Award Data

65821 Aircraft measurements of ammonia and nitric acid can provide critical information on the sources and sinks of these atmospheric nitrogen species. This is important in understanding air quality, aerosol formation, visibility, and the impact of energy production and usage on global climate change. This project will develop a compact tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectro ...

65526 Current and next generation experiments in nuclear and particle physics require detectors with high spatial resolution, fast response, and accurate energy information. However, in many nuclear physics experiments, the existing detector technology is the limiting factor. This project will develop a position-sensitive silicon avalanche photodiode that can be produced in large area a ...

65584 The monitoring of tritium on various surfaces at DOE facilities presents unique challenges for dosimetry and health-risk assessment. Thus, there is a need for a hand-held, direct-reading instrument. So far, the methods proposed for this purpose have not had the sensitivity (or required long count times) to be of practical use. This project will develop a practical, easy-to-use, multi- ...

65689 For an increasing number of human diseases, smaller animals such as mice and rats can serve as effective models. Accordingly, high-resolution radionuclide imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET), of small animals can contribute unique information. However, clinical PET scanners used for human imaging are bulky and expensive, and do not have adequate spatial resolution for sma ...

65699 The availability of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) wire, manufactured by a reliable, low-cost process, could revolutionize the electric power industry. For example, compact power transmission cables, motors, and generators could be attained by using high temperature superconductors (HTS) with a high critical current density Jc at 77K and magnetic fields of up to 1.5 Tesla. The su ...

65519 The corrosion of metal alloys used in energy production and conservation limits the lifetime of components made from these materials. The metal surfaces are protected by passive oxide layers, yet basic questions about how these layers break down and initiate corrosion are not answered. This project will develop a non-invasive, video microscopy technique to assay the initiation and subs ...

65064 One of the factors that limit the productivity of DOE workers performing decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) work is the heat stress induced by the protective clothing that must be worn. Currently, there are no personal cooling products available that meet all of the needs. The product that comes closest circulates cool water through a tube-lined garment worn by the worker under t ...

65020 Although, there is an abundant supply of methane in natural gas, the costs of transporting it are very high; therefore converting the gas into a highly desirable value added product would result in enormous benefits. Because methane is a very stable molecule, this project will utilize a catalytic approach for its conversion into a high-tech material, graphite nanofibers. These solids ...

65012 Many basic chemicals that are used as feedstock for the chemical and petrochemical industries, such as acetylene and ethylene, are derived from the refining of petroleum. However, in order to decrease domestic dependence on imported petroleum and to increase utilization of the domestic natural gas supply, there is considerable incentive for the selective production of basic chemica ...

65531 Catalytic gasification of coal, when coupled with newly developed molten carbonate fuel cell technology, can provide electrical power generation with very high efficiency and extremely low emissions levels. However, the commercialization of catalytic coal gasification will require the development of new catalysts, as existing catalysts are impractical for use and present many operatio ...