Award Data

Michigan Aerospace Corporation proposes to develop an inexpensive system to sense nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural fields using laser-based sensors mounted on drones. These sensors include an optical absorption cell, a wind sensor, and a camera for plant health and ground assessment. The measurements from these sensors will be combined and processed with artificial-intelligence-enab ...

GeneCapture is proposing to use its rapid CAPTURE assay (Confirm Active Pathogens Through Unamplified RNA Expression) to identify the pathogen(s) in wound infections. The pathogen Infection Diagnostic (ID)test takes place in a disposable cartridge that integrates and automates the sample prep steps and determines the genetic signature of the pathogens present. The assay is based on immobilized ste ...

Aging infrastructure, climate change, severe weather—today’s facts of life pose a formidable challenge to the current and future building stock’s ability to maintain safety and comfort. By maintaining critical functions (e.g., space cooling) during power disruptions, resilient buildings improve quality of life for occupants. Ice thermal energy storage holds promise to increase the cooling re ...

To meet future energy requirements, the Generation IV International Forum charted the direction of nuclear reactor development by identifying key reactor systems for development. These new reactor systems are meant to optimize safety, efficiency, sustainability, and proliferation resistance for economically viable nuclear energy. Sodium (Na) cooled and lead (Pb) cooled reactors (LFR and SFR respec ...

Scintillator crystals play an important role in the radiation detection field. Widespread use of scintillators as gamma-ray detectors is largely generated by their extensive availability and tunable properties, such high light output, high stopping power (Zeff), fast decay time, and good proportionality. Additionally, the cost for manufacturing a scintillation detector like NaI:Tl is usually consi ...

Currently many nondestructive evaluation techniques exist for cable condition monitoring, but most of these cable analysis methods are applied to de-energized cables and require disconnecting the cable from one or both ends of the circuit. These limitations can allow some cable circuit problems to go undetected for extended periods of time. The ability to monitor critical cable circuits while the ...

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, a 10% reduction in vehicle weight can result in a 6% to 8% fuel-economy improvement. Replacing cast iron and traditional steel components with lightweight polymer composites can directly reduce the weight of a vehicle’s body and chassis by up to 50% and therefore reduce fuel consumption. Lightweighting in vehicle structu ...

The goal of this Phase I project is to develop a novel real-time, online monitor for selenium species Se (IV) and Se (VI) in addition to Mercury and Arsenic for effluent streams at coal fire power plants. The foundation for this effort is based on UHV’s recent success in developing novel advanced online XRF and TXRF measuring systems. These online instruments have been designed for the recycling ...

Microreactors are factory-fabricated and transportable reactors that can be used for electricity production and thermal energy generation in remote off-grid locations. They are designed to be self- regulating autonomous systems that do not require a large number of on-site staff. To realize the full benefits of autonomous operation, microreactors need online monitoring systems that provide continu ...

As nuclear plant owners extend their operating licenses from 40 to 60 or 80 years, there is uncertainty about the long-term health of major plant components subject to high doses of radiation including the reactor pressure vessel, core internals, and concrete bioshield. Currently, nuclear power plants cannot accurately predict when a reactor component has reached the end of its useful life or when ...