Award Data

Potentially insufficient corn stock supplies make necessary the development of industrial yeast strains for converting alternative cellulosic materials for renewable fuel sources. This project investigates the feasibility and develops the capability of using Holographic Optical Trapping as an automated manipulation tool for yeast cells, to characterize and evaluate yeast strains.

Lead in household paint and dust is a serious health hazard as low level lead exposure can result in a number o adverse health effects, especially in children. On-site and real-time detection and quantification of lead in the paint/dust is very important to homeowners and certified lead-based paint removal professionals. Toward this end, both field-portable equipment (such as x-ray fluorescence ...

Present supplies of rainbow smelt, both for live bait and human consumption, are provided, almost exclusively, by commercial harvest of wild populations. This project will develop alternative sources of rainbow smelt for the market and eventually reduce the harvest of wild populations. This project will shift the focus from commercial fishing of wild public resources to commercial fish culture tec ...

Perchlorate is a widely-used component of solid fuel, missile and rocket propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. It has been shown to reduce iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. The EPA has found Perchlorate contamination in 18 states and believes contamination may exist in as many as 39 states. In early January 2005, the National Academy of sciences, in an EPA-sponsored study, recommended a ...

LaSys, Inc., utilizing the unique spectral characteristics of its proprietary fractal-microcavity composite will be used to perform the proof-of-concept research required to develop an ultra-sensitive optical detector of low concentration of arsenic in water based on the Raman effect. Phase I technical objectives are designed to demonstrate that fractal microcavity composite - SERS spectroscopy i ...

Many rural older adults are often forced to leave the homes in which they have raised families and lived for decades because they can no longer physically, financially, or emotionally maintain their homes. Until now, little attention has been focused on technological tools, social structures, and practical ways to empower people to remain in their homes. This proposal fills that gap. The demograph ...

A nitrate biosensor based on the enzyme nitrate reductase will be formulated for agricultural applications. The nitrate biosensor will be used to analyze nitrate standards for calibration and nitrate content of real world samples extracted from plants and soils. The resulting data will demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a prototype nitrate biosensor for application in agriculture in Phase ...

Economic losses due to inadequate ripeness detection in the orchard and post-harvest continue to plague the apple industry. It is anticipated that the in-orchard/packinghouse sensor approach will significantly reduce the waste/spoilage-to-edible-fruit ratio, thereby increasing fruit quality and availability and resultant consumer demand at the domestic retail level as well as in the export market. ...

Durable, economical, and highly functional erosion control materials for use in high stress, arid and semi-arid environments are not generally available. And, few uses exist for value-added products made from woody residuals created by small-diameter forest thinning and wildland/urban interface fuels reduction operations. The project will create a durable erosion control system using the lowest va ...

Lobster is sold today on a non-branded commodity basis with little regard for consumer desires and needs. The opportunity to build a Maine lobster brand is threatened by new Country of Origin regulations since today basic meat extraction practices take place primarily in Canada. Creating a brand of value-added Maine lobster products offers a significant opportunity to turn a commodity driven sale ...