Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of cultivating genetically altered plants with increased activity of the PsbS protein. These genetically altered plants have increased water use efficiency and substantially similar photosynthetic efficiency as compared to WT plants grown under the same conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to genetically modified plants, plant cells, or plant tissues wherein the genetic modification comprises expression of an exogenous nucleic acid comprising a ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit-related (PRL-1) gene or homolog thereof, in the plant, plant cell, or plant tissue; and wherein the expression of the exogenous nucleic acid comprising the PRL-1 gene or homolog thereof results in enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and/or plant biomass of the plant, plant cell, or plant tissue as compared to a wild-type plant, plant cell or plant tissue without the genetic modification. Another aspect of the current disclosure is directed to methods of enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and biomass yield in a plant, plant cell, or plant tissue, the methods comprising expressing an exogenous nucleic acid comprising a PRL-1 gene or homolog thereof.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of cultivating genetically altered plants with increased activity of the PsbS protein. These genetically altered plants have increased water use efficiency and substantially similar photosynthetic efficiency as compared to WT plants grown under the same conditions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to genetically altered plants with increased activity of one or more of a PPDK regulatory protein (PDRP), a Rubisco activase (Rea) protein, or a Rubisco protein that have increased photosynthetic efficiency under fluctuating light conditions. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of producing and cultivating the genetically altered plants of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transgenic plant comprising one or more nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides selected from photosystem II subunit S (PsbS), zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), and violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE), operably linked to at least one expression control sequence. Expression vectors for making transgenic plants, and methods for increasing biomass production and/or carbon fixation and/or growth in a plant comprising increasing expression of at least one of PsbS, ZEP and VDE polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transgenic plant comprising one or more nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides selected from photosystem II subunit S (PsbS), zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), and violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE), operably linked to at least one expression control sequence. Expression vectors for making transgenic plants, and methods for increasing biomass production and/or carbon fixation and/or growth in a plant comprising increasing expression of at least one of PsbS, ZEP and VDE polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of cultivating genetically altered plants with increased activity of the PsbS protein. These genetically altered plants have increased water use efficiency and substantially similar photosynthetic efficiency as compared to WT plants grown under the same conditions.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transgenic plant comprising one or more nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides selected from photosystem II subunit S (PsbS), zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), and violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE), operably linked to at least one expression control sequence. Expression vectors for making transgenic plants, and methods for increasing biomass production and/or carbon fixation and/or growth in a plant comprising increasing expression of at least one of PsbS, ZEP and VDE polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transgenic plants and plant cells having increased photosynthetic rate, increased biomass production, and/or improved cold tolerance compared to control plants (such as non-transgenic plants of the same species as the transgenic plants). In some examples, the transgenic plants/plant cells contain a plant transformation vector including a nucleic acid encoding a pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) polypeptide. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the transgenic plants, for instance by introducing into progenitor cells of the plant a plant transformation vector including a nucleic acid that encodes a PPDK polypeptide, and growing the transformed progenitor cells to produce a transgenic plant, in which the PPDK nucleic acid is expressed. Further disclosed herein are PPDK-encoding nucleic acids, PPDK polypeptides, and plant transformation vectors of use in producing the transgenic plants or plant cells.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: Process for recovery and separation of sugars and oil from plants where the stems and leaves of such plants have substantial levels of both sugars and oils.

Abstract: Process for recovery and separation of sugars and oil from plants where the stems and leaves of such plants have substantial levels of both sugars and oils.

Abstract: Silicon-based high pressure sensor modules are manufactured in an array arrangement, incorporating a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The LTCC substrate can withstand high pressures. Bossed containers filled with oil are mounted on the substrate in an array. These bossed containers house the sensor cells which are composed of a sensor handle wafer and a diaphragm. The top surface of these bossed containers are flexible and deflect under pressure. By controlling the surface area and the thickness of the top surface, the pressure sensors can be configured to measure a wide range of pressures. The oil transfers pressure from the bossed container to the diaphragm of the sensor cell while protecting the sensor cell from high pressures and harsh media.

Abstract: A sensor module is provided having a compact housing containing a sensor. A low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate is located on the housing. The sensor and signal processing circuitry are located on the low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. The sensor module further includes a metal shield substantially encapsulating the sensor.

Abstract: A silicon-based high pressure sensor module incorporates a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The LTCC substrate can withstand high pressures. A bossed container filled with oil is mounted on the substrate and houses a sensor cell. The top surface of the bossed container is flexible and deflects under pressure. By controlling the surface area and the thickness of the top surface, the pressure sensor can be configured to measure a wide range of pressures. The oil transfers pressure from the bossed container to the diaphragm of the sensor cell while protecting the sensor cell from high pressures and harsh media.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing an integrated pressure sensor includes a number of steps. Initially, a substrate with conductive electrical traces located on first and second sides of the substrate is provided. A plurality of compensation circuits are positioned in an array on the first side of the substrate in electrical contact with one or more of the conductive electrical traces on the first side of the substrate. A plurality of pressure sensors are positioned on the second side of the substrate in electrical contact with one or more of the conductive electrical traces on the second side of the substrate. Each one of the sensors is associated with one of the compensation circuits to form a plurality of pressure sensor-compensation circuit pairs. The substrate includes conductive vias to electrically connect each of the sensor-compensation circuit pairs. Each of the compensation circuits provides temperature compensation for an associated one of the sensors.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module is provided with an isolation platform which isolates stress. The pressure sensor module includes a base structure and a cantilever member formed in the base structure by an isolation gap. A pressure sensing element is located on the cantilever member such that the cantilever member provides stress isolation to the pressure sensing element.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.