Formation, characterization and modeling of emergent synthetic microbial communities
Not Available
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “Communities”
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Halfway up the ladder: Developer practices and perspectives on community engagement for utility-scale renewable energy in the United States
Not Available
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
Interdependent water and power infrastructure model (IWPIM): A modeling approach for water and energy resource management in rural communities
Not Available
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Improving dairy manure hydrolysis and acidification through microbial community restructuring by adaptation to hyperthermophilic conditions
Dairy manure (DM) contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem degradation, yet its resistance to biodegradation hinders widespread bioprocessing applications. Lignocellulosic materials in DM pose a particular challenge because of their recalcitrance. Bioprocessing under hyperthermophilic (≥70 °C) conditions potentially offers an advantage over traditional fermentation temperatures due to enhanced activity of enzymes and the kinetics of enzymatic reactions. This can lead to a higher conversion rate and a greater extent of biomass hydrolysis and acidification. To test the validity of this hypothesis, the current study evaluated the efficacy of anaerobic hydrolysis and acidogenic fermentation of DM under mesophilic, thermophilic, and hyperthermophilic conditions. All inocula were adapted to corresponding temperatures but were derived from the same mesophilic source. Hyperthermophilic conditions resulted in superior DM hydrolysis efficiency (53%) compared to mesophilic (34%) and thermophilic (42%) conditions. The hyperthermophilic environment was particularly favorable to the decomposition of crude proteins and hemicellulose, which were reduced by 64% and 54%, respectively. Furthermore, hyperthermophilic fermentation also yielded the highest volatile fatty acid (VFA) production rate of 460 mg/L/day during the first four days, representing improvements of 50% and 90% over mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. In part, this was attributed to the enhanced production of branched-chain VFAs, including an increase of 6–10% in isobutyric acid and 12–13% in isovaleric acid. At hyperthermophilic conditions, however, there was no accumulation of VFAs during the days 5–8 of fermentation, which could be due to acetate conversion by the syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria. A considerable gain in hydrolysis efficiency and VFA production rate were accompanied by a reduction in microbial diversity, which suggests that hyperthermophilic temperature is a favorable environment for the selection of organisms with enhanced DM hydrolysis and fermentation capabilities. A significantly increased relative abundance of xylanolytic Caldicoprobacter (23% of population) and proteolytic Thermovirga (9% of population) could be the major contributors to improved decomposition of hemicellulose and protein. As revealed by the techno-economic analysis, acidogenic fermentation of DM at 70 °C and a retention period of 4 days provides the greatest positive net present value, highest internal rate of return of 9.2%, and shortest investment payback period of 9 years. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that hyperthermophilic conditions enable superior deconstruction and bioconversion of lignocellulose-containing biomass into VFAs under reduced retention times, offering a promising approach for improving DM management and generating bioproducts.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
One-size-fits-all? Top-down U.S. approach to equitable decarbonization does not fully address state and community-scale perspectives
Not Available
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
Adapting a drinking water treatment technology for arsenic removal to the context of a small, low-income California community
Not Available
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Interaction Networks Are Driven by Community-Responsive Phenotypes in a Chitin-Degrading Consortium of Soil Microbes
The soil microbiome performs many functions that are key to ecology, agriculture, and nutrient cycling. However, because of the complexity of this ecosystem we do not know the molecular details of the interactions between microbial species that lead to these important functions.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Reduced legacy precipitation decreases microbial community growth efficiency and alters soil organic carbon in a California grassland
Changes in global patterns can leave a lasting legacy in semiarid grasslands by reshaping microbial growth dynamics and carbon cycling during the first wet-up in the autumn—a period known for intense microbial activity and significant carbon emissions. To study the lasting impacts of decreased winter rain, we implemented two precipitation regimes (100% vs. 50% mean annual precipitation) in California Mediterranean-climate grassland field plots. After the dry season, soils were rewetted in the laboratory with H 2 18 O and sampled at 0 h, 3 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 168 h post rewet. We quantified CO 2 efflux, measured microbial growth and mortality via quantitative 18 O stable isotope probing and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and characterized the soil organic carbon chemical composition, metagenomes, and metatranscriptomes.
16S gene amplicon sequencing↗
Constraints on microbial communities, decomposition and methane production in deep peat deposits
Not Available
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Community Geothermal: Final Thermal Conductivity Test Report and Data Logs - Carbondale, CO
Provided here are a final thermal conductivity test report, a drilling log, and a heat rejection log from Carbondale, CO. Also attached is a report made before drilling, which contains predictions on the hydrogeologic conditions of the drill site. The forty-eight (48.9) hour in-situ thermal conductivity test was performed on the 28th through the 30th, of November 2023. The test was performed at the borehole drilled on November 16th through the 20th, at the 3rd Street Center at 520 S. 3rd, Street in Carbondale, Colorado. Testing was done with a certified Ewbank portable test unit.
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
Community Geothermal: Energy, Cost, and Carbon Modeling for District Design - Ann Arbor, MI
This data includes results on an analysis of existing and projected energy, cost, and carbon for the City of Ann Arbor - District Geothermal Design and Deployment to Equitably Decarbonize Low Income Neighborhoods in Ann Arbor project. The scope of the project includes designing and implementing a geothermal district heating and cooling system that reduces thermal heating and cooling load by 75% and greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in the project area (262 households, 6 commercial buildings). The existing neighborhood was modeled using Design Builder, an EnergyPlus software, to understand the current energy load. The energy model was then flipped to reflect the designed district geothermal heating and cooling system to project the effect on energy, carbon, and cost. This dataset includes the analysis files utilized and created for this study. There are 3 categories of data: 1) existing/benchmarking, 2) energy modeling, and 3) post processed calculations. This follows the methodology and process of the project team, which is fully explained in file 00_Technical Economic Environmental Assessment. All uses of data are referenced throughout this assessment to their respective files included below.
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
Biochar-compost-based controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer intended for an active microbial community
Nitrogen (N) fertilizers in agriculture suffer losses by volatilization of N to the air, surface runoff and leaching into the soil, resulting in low N use efficiency (NUE) (< 50%) and raising severe environmental pollutions. Controlled- release nitrogen fertilizers (CRNFs) can control the release of N nutrients to NUE in crop production. Different methods were used to develop new CRNFs. However, different CRNF technologies are still underdeveloped due to inadequate controlling on N releasing time and/or unsustainable diffusion. The study on the influences of CRNF processing parameters on microbial conditions are lacking when the CRNFs composed of various bio-ingredients such as biochar, composts, and biowaste. The complexity of processing methods, material biodegradability, and other physical properties make current CRNFs of questionable value in agricultural production. This research aims to develop a novel biochar-compost-based controlled-release urea fertilizer (BCRUF) to preserve microbial properties carried by the compost. The BCRUF was synthesized by pelletizing the 50:50 (dry, wt/wt) mixture of biochar and compost. BCRUF was loaded with urea and then spray-coated with polylactic acid (PLA). The releasing time of two types of BCRUFs, coated and uncoated with PLA, for 80% of N release in water was up to 6 h at three different temperatures (4, 23, and 40 °C), compared to conventional urea fertilizer and commercial environmentally smart N (ESN) fertilizer. The releasing time of coated BCRUF for 80% N release in soil was up to 192 h (8 days). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that no new functional groups were found in the release solution, indicating no new chemical hazards generated. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests also verified that its thermal stability could be up to 160 °C. The microbe populations in the BCRUF pellets were reduced after the pelleting and drying processes in BCRUF fabrication, but a few bacteria can endure in the air-drying process. BCRUF pellets soaked in water for 4 days retained some bacteria. The BCRUF showed very promising characteristics to improve NUE and sustainability in agricultural production.
58 GEOSCIENCES↗
Community-Scale AHA Go Solar Initiative and Net Zero Initiative
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is a sovereign, federally acknowledged Indian Tribe. The Tribal Council created the Akwesasne Housing Authority (AHA) by ordinance in July 1984 and has designated the AHA as its agency for purposes of administering the Tribe’s Indian Housing Block Grant under the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The Go Solar project will install approximately 615 kilowatts (kW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities to serve housing related buildings on the Tribe’s reservation and use net metering programs to reduce the energy costs for AHA and Tribal members by up to $\$$4,417,501 over the life of the project. AHA will initiate four (4) net zero buildings: two (2) new net zero low-income housing buildings located at Sunrise Acres III, which include the Veterans Supportive Housing Building and the Seniors Supportive Housing building, and one (1) older, existing net zero building used by the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club (ABGC Building), and (1) Tribal Administration Building.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Community Planning for Solar: Understanding and Evaluating Solar Financing and Ownership Options
This guide is intended for town officials and constituents to provide a high-level understanding of how solar development can be owned and financed. The guide particularly highlights solar project cash flows of costs and benefits, how they accrue over time between local and non-local project participants, and how financial risk is appropriated.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Driving Affordable Decarbonization: Inclusive Utility Program Designs for Disadvantaged Communities
Our research team worked with 17 utility partners from various U.S. regions to study current utility program practices. We identified the key characteristics of these programs and the challenges and opportunities in implementing them. Through our research, we provide a pragmatic, design-oriented, and customer-centered perspective for effective program design and implementation. We identify 13 successful characteristics of program design that may be considered by utility partners.
disadvantaged communities↗
Community Charging: Emerging Multifamily, Curbside, and Multimodal Practices
Approximately 44 million households—31% of the United States total—are in multifamily housing. This encompasses both rented and owned homes in apartment buildings, condominiums, townhouses, and mixed-use developments. Regardless of where they live, nearly one-third of Americans do not drive. As U.S. transportation is electrified, it will be imperative to support car-free or car-light households, as well as residents living in multifamily and rental housing, with tailored solutions.
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
Connected Residential Communities with Enhanced Resiliency and both Customer and Utility Attributes (Final Technical Report)
This report is a compilation of information from Quarter Progress Reports submitted to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency Building Technologies Office (BTO) by SunPower Corporation. The report has been uploaded to OSTI by DOE as a substitute for the required Final Technical Report which was never received from the project recipient.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗