Award Data

Several different Generation IV molten salt reactor (MSR) designs are in the development stages. Some designs are based on using fluoride salt with the fuel dissolved in the salt and others are based on using solid fuel forms with clean salt as the coolant. Many of these designs will operate with outlet temperatures in the range of 700-800°C. However, advanced very high-temperature MSRs are also ...

This project will test and improve a novel Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composite tube pump that is well-suited to furnish high pressure water for desalination with minimal maintenance. This leveraging of new technology will provide the same functionality as a single- acting hydraulic cylinder, as previously demonstrated in other wave-to-water devices, while avoiding the heavy weight, mechanical comple ...

Long-term disposal of nuclear waste continues to be an issue of national and international importance. A 2012 Blue Ribbon Commission report to the Secretary of Energy states, .“..this nation’s failure to come to grips with the nuclear waste issue has already proved damaging and costly and it will be more damaging and more costly the longer it continues….” The proposed thermal salt sealing ...

The U.S. depends on its fleet of nuclear facilities for the clean and reliable generation of electricity. With much uncertainty facing long term, geologic storage facilities, long duration on-site waste storage is being considered. VRC Metal Systems, in collaboration with our academic research partner, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T), and our robotics system developer, Rob ...

Power electronics for Grid-tied Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) featuring: (a) newly developed monolithically integrated High Voltage SiC MOSFET- Schottky Diodes; (b) Intelligent Gate Drivers that provide in-situ monitoring and restoration capabilities; and (c) novel three level Neutral point clamping topology are proposed. An isolated topology such as dual active bridge followed by an activ ...

Many building design professionals assume that, as long as there is an heating/cooling system that is sized to meet a thermostat temperature at the center of the room, occupants throughout the space will be comfortable but this assumption is far from reality. Within a given space that is exposed to an exterior facade, temperatures can vary widely, increasing the risk of occupant discomfort. This i ...

Next-generation extreme fast charging stations with 400 kilowatt output is identified as key to significantly increase the market share of electric vehicles. As compared to the existing 50 kW fast charging stations, future 400 kW rated extreme charging stations directly connected to the medium-voltage electricity grid will require the development of 3300 volt rated, automotive-qualified silicon ca ...

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project is to develop a targeted biological pesticide for control of the western flower thrips to reduce the impact of one of the most economically devastating agricultural pests. Thrips are a global agricultural pest that carry a family of viruses that can infect more than 1,000 species of plants including a ...

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is the introduction of urban farming as a viable new industry for small businesses by driving down the barrier of entry to hydroponic farming. Conventional hydroponic farming necessitates complex systems in which a variety of variables must be monitored and controlled by a skilled operator in response ...

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is researching, designing and identifying an innovative, secure, new way to store and analyze electronic health records on the distributed ledger, or blockchain. The project goal is determining how to redefine the incentive model of a distributed ledger system focused on electronic health records. By ...