Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

About: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a facility organization based out in Richland, Washington, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Aerosol. The organization has 11581 authors who have published 27934 publications receiving 1120489 citations. The organization is also known as: PNL & PNNL.

Engineering microbial consortia for controllable outputs

Abstract: Much research has been invested into engineering microorganisms to perform desired biotransformations; nonetheless, these efforts frequently fall short of expected results due to the unforeseen effects of biofeedback regulation and functional incompatibility. In nature, metabolic function is compartmentalized into diverse organisms assembled into robust consortia, in which the division of labor is thought to lead to increased community efficiency and productivity. Here we consider whether and how consortia can be designed to perform bioprocesses of interest beyond the metabolic flexibility limitations of a single organism. Advances in post-genomic analysis of microbial consortia and application of high-resolution global measurements now offer the promise of systems-level understanding of how microbial consortia adapt to changes in environmental variables and inputs of carbon and energy. We argue that, when combined with appropriate modeling frameworks, systems-level knowledge can markedly improve our ability to predict the fate and functioning of consortia. Here we articulate our collective perspective on the current and future state of microbial community engineering and control while placing specific emphasis on ecological principles that promote control over community function and emergent properties.

A review of fault detection and diagnostics methods for building systems

Abstract: The current article provides a summary of automated fault detection and diagnostics studies published since 2004 that are relevant to the commercial buildings sector. The review updates a previous review conducted in 2004 and published in 2005, and it categorizes automated fault detection and diagnostics methods into three groups. The examples of automated fault detection and diagnostics in the primary category are selectively reviewed to identify various methods that are suitable for building systems and to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the methods. The distribution of studies based on each automated fault detection and diagnostics method and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system is also described. Researchers and industries can use the current article as a guideline for selecting an appropriate automated fault detection and diagnostics method.

Responses of East Asian summer monsoon to natural and anthropogenic forcings in the 17 latest CMIP5 models

Abstract: In this study, we examined the responses of East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) to natural (solar variability and volcanic aerosols) and anthropogenic (greenhouse gasses and aerosols) forcings simulated in the 17 latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Program phase 5 (CMIP5) models with 105 realizations. The observed weakening trend of low-level EASM circulation during 1958-2001 is partly reproduced under all-forcing runs. A comparison of separate forcing experiments reveals that the aerosol-forcing plays a primary role in driving the weakened low-level monsoon circulation. The preferential cooling over continental East Asia caused by aerosol affects the monsoon circulation through reducing the land-sea thermal contrast and results in higher sea level pressure over northern China. In the upper-level, both natural-forcing and aerosol-forcing contribute to the observed southward shift of East Asian subtropical jet through changing the meridional temperature gradient.

Turn-key Raman lidar for profiling atmospheric water vapor, clouds, and aerosols

Abstract: We describe an operational, self-contained, fully autonomous Raman lidar system that has been developed for unattended, around-the-clock atmospheric profiling of water vapor, aerosols, and clouds During a 1996 three-week intensive observational period, the system operated during all periods of good weather (339 out of 504 h), including one continuous five-day period The system is based on a dual-field-of-view design that provides excellent daytime capability without sacrificing nighttime performance It is fully computer automated and runs unattended following a simple, brief (~5-min) start-up period We discuss the theory and design of the system and present detailed analyses of the derivation of water-vapor profiles from the lidar measurements

Functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for biosensing applications.

Abstract: This review summarizes recent advances in electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with an emphasis on applications of CNTs. CNTs and CNFs have unique electric, electrocatalytic and mechanical properties, which make them efficient materials for developing electrochemical biosensors. We discuss functionalizing CNTs for biosensors. We review electrochemical biosensors based on CNTs and their various applications (e.g., measurement of small biological molecules and environmental pollutants, detection of DNA, and immunosensing of disease biomarkers). Moreover, we outline the development of electrochemical biosensors based on CNFs and their applications. Finally, we discuss some future applications of CNTs.