Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique for studying bi-molecular interactions at the atomic scale. Our NMR lab is involved in the identification of small molecules, or ligands that bind to target protein receptors, such as tetanus (TeNT) and botulinum (BoNT) neurotoxins, anthrax proteins and HLA-DR10 receptors on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer cells. Once low affinity binders are identified, they can be linked together to produce multidentate synthetic high affinity ligands (SHALs) that have very high specificity for their target protein receptors. An important nanotechnology application for SHALs is their use in the development of robust chemical sensors or biochips for the detection of pathogen proteins in environmental samples or body fluids. Here, we describe a recently developed NMR competition assay based on transferred nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (trNOESY) that enables the identification of sets of ligands that bind to the same site, or a different site, on the surface of TeNT fragment C (TetC) than a known ''marker'' ligand, doxorubicin. Using this assay, we can identify the optimal pairs of ligands to be linked together for creating detection reagents, as well as estimate the relative binding constants for ligands competing for the same site.

Calcium phosphates are the mineral component of bones and teeth. As such there is great interest in understanding the physical mechanisms that underlie their growth, dissolution, and phase stability. Control is often achieved at the cellular level by the manipulation of solution states and the use of crystal growth modulators such as peptides or other organic molecules. This chapter begins with a discussion of solution speciation in body fluids and relates this to important crystal growth parameters such as the supersaturation, pH, ionic strength and the ratio of calcium to phosphate activities. We then discuss the use of scanning probe microscopy as a tool to measure surface kinetics of mineral surfaces evolving in simplified solutions. The two primary themes that we will touch on are the use of microenvironments that temporally evolve the solution state to control growth and dissolution; and the use of various growth modifiers that interact with the solution species or with mineral surfaces to shift growth away from the lowest energy facetted forms. The study of synthetic minerals in simplified solution lays the foundation for understand mineralization process in more complex environments found in the body.

The discussion in this Chapter is a relatively straightforward, chronological description of the development of U.S. transportation regulations for radioactive materials over the past 40 years. Although primarily based on the development of U.S. regulations for the shipment of what is now known as Type B quantities of radioactive materials, the information presented details the interactions between a number of U.S. governmental agencies, commissions, and departments, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). For the most part, the information that follows was taken directly from the Federal Register, between 1965 and 2004, which, within the boundaries of the U.S., is considered law, or at least policy at the federal level. Starting in 1978, however, the information presented also takes a look at a series of so-called Guidance Documents, including Regulatory Guides (Reg. Guides), NUREGs, and NUREG/CRs. Developed originally by the U.S. Atomic Energy Agency (AEC), and later adapted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the NUREGs and NUREG/CRs cited in this Chapter clearly specify a preferred methodology that can be used to meet the regulatory requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 71 (10 CFR Part 71, or, more simply, 10 CFR 71). As is …

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) is the science and technology of determining non-invasively the internal structure of manufactured parts, objects, and materials. NDE application areas include medicine, industrial manufacturing, military, homeland security, and airport luggage screening. X-ray measurement systems are most widely used because of their ability to image through a wide range of material densities (from human tissue in medical applications to the dense materials of weapon components). Traditional x-ray systems involve a single source and detector system that rotate and/or translate about the object under evaluation. At each angular location, the source projects x-rays through the object. The rays undergo attenuation proportional to the density of the object's constitutive material. The detector records a measure of the attenuation. Mathematical algorithms are used to invert the forward attenuated ray projection process to form images of the object. This is known as computed tomography (CT). In recent years, the single-source x-ray NDE systems have been generalized to arrays of x-ray sources. Array sources permit multiple views of the object with fewer rotations and translations of the source/detector system. The spatially diverse nature of x-ray array sources has the potential of reducing data collection time, reducing imaging artifacts, and increasing the resolution of …

Drinkard Metalox, Inc., has developed an innovative new technology to completely process electric arc furnace dust into saleable products by means of a hydro metallurgical process. Order this fact sheet to read how this new technology can both lower energy costs and eliminate the need to dispose of and transport hazardous waste off site.

Decreased energy requirements, air emissions, production time, and operating costs are some of the benefits that will accrue to the metalcasting industry as result of this new die casting technique. This fact sheet provides the details of this exciting new process for fabricating copper motor rotors.

Compared to conventional gas-fired furnaces, the new rotary electric furnace will increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing air emissions, product turnaround time, and labor costs. As this informative new fact sheet explains, the thousand different types of glass optical blanks produced for the photonics industry are used for lasers, telescopes, cameras, lights, and many other products.

This fact sheet explains how the Maverick robotics inspection system eliminates the expense of draining, cleaning, and ventilating liquid storage tanks prior to inspection.

This fact sheet reveals how the use of reflective aluminum chips on rooftops cuts down significantly on heat absorption, thus decreasing the need for air conditioning. The benefits, including energy savings that could reach the equivalent of 1.3 million barrels of oil annually for approximately 100,000 warehouses, are substantial.

Using NICE3 funds, Dispensing Containers Corporation has found an exciting new method for manufacturing steel dispensing containers with an average of 40% less raw material than conventional manufacturing processes. Order this new fact sheet now and discover how this innovative technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce transportation costs and pollution, and simplify and increase recycling.

According to the fact sheet, this more energy-efficient mining technique eliminates the expensive and energy-intensive use of drill holes required to place explosives. Other advantages include energy savings of up to 65% (compared to using the traditional explosives), reduced air pollution, and improved safety and control of the tunneling process.

With the help of the U.S. Department of Energy's Inventions and Innovations Program, industry is developing a revolutionary new process for drying paper that could save as much as nine million barrels of crude oil annually in the United States. Read this informative new fact sheet to learn more about this money-saving invention.

By combining an integrated system with a gas turbine, coal-fired air turbine cycle technology can produce energy at an efficiency rate of over 40%, with capital and operating costs below those of competing conventional systems. Read this fact sheet to discover the additional benefits of this exciting new technology.

By eliminating the need to process coal through a conventional wet slurry removal process, these innovative vibrating beds save energy and time. This invention was developed to used in coal and minerals processing sectors of mining. However, it has potential applications to many other processing steps where fluidized beds are used, such as in food processing and energy production

Oxy-fuel combustion burners have the potential to reduce energy consumption by as much as 45% per ton of steel. Order this fact sheet and read about the many other benefits of this exciting new process.

A new energy- and cost-efficient process has been developed to recycle thermoplastic foams and films. Order the fact sheet to read about this exciting new technology.

Order this publication and discover how replacing communications cables with wireless telemetry can improve the safety, efficiency, and cost of mining operations.

As this fact sheet explains, there are several potential uses for this new process to recover and reuse sulfur dioxide for metalcasting operations. Employing this process will reduce energy consumption, eliminate the need for caustic effluent, and pay back in less than one year.

Order this fact sheet now to learn how replacing the ''closed drum'' debarking technology method used in the forest industry with the ''open drum'' method saves time and production costs, and increases the economic value of wood products by inflicting less damage on logs so that they can be used for high-value economic products.

As this NICE3 publication details, the objective of this project is to commercialize the process technology to eliminate all landfill waste associated with black dross and saltcake generated from aluminum recycling in the United States.

This exciting new invention is highly automated, requiring only one worker to operate the cutting, conveying, and support systems. Read how the machine saves energy and increases miner safety by isolating methane and dust from worker ventilation via a dual duct system.

This fact sheet describes a new lead-free batch technology that will significantly improve on the galvanizing process. Productivity increases of as much as 30% and significantly reduced energy costs may accrue.

As detailed in the fact sheet, this new glass fiber-producing process can yield fibers that are more uniform in diameter, break less easily, and be produced more economically.

The goal of this project is to demonstrate the significant energy and waste savings that can be realized by using nanofiltration technology to reuse textile dyebath brines. Read this new fact sheet to learn how this new membrane technology can benefit your business.