3 Sep 2025

Acute Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes, Carbon Nanodots, and Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Freshwater Cyanobacteria

Abstract: Synthetic non-metallic nanoparticles have been explored to treat harmful algal blooms, but their strain-specific algicidal activities have been rarely investigated. Three batches of CNDs were prepared in-house using glucose or chloroform and methanol as the substrate and one batch of single-walled CNTs. The axenic laboratory culture of each cyanobacterial strain was exposed to an NMNP at two dosage levels for 48 h, followed by measurement of five endpoints. The endpoints were optical density at 680 nm for chlorophyll-a estimation, OD at 750 nm for cell density, instantaneous pigment fluorescence emission after being excited with 450 nm blue light for chlorophyll-a or 620 nm red light for phycocyanin, and quantum yield for photosynthesis efficiency of photosystem II. The results indicate the acute toxicity was strain-, NMNP type-, dosage-, and endpoint-dependent. The two benthic strains were more resistant to NMNP treatment. SWCNTs and fraction A14 of CND-G were more toxic than CND-G and CND-C/M. The CPP was the least toxic. The high dose generally caused more severe impairment. OD750 and OD680 were more sensitive and QY was the least sensitive. The strain dependence of toxicity suggested the potential application of these NMNPs as a target-specific tool for mitigating harmful cyanobacterial blooms.

25 Aug 2025

Development of a Hydrogen-Fuel-Cell Emergency Response Vehicle: H2Rescue for Energy and Water Resilience

Abstract: The successful fulfilment of the US Corps of Engineers’ civil and military missions relies on both mitigating and adapting to environmental insecurities. The prototype hydrogen-fuel-cell emergency response vehicle, H2Rescue, was built and tested to aid in disaster relief. A collaboration across government agencies and with Accelera by Cummins resulted in successful demonstrations of this vehicle, as described in this technical re-port. Additionally, researchers examined the broader economic and infra-structural factors to determine how soon such a vehicle might be mass-produced. Recommendations are given as to how a technology transfer of this research and development effort could be enacted, including the path forward for a future version of this prototype.

15 Jan 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Laboratory Characterization of Alkali-Silica Reaction Susceptibility of Aggregates for Charleroi Lock and Dam, Monongahela River Project

 Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/35118Report Number: ERDC/GSL TR-19-52Title: Laboratory Characterization of Alkali-Silica Reaction Susceptibility of Aggregates for Charleroi Lock and Dam, Monongahela River ProjectBy Monica A. RamseyApproved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited December 2019Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to