benzoate or vanillin. This study provides a proof of concept that processing of biomass-derived phenolics to increase aqueous availability can enhance microbial utilization.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A matheuristic for design and dispatch of a utility-connected distributed energy system

Modeling distributed power generation systems often requires complicated mathematical expressions that present challenges for commercial optimization solvers. Here, this paper presents a matheuristic to solve a mixed-integer optimization model that informs decisions regarding the design and dispatch of a utility-connected microgrid. We deploy a genetic algorithm to search the system design space and a linear program to solve the economic dispatch problem. The model is a component of a web tool that requires solutions within a few minutes. Our method yields objective function values within 5% of an exogenously produced optimal in fewer than 30 seconds for 90% of our test cases compared to only 10% of our test cases by a traditional optimization solver in the same amount of time.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Consequences and benefits of utilizing continuous vibro-impact representations in constrained pipeline conveying fluid systems

Here, the effectiveness of continuous vibro-impact forcing representations for the cantilevered pipe that conveys fluid is explored and analyzed. The previously accepted forcing model utilizing a smoothened trilinear spring is estimated using three continuous forcing representations, namely, polynomial, rational polynomial, and hyperbolic tangent. The accuracy of the estimated forcing functions is investigated and analyzed by calculating the root mean square error, and bifurcation diagrams are generated and compared to the nominal system. Additionally, the dynamic response of the system is further characterized using Poincare maps, power spectra, and basins of attraction. Once all continuous forcing representations are analyzed and compared to the nominal system, the computational cost of each method is examined, and further limitations of the hyperbolic tangent method are discovered. It is proved that the hyperbolic tangent forcing representation most accurately captures the dynamic response of the pipeline, and the least accurate representation is the rational polynomial representation. Additionally, considerable computational cost is saved when employing the hyperbolic tangent representation compared to the discontinuous representation.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

32 Channel × 40 Gb/s WDM optical communication system utilizing different configurations of hybrid fiber amplifier

In this paper, a simulation analysis of 40 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexing system of 32 channels is implemented through RZ modulation format by using a different hybrid fiber amplifier (HFA) configurations, namely, serial HFA, parallel HFA, and combined serial–parallel hybrid fiber amplifier (CSP-HFA). The performance of the proposed amplifiers is compared in terms of average gain level, average noise figure, flat gain bandwidth. In addition, quality factor, bit error rate, and eye diagram for the demonstrated 32 channel × 40 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexing optical communication system utilizing different configurations of the hybrid fiber amplifier is compared. The CSP-HFA shows better performance than serial and parallel hybrid amplifiers in terms of wider flat gain bandwidth, higher quality factor, lower bit error rate, and wider and clearer eye opening. Furthermore, CSP-HFA exhibits a flat gain bandwidth of 65 nm with an acceptable average gain of 16 dB and average noise figure of 7 dB.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Thermodynamic Considerations of Direct Oxygen Removal from Titanium by Utilizing the Deoxidation Capability of Rare Earth Metals

Oxygen removal from metallic Ti is extremely difficult and, currently, there is no commercial process for effectively deoxidizing Ti or its alloys. The oxygen concentration in Ti scraps is normally higher than that in virgin metals such as in Ti sponges produced by the Kroll process. When scraps are remelted with virgin metals for producing primary ingots of Ti or its alloys, the amount of scrap that can be used is limited owing to the accumulation of oxygen impurities. Future demands of an increase in Ti production and of mitigating environmental impacts require that the amount of scrap recycled as a feed material of Ti ingots should also increase. Therefore, it is important to develop methods for removing oxygen directly from Ti scraps. In this study, we evaluated the deoxidation limit for β-Ti using Y or light rare earth metals (La, Ce, Pr, or Nd) as a deoxidant. Thermodynamic considerations suggest that extra-low-oxygen Ti, with an oxygen concentration of 100 mass ppm or less can be obtained using a molten salt equilibrating with rare earth metals. The results presented herein also indicate that methods based on molten salt electrolysis for producing rare earth metals can be utilized for effectively and directly deoxidizing Ti scraps.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

CO2-Utilization Facilitated by Solid Reaction Mediums—A Review

Abstract This short review examines solid reaction mediums—specifically oxygen, CO 2 , and carbon carriers—within the framework of Chemical Looping (CL) to illuminate various CO 2 utilization pathways. The thermodynamic consideration for carrier selection is first discussed. This is followed by a summary of the key carrier types investigated to date, with an emphasis on elucidating the roles of compositional, structural, and surface properties of the various carriers toward their reactive performances. Besides assessing the performances of various oxygen carriers, their long-term performance, potential deactivation mechanism in the presence of CO 2, and strategies for their reactivation are also discussed in the context of chemical looping dry reforming of methane (CLDRM). While relatively underexplored, the current status of development, advantages, and potential limitations of CO 2 carriers in sorbent looping dry reforming of methane (SLDRM) and carbon carriers in chemical looping methane cracking (CLMC) are also reviewed and discussed. Emerging topics such as combined carriers are also covered along with a perspective for future research directions. Overall, this review aims to offer insights into the sustainable use of CO 2 through chemical looping, emphasizing the potential of solid reaction mediums across different carriers and the challenges associated with these solid reaction mediums.

Iftikhar, Sherafghan↗
DOE OSTI2019

Clinical Utility of [{sup 18}F]FDG-PET /CT in Pericardial Disease

Identification of the etiology of pericardial disease is challenging because the accessibility to pericardial fluid and tissue is limited and there is a relatively low yield of fluid and tissue analysis. Pericardial disease is associated with various systemic diseases and is frequently a first manifestation of other systemic diseases. Detecting the cause of pericarditis and minimizing the subsequent inflammatory process can possibly prevent long-term complications. Purpose of Review: To review the clinical utility of [{sup 18}F]-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([{sup 18}F]FDG-PET/CT) in the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial disease. Recent Findings: [{sup 18}F]FDG-PET/CT can visualize the hypermetabolic tissues of both malignancy and inflammation. Distribution of [{sup 18}F]FDG-PET/CT uptake can provide information for neoplastic disease. If malignancy is ruled out, high uptake of pericardium is associated with active inflammation of the pericardium, and thus response to anti-inflammatory agents can also be predicted with [{sup 18}F]FDG-PET/CT imaging. Summary: [{sup 18}F]FDG-PET/CT can be helpful for diagnosing and establishing prognosis and for planning for anti-inflammatory treatment in pericardial disease.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

The utility of {sup 82}Rb PET for myocardial viability assessment: Comparison with perfusion-metabolism {sup 82}Rb-{sup 18}F-FDG PET

Background: {sup 82}Rb kinetics may distinguish scar from viable but dysfunctional (hibernating) myocardium. We sought to define the relationship between {sup 82}Rb kinetics and myocardial viability compared with conventional {sup 82}Rb and {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) perfusion-metabolism PET imaging. Methods: Consecutive patients (N = 120) referred for evaluation of myocardial viability prior to revascularization and normal volunteers (N = 37) were reviewed. Dynamic {sup 82}Rb 3D PET data were acquired at rest. {sup 18}F-FDG 3D PET data were acquired after metabolic preparation using a standardized hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. {sup 82}Rb kinetic parameters K{sub 1}, k{sub 2}, and partition coefficient (KP) were estimated by compartmental modeling Results: Segmental {sup 82}Rb k{sub 2} and KP differed significantly between scarred and hibernating segments identified by Rb-FDG perfusion-metabolism (k{sub 2}, 0.42 ± 0.25 vs. 0.22 ± 0.09 min{sup −1}; P < .0001; KP, 1.33 ± 0.62 vs. 2.25 ± 0.98 ml/g; P < .0001). As compared to Rb-FDG analysis, segmental Rb KP had a c-index, sensitivity and specificity of 0.809, 76% and 84%, respectively, for distinguishing hibernating and scarred segments. Segmental k{sub 2} performed similarly, but with lower specificity (75%, P < .001) Conclusions: In this pilot study, {sup 82}Rb kinetic parameters k{sub 2} and KP, which are readily estimated using a compartmental model commonly used for myocardial blood flow, reliably differentiated hibernating myocardium and scar. Further study is necessary to evaluate their clinical utility for predicting benefit after revascularization. [French] French Abstract: Contexte: La cinétique du {sup 82}Rb pourrait être utilisée pour distinguer la fibrose myocardique des zones viables mais dysfonctionnelles (en hibernation). Dans cette étude, nous avons cherché à définir la relation entre la cinétique du {sup 82}Rb et la viabilité myocardique en comparant les images de perfusion et métabolisme myocardique utilisant le {sup 82}Rb et le {sup 18}F-fluorodésoxyglucose (FDG) Méthodes: les données obtenues chez 120 patients consécutifs (N = 120) référés pour évaluation de la viabilité du myocarde avant revascularisation et 37 volontaires considérés normaux (N = 37) ont été étudieés. Les données TEP 3D dynamiques {sup 82}Rb ont été acquises au repos. Les données TEP 3D au {sup 18}F-FDG ont été acquises après préparation métabolique utilisant une pince hyperinsulémique-euglycémique normalisée. Les paramètres k1, k2 et le coefficient de partage (KP) de la cinétique du {sup 82}R bont été évalues par modélisation compartimentale. Résultats: les paramètres k2 et KP de distribution du {sup 82}Rb se sont révélés significativement différent entre les zones tissulaires cicatricielles fibreuses et celles en hibernation identifiées par étude métabolique au FDG (k2, 0,42 ± 0,25 vs. 0,22 ± 0,09 min{sup −1}; P < 0,0001; KP, 1,33 ± 0,62 vs. 2,25 ± 0,98 ml/g; P < 0,0001). Par rapport aux données FDG, le paramètre KP du rubidium a révélé un indice de concordance de 0,809 et une sensibilité et spécificité de 76% et 84%, pour la distinction des segments en hibernation et cicatrisés. Les résultats du paramètre k2 se sont révélés similaires, mais avec une spécificité plus faible calculée à 75% (P < 0,001). Conclusions: Dans cette étude pilote, les paramètres cinétiques k2 et KP de perfusion myocardique au {sup 82}Rb, qui sont facilement estimés à l’aide d’un modèle compartimental couramment utilisé pour flux sanguin myocardique, ont permis de différencier de manière fiable le myocarde cicatricielle des zones myocardiques hibernantes. Une étude plus approfondie est souhaitable pour valider leur utilité clinique en revacularisation. [Spanish] Spanish Abstract: Antecedentes: La cinética con {sup 82}Rb puede distinguir las cicatrices miocárdicas del tejido viable pero disfuncional (hibernante). Buscamos definir la relación entre la cinética del {sup 82}Rb y la viabilidad miocárdica comparada con las imágenes convencionales de PET con {sup 82}Rb y {sup 18}F-flurodeoxyglucosa (FDG). Métodos: se evaluaron a Pacientes Consecutivos (N = 120) referidos para evaluación de viabilidad miocárdica previos a revascularización y voluntarios normales (N = 37). Los datos de PET 3D dinámico con {sup 82}Rb fueron adquiridos en reposo. Los datos de {sup 18}F-FDG 3D PET fueron adquiridos posterior a la preparación metabólica usando un clamp hiperinsulínico-euglucémico. Los patrones cinéticos K1, k2 y el coeficiente de partición (KP) fueron estimados por el modelo compartimental. Resultados: el k2 y KP del {sup 82}Rb permitueron distinguier el tejido cicatricial de los segmentos hibernados identificados por la vía perfusión metabolismo de Rb-FDG (k{sub 2}, 0.42 ± 0.25 vs. 0.22 ± 0.09 min-1; P < .0001; KP, 1.33 ± 0.62 vs. 2.25 ± 0.98 ml/g; P < .0001). En comparación con el análisis de Rb-FDG, el KP segmentario del Rb tuvo un índice-c, sensbilidad y especificidad de 0.809 76 y 84%, respectivamente, para distinguir segmentos hibernantes y cicatriciales. k2 Segmentario tuvo un desempeño similar pero con una menor especificidad (75%, P < .001). Conclusiones: En este estudio piloto, los parámetros cinéticos k2 y KP del {sup 82}Rb, los cuales son estimados usando un modelo compartimental usado comúnmente para flujo sanguíneo miocárdico, diferenciaron el miocardio hibernante del cicatricial. Se necesita estudiar más a fondo para evaluar la utilidad clínica para la predicción del beneficio posterior a la revascularización [Chinese] Chinese Abstract: 背景: 铷-82({sup 82}Rb)药代动力学可能区分梗死与功能受损但存活的心肌(冬眠心肌)。我们将探讨{sup 82}Rb药代动力学与存活心肌的关系,并与常规的{sup 82}Rb和{sup 18}F-氟脱氧葡萄糖(FDG)灌注-代谢PET显像进行比较。 方法: 连续纳入120名血运重建前评估存活心肌的患者和37名正常志愿者。获得静息{sup 82}Rb 3D-PET动态采集数据;采用标准化的高胰岛素 - 正葡萄糖钳夹试验得到{sup 18}F-FDG 3D PET代谢显像数据; 通过房室模型计算{sup 82}Rb动力学参数k{sub 1},k{sub 2}和分配系数(KP)。 结果: 以Rb-FDG灌注代谢显像鉴定疤痕心肌组和冬眠心肌组,两组的{sup 82}Rb节段性 k{sub 2}值和KP值有明显差异(k{sub 2}, 0.42 ± 0.25 vs 0.22 ± 0.09 min{sup −1}; P < .0001; KP, 1.33 ± 0.62 vs 2.25 ± 0.98 ml/g; P < .0001)。以Rb-FDG灌注代谢显像为诊断标准,{sup 82}Rb节段性 KP对疤痕和冬眠心肌鉴别效能的c指数,敏感性和特异性分别是0.809, 76%和84%。节段性k{sub 2}的鉴别效能与KP相似,但特异性较低(75%,P < .001)。 结论: 在本试验性研究中,通过常规用于{sup 82}Rb心肌血流量测定的房室模型计算出的{sup 82}Rb动力学参数k{sub 2}和KP,可以有效的区分冬眠心肌和瘢痕心肌。 但需要进一步的研究来评估其对预测血运重建是否获益的临床价值。.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Utilization of Hemp Processing Waste for 3D Printing of Biocomposites

Unlike stem biomass, the residues after the extraction of cannabidiol (CBD) oil from hemp flower are challenging to utilize because of their high extractive content (~ 40%, mainly lipids) and are typically considered waste and landfilled. This study presented a novel approach to effectively valorize this underutilized hemp processing waste via chemical processing for three-dimensional (3D) printing applications. Hemp processing waste was processed with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to control extractives for solving nozzle clogging and then applied as a biofiller in polylactic acid (PLA) composites to improve the mechanical strength. The novelty of this work lies in demonstrating that controlled extractive removal via NaOH treatment not only improves processability but also enhances mechanical performance in 3D-printed biocomposites. We systematically investigated the effect of the processed biofiller content (2.5–10 wt%) on the mechanical and thermal properties of the biocomposites. The decrease in the content of extractives reduced the non-structural components and improved the surface compatibility of the hemp waste with the PLA matrix, thereby enhancing the polymer-biofiller interactions. The best performance was achieved at 2.5 wt% loading, where Young’s modulus increased from 2.3 GPa to 2.6 GPa and tensile strength from 42.7 MPa to 48.8 MPa. Interestingly, the complete removal of extractives also reduced the mechanical strength of their biocomposites, indicating the interfacial adhesion effects of extractives. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into balancing extractive content for optimal mechanical properties, offering a sustainable solution for waste valorization in additive manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2016

Utilizing a Robotic Sprayer for High Lateral and Mass Resolution MALDI FT-ICR MSI of Microbial Cultures

The ability to visualize biochemical interactions between microbial communities using MALDI MSI has provided tremendous insights into a variety of biological fields. Matrix application using a sieve proved to be incredibly useful, but it had many limitations that include uneven matrix coverage and limitation in the types of matrices one could employ in their studies. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to improve matrix application for studying agar plated microbial cultures, many of which utilized automated matrix sprayers. Here, we describe the usefulness of using a robotic sprayer for matrix application. The robotic sprayer has two-dimensional control over where matrix is applied and a heated capillary that allows for rapid drying of the applied matrix. This method provided a significant increase in MALDI sensitivity over the sieve method, as demonstrated by FT-ICR MS analysis, facilitating the ability to gain higher lateral resolution MS images of Bacillus Subtilis than previously reported. This method also allowed for the use of different matrices to be applied to the culture surfaces.

Anderton, Christopher R.↗