We discuss the uncertainty associated with a commonly used method for measuring the concentration of microcystin, a group of toxins associated with cyanobacterial blooms. Such uncertainty is rarely reported and accounted for in important drinking water management decisions. Using monitoring data from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and from City of Toledo, we document the sources of measurement uncertainty and recommend a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach for reducing the measurement uncertainty. Our analysis suggests that (1) much of the uncertainty is a result of the highly uncertain "standard curve" developed during each test and (2) the uncertainty can be reduced by pooling raw test data from multiple tests. Based on these results, we suggest that estimation uncertainty can be effectively reduced through the effort of either (1) regional regulatory agencies by sharing and combining raw test data from regularly scheduled microcystin monitoring program or (2) the manufacturer of the testing kit by conducting additional tests as part of an effort to improve the testing kit.

Hydrogen-sorption studies have been carried out for the catenation isomer pairs of PCN-6 and PCN-6' (both have the formula of Cu(3)(TATB)(2), where TATB represents 4,4',4''-s-triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tribenzoate with a formula of C(24)H(12)N(3)O(6)). Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) studies reveal that the initial sites occupied by adsorbed H(2) are the open Cu centers of the paddlewheel units with comparable interaction energies in the two isomers. At high H(2) loadings, where the H(2) molecules adsorb mainly on or around the organic linkers, the interaction is found to be substantially stronger in catenated PCN-6 than in noncatenated PCN-6', leading to much higher H(2) uptake in the isomer with catenation. Hydrogen sorption measurements at pressures up to 50 bar demonstrate that framework catenation can be favorable for the enhancement of hydrogen adsorption. For example, the excess hydrogen uptake of PCN-6 is 72 mg/g (6.7 wt %) at 77 K/50 bar or 9.3 mg/g (0.92 wt %) at 298 K/50 bar, respectively, and that for PCN-6' is 42 mg/g (4.0 wt %) at 77 K/50 bar or 4.0 mg/g (0.40 wt %) at 298 K/50 bar. Importantly, PCN-6 exhibits a total hydrogen uptake of 95 mg/g (8.7 wt %) (corresponding to a total volumetric value of 53.0 g/L, estimated based on crystallographic density) at 77 K/50 bar and 15 mg/g (1.5 wt %) at 298 K/50 bar. Significantly, the expected usable capacity of PCN-6 is as high as 75 mg/g (or 41.9 g/L) at 77 K, if a recharging pressure of 1.5 bar is assumed.

A microporous metal-organic framework, PCN-14, based on an anthracene derivative, 5,5'-(9,10-anthracenediyl)di-isophthalate (H4adip), was synthesized under solvothermal reaction conditions. X-ray single crystal analysis revealed that PCN-14 consists of nanoscopic cages suitable for gas storage. N2-adsorption studies of PCN-14 at 77 K reveal a Langmuir surface area of 2176 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.87 cm3/g. Methane adsorption studies at 290 K and 35 bar show that PCN-14 exhibits an absolute methane-adsorption capacity of 230 v/v, 28% higher than the DOE target (180 v/v) for methane storage.

An ultramicroporous metal-organic framework based on 9,10-anthracenedicarboxylate (PCN-13) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The desolvated PCN-13 demonstrates selective adsorption of oxygen and hydrogen over nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

An interpenetrating microporous metal-organic framework based on a mu3-oxotrinickel basic carboxylate secondary building unit has been synthesized and structurally characterized. It exhibits pronounced gas-sorption hysteresis and selective adsorption of carbon dioxide over methane.