Award Data

For many decades photomultiplier tubes PMTs) have been the main technology for sensitive and low noise detection of photons in many high energy physics experiments. However, compared to solid-state photodetectors, PMTs are bulky, fragile, and need to be shielded from high magnetic fields and high pressures, which severely limit their application for future DOE projects. Hence, there is a need for ...

The next generation of free electron lasers FELs) and the small-scale electrons accelerators designed to perform ultra-fast microscopy and diffraction experiment rely on the production of new electron guns with ultrahigh brightness cathodes. High-efficiency semiconductor e.g., GaN-based) photocathodes have been studied for this application, and there have been some advances in reducing the mean tr ...

Wind and solar electricity are gaining traction in the marketplace, but the electricity available from these sources is out of synch with demand Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) operating at intermediate temperatures (400 - 650°C) have enormous potential for electricity storage and delivery by reversible operation between electrolysis and fuel cell modes and therefore stand to addre ...

Natural gas is typically delivered from a gas well to an end-user via a pipeline system. When pipeline infrastructure is not available, the gas is either compressed or liquefied for storage and transport or flared. Often distribution of remote natural gas or use of it for power production cannot be economically justified. This type of gas reserve is typically considered as stranded natural gas and ...

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI)’s innovation is a compact, modular Post Combustion Carbon Capture System (PCCCS) utilizing high internal volume nanosorbents for carbon capture, supported on a tailorable substrate. Our system enables low pressure drop, high volumetric utilization and high mass transfer, and is suitable for the rapid heat transfer and low temperature swing regeneration operating ...

Reliable, high-sensitivity and high-resolution photon detectors, which can alleviate major limitations imposed by photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), for future high energy physics (HEP) and nuclear physics (NP) experiments, are of great interest to DOE. Other fields that could greatly benefit from these detectors include Cherenkov telescopes in astrophysics, positron emission tomography (PET) in medica ...

Our approach for Direct Air Capture (DAC) builds on PCI’s success with flue gas capture which demonstrated 75% energy savings compared to operation with methylethanolamine (MEA)-based systems. In Phase I of the project we will optimize and modify our current nanomaterial composites to make them suitable for conditions typical of DAC – 400 ppmv CO2, variable humidity and temperature. Through a ...

In topic 10.a, Advanced Geothermal Energy Storage, Bi-Directional Energy Storage, the Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office seeks to enable innovative geothermal technologies that improve the cost and effectiveness of energy storage, including for direct use and/or use with heat pumps to provide building space heating and cooling. Heating and cooling constitute approximately 48% of b ...

Most of the current state of the art solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks are assembled using planar cells, interconnects, gaskets, and insulators in a sequence that requires high level of precision and accuracy. For such conventional assembly approaches, the relatively high manufacturing cost is a key hurdle that prevents the widespread commercialization or adoption of SOFC systems. We are proposi ...

The United States has demonstrated a growing focus on renewable energy; however, fossil fueled energy sources still constitute over 80% of energy use in the United States. Fossil fuels will remain of driving importance in energy use, so identifying means to enhance clean and efficient power generating with fossil fuels remains a driving force. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems offer an opportun ...