List

78365 Free-surface, flowing, liquid-metal cooling systems are an option for the removal of heat from energy-producing fusion devices. However, these free flowing liquid films are difficult to direct and contain because of their interactions with the high energy plasma and the powerful magnetic fields present in these machines. This project will develop a, capillary assisted, thin flowing, lithi ...

75554B Fuel cells are an efficient, combustion-less, virtually pollution-free source of power. In particular, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells are ideal for a number of applications, due to their ¿quick¿ warm-up characteristics. However, these fuel cells contain some inherent inefficiencies, which results in waste heat that must be removed rapidly via a coolant ¿ currently, either D ...

75272B Transmission Electron Microscopy is a technique that allows materials to be analyzed to the nanometer and sub-nanometer scales. The next level of materials analysis will require the ability to perform dynamic experimentation within the microscope, which would require specialized specimen holding technology to perform the desired experiments. This project addresses the treatment of a spec ...

79281S In the U.S., the production of 4.6 billion pounds of Nylon-6 and Nylon-6,6 starts with the liquid-phase oxidation of 3.5 billion pounds of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol, and the subsequent oxidation of the latter to adipic acid with HNO3. The liquid-phase cyclohexane oxidation, which operates at only 4-10% cyclohexane conversion, is the ¿least efficient¿ industrial process, a ...

78999S The development of new technologies for the rapid and accurate detection of indicators of diseases such as cancer will have a significant impact on human health. Current diagnostics are performed in highly sophisticated clinical laboratories, which requires significant overhead investment in instrumentation and highly trained medical technology staff. Furthermore, most tests are time con ...

75353-Low cost, self-powered wireless sensors that never require battery changing or other maintenance are needed for U.S. industrial production lines, in cars and buildings, and power generation systems. Systems of these sensors will enable a revolution in industrial efficiency, safety, and reduced maintenance costs. This project will develop a wireless sensor with an integrated vibration-power ...

79270S Pervaporation (PV) and vapor permeation (VP) membranes have been touted as highly effective for a wide array of liquid and vapor separations, particularly for dehydration of aggressive chemicals; yet, they have been limited to a relatively small number of niche applications. The barriers to further penetration include cost, reliability, and performance stability of the current generation ...

78168S Hydrogen recovery from refinery off-gas offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to meet the projected growth in hydrogen demand in refineries. Although a unique membrane-based process was demonstrated to be technically feasible in the past, several product- and process-related barriers have prevented its field implementation. This project will develop a nonaporou ...

78208S Current processes to produce liquid fuels by direct hydrogenation of coal are not cost-effective. Therefore, improved process chemistry and/or reactor design will be required to produce transportation fuels from coal at prices that are competitive with currently used fuels. This project will develop a coal liquefaction process that uses a nanoscale active catalyst precursor in a plug flo ...

79788S The DOE-sponsored Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) seeks to develop commercially-viable 3 to 10 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems by the year 2010. One of the weak links in this system is the heat exchanger, which typically consumes more than 30% of the installed cost ($ 400/kW) and fails before the 40,000 hour design lifetime goal. While traditional ceramic materials ...