2016 DOE STTR Phase I Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Monday, December 21, 2015 5:00pm ET.

6. ADVANCED SAMPLE REGISTRATION AND MANIPULATION FOR MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS

Advances in modern microanalytical techniques have resulted in unprecedented capability to spatially resolve chemical, physical, and materials properties at length scales that span the nanometer to micrometer scales. Full materials characterization often requires combining several imaging microscopies (e.g., optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and various spectroscopies) in a serial fashion in order to provide a complete analysis of a sample. One complication in imaging samples is that for repeated examinations of a particular (x, y, z) position, relocating it accurately (e.g., within microns) and rapidly (e.g., within minutes after the sample is removed from the microscope) can be challenging. Another complication is that samples can consist of solid particles and/or small aliquots of liquids that require delicate handling while maintaining sample integrity and avoiding contamination.

Therefore, of interest are innovations to acquire and relocate a particular place of interest within a large field of sample material, in ways to expedite making repeated analyses of the same specific location and to enable the application of more than one microscopic technique to image that same location. Such advances in sample manipulation and spatial referencing should be designed to manipulate microliter volumes of liquids, microgram quantities of solids, and/or particulate materials that are less than 100 microns in diameter. These materials need to be fixed to sample holding substrates made of various materials (e.g., glass, plastic, gold, aluminum, or steel), which may contain registration marks and navigational reference points that can be addressed during analysis. Thermal stability, electrical conductivity, material compatibility, and stability all must be maintained, such that regions of interest can be archived and reanalyzed as needed. Ideally, the sample handling, registration, and manipulation techniques would work across multiple analytical imaging and spectroscopic platforms with spatial reproducibility of at least 1 micron. The ultimate goal would be to reproducibly perform rapid analysis on the same location within a sample with multiple imaging techniques. For example, as a variation of laser peening, how well can a focused laser beam (or other source of energy) be directed near a place of interest in order to induce localized damage within the sample as an in-situ fiducial marker?

Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:

a. Optical Microscopy

Approaches to sample manipulation, and location that can be used during optical inspection of heterogeneous samples, and that potentially can be used on other microscopies. Sample substrates typically include glass or silicon and require registration at or better than the micron scale.

Questions – Contact: Tom Kiess, thomas.kiess@nnsa.doe.gov

b. Electron Microscopy

Approaches to sample preparation, manipulation, and location that can be used for electron microscopy (e.g., SEM) inspection of heterogeneous samples, and that potentially can be used on other microscopies. Sample substrates typically require conductive materials such as metal coated glass, silicon, or carbon and require registration at or better than the 100 nanometer scale.

Questions – Contact: Tom Kiess, thomas.kiess@nnsa.doe.gov

c. Micro/Nano Analytical Spectroscopy

Approaches to sample preparation, manipulation, and location that can be used during spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis (e.g., Raman, fluorescence, photoelectron, and x-ray spectroscopies) of heterogeneous samples, and that potentially can be used on other microscopies. Sample substrates typically include metal (Al or steel), glass, or silicon with the requirement that they do not interfere with spectroscopic analysis and require registration at or better than the micron scale.

Questions – Contact: Tom Kiess, thomas.kiess@nnsa.doe.gov

d. Spectrometry

Approaches to sample preparation, manipulation, and location that can be used during spatially resolved spectrometry (e.g., Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) of heterogeneous samples, and that potentially can be used on other microscopies. Sample substrates typically include aluminum or silicon and require registration at the submicron scale.

Questions – Contact: Tom Kiess, thomas.kiess@nnsa.doe.gov

e. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: Tom Kiess, thomas.kiess@nnsa.doe.gov

REFERENCES

Subtopic a:

1. Carter, A., et al., 2007, Stabilization of an Optical Microscope to 0.1nm in Three Dimensions, Applied Optics, vol. 46, no. 3, pp 421-427, http://jila.colorado.edu/perkinsgroup/Carter%20et%20al%203D%20stabilization%20of%20an%2 0optical%20microscope.pdf

2. Park, Y.J., et al., February 2006, Investigation on the Fission Track Analysis of Uranium-doped Particles for the Screening of Safeguards Environmental Samples, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, vol. 557, issue 2, pp. 657-663, http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0168900205023144/1-s2.0- S0168900205023144-main.pdf?_tid=101b7c6e-7371-11e5-984a- 00000aab0f26&acdnat=1444936694_2dafa504eb14ae308e744f9ca5846303

3. Apparatus and Method for Using Fiducial Marks on a Microarray Substrate, U.S. Patent No. 6,362,004 B1, 2002, https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detailPdf.jsf?ia=US2000028198&docIdPdf=0900636180 030740&parSeparator1=&name=WO2001035099APPARATUS+AND+METHOD+FOR+USING+FID UCIAL+MARKS+ON+A+MICROARRAY+SUBSTRATE&parSeparator2=&woNum=WO2001035099& prevRecNum=1&nextRecNum=2&recNum=1&queryString=&office=&sortOption=&prevFilter=& maxRec=

Subtopic b:

1. Gong, Z., et al., 2014, Fluorescence and SEM Correlative Microscopy for Nanomanipulation of Subcellular Structures, Light: Science & Applications, ed. 224, doi: 10.1038/Isa.2014.105, http://www.nature.com/lsa/journal/v3/n11/full/lsa2014105a.html
2. System and Method for Non-Contact Microscopy for Three-Dimensional Pre-Characterization of a Sample for Fast and Non-Destructive On-Sample Navigation During Nanoprobing, 2014, U.S. Patent 2014/0143912 A1, https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US8895923.pd f

Subtopic c:

1. Churnside, A.B., et al., 2008, Improved Performance of an Ultrastable Measurement Platform Using a Field-programmable Gate Array for Real-time, Deterministic Control, Instrumentation, Metrology, and Standards for Nanomanufacturing II, Proceedings of SPIE,vol. 7042, 704205, doi: 10.1117-12-795700, http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1338117

Subtopic d:

1. Stetzer, O., et al., June 2004, Determination of the 235U Content in Uranium Oxide Particles by Fission Track Analysis, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, vol. 525, issue 3,pp. 582- 592, http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0168900204002438/1-s2.0-S0168900204002438- main.pdf?_tid=a0ec20c6-7372-11e5-b5e8- 00000aacb361&acdnat=1444937366_f34eeff28b7532948b6d920d979426e2

Subtopic e:

1. Robertson, W.D., et al, 2015, A Simple Image Processing Based Fiducial Auto-alignment Method for Sample Registration, Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 86, 086105 (2015), doi: 10.1063/1.4929408, http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/rsi/86/8/10.1063/1.4929408
2. Scott, J.R., 2014, Integrated Fiducial Sample Mount and Software for Correlated Microscopy, Review of Scientific Instruments 85, 023701, doi: 10.1063/1.4862935, http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/rsi/85/2/10.1063/1.4862935 3. Curtis, M., Handbook of Dimensional Measurement, Fifth Edition (213), http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Dimensional-Measurement-Mark-Curtis/dp/0831134658

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Monday, December 21, 2015 5:00pm ET.

8. ADVANCED GRID TECHNOLOGIES

The electric power system is facing increasing stress due to fundamental changes in both supply and demand technologies. On the supply side, there is a shift from large synchronous generators to lighterweight generators (e.g., gas-fired turbines) and variable resources (renewables). On the demand side, there is a growing number of distributed and variable generation resources, as well as a shift from large induction motors to rapidly increasing use of electronic converters in buildings, industrial equipment, and consumer devices. The communications and control systems are also transitioning from analog systems to systems with increasing digital control and communications; from systems with a handful of control points at central stations to ones with potentially millions of control points. Grid modernization will require the adoption of advanced technologies, such as smart meters, automated feeder switches, fiber optic and wireless networks, energy storage, and other new hardware. It must also encompass the application of intelligent devices, next-generation components, cybersecurity protections, advanced grid modeling and applications, distributed generation, and innovative architectures. These technologies require a new communication and control layer to manage a changing mix of supply- and demand-side resources and to provide new services.

The transition to a modern grid will create new technical challenges for an electric power system that was not designed for today’s requirements. Customers have never relied more on electricity, nor been so involved in where and how it is generated, stored, and used. Utilities will continue retrofitting the existing infrastructure with a variety of smart digital devices and communication technologies needed to enable the highly distributed, two-way flow of information and energy. Reliability, resilience, and security will remain a top priority as aging infrastructure and changing demand, supply, and market structures create new planning and operational challenges.

All applications to this topic must:

• Be consistent with and have performance metrics (whenever possible) linked to published, authoritative analyses in your technology space.
• Clearly define the merit of the proposed innovation compared to competing approaches and the anticipated outcome, emphasizing the commercialization potential of the overall effort including Phase I and Phase II.
• Applications should provide a path to scale up in potential Phase II follow on work.
• Include quantitative projections for price and/or performance improvement that are tied to representative values included in authoritative publications or in comparison to existing products.
• Fully justify all performance claims with thoughtful theoretical predictions and experimental data.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Convergent Smart Grid Communications and Application Architecture

The embedded platforms for communications and applications that serve the sensors and controllers deployed in the electric grid at present are numerous and fragmented. Solutions are often optimized to the available hardware (e.g., silicon chipset) and may target only vendor-specific platforms. They are often rigid and specialized in terms of the embedded software implementation. Meanwhile, technology suppliers keep delivering cheaper and more capable communications technologies and faster and more functional embedded hardware and software platforms. As a result, new applications and other value additions are highly limited once a communication platform is deployed for an initial set of solutions desired. Since these devices and systems can be long lived, it is important to be able to continue deriving additional value through new applications. Embedded platforms that maintain flexibility at multiple levels, especially as the “internet of things” grows for the energy sector, is vital for grid modernization.

Proposals should identify a mechanism/architecture to abstract smart grid communications and applications from the embedded hardware and software platforms. Proposals should consider the following characteristics:

• Backward compatibility - Application developers should not have to worry about the longevity of the operating system and whether it will be supported in the future
• Sandboxed embedded environment: Full firewall capabilities at the grid edge or other open environments using an open source code base (e.g., Linux) that can be evaluated and managed by traditional IT approaches, Applications should have the ability to be isolated from others; one application bug need not impact other applications, Supports competitive “after-market” application development and is resistant to vendor “lock-in”
• Openness - Sensor and controller manufacturers should not have to rely solely on their internal organizations or a specific vendor to create new applications or to extend applications to find further value.
• Security – Should meet any security configuration with full firewall capabilities. In addition, DTLS (or TLS), IPSec, Netfilter and various VPN clients could be considered. • Supports peer-to-peer communications and accommodates simpler communications due to greater intelligence at the grid edge.
• Supports various power management frameworks (e.g., plugged-in, battery)

Questions – Contact: Christopher Irwin, christopher.irwin@hq.doe.gov

b. Next Generation Connectors for Cables and Conductors

The 642,000 miles of high-voltage lines and 6.3 million miles of distribution lines that make up the U.S. electric grid are predominantly overhead conductors; however underground cables are also used in strategic locations. Closely associated with cables and conductors are connectors that provide the necessary mechanical and electrical coupling between adjacent power line segments. Compression connectors for overhead lines are made by crimping a soft aluminum sleeve onto the two ends of conductors to be joined. These connectors are basically the weak links in the electricity delivery network, where power transmission can be limited by the connector resistance and disruptions can occur owing to mechanical failures. As electrical loads on existing transmission lines have increased, the performance and integrity of aging connectors continue to degrade due to accelerated surface oxidation from environmental exposure and elevated operating temperatures.

Proposals should identify next generation connector designs (for cables or conductors) with enhanced mechanical and electrical connectivity, as well as resistance to oxidation and other failure mechanisms. Additional material and design considerations include:

• Embedded sensing and diagnostics capabilities
• Improved mechanical strength at elevated temperatures
• Corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures
• Higher electrical conductivity for lower losses
• Ease of installation and recovery after a failure

Questions – Contact: Kerry Cheung, kerry.cheung@hq.doe.gov

REFERENCES:

Subtopic a:

1. Sullivan, M., 2015, Too many platforms may make the Internet of Things a confusing place, Venture Beat, 2015. http://venturebeat.com/2015/05/21/too-many-platforms-may-make-the-internet-of-things-aconfusing-place/
2. Ahang, Y., Raychadhuri, D., et al., 2015, ICN based Architecture for IoT - Requirements and Challenges, IETF. https://tools.ietf.org/id/draft-zhang-iot-icn-challenges-02.html
3. UBM Tech, 2014, Embedded Market Study Then Now What’s Next?, p.86. http://bd.eduweb.hhs.nl/es/2014-embedded-market-study-then-now-whats-next.pdf

Subtopic b:

1. Whicker, D. R., 2010, Before Lines Fall Down, Transmission and Distribution World, Classic Connectors, p.5. http://classicconnectors.com/downloads/Before_Lines_Fall_Down.pdf
2. Jiang, H. and Wang, J-A., et al., 2012, Integrity Study of ACSR and ACSS Two Stage Splice Connectors at High Operation Temperatures, ASME 2012 Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Houston, TX, Nov 9-15, p.837-844. http://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1751815

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Monday, December 21, 2015 5:00pm ET.

19. OIL AND GAS TECHNOLOGIES

The dramatic increase in domestic natural gas production from shale source rocks is in large part due to the combination of large volume, multistage hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies. The increased use of hydraulic fracturing has prompted concerns about the risk of subsurface contamination of potable water supplies, and highlighted the fact that our technologies for understanding precisely the shape and position of created hydraulic fractures remain rudimentary. In addition, while the increase in natural gas production promises the benefit of a significant decrease in the carbon intensity of our domestic energy portfolio, it can do so only so long as the inadvertent emission of methane during the production, gathering and processing portions of the natural gas delivery process is kept to a minimum. Finding better ways to directly monitor “where hydraulic fractures go,” and also how to reduce the volume of methane emissions from producing and processing equipment, are two important ways to maximize the positive environmental benefits of increased natural gas production.

DOE is interested in catalyzing the development of novel technologies that will improve our ability to understand much more precisely the dimensions (length, height, and width), orientation (azimuth, dip) relative to the wellbore, and the conductivity and proppant distribution of created hydraulic fractures, either during or immediately after the hydraulic fracturing operation. Our ability to estimate all of these remains limited, and some of the best techniques (e.g., micro-seismic fracture mapping) are expensive, time consuming, and to some degree dependent on the availability of monitoring wells (Cipolla, et al, 2000). DOE is currently funding several projects directly or indirectly related to this topic (e.g., NETL, 2015a,b,c) but believes that there is still a need for more research in this area.

In addition, DOE is interested in funding research that can help companies more cost effectively target and reduce emissions of methane in the production, gathering, processing and compression of natural gas. Recently, the EPA has identified a number of key mechanical elements that contribute a large share of the methane emissions in these areas and proposed new rules for processes and equipment (EPA, 2015). These rules require surveys of key components using optical gas imaging equipment. Equipment elements highlighted for special scrutiny include pneumatic pumps, pneumatic controllers, and centrifugal compressors with wet seal systems, reciprocating compressors, and storage tanks.

Research on major novel advances that can have (or lead to) “game-changing” impacts on hydraulic fracture diagnostics or methane emissions reduction will be considered more responsive to this solicitation than research that proposes small, incremental advances.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Improving Hydraulic Fracture Diagnostics

This subtopic topic focuses on improving techniques for determining the dimensions, orientation, and conductivity of hydraulic fractures created along horizontal laterals in oil and gas wells drilled in tight formations.

Specific technology interests include:

1. Cost effective tools or methods for measuring the dimensions and/or orientation of hydraulic fractures during or after the hydraulic fracturing process
2. Cost effective tools or methods for measuring the fluid conductivity of hydraulic fractures
3. Cost effective tools or methods for measuring proppant distribution within hydraulic fractures

Grant applications must include a succinct discussion of the potential technical and economic advantages of the proposed technology, as compared to existing state-of-the-art systems.

Proposals to fund the development of new (or modification of existing) hydraulic fracturing models will be considered less responsive to the priorities of this solicitation than proposals to fund the development of tools or the demonstration of operating technologies.

Questions – Contact: Albert Yost at albert.yost@netl.doe.gov

b. Improving Methods for Reducing Methane Emissions from Mechanical Components within Upstream Natural Gas Production, Gathering, Processing and Compression Systems

This subtopic focuses on the development and/or testing of technologies, tools or methods for costeffective detection and/or mitigation of methane emissions from upstream natural gas production, gathering, processing and compression systems.

Specific technology interests include:

1. Tools or methods that can decrease the cost and/or increase the accuracy of optical surveys for detecting methane emissions within natural gas producing systems
2. Tools or methods for decreasing the cost or increasing the effectiveness of mitigating methane emissions from pneumatic pumps, pneumatic controllers, centrifugal compressors, reciprocating compressors, and storage tanks.

Grant applications must include a succinct discussion of the potential technical and economic advantages of the proposed technology, as compared to existing state-of-the-art systems.

Questions – Contact: Albert Yost at albert.yost@netl.doe.gov

c. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the higher level topic description provided above.

Grant applications must include a succinct discussion of the potential technical and economic advantages of the proposed technology, as compared to existing state-of-the-art systems.

Questions – Contact: Albert Yost at albert.yost@netl.doe.gov

REFERENCES:

Subtopic a:

1. Cipolla, C.L. and Wright, C.A., 2000, State-of-the-Art in Hydraulic Fracture Diagnostics, Presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia, October 16- 18. SPE-64434-MS. https://www.onepetro.org/conference-paper/SPE-64434-MS
2. U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), 2015, Fracture Diagnostics Using Low Frequency Electromagnetic Induction and Electrically Conductive Proppants, Unconventional Resources. http://www.netl.doe.gov/research/oil-and-gas/project-summaries/unconventionalresources/fe0024271-utaustin
3. U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), 2015, Injection and Tracking of Microseismic emitters to Optimize Unconventional Oil and Gas (UOG) Development, FE0024360- Paulsson. http://www.netl.doe.gov/research/oil-and-gas/project-summaries/unconventionalresources/fe0024360-paulsson
4. U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), 2015, Evaluation of Deep Subsurface Resistivity Imaging for Hydrofracture Monitoring, Exploration and Production Technologies. http://www.netl.doe.gov/research/oil-and-gas/project-summaries/natural-gasresources/fe0013902-groundmetrics

Subtopic b:

1. EPA, 2015, Summary of Requirements for Processing and Equipment at natural Gas Production Gathering and Boosting Stations, EPA’s Air Rules for the Oil Natural Gas Industry, p.4. http://www3.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/pdfs/natgas_prod_summ_081815.pdf

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Monday, December 21, 2015 5:00pm ET.

32. ADVANCED SPACE POWER AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS

The Office of Space and Defense Power Systems, NE-75, is seeking ideas in the areas of research that can be used to advance the Office’s mission to support space system research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities. There are three categories of systems of interest – power conversion, fuels, and controls/components/materials.

In order to successfully develop a space system that provides reliable electric power or propulsion in space or power for extraterrestrial surface applications, such as for National Aeronautics and Space Administration science and human exploration missions, several engineering and technical challenges must be solved. NE-75 is seeking technologies for systems that meet or exceed a range of electric power outputs from 10 to 500 We or 5-50 kWe for power applications and a range of thrust outputs from 7,500 to 25,000 lb for propulsion applications. The proposed concepts/designs must be optimized for low mass, durability (both reliability and robustness) and adaptability to varying system architectures. They must also be designed for launch and operational safety. Additionally, the conservative use of fuel resources is a key factor. Further descriptions of these areas are provided below.

Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:

a. Advance Power Conversion Technologies for use in Potential Future Radioisotope Power Systems and Reactor Systems

The technology options that could be utilized in a 10 to 500 We or 5-50 kWe power system. System technologies should consider the following criteria: static power conversion efficiencies greater than 15%, dynamic conversion efficiencies greater that 25%, a minimum of 5 years hands free no maintenance, and a robust system design. Robustness is a system characteristic enabled by design margins that result in controlling variability such that it is tolerant to factors encountered during manufacturing, transportation, user operation, or time. Robustness in manufacturing results in a system that is tolerant to process variations. Robustness in transportation results in a system that is tolerant to handling variations. Robustness in user operation results in a system that is tolerant to environmental and control variations. Robustness in time results in a system that is tolerant to wear variations. The technology should be applicable to terrestrial or space applications.

Questions – Contact: Dirk Cairns-Gallimore, Dirk.Cairns-Gallimore@nuclear.energy.gov

b. Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion System Fuel Development

The long-lead development of fuels for space nuclear power and propulsion applications are essential for the development and demonstration of space nuclear power and propulsion systems in the next decade. In terms of fission power systems, there are several potentially viable fuel forms for space nuclear power applications. In terms of fission thermal propulsion systems, coated graphite composite fuels are the fuels of interest because of their nuclear propulsion fuel heritage, robust performance characteristics at peak operating parameters during system operation, and conservative use of highly enriched uranium. The proposed fuel forms for power or propulsion systems will be tested, optimized and certified to meet or exceed the system performance requirements, as well as fuel production and safety requirements.

Questions – Contact: Dirk Cairns-Gallimore, Dirk.Cairns-Gallimore@nuclear.energy.gov

c. Radiation Tolerant Reactor Control Systems, Components and Materials

The harsh environment of space as well the heat and radiation emanated from the reactor system could have detrimental effects to the performance of reactor control systems, components and materials. NE-75 is seeking reactor control systems, components and materials that are resistant to radiation damage, dynamic temperature changes, and varied structural loading. The proposed control systems, components and materials will be tested, optimized and certified to meet performance requirements.

Questions – Contact: Dirk Cairns-Gallimore, Dirk.Cairns-Gallimore@nuclear.energy.gov

REFERENCES:

1. United States Department of Energy, Space and Defense Power Systems, Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program. http://energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies/space-power-systems