Award Data

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: Recent advances in gas chromatographic (GC) and mass spectrometric (MS) techniques for atmospheric measurements have led to highly complex data sets that have overwhelmed the capabilities of current data analysis software. We propose a new method for the automated reduction of chromatographic data using peak-fitting algorithms. By relying upon constrained peak-fit parameterizat ...

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: We propose to continue the development of a generalized 3DVAR data assimilation module, in an open-source and non-proprietary programming language, which is compatible with FVCOM and incorporated into the Lake Erie Operational Forecast System (LEOFS). We will leverage our experience and expertise in using 3DVAR for a ROMS-based real-time forecast system for the California coast ...

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: Tropospheric oxidation capacity is dominated by HOx photochemistry, however halogen atoms and oxides significantly affect these chemical cycles. A sensitive and robust measurement of gaseous HCl is critically important to improve our understanding of halogen chemistry and its impacts on the spatial and temporal oxidation capacity of the atmosphere. In Phase I, we met all of our ...

Dry cask storage systems (DCSS) are used to store spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants. Without a long term storage solution in place, storage for decades in casks may be required. High burnup fuel rods may become brittle over time presenting problems for eventual transport of the spent fuel from reactor sites to a central storage facility. It is desired to passively determine the structur ...

Improved NDT (non-destructive testing) techniques are needed for inspection of concrete structures in nuclear power plants. Steel reinforcements embedded within concrete can corrode and crack, leading to weakening of the structures, and existing NDT techniques do not provide the full picture. Condition assessment is critical in evaluating these structures in order to ensure safe, long-term operati ...

Substantial improvements to the integrity of residential building envelopes have been realized in recent years with the use of advanced house wraps, fenestration, and air sealing technologies. While tight construction significantly lowers residential energy consumption, the concomitant reduction in natural ventilation results in less frequent air turnover that can adversely impact indoor air quali ...

For electric vehicles to be widely adopted as a common mode of transportation, the price of the battery packs must be reduced to $125 per kilowatt hour. Prices are currently around $200 per kilowatt our. One path to reduced cost per kilowatt hour is by reducing cathode cost and improving their energy density. Cathode materials account for up to 25% of the battery pack cost. Cost reductions can be ...

Conventional lithium-ion batteries demonstrate great potential for applications in electrical vehicles, but they face some major challenges such as low energy density and high cost. It is worthwhile to pursue alternative strategies to address the barriers of cost and energy density. We propose to develop advanced rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries that have much higher theoretical energy ...

The non-aqueous ionomer dispersion technology has demonstrated great potential to significantly improve the lifetime of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers. However, further improvements and scale-ups are needed to make this technology commercially viable. The overall objective of this project is to further develop and commercialize non-aqueous ionomer dispersion technology ...

The US continues to need improvements in capability to deal with the imminent threat of theft of nuclear weapons from a foreign storage facility by a terrorist cell with insider assistance. At the heart of this challenge is the need to develop alternative signature exploitation technologies, taggants, that can be easily observed using sensors capable of detection over large areas and at high resol ...