Award Data

The development of a web-based software toolbox is proposed to enable predictions of product yields and product composition in thermal biomass- conversion processes. Biomass pyrolysis is the main focus because of its commercial importance, and because it is the first step in all thermal-conversion processes (gasification, combustion, etc.). Several kinetic models will be incorporated in the softwa ...

We propose a unique design approach for enabling ultra-stable, high conductivity anion exchange membranes for solar-to-hydrogen generation applications. The innovation is targeted to address performance deficiencies in state-of-the-art membranes relating to conductivity, durability and permeability and was identified after analyzing the conduction and degradation mechanisms. The proposed design wi ...

Direct conversion of shale gas components ethane, propane, and butane to useful chemicals or transportation fuels has faced the central challenge that reaction rates and product yields high enough to be economic are accompanied by overreaction to full combustion products in either conventional or unconventional approaches. This is further strained by small processing scales associated with strande ...

Automobiles (cars and trucks for instance) are the predominant mode of transportation in the United States. These vehicles are powered by internal combustion engines that consume fossil fuels such as gasoline. Improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines is an ongoing challenge of enormous impact to energy consumption in the world. In order to improve engine efficiency and thus fuel eco ...

Currently spark ignition (SI) engines dominate the light vehicle market, and over 80 million light vehicle engines are made worldwide. However, such SI engines experience exceptionally poor efficiency at low to medium loads and speeds, and this makes it difficult to meet new fuel efficiency standards expected to be imposed in many locations around the world. Furthermore, the insufficient wall temp ...

Offshore wind turbines have the inherent drawbacks of being remotely located and subject to harsh weather conditions such as storms, snow and sleet, that subject them to operational stresses. With the growing demand for wind energy in the US, it is imperative to maximize the operational efficiencies of the wind turbines and minimize the Levelised Cost Of Energy (LCOE). Qualtech Systems, Inc. (QSI) ...

The next generation of Cosmic Ray Background detectors require large area filters in the microwave part of the spectrum between 100 to 300 Gigahertz. These filters are essential to the extremely sensitive detection of the cosmic background radiation at the level of one part in a billion and will require precise fabrication of metallic structures on a polymer substrate. These filters will be placed ...

Fossil fuel power generation plants risk interruptions of service caused by malicious attacks from insider threats and cybercriminals.Although cyber warfare threatens all sectors of the United States’ critical infrastructure, the energy sector’s reliance on networked industrial control systems renders it particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks; therefore, comprehensive situational awareness of ...

The primary challenges for creating renewable fuels are the ability to process inexpensive non-food feedstocks into biofuels that meet all quality specification, perform indistinguishably from petroleum-based fuels and are compatible with current infrastructure.Our Phase I project demonstrated the feasibility of producing biofuels from waste greases using a novel hydrothermal, continuous-flow cata ...

In topic 11.b, Dispatchable Geothermal Operations, DOE seeks to enable more widespread deployment of geothermal as a dispatchable energy source.TerraCOH’s CO2 Plume Geothermal (CPG™) and Earth Battery™ technologies are ideally suited to meet DOE’s needs.Conventional geothermal power technology has generally been limited to use as a baseload power source, but with increasing penetration of ...