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HATCH | SAES - PURDUE UNIVERSITY | Catalysts for Water Resources Protection and Restoration: Applied Social Science Research | Show watersheds, policy, catalysts, social indicators, non point source | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
STATE | FRST - STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK-FORESTRY SCHOOL | Piping Plover Reproductive Success in Southern New Jersey | Show piping plover~endangered species~wildlife~birds~North Brigantine Natural Area ~Stone Harbor Point | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
MCINTIRE-STENNIS | FRST - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY-FORESTRY SCHOOL | Modeling stand and landscape processes using unmanned aerial systems | Show remote sensing~forest inventory~complexity metrics~photogrammetric point cloud~computer vision | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
HATCH | SAES - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | Long-Term Sustainability of Groundwater Quality in California Agricultural Basins | Show groundwater;~subsurface;~heterogeneity;~water contamination;~hydrologic models;~water quality;~contaminant transport;~geology;~watersheds;~non point pollution;~water pollution;~pollution control;~stochastic processes;~long term;~river basins;~ watershed management; ~aquifers; ~water flow; ~simulation models; ~three dimensional models; ~water supply | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
USDA INHOUSE | ARS-ILLINOIS | Versatile Biobased Products with Multiple Functions | Show BIOBASED LUBRICANTS SEED OILS HYDRAULIC OILS POUR POINT TRIBOLOGY PETROLEUM ENGINE OILS OXIDATION CLOUD POINT MEMBRANE SEPARATIONS HIGH PURITY FEEDSTOCKS REMEDIATION CHELATION BIOBASED ADDITIVES FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS FATTY ACIDS HIGH OLEIC SEED OILS CHEMICAL MODIFICATION BIOBASED SOLVENTS BIOBASED BASE OILS POLYMERCAPTANIZED SOYBEAN OIL NFSQ-AMR | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
USDA INHOUSE | ARS-ILLINOIS | Value-added Bio-oil Products and Processes | Show BIOBASED LUBRICANTS SEED OILS HYDRAULIC OILS POUR POINT TRIBOLOGY PETROLEUM ENGINE OILS OXIDATION CLOUD POINT MEMBRANE SEPARATIONS HIGH PURITY FEEDSTOCKS REMEDIATION CHELATION BIOBASED ADDITIVES FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS FATTY ACIDS HIGH OLEIC SEED OILS CHEMICAL MODIFICATION BIOBASED SOLVENTS BIOBASED BASE OILS POLYMERCAPTANIZED SOYBEAN OIL | Show 01-OCT-15 to 30-SEP-16
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: Enable, from a technological standpoint, new commercial separation processes for the production of marketable low-cost high- purity fatty acids. Objective 2: Enable new commercial products derived from fatty acid esters. Objective 3: Enable new commercial biobased additives for applications in lubricants. � Sub-objective 3.A. Develop novel and cost-competitive structures of biobased additives and base oils. � Sub-objective 3.B. Investigate tribological property of novel biobased additives and base oils and use results to optimize the respective chemical structures. This project is aimed at developing enabling new commercial technologies, processes, and biobased products for various markets including for: remediation (specifically heavy metal remediation to include water treatment/purification); lubricant additives; lubricant base oils; and chemical additives. The technologies and products from this research will be competitive in cost and performance to those currently in the respective markets. The biobased products targeted in this project will result in significant improvements to the U.S. economy and the environment as well as to the safety and health of the American people. Approach (from AD-416): (1) This approach outlines work to be performed related to a) screening of feedstock oil properties and quality; b) design of the membrane-based process Step 1 to remove polyunsaturated fatty acids and enrich saturated fatty acids/ monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) concentrations in fatty acid or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) mixtures; c) evaluate two techniques for the design of process Step 2 to efficiently separate and enrich individual MUFA (oleic and erucic acids) with high yield and purity; and d) integrate designs for Steps 1 and 2 into a single process to fractionate fatty acid mixtures to produce valuable MUFA with high yield and purity. These items present a series of decision points that will be addressed during the course of the research project. (2)Recent research within the unit has shown thioalkyl derivatives of vegetable oils can be used in heavy metal remediation applications with the thioalkyl derivatives acting as metal-coordinating agents for silver ions. Building on these successful findings, new compounds featuring sulfur as the source of binding or chelation will be the primary objective. The initial feedstocks to be examined will be monounsaturated fatty compounds. This will be followed by the more chemically challenging di- and tri-unsaturated fatty compounds and, finally, vegetable oils. Emphasis will be placed on industrial oil feedstocks with enhanced sustainability. Additionally, materials from Objective 1, as they become available, will serve as unique, valuable starting materials. (3a) New biobased additives and base oils will be synthesized from commodity oils and their derivatives. Commodity vegetable oils comprise fatty acids with unsaturation that can be used as reactive sites for chemical modification. In addition to commodity vegetable oils, polymercaptanized soybean oil, which is produced in large quantities from abundant soybean oil and cheap hydrogen sulfide will be used. Other biobased feedstocks to be used in the synthesis include: FAME, obtained from the biodiesel process, especially those with unsaturation on their hydrocarbon chains; esters of fatty acid with various alcohol structures; etc. (3b) The new biobased additives will be first investigated for their compatibility with standard base oils. Additives found to be incompatible will be investigated using various approaches to make them more compatible. Only compatible additives will be allowed into the next phase which involves the investigation of their effectiveness at performing the specific tasks relevant to its application. Additives will be investigated relative to commercial reference additives using established tests for each application. Various concentrations of the additives in each base oil will be prepared and subjected to the respective tests. Based on these results, optimum concentrations of the additives will be determined. This is the first annual report for the project 5010-41000-175-00D, which was certified in October 2015. This new project aimed at developing new technology for producing high purity fatty acids and their derivatives (methyl esters, etc.) and converting them into value-added products for a variety of applications, including for heavy metal remediation from waste water and for lubrication. In FY16, progress has been made in all key objective areas (listed above) and highlights are given below. A database on the characteristics of membranes for separating fatty acids and esters is being compiled. The contents of the database will be used to evaluate membranes for selectivity in the permeation of different species for separation and purification. Results will then be employed to design and optimize scaled-up membrane-based separation processes. New catalysts and green catalytic procedures were developed for the synthesis of sulfur-containing derivatives of fatty esters. The new materials show promise for heavy metal remediation in aqueous waste streams and/or industrial effluents. In their previous research, ARS researchers in Peoria, Illinois, have shown that furan cyclic structures can be formed from epoxidized vegetable oil. The furan fatty acids potentially can have many useful properties, but their evaluation is hampered by low product yields achieved to date. The researchers continued the work this reporting cycle by evaluating the use of sulfuric acid as a cheap catalyst, and solvents of different polarity. They succeeded in slightly improving the yields (to ~25%). Modified soybean oil, produced commercially from commodity soybean oil, contains sulfur atoms in its structure. As a result, modified soybean oil could have potential application as a biobased multi-functional lubricant additive capable of providing anti-wear, antioxidant, and extreme pressure properties to lubricant formulations. A preliminary investigation of the as-received modified soybean oil samples from a commercial entity was conducted by ARS researchers in Peoria, Illinois. The neat material displayed higher density, higher (> 7-fold) viscosity at 40�C, slightly lower viscosity index, and better oxidation stability and pour point than soybean oil. Modified soybean oil was also investigated as an additive in high oleic sunflower oil (HOSuO) base oil and the property of the blend evaluated as a function of modified soybean oil concentration. It was observed that blending modified soybean oil additive provided improved pour point, improved oxidation stability (at = 10%), lower anti-wear coefficient of friction, wear scar diameter, and almost 3-fold higher extreme pressure weld point than the HOSuO base oil. The result indicates that modified soybean oil, which can be commercially manufactured at low cost, has the potential to be used as low cost biobased additive in lubricant formulations. Further investigation of the as-received, as well as chemically modified soybean oil products is in progress. Accomplishments 01 Vegetable oil-based adsorbents remove mercury and silver ions from wastewater. Heavy metal contamination of natural waters is an emerging environmental problem in the United States. Toxic heavy metals can find their way into lakes and streams from sources such as industrial wastewaters, aging municipal plumbing, or the mining industry. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, developed an adsorbent material from modified corn oil that efficiently removes mercury and silver ions from contaminated water. A very small amount of the modified corn oil was required to reduce mercury concentration by 99.6% and silver concentration by 88.9% after contact with the contaminated water. This research will directly benefit efforts to develop green technologies to clean up wastewater streams without adversely impacting the environment. 02 New heavy metal removal agents based on agricultural products. Removal of heavy metals from aqueous waste streams and/or industrial effluents is a serious environmental and health issue. Compounds containing sulfur are known to often remove such metals. In this connection, a process using new catalysts for making new derivatives of fatty esters containing sulfur were discovered. The fatty esters used for this process can be obtained from common agriculturally-derived plant oils such as soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, or others. The new catalysts have the advantages of easy removal, providing the products in high yield, and enabling facile reaction conditions including no use of solvent which makes the production a truly green procedure. Analytical work on these compounds shows that the products are promising agents for heavy metal remediation in aqueous waste streams or industrial effluents and are competitive or better than existing materials. This work also provides a promising new use of agriculturally-derived products such as plant oils, potentially providing an additional market for farmers. 03 Synthesis of phosphonates from soybean oil (SBO) and high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO). Previous research has shown that phosphonates synthesized from methyl oleate display anti-wear properties comparable to zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), a commercial anti-wear additive widely used in high volume lubricant formulations such as motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and gear oils. However, methyl oleate is more expensive than vegetable oils since it is obtained by processing vegetable oils. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, have successfully synthesized phosphonates from SBO and HOSO using free radical initiators without solvents. Three different phosphonate structures were used in the synthesis with each vegetable oil. Good conversion of the vegetable oil double bonds to phosphonates was achieved. The reactions were carried out on a few hundred grams scale and can be easily scaled-up further. The phosphonates were characterized by standard methods to confirm their chemical structures. The vegetable oil based phosphonates synthesized in this work can provide a cost- competitive, environmentally friendly, and biobased additive alternative to ZDDP. The later contains metal, is non-biodegradable, and produced from non-renewable petroleum based raw materials. 04 Biobased phosphonates derived from methyl lionoleate displayed superior anti-wear properties. Biobased lubricants provide numerous economic, environmental, safety, and health benefits. However, to get the maximum benefits from application of biobased lubricants, they must be formulated with biobased base oils and biobased additives. Unfortunately, there are no commercial biobased additives and current formulators have to use petroleum-based additive to produce biobased lubricants. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, investigated biobased dialkyl phosphonates derived from methyl linoleate (MeLin) for antiwear additive properties. MeLin is obtained from vegetable oils using the biodiesel process. Blends of three different phosphonates (dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-butyl) with high oleic sunflower oil as the biobased base oil were investigated. The results showed superior anti-wear and anti- friction properties by the biobased phosphonates relative to the commercial anti-wear additive zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). The results indicate that biobased anti-wear additives have the potential for replacing ZDDP, which is currently applied in many commercial lubricants including engine oil, hydraulic fluids, and gear oils. ZDDP is not environmentally friendly because it contains heavy metal, is non- renewable because it is produced from petroleum based raw materials, and not biodegradable. | N/A | Show 01-OCT-15 to 30-SEP-16
Biresaw, G., Compton, D., Evans, K., Bantchev, G.B. 2016. Lipoate ester multifunctional lubricant additives. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. 55(1):373-383.
Knothe, G.H. 2014. Biodiesel lubricity and other properties. In: Biresaw, G., Mittal, K.L., editors. Surfactants in Tribology. Vol. IV. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press: Taylor & Francis Group. p. 483-500.
Knothe, G.H. 2016. Biodiesel and its properties. In: McKeon, T.A., Hayes, D.G., Hildebrand, D.F., Weselake, R.J., editors. Industrial Oil Crops. 1st edition. Urbana, IL: AOCS Press. p. 15-42.
Bantchev, G.B., Biresaw, G., Palmquist, D.E., Murray, R.E. 2016. Radical- initiated reaction of methyl linoleate with dialkyl phosphites. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 93(6):859-868.
Harry-O'kuru, R.E., Biresaw, G., Murray, R.E. 2015. Polyamine triglycerides: Synthesis and study of their potential in lubrication, neutralization and sequestration. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 63(28):6422-6429.
Dunn, R.O. 2015. Cold flow properties of biodiesel: A guide to getting an accurate analysis. Biofuels. 6(1-2):115-128. doi: 10.1080/17597269.2015. 1057791.
Gordon, S.H., Mohamed, A.A., Harry-O'Kuru, R.E., Biresaw, G. 2015. Identification and measurement of intermolecular interaction in polyester/ polystyrene blends by FTIR-photoacoustic spectrometry. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. 23(4):459-469.
Sutivisedsak, N., Leathers, T.D., Biresaw, G., Nunnally, M.S., Bischoff, K. M. 2016. Simplified process for preparation of schizophyllan solutions for biomaterial applications. Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 46(3) :313-319.
Doll, K.M., Walter, E.L., Bantchev, G.B., Jackson, M.A., Murray, R.E., Rich, J.O. 2016. Improvement of lubricant materials using ruthenium isomerization. Chemical Engineering Communications. 203(7):901-907.
Biresaw, G., Bantchev, G.B. 2015. Tribological properties of limonene bisphosphonates. Tribology Letters. 60(11). doi: 10.1007/s11249-015-0578-2.
O'Neil, G.W., Knothe, G., Williams, J.R., Burlow, N.P., Reddy, C.M. 2016. Decolorization improves the fuel properties of algal biodiesel from Isochrysis sp. Fuel. 179:229-234.
Liu, Z., Chen, J., Knothe, G., Nie, X., Jiang, J. 2016. Synthesis of epoxidized cardanol and its antioxidative properties for vegetable oils and biodiesel. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 4(3):901-906.
Bantchev, G.B., Doll, K.M., Biresaw, G., Vermillion, K. 2014. Formation of furan fatty alkyl esters from their bis-epoxide fatty esters. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 91:2117-2123.
Knothe, G.H., Razon, L.F., Madulid, D.A., Agoo, E.M., De Castro, M.E. 2016. Fatty acid profiles of some Fabaceae seed oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 93:1007-1011.
O'Neil, G.W., Williams, J.R., Wilson-Peltier, J., Knothe, G., Reddy, C.M. 2016. Experimental protocol for biodiesel production with isolation of alkenones as coproducts from commercial Isochrysis algal biomass. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 112:e54189. doi: 10.3791/54189.
Bantchev, G.B., Cermak, S.C., Biresaw, G., Appell, M., Kenar, J.A., Murray, R.E. 2015. Thiol-ene and H-phosphonate-ene reactions for lipid modifications. In: Liu, Z., Kraus, G., editors. Green Materials from Plant Oils. 1st edition. Cambridge, UK: RSC Publishing. p. 59-92.
Harry-O'kuru, R.E., Biresaw, G. 2015. Lubricity characteristics of seed oils modified by acylation. In: Liu, Z., Kraus, G., editors. Green Materials from Plant Oils. lst edition. Cambridge, UK: RSC Publishing. p. 242-268.
Knothe, G. 2016. Biodiesel: A fuel, a lubricant, and a solvent. In: Sharma, B.K., Biresaw, G., editors. Environmentally Friendly and Biobased Lubricants. Boca Raton: CRC Press. p. 391-405. | |
USDA INHOUSE | ARS-MARYLAND | VALIDATION OF TESTING METHODS FOR THE DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI 0157:H7,SALMONELLA SPP."TITLE CONTINUED IN AGREEMENT" | Show ESCHERICHIA COLI SALMONELLA COMPOST HAZARD ANALYSIS CRITICAL CONTROL POINT (HAACP) C:N RATIOS E COLI ENTEROHEMORRAGIC BACTERIAL PATHOGENS FOOD PATHOGENS PHYSIO-CHEMICAL CENTER OF PRODUCE SAFETY | Show 01-OCT-12 to 30-SEP-13
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The objective of this study is to evaluate TMECC and EPA pathogen detection methods in order to accurately determine the presence of populations of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, non-pathogenic E. coli, and fecal coliforms in �point of sale� composts collected from commercial operations across the United States. Correlations between the presence of pathogens and several physico-chemical parameters (moisture, water activity, electrical conductivity, soluble carbon, pH, and carbon:nitrogen ratios) will be investigated. Approach (from AD-416): ARS will acquire the basic knowledge about the stresses that pathogenic E. coli or Salmonella strains undergo in compost and their prevalence in various types of compost. The carbon:nitrogen ratio will evaluated in commercial formulations. Based on these findings, compost formulations using specific C:N ratios will then be formulated to determine survival and inhibition of E. coli and Salmonella. This study examined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodology, or methods like the U.S. Composting Council Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC), which have not been validated for use across a wide variety of composts. Our study evaluated 29 different commercial composts, made from manure, biosolids, and yardwaste feedstocks collected from across the United States. Subsamples of these products were inoculated with non-pathogenic E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. The EPA method recovered significantly (p = 0.0003) greater levels of fecal coliforms and E. coli than TMECC methods. Both methods showed equivalent recoveries of Salmonella spp. Both immunomagnetic separation methods evaluated recovered E. coli O157:H7 from all compost samples. Levels of total organic carbon and carbon / nitrogen ratios in composts examined were not correlated with the regrowth of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 in point-of-sale finished composts, indicating that pathogen regrowth cannot be simply predicted by either of these chemical parameters. Two final technical reports for the Center for Produce Safety and the California Department of Food and Agriculture have been submitted. | N/A | N/A | |
USDA INHOUSE | ARS-ILLINOIS | BIO-BASED LUBRICANTS FROM FARM-BASED RAW MATERIALS | Show BIOBASED TRIBOLOGY METALWORKING PETROLEUM LUBRICANTS STARCH SEED OILS ENGINE OILS HYDRAULIC OILS OXIDATION POUR POINT CLOUD POINT | Show 09-AUG-10 to 03-AUG-15
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): 1. Develop and apply modeling and experimental tools for the investigation and prediction of the tribological properties of farm-based raw materials. 2. Apply tribological knowledge to the development and commercialization of biobased lubricants for use in automotive and related applications. Approach (from AD-416): (1) Review existing oxidation and cold flow literature as well as existing models for predicting oxidative stability (OS) and cold flow properties (CFP). Predictive models will be developed and used to design chemical structures that could provide improved OS and CFP without sacrificing biodegradability. Model compounds will be synthesized and evaluated using a variety of cold flow and oxidation tests such as: RBOT, PDSC, PP, CP, cryogenic DSC. Models will be further modified as needed and applied in development of new bio-based raw materials and promising structures will be synthesized in large quantities for bench- and pilot- scale evaluations. Tribological and tribochemical properties of model bio- based structures will be investigated and used in model development. Structures to be investigated include: polarity, unsaturation, branching, chain length, cyclic rings (mono- and poly-cyclic aromatic and aliphatic structures), and various combinations of structures. Model structures will be evaluated for boundary, hydrodynamic, mixed, EHD, traction, and tribochemical properties. (2) Develop database on lubricating and hydraulic fluids to set-up target specifications and also to develop predictive structure-property relationships. Various grades of lubricating and hydraulic fluids will be developed using variety of in- house tests such as: RBOT, PDSC, PP, CP, EHL film thickness, TC, foaming, corrosion, volatility, viscosity, viscosity-index, pressure-viscosity coefficient, friction and wear (AW and EP), biodegradability, etc. Promising formulations will be further developed using appropriate bench tests. Examples of bench tests used in lubricating oil development include: Thin Film Oxygen Uptake Test; Cold Cranking Simulator; Mini- Rotary Viscometer; gas emission tests; Thermo-Oxidation Engine Oil Simulation Test; Corrosion Bench Test; Distillation; Piston cleanliness; etc. Bench tests to be used in biobased hydraulic fluid development include: vane pump; corrosion; foam; oxidation; water separability; thermal stability; hydrolytic stability; and sludge formation. Promising biobased formulations will be further subjected to qualification tests and long-term evaluations for specific applications. Starch modified by steam-jet cooking or chemical modification will be used to develop starch- based metalworking lubricants. The effect of various structural and formulation variables on performance will be investigated, including starch chemical structure; type and degree of chemical modification; oil chemical structure; oil-to-starch ratio; lubricant additives chemistry and concentration. Tests to be used in these evaluations include: friction and wear; product quality; tool life; productivity; lubricant batch life; ease of lubricant handling; compatibility with machine components; etc. The results will be used to select formulations for further development on small- and pilot-scale equipment. This is the final report for Project 5010-41000-155-00D, which has been replaced by new Project 5010-41000-175-00D. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, are engaged in a multi-disciplinary research effort to develop biobased lubricants from farm-based raw materials that are competitive in performance and cost compared to petroleum-based lubricants currently on the market. Key areas of the program include: development of novel biobased ingredients from agricultural raw materials using thermal, chemical, and enzymatic methods; investigation and optimization of their tribological properties using available or newly developed methods; application of structure-property and other models to understand and optimize their structures; explore potential non-lubricant applications for the novel biobased products developed in this program. During FY15, progress has been made in all these key areas and highlights are given below. Vegetable oils possess a number of highly desirable properties as well as serious weaknesses for application in lubricant formulations. Currently, there is a great deal of effort aimed at countering their weaknesses while preserving their desirable properties. A wide range of strategies are employed in this effort, including the chemical modification of the structure of the vegetable oils and their derivatives. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, applied chemical modifications on soybean oil, milkweed oil, and their fatty acid and methyl ester derivatives. One example of progress in this area is given below. Soybean and milkweed oils were chemically modified by converting their unsaturated bonds (C=C) first to epoxides, which is then functionalized further to one or more of the following: polyesters; polyhydroxides (or polyols); polyketones; polyimines; polyamines; and polyformates. In general, the chemical modifications provided biobased oils with a broad range of viscosity grades above the value (30-40 cSt at 40�C) possible with the unmodified vegetable oils. In addition, the elimination of the double bonds and the insertion of branches with a functional group to the fatty acid chains produced oils with significantly improved oxidation stability and cold flow properties. Differences in tribological properties among the derivatives with different functional groups is under investigation, and results will be used to construct structure- property relationships to aid in further development and optimization. Development of biobased lubricant ingredients requires understanding their performance under a wide spectrum of lubrication conditions. These conditions (commonly referred to as lubrication regimes) are defined by the speed, pressure, temperature, friction material property, lubricant property, and other conditions encountered by the lubricant during its use. Understanding how ingredients perform at various points in the spectrum will provide a clue as to what lubricant application (e.g., metalworking, grease, engine oil, etc.) is best suitable for the ingredient. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, developed a procedure for evaluating the properties of biobased lubricant ingredients in the entire spectrum of lubrication conditions using the high frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR). The HFRR, which is routinely used to test the �lubricity� of petro- and biodiesel at a single set of conditions, is capable of running at a wide range of speed, load, temperature, and time. Taking advantage of these features, procedures were developed to scan the performance of lubricant ingredients in the entire lubrication regime. Application of the method was demonstrated by comparing a model biobased (high oleic sunflower oil) vs. model petroleum-based (polyalphaolefin) base oils of similar viscosity. The method showed superior performance (lower friction, lower wear, higher film thickness) of the model biobased oil in the entire lubrication regime. The procedure will be used to investigate the effect of chemical, thermal, and enzymatic modifications on the tribological properties of biobased ingredients in the entire spectrum of the lubrication regime. Knowledge from such investigations can be used to develop biobased lubricant ingredients with optimized structures and performance. Accomplishments 01 Bio-based oil with cyclic structures for potential high-traction fluid application. Automotive lubricants account for more than a 60% share of the global lubricant market. Lubricants under this category include engine, hydraulic, gear, and traction oils. Traction fluids, unlike the other oils in this category, are formulated to provide high friction (or traction), which is necessary for the fluid to effectively transmit power from the engine to the wheels. Base oils with unique structures are used to formulate traction fluids. Cyclic structures are one of the structures known to provide high traction properties. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, successfully synthesized fatty acid methyl esters with cyclic furan structure in their backbone. The product is obtained by reacting doubly epoxidized fatty acid methyl ester (e.g., fully epoxidized methyl linoleate) with alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst. Such material has not been reported before and its structure was positively identified using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analytical methods. Investigation of the synthesis procedure, in which the type of alcohol, catalyst, and reaction temperature were varied, showed that cyclic structures are obtained under the various combinations of reaction conditions. This indicates that unique reaction conditions are not required to synthesize the cyclic structures. Such simple synthetic procedures for cyclic products will pave the way for the competitive introduction of bio-based oils into the traction fluid market. 02 Novel citrus-based, anti-wear additive. Successful commercialization of bio-based lubricants requires that they are cost competitive against petroleum-based products. One way of achieving this is to use inexpensive agricultural co-products for the development of bio-based lubricant ingredients. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, chemically modified a by-product of the citrus industry to develop value-added products for use in biolubricant formulations. The products were carefully identified using a combination of analytical techniques and investigated for their physical and tribological properties. The products displayed improved oxidation stability, improved extreme pressure weld point, improved anti-wear coefficient of friction (COF) and wear scar diameter (WSD). These compounds were also investigated as bio-based additives to petroleum-based and bio-based oils, and displayed improved COF and WSD at low concentrations. The result demonstrates that bio-based lubricant ingredients with considerably improved tribological properties and competitive cost can be developed by chemical modification of inexpensive agricultural coproducts. These products have the potential to be used as ingredients in bio-based hydraulic, engine, metalworking, and grease formulations. | N/A | Show 09-AUG-10 to 03-AUG-15
Biresaw, G. 2014. Environmentally friendly lubricant development programs at USDA. Journal of ASTM International. DOI: 10.1520/STP157520130172.
Bantchev, G.B., Cermak, S.C., Biresaw, G., Appell, M.D., Kenar, J.A., Murray, R.E. 2015. Thiol-ene and H-phosphonate-ene reactions for lipid modifications. In: Liu, Z., Kraus, G., editors. Green Materials from Plant Oils. 1st edition. Cambridge, UK: RSC Publishing. p. 59-92.
Biresaw, G., Sharma, B.K., Bantchev, G.B., Kurth, T.L., Doll, K.M., Erhan, S.Z., Kunwar, B., Scott, J.W. 2014. Elastohydrodynamic properties of biobased heat-bodied oils. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. 53:16183-16195.
Bantchev, G.B., Doll, K.M., Biresaw, G., Vermillion, K. 2014. Formation of furan fatty alkyl esters from their bis-epoxide fatty esters. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 91:2117-2123.
Harry-O'Kuru, R.E., Biresaw, G. 2015. Lubricity characteristics of seed oils modified by acylation. In: Liu, Z., Kraus, G., editors. Green Materials from Plant Oils. lst edition. Cambridge, UK: RSC Publishing. p. 242-268. | |
USDA INHOUSE | ARS-MARYLAND | USING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS | Show MICROSCOPY ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCANNING MICROSCOPY TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY LOW TEMPERATURE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LABELLING THIN SECTIONING NEGATIVE STAINING CHEMICAL FIXATION CRITICAL POINT DRYING | Show 09-MAR-07 to 08-MAR-12
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The long-term objectives of this project involve the application of electron microscopy for the observation of a wide range of sample materials of importance to research projects whose goals include the protection of plants, animals, and humans from various pathogens and parasites. The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) Electron Microscopy Unit (EMU) serves research projects at BARC that require electron microscopy data, for achieving their specific research objectives. The EMU will use standard electron microscopy protocols as well as develop new techniques and methodologies as needed to meet the needs of its clientele. Over the next 5 years we will focus on the following objectives, 1) design and develop new techniques, preparative methodologies, specimen holders, and equipment required for the identification, characterization, and classification of plant pathogens and other pests, 2) develop new techniques and methodologies in electron microscopy, specific to individual research projects, for achieving previously unobtainable data and improvement of the quality of results, and 3) develop digital imaging and provide computer assistance and graphics for use in publications and periodicals. Approach (from AD-416): Sample materials including healthy and diseased plant materials, mites, insects, fungi, viral pathogens, nematode pests, animal and human parasites, non-biological materials, food products, snow and ice crystals and numerous other materials will be imaged at the BARC Electron Microscopy Unit (EMU) using a range of electron microscopy techniques and instrumentation. In some instances it is not possible to meet the specific and diverse specimen preparation needs of a range of plant, animal, microbe, and other research projects using standard approaches. In such cases, procedures, devices, and methods will be developed and/or adapted in consultation with individual researchers to produce optimal results. The EMU has computer equipment, servers, data storage devices, DVD, CD and slide writers, scanners and printers and associated software for the production of quality photographs and publication ready documents and files. Utilizing this equipment and the IT skills available in the EMU, unique applications of computer technology will be used for colorization of black and white electron microscope images of mites and other biological tissues with true colors as seen using light microscopy. Training will also be provided to staff of collaborating scientists to assist in creating and enhancing images. This is the final report for the project 1275-22000-243-00D, which has been replaced by the new project 1275-22000-278-00D. Details of progress on milestones relating to the use of Electron and Confocal Microscopy Applications to Pests and Plant Processes Impacting Agricultural Productivity can be found in the 2012 Annual Report for project 1275- 22000-278-00D. There are over 250 scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center with national and international collaborators working on numerous and varied research projects with many of them having an occasional or frequent need to visualize samples using electron microscopes [transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM)] and the confocal laser scanning microscope provided by the Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit (ECMU). There were over forty different projects for which the ECMU provided support which included: characterization of viruses attacking bees, tobacco, potato, Freesia, sugarcane, gooseberries, and cabbage looper; bacteria infecting bees and fungal diseases on roses, raspberries, blackberries, sugar cane, switchgrass, Arabidopsis, and green beans; studies of animal parasites (Giardia, cryptosporidium, and yeast tachyozoites); identification of a new species of nematode and the observation of six different genera of nematodes; investigative studies of biocontrol and pest insects (thrips, lacewing, mosquitoes, aphids, Formosan termites, and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid); detailed morphological examination of over 20 genera of mites affecting oranges, lemons, grapefruits, bananas, wheat, cabbage, kale, broccoli, peppers, coconuts, date palms, olives, mangoes, eucalyptus, and ornamental palms; localization of gene insertions in tomato, tobacco, onion, spinach, eggplant, and soybeans; determination of water content of winter snow packs; characterization of healthy and infected plants and chicken tissues; degradation studies of biodegradable plastics containing chicken feathers; identification of plant tissues and organelles which store heavy metals for decontamination of soils; structural definition of food products and byproducts; and food safety issues including: bacterial contamination of tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, cabbage and cyptosporidium on the surface of spinach, lettuce, peach, tomato and apples. Accomplishments 01 Animal parasites can survive on apples even after storage. Can Cryptosporidium parvum, an animal parasite, survive on apples following harvest? ARS researchers in Beltsville, MD found fluorescently labeled Cryptosporidium cysts using confocal laser scanning microscopy in pits o the surface of apples. Additional studies using scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that Cryptosporidium cysts produce as sticky substance to attach themselves to the surface of apples. This could be hiding place and mechanism for this animal parasite to attach to apples which could potentially be a food safety issue for stored apples. 02 New species of plant mite has been described. A new genus and species o mites, Mangalaus bkapus, was discovered in India feeding on Indian cherr or fragrant manjack. ARS researchers at Beltsville, MD with collaborato in New Delhi, India used morphological studies of low temperature scanni electron microscopy images to characterize this new species. The identification of this new mite can lead to the correct identification o this plant mite pest for control purposes. 03 Red palm mites feed on stomata of plants. Red palm mites, in the genus Raoiella, are a devastating pest on bananas, coconuts, date palms, and ornamental palms. ARS researchers at Beltsville, MD discovered through low temperature scanning electron microscopy studies that the red palm mite specializes in feeding on the stomata of plants. Detection of this feeding method will lead to the discovery of how best to control this major pest. 04 New species of nematode is described. A new species of nematode was discovered, Parasitorhabditis mississippi, which was found in associatio with the pine bark beetle in loblolly pines. ARS researchers at Beltsville, MD described the new species using morphological studies of light and low temperature scanning electron microscopy images. This nematode may be a possible biological control of the pine bark beetle. 05 A plant mite, Aceria mangiferae, was shown to carry spores for the fungu Fusarium mangiferae, a disease on mango. Mango trees which were not yielding fruit were found to be infected with a fungus and also a mite. ARS researchers at Beltsville, MD used scanning electron microscopy studies to show that the mites found on mango can spread the spores of t fungus which causes a proliferation of vegetative buds on the terminal branches of mango, thus, reducing fruit production. Pest control of the mites may reduce or prevent the spread of the disease. 06 Cryptosporidium parasites found inside plant stomata. Cryptosporidium parvum is an animal parasite found in contaminated water. ARS researche at Beltsville, MD used fluorescently labeled parasite cysts to observe their location using laser confocal microscopy on the surface of spinach leaves. The cysts were found near and inside plant stomata, the breathi holes of plants. This could be a hiding place for this animal parasite which could potentially be a food safety issue for fresh cut leafy vegetables. These newly developed methods have helped identify potentia parasites or protozoal contaminates of produce. Contaminates of produce by water is of importance to food safety and public health. 07 Morphological, molecular, and phylogenic studies were conducted on the microsporidian parasite, Nosema ceranae. Microsporidian parasites were found to attack honey bees which reduces honey production. ARS researchers at Beltsville, MD used ultra-structural studies using the transmission electron microscope as well as molecular markers to confirm that this new parasite was a member of the Nosema genera which are pests of honey bees. Control of this new pest can improve the health of Honey bees and help increase honey production. 08 Labeling of Giardia lamblia trophozoites identified the location of a molecule on the attachment site of the disease-causing developmental sta of the parasite. Giardia lamblia is an intestinal parasite of humans, dogs, cats, birds, cows, and sheep. ARS researchers at Beltsville, MD used transmission electron microscopy studies using gold labeling to sho the location of the attachment site of the parasite to host intestinal cells. Blockage of this binding site may prevent the disease in mammali and bird species. | N/A | Show 09-MAR-07 to 08-MAR-12
Roh, M.S., Bauchan, G.R., Huda, M.S. 2012. Physical and chemical properties of biobased plastic resins containing chicken feather fibers. Journal of Horticulture, Environment and Biotechnology. 51(1):72-80.
Roh, M.S., Bauchan, G.R., Huda, M. 2012. The effect of biobased plastic resins containing chichen feather fibers on the growth and flowering of Begonia boliviensis. Journal of Horticulture, Environment and Biotechnology. 51(1):81-91. | |
USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT | ERS-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | Organic Farming Systems Database | Show water quality ~ nitrogen ~ soil erosion ~ monitoring ~ organic farming ~ data bases ~ production systems ~ non point pollution ~ stochastic processes ~ runoff ~ budgets ~ simulation models ~ experimental design ~ certification ~ acreage ~ livestock production ~ economic indicators ~ data collection ~ agricultural commodities ~ food marketing ~ sectors (economics) ~ farm land ~ land management | Show 01-OCT-03 to 30-SEP-04
An ERS report on the adoption of certified systems in the United States for 2000-01 was published in 2003, and an update is underway. An ERS report on organic ecolabeling in U.S. farmers markets was completed in 2004. Findings from the adoption report indicate that U.S. farmland managed under organic systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and has sustained that momentum. Analysis of certified acreage and livestock data from U.S. certifiers shows that U.S. farmers and ranchers managed 2.3 million acres of farmland under organic farming systems in 2001. Most crop/livestock sectors and most States also showed strong growth between 1997 and 2001. Overall, certified organic cropland and pasture accounted for 0.3 percent of U.S. cropland and pasture in 2001, although the share is much higher in some crops, such as vegetables at over 2 percent. Findings on organic labeling in U.S. farmers markets suggest this marketing venue is providing an important marketing outlet
for many farmers, including organic farmers, who want to generate substantial income from high-value crops grown on minimal acreage. Information collected from farmersa market managers for this study suggest that demand for organic products is substantial and growing in many of the farmersa markets across the U.S. Critical factors affecting growth in demand for organic products and participation by organic growers at markets may include limited numbers of local organic farmers available to sell at markets, limited awareness and interest of some consumers and farmers in organic production systems, and negative perceptions of organic products or organic product pricing. | Show 01-OCT-03 to 30-SEP-04
Project findings have been presented in conferences and briefings in variety of academic and industry setting, and provide farmers, consumers, and policymakers with key information to help understand the adoption of organic farming systems in the U.S. | Show 01-OCT-03 to 30-SEP-04
Greene, C., Kremen, A., 2003, U.S. Organic Farming in 2000-2001: Adoption of Certified Systems, Agricultural Information Bulletin, AIB-780, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, February, 51 pp. |
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