A new approach to improving the performance ofZymomonas in continuous ethanol fermentations

Although most fermentation ethanol is currently produced in traditional batch processes with yeast, the ethanologenic bacteriumZymomonas mobilis is recognized as an alternative process organism for fuel alcohol production. Different strategies for improving the productivity of ethanol fermentations are reviewed. In batch and open-type continuous fermentations the advantage of replacing yeast byZymomonas relates principally to the 10% higher fermentation efficiency (product yield), whereas in high cell density, closed-type continuous systems (operating with cell recycle or retention) the superior kinetic properties ofZymomonas can be exploited to affect about a five-fold improvement in volumetric productivity. Unlike yeast, the rate of energy supply (conversion of glucose to ethanol) inZymomonas is not strictly regulated by the energy demand and a nongrowing culture exhibits a maintenance energy coefficient that is at least 25 times higher than yeast. As an alternative to process improvement through genetic engineering of the process organism this investigation has taken a biochemical and physiological approach to increasing the kinetic performance ofZ. mobilis through manipulation and control of the chemical environment. Energetically “uncoupled” phenotypes with markedly increased specific rates of ethanol production were generated under conditions of nutritional limitation (nitrogen, phosphate, or potassium) in steady-state continuous culture. The pH was shown to influence energy coupling inZymomonas affecting the maintenance coefficient (m _e ) rather than the max growth yield coefficient (Y _x ^sάx ). Whereas the pH for optimal growth ofZ. mobilis (ATCC 29191) in a complex medium was 6.0–6.5, the specific rate of ethanol production in continuous fermentations was maximal in the range 4.0–4.5. Fermentation conditions are specified for maximizing the specific productivity of aZymomonas-based continuous ethanol fermentation where the potential exists for improving the volumetric productivity in dense culture fermentations with an associated 35–40% reduction in capital costs of fermentation equipment and an estimated savings of 10–15% on cost of product recovery (distillation), and 3–7% on overall production costs based on the projected use of inexpensive feedstocks.     

离子速度成像方法研究C8H17Br分子的光解动力学

用离子速度成像方法, 研究了长链C8H17Br分子在234 nm激光下的光解过程. 通过2+1共振增强多光子电离探测了两种光解产物Br*(2P1/2)和Br(2P3/2), 得到了它们的相对量子产率. 从光解产物Br*(2P1/2)和Br(2P3/2)的速度图像得到了能量和角度分布. 并根据相对量子产率和角度分布, 计算了不同解离通道的比例. 实验发现C8H17Br分子解离过程中大部分能量都转化为内能, 该能量分配可以较好地用软反冲模型来解释, 并分析了这种能量分配跟烷基大小的关系.     

Kinetics and mechanism of sensitized photooxidation of tetramethylammonium salt of 2-(phenylthio)acetic acid in solution: Steady-state and flash photolysis studies

The mechanism for the photo-induced oxidation of the tetramethylammonium salt of 2-(phenylthio)acetic acid was elucidated. The photosensitizer was the benzophenone triplet in acetonitrile solutions. Time-resolved absorption spectra and kinetics were used to follow the intermediates which included the triplet of benzophenone, the ketyl radical of benzophenone, and an ion pair consisting of a radical anion of benzophenone and a tetramethylammonium cation. Rate constants for the growth and decay of the transients were determined along with the quantum yields of the transients. The intermediacy of other radicals was inferred by the products observed following steady-state photolysis. Quantum yields were also determined for photoproducts resulting from the steady-state irradiation. The mechanism was proposed that rationalized the quantitative observations. Of particular note was how the nature of the counter ion effected the secondary reactions of the radicals and the radical ions.     

A note on competition in the bioreactor with toxin

In this paper, we investigate a model with yields: γ₁ = A ₁ + B ₁ S ^m and γ₂ = A ₂ + B ₂ S ⁿ , for the competition in the bioreactor of two competitors for a single nutrient, in which one of the competitors produces toxin against its opponent. The existence of limit cycles in the 3-D system is obtained by using a Hopf bifurcation.      

Synthesis,cure, and composite properties of mixed allyl/propargyl cyclopentadiene resins

A series of thermosetting resins were synthesized via phase transfer reaction of allyl chloride and propargyl bromide with cyclopentadiene in the presence of a strong base. Feed ratios of 1 : 1, 3 : 1, and 5 : 1 allyl chloride to propargyl bromide were used to give resins with varying amounts of propargyl and allyl functionality. In all cases the resins could be thermally cured, without added catalyst, at temperatures below 275°C to give black, glassy, brittle materials with densities of 1.15. TGA evaluation of the resins, with heating to 1000°C, resulted in carbon yields ranging from 48 to 66% with increasing propargyl functionality causing increased values. Physical mixtures of ACP and PCP resins were also made and evaluated. Cure of the mixed materials also occurred below 275°C, and carbon yields were comparable to the corresponding APCP resin. APCP/carbon fiber composites gave good mechanical properties with flexural modulus values of 115–130 GPa and flexural strength values of 1000 MPa. Carbonization of 1 : 1 APCP/carbon fiber composites provided materials with interlaminar strength values of approximately 1.14 MPa. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 2869–2876, 1998     

The mechanisms of photochromic transformations of 2-indolylfulgides

Photochromic properties of 2-indolylfulgides, namely, Z-3-[1-(1,3-dimethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)ethylidene]-4-isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran-2,5-dione andE-3-isopropylidene-4-(1-methyl-1H-indol-2-ylmethylidene)tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dione, were studied. The quantum yields of their photochemical isomerizations in toluene and the rate constant of the dark ring-opening in ethanol were determined. The fluorescence spectra of the open and cyclic forms of 2-indolylfulgides were measured. It was assumed that the excited-stateZ-isomer can be transformed into a cyclic isomer without intermediacy of anE-isomer in the ground state. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1026–1029, June, 2000.     

Excited state behaviour of pentahelicene dinitriles

The excited singlet and triplet states 2,13-dicyano[5]helicene (1) and two para-dicyno[5]helicenes containing one and two methyl groups (2 and 3, respectively) were studied in solvents of different polarity as a function of temperature. Fluorescence quenching by electron donors such as triethyl amine indicated photoinduced electron transfer. In the absence of additives triplet states were observed by flash photolysis. The triplet lifetime at room temperature was rather short (<1 μs) and the decay limited by intramolecular processes, e.g. charge transfer in the cases of 2 or 3. Luminescence of singlet molecular oxygen, O₂(¹Δ_g), was observed with moderate and low quantum yield for 1 and 3, respectively. For 1–3, the triplet lifetime increases by six orders of magnitude on going to −196°C. Two subsequently formed triplet states were observed for 3 at lower temperatures. The effects of temperature and solvent polarity on the quantum yields of fluorescence and phosphorescence and the spectroscopic and kinetic triplet absorption properties were examined. The influence of substituents on the deactivation pathways of excited pentahelicenes are discussed.     

Neutron production at the heavy ion research facility in Lanzhou

In this work,the neutron radiation field at Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL) was investigated.Total neutron yields,spectra and angular distributions in the bombardment of various thick targets by 12C and 18O ions with energies up to 75 MeV/u were obtained using the activation method.The neutron dose equivalent rates of 60 MeV/u 18O on various thick targets at different angles were measured with a modified A-B remmeter.Our results are compared with those of other reports.     

Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzimidazoles in Water

A simple and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzimidazoles through a one-pot condensation of o-phenylenediamines with aryl aldehydes in water is described. Short reaction time, large-scale synthesis, easy and quick isolation of the product, and excellent yield are the main advantages of this procedure.     

Efficient Conversion of Light to Chemical Energy: Directional,Chiral Photoswitches with Very High Quantum Yields

Photochromic systems have been used to achieve a number of engineering functions such as light energy conversion, molecular motors, pumps, actuators, and sensors. Key to practical applications is a high efficiency in the conversion of light to chemical energy, a rigid structure for the transmission of force to the environment, and directed motion during isomerization. We present a novel type of photochromic system (diindane diazocines) that converts visible light with an efficiency of 18 % to chemical energy. Quantum yields are exceptionally high with >70 % for the cis–trans isomerization and 90 % for the back‐reaction and thus higher than the biochemical system rhodopsin (64 %). Two diastereomers (meso and racemate) were obtained in only two steps in high yields. Both isomers are directional switches with high conversion rates (76–99 %). No fatigue was observed after several thousands of switching cycles in both systems.