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Projects

A Systems-Biology Approach to Energy Flow in H2-Producing Microbial Communities (ESD–LLNL Collaboration)

This research aims to develop an integrated analysis of energy flow in complex microbial communities. We are combining biogeochemical, stable isotope probing, metatranscriptomic and computational approaches, to understand nutrient cycling and biofuel (H2) production production in complex microbial communities. A comprehensive understanding of such communities is needed to develop efficient, industrial-scale processes for microbial H2 production and lignocellulose degradation.

Funded by DOE-SC-Biological and Environmental Research

Advanced Simulation Capability for Environmental Management (ASCEM)

Advanced Simulation Capability for Environmental Management (ASCEM) is a software project that aims at developing next-generation, science-based reactive flow and transport simulation capabilities (and supporting modeling toolsets) within a high-performance computing framework, to address the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Management’s waste storage and environmental cleanup challenges.

Susan Hubbard
Funded by DOE-EM-Office of Environmental Management

AmeriFlux Management Project

The largest flows of carbon between land and atmosphere come from terrestrial ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration, with potentially profound impacts on atmosphere and climate. The AmeriFlux Network, established in 1996, has more than 120 long-term flux sites, independently operated and funded, throughout the Western Hemisphere. The sites are diverse, ranging from the Amazonian rainforests to the North Slope of Alaska, and some span gradients in elevation or rainfall. Site researchers observe ecosystem level exchanges of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, water, and energy, to assess terrestrial ecosystems’ responses and feedbacks to the environment.

Margaret Torn
Funded by DOE-SC-Biological and Environmental Research

AR1K: Sustainable, Profitable Agriculture through Research

A part of the AR1K team, Berkeley Lab, the University of Arkansas, and Glennoe Farms are bringing together molecular biology, biogeochemistry, environmental sensing technologies, and machine learning, to revolutionize agriculture and create sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and farms.

ARPA-E—Methylase Project

EESA’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) effort, the Methylase Project, aims to develop biological systems for direct conversion of CO2 or CH4 to liquid transportation fuels. Methane is the main component of gaseous/solid fossil fuel resources, and constitutes one of the largest organic carbon reserves.

Funded by DOE-ARPA-E

Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Carbon Project (ARM Carbon)

In ARM's Carbon Project, we aim to improve our ability to predict exchanges of carbon, water, and energy at the landscape scale. As we develop these models, we can better understand how the fluxes of carbon, water and energy link to land use and climate. The mixture of land uses and simple topography in the Southern Great Plains make this an ideal region to test methods of scaling flux predictions from plot to regional scales. There, we are measuring stocks and fluxes of carbon, water, and energy at various spatial and temporal scales.

Sebastien Biraud - portrait
Funded by DOE-SC-Biological and Environmental Research

Behavior of Sediments Containing Methane Hydrate, Water and Gas…

Behavior of Sediments Containing Methane Hydrate, Water, and Gas Subjected to Gradients and Changing Conditions OBJECTIVES The objective of this work is to measure physical, chemical, mechanical, and hydrologic property changes in sediments containing methane hydrate, water, and gas subjected to varying stimuli and conditions such as injection of non-methane gases, effects of sediment layering,…

Funded by DOE-FE-Office of Fossil Energy

Biofuels Pathways (JBEI)

Researchers in the Biofuels Pathways Group discover naturally occurring enzymes that, when integrated with metabolic pathways for biofuel precursors (such as fatty acids), enable engineered microbes to synthesize advanced biofuels. A genome-enabled approach is used to study both pure bacterial cultures and natural microbial communities known to produce the biofuels of interest.

harry beller
Funded by DOE-SC-Biological and Environmental Research