Award Data

We propose an all-fiber approach to heat removal from devices such as IR and LWIR detectors and sensors. In our approach, the cooling fibersegment, the pump fiber laser, and the optical fiber used for photon waste removal are all integrated into a single fiber configuration. NPPhotonics' high efficiency fiber lasers are used to pump high purity doped glass fibers, which provide the cooling action ...

The technology pathway to transition the successful CO2 removal system into small-scale production, and address technical hurdles associated with manufacturing, is outlined in this proposal. The electrochemical CO2 removal system generates no heat as it separates CO2 from the humid breathing gas mixture. In parallel, a breath monitoring micro-sensor array to measure temperature, humidity, CO2, and ...

The upgrade of the physics experiments for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) at CERN is currently driving the development of new and more efficient powering schemes to cope with the increase of power demanded by the new high-density front-end electronics boards. Due to the high radiation levels of up to hundreds of Mrad at the HL-LHC, commercial DC-DC converters cannot be used in these powering sc ...

The monitoring of spent nuclear fuel is not only critical to the operational safety of power plants, but also for nuclear materials control and accountability. Furthermore, up to 30% of energy may be recovered from reprocessed spent nuclear fuel, reducing high level radioactive waste. While radiation sensors may provide measurements of radioactivity, they often lack material selectivity to fully c ...

Metallic 3D printing of nuclear fuel assembly components has the potential to remove unwanted cost, waste, and time from the fabrication process. In addition to the direct manufacturing benefits, design engineers can create fuel assembly components that increase the performance of nuclear fuel assemblies with features that were not manufacturable a few years ago. Because of the reduced build time, ...

Grid modernization requires adoption of modern information technologies in an incremental manner to continue support of legacy assets and use case while enabling seamless integration of and transition to modern paradigms. Empowering domain experts and stakeholders to easily customize modern technologies to the unique needs of grid operation and maintenance is critical. In the Phase I effort Machfu ...

Thermochemical processing via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is capable of processing a broad range of feedstocks, has a favorable net energy ratio, and produces an energy-dense liquid bio-oil product. However, there is an obstacle with current HTL processes that has hampered adoption of this technology—the HTL process produces a considerable amount of aqueous organic byproducts, which limits ...

One of the Department of Energy’s, Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Delivery, goals is to realize hydrogen as a safe, reliable, and cost competitive replacement for gasoline. A single hydrogen dispenser hose exists on the market, though it does not meet the service requirement of 25,550 fills/year for a combined working pressure of 875-bar and temperature rang ...

The proposed SBIR Phase IIB project addresses a critical need in solar cells and modules manufacturing: to inspect in real time the mechanical quality of silicon wafers and cells. The overall goal of the entire SBIR project is to transfer the in-line Activation Station (AS) technology from the laboratory level through design, manufacturing and field testing of the AS pre-production prototype. Base ...

High selectivity in chemical reactions is the key to reducing costs, energy consumption and emissions in chemical processing. More selective and active catalysts will reduce the need for recovering unreacted chemicals for recycle and removing byproducts. Reducing the burden on separation processes will greatly reduce the energy required for chemical production. We will design macromolecular cataly ...