Award Data

Biodiesel produced from microalgae has been identified as a potential source of affordable renewable fuel. This project addresses one aspect of the algal biodiesel production chain: development of low-cost, high-efficiency algal biomass harvest and dewatering technology. The approach involves the development and verification of system models of the entire algae-to-biodiesel production chain. These ...

Electron accelerators allow researchers to advance energy and luminosity frontiers and expand our knowledge of nuclear physics and basic materials science. To achieve the best performance, specialized lasers are used to produce electrons for these accelerators. The lasers not only must be precise and reliable but also much more powerful than those that are currently available. This project will de ...

Future third-generation light sources, such as the NSLS-II synchrotron light source proposed for Brookhaven National Laboratory, push the operating current and subsequent beam power to levels beyond the capabilities of single CESR-B cavities. The proposed light source will require 500mA and 1000kW of radiated beam power that must be provided through the power couplers/windows. This project will de ...

The International Linear Collider represents the next great undertaking for the worldwide high energy physics community. In addition to the technical challenges, the political realities demand that ILC R&D focus on reducing the cost of the components of this massive facility. The helium vessels that enclose each of the 16,000 superconducting cavities have been identified as a cost driver for the c ...

Modern synchrotron light sources have come to rely upon superconducting radio frequency (SRF) acceleration to achieve high luminosity. To date, the workhorse in this area has been the SRF system for the CESR-B machine, which has been employed on many light sources in the last several years. However, as the quest for higher performance continues, this system is being stretched beyond its design lim ...

High power, high voltage, high current, solid state switches are needed for pulse power switching in RF accelerators. However, currently available switches have poor efficiency when used for short pulse applications. The development of a high current switch with a fast turn-on time would address this problem. This project will develop compact, low cost, optically-pumped silicon switches that can a ...

This project will demonstrate novel SiC avalanche photodiodes (APD) to replace photomultiplier tubes for gamma detection, a technology used in nuclear physics experiments. These avalanche photodiodes will enhance the sensitivity, resolution, and robustness of gamma detection at a reduced cost. The approach is based on an innovative process for obtaining the starting SiC material. In Phase I, the A ...

Renewable energy sources include electrical generators driven by steam from geothermal sources. Submersible pumps with extended service lives are required to improve the economics of today¿s geothermal systems. A major problem is corrosive wear experienced by the pump bearings, when the lubricating brine becomes contaminated with fine sand particles. Typically, the bearings are hardened with WC/C ...

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Increasingly strict environmental regulations, along with surging energy demand and oil prices, have given rise to a growing demand for efficient, clean, and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy. Electricity generated from these renewable sources, however, suffers the drawback of fluctuation. To solve this problem, a low cost, reliable, long life and efficient electrical energy ...