Award Data

Statement of the Problem: Presently Si based for Minimum Ionization Particle (MIP) detectors require very low temperature (

Advanced energy applications may use molten salt for nuclear reactors. Molten Salt Reactors operate under extreme environmental conditions that require equally extreme methods for salt characterization and monitoring. Unfortunately, current sensor technology is not well suited to the high-temperature, corrosive, and irradiated environment of a Molten Salt Reactor.To address the issues, a laser-bas ...

We propose a fundamentally new balance of plant (BOP) architecture for a PV solar system integrated with battery storage and heavy-duty EV fleet charging infrastructure. These PV solar systems are 1- 10s of MW in size, with a 2 to 4-hour battery and several MWs of EV charging electronics. Usually known as microgrids, these integrated PV systems connect to the bulk power systems, providing resilien ...

With current movement toward a net-zero carbon economy, in addition to mandates to reduce the burdens of fossil fuel usage, Gen3 concentrating solar power systems are in a unique position to meet the cost and efficiency targets set forth for US energy generation needs. Sporian Microsystems has been approached by industry stakeholders with a need for ultra-high temperature operable instrumentation ...

n DER (Distributed Energy Resource) power delivery systems, the cybersecurity enhancement of OT (Operational Technology) is urgently needed to adapt/survive cyberattacks without disrupting safe operations. However, the modern energy systems with OT and IT systems are connected, allowing cyberattacks to originate in business systems and then migrate to DER energy control systems within the OT envir ...

Renewable energy asset management is immature resulting in electrical failures, thermal events, safety hazards, and reliability risks. As the decarbonization of the electric grid accelerates in the coming decade, these risks become more pronounced. With clarity of renewable asset health, operational issues can be identified and addressed before they become hazards. Current asset management is typi ...

Nuclear safety and public acceptance of nuclear energy are of paramount importance for the government to establish and expand the nuclear power program. Although nuclear accidents are rare, they can lead to catastrophic consequences and severe damages in the public confidence and acceptance in nuclear energy. To improve the safety, one of the main tasks is to provide various reliable diagnostic or ...

C56-01a-274260The electric power grid is rapidly shifting from centralized and dispatchable power generation to more distributed and intermittent renewable-based power generation or Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as wind, solar photovoltaics (PV), and energy storage systems. This brings increasing complexity to the electric power grid, as it transitions from central stations with limite ...

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the industry standard in commercial electric vehicles (EVs) and occupy a large fraction of the overall EV cost. However, LIBs rely on expensive metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, resulting in cost (>7x Li price increase over past year) and geopolitical supply chain bottlenecks which impede EV deployment. This project will develop sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) b ...

Widespread utilization of smart inverters in the power grid with information exchange capability through cyber-physical networks poses the threat of cyberattack. The stability and reliability of the power grid can be jeopardized, resulting in economic loss to utility and consumers if inverters are hacked to perform malicious actions. Communication protocols have been developed focusing on the safe ...