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Advanced Nanoscale Characterization of Plants and Plant-derived Materials for Sustainable Agriculture and Renewable Energy

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Date Issued:
2018
Abstract/Description:
The need for nanoscale, non-invasive functional characterization has become more significant with advances in nano-biotechnology and related fields. Exploring the ultrastructure of plant cell walls and plant-derived materials is necessary to access a more profound understanding of the molecular interactions in the systems, in view of a rational design for sustainable applications. This, in turn, relates to the pressing requirements for food, energy and water sustainability experienced worldwide.Here we will present our advanced characterization approach to study the effects of external stresses on plants, and resulting opportunities for biomass valorization with an impact on the food-energy-water nexus.First, the adaption of plants to the pressure imposed by gravity in poplar reaction wood will be discussed. We will show that a multiscale characterization approach is necessary to reach a better understanding of the chemical and physical properties of cell walls across a transverse section of poplar stem. Our Raman spectroscopy and statistical analysis reveals intricate variations in the cellulose and lignin properties. Further, we will present evidence that advanced atomic force microscopy can reveal nanoscale variations within the individual cell wall layers, not attainable with common analytical tools. Next, chemical stresses, in particular the effect of Zinc-based pesticides on citrus plants, will be considered. We will show how multiscale characterization can support the development of new disease management methods for systemic bacterial diseases, such as citrus greening, of great importance for sustainable agriculture. In particular, we will focus on the study of new formulations, their uptake and translocation in the plants following different application methods. Lastly, we will consider how plant reactions to mechanical and chemical stresses can be controlled to engineer biomass for valorization applications. We will present our characterization of two examples: the production of carbon films derived from woody lignocellulosic biomass and the development of nanoscale growth promoters for food crop. A perspective of the work and discussion of the broader impact will conclude the presentation.
Title: Advanced Nanoscale Characterization of Plants and Plant-derived Materials for Sustainable Agriculture and Renewable Energy.
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Name(s): Soliman, Mikhael, Author
Tetard, Laurene, Committee Chair
Vaidyanathan, Raj, Committee Member
Kang, Hyeran, Committee Member
Santra, Swadeshmukul, Committee Member
Zhai, Lei, Committee Member
Chumbimuni Torres, Karin, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2018
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The need for nanoscale, non-invasive functional characterization has become more significant with advances in nano-biotechnology and related fields. Exploring the ultrastructure of plant cell walls and plant-derived materials is necessary to access a more profound understanding of the molecular interactions in the systems, in view of a rational design for sustainable applications. This, in turn, relates to the pressing requirements for food, energy and water sustainability experienced worldwide.Here we will present our advanced characterization approach to study the effects of external stresses on plants, and resulting opportunities for biomass valorization with an impact on the food-energy-water nexus.First, the adaption of plants to the pressure imposed by gravity in poplar reaction wood will be discussed. We will show that a multiscale characterization approach is necessary to reach a better understanding of the chemical and physical properties of cell walls across a transverse section of poplar stem. Our Raman spectroscopy and statistical analysis reveals intricate variations in the cellulose and lignin properties. Further, we will present evidence that advanced atomic force microscopy can reveal nanoscale variations within the individual cell wall layers, not attainable with common analytical tools. Next, chemical stresses, in particular the effect of Zinc-based pesticides on citrus plants, will be considered. We will show how multiscale characterization can support the development of new disease management methods for systemic bacterial diseases, such as citrus greening, of great importance for sustainable agriculture. In particular, we will focus on the study of new formulations, their uptake and translocation in the plants following different application methods. Lastly, we will consider how plant reactions to mechanical and chemical stresses can be controlled to engineer biomass for valorization applications. We will present our characterization of two examples: the production of carbon films derived from woody lignocellulosic biomass and the development of nanoscale growth promoters for food crop. A perspective of the work and discussion of the broader impact will conclude the presentation.
Identifier: CFE0007415 (IID), ucf:52717 (fedora)
Note(s): 2018-05-01
Ph.D.
Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science Engineering
Doctoral
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Nanoscale Characterization -- Atomic Force Microscopy -- Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy -- Confocal Raman Microscopy -- Materials Characterization -- Nanomaterials in Agriculture -- Plants and Plant-derived Materials Characterization -- Raman Spectroscopy -- Electron Microscopy
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007415
Restrictions on Access: public 2018-11-15
Host Institution: UCF

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