Award Data

A high energy density capacitor with superior life and reliability will be developed that is a key component of power semiconductor inverter circuits, used in automotive hybrid and electric vehicles, rail transit, wind power generators, photovoltaics, and transportable energy storage systems for grid applications.

USi will leverage over 27 years of technology and applications experience in underground cable monitoring and diagnostics to implement the design of an advanced diagnostic system that detects and localizes incipient failures in pipe-type underground transmission systems caused by thermo-mechanical bending (TMB). The goal of the project is to develop a commercial system for utility application.

This project addresses very high power switches for accelerators used in high-energy physics research and particle research. Existing devices have relatively slow switching times, compared to those required for the application. The proposed program seeks to develop high-voltage, high-current devices with much faster switching times and reduced conduction losses, thereby reducing heat and impro ...

The Department of Energy (DOE) has been tasked by the US administration to give priority to developing enhanced fuels and cladding for Light Water Reactors to improve safety in the event of accidents in the reactor or spent fuel pools. Within this context, the DOE is calling for advanced technologies for the fabrication and characterization of nuclear fuel. Specifically, the DOE is inviting (1) ne ...

It is proposed that SPI gels be used to provide a multi-layered protective barrier for active and plugged carbon sequestration injection wells to ensure long term CO2 storage. SPI gels are patent pending, liquid silicate based gel systems that are near water viscosity until they set-up into strong, flexible gels. The gelation initiation trigger can be from an internal chemical, for a time/ temper ...

According to the World Nuclear Association, the U.S. is the largest producer of nuclear power worldwide. In fact, the U.S. provides over 30 percent of the worlds nuclear generation of electricity. Although few new reactors have been built in the past 30 years, the association anticipates that four to six reactors may be built by 2020. The first of the reactors will be built in response to 16 lice ...

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) is an efficient lighting technology that provides a full spectrum lambertian light from a very thin panel. This low glare lambertian property is a desired feature when creating natural light experiences. However, there are applications where the lighting designer wants to capture the look and feel of the thin panels and pleasing light, but with added requirement ...

The application of predictive simulations is critical to the effective design and safe operation of complex systems such as aircraft, cars and nuclear reactors. Advances in numerical analysis methods and large-scale parallel computing has provided industry and government the opportunity to apply predictive simulations to address many design challenges. However, the ability to effectively perform t ...

In order to optimize the operating efficiency of transmission systems utilities must be able to quickly restore service after a failure. Locating faults with current technologies can be a time consuming, skill and labor intensive process. Underground transmission systems are hidden from view and fault location can take sometimes days or weeks. Detecting and locating incipient faults prior to failu ...

Solid state lighting has not yet taken off in commercial buildings due to its high relative installed cost. On a normalized basis, solid state lighting replacement lamps are on the order of two times more expensive than equivalent compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and five times more expensive than an equivalent downlight fixture. An additional barrier relates to the performance and cost of the dr ...