DOE SBIR DE-FOA-0001164 1

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. The results of BES‐supported research are routinely published in the open literature.

A key function of the program is to plan, construct, and operate premier scientific user facilities for the development of novel nanomaterials and for materials characterization through x‐ray and neutron scattering; the former is accomplished through five Nanoscale Science Research Centers and the latter is accomplished through the world's largest suite of light source and neutron scattering facilities. These national resources are available free of charge to all researchers based on the quality and importance of proposed nonproprietary experiments.

A major objective of the BES program is to promote the transfer of the results of our basic research to advance and create technologies important to Department of Energy (DOE) missions in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, improved use of fossil fuels, the mitigation of the adverse impacts of energy production and use, and future nuclear energy sources. The following set of technical topics represents one important mechanism by which the BES program augments its system of university and laboratory research programs and integrates basic science, applied research, and development activities within the DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Basic Energy Sciences priorities, click here.

TOPIC 6. High Performance Materials for Nuclear Application

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $150,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,000,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: YES
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: YES

To achieve energy security and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction objectives, the United States must develop and deploy clean, affordable, domestic energy sources as quickly as possible. Nuclear power will continue to be a key component of a portfolio of technologies that meets our energy goals. Nuclear Energy R&D activities are organized along four main R&D objectives that address challenges to expanding the use of nuclear power: (1) develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the safety, and extend the life of current reactors; (2) develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to enable nuclear energy to help meet the Administration's energy security and climate change goals; (3) develop sustainable nuclear fuel cycles; and (4) understanding and minimization of risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

To support these objectives, the Department of Energy is seeking to advance engineering materials for service in nuclear reactors.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Specialty Steels and Alloys

Grant applications are sought to develop improvements in radiation‐resistant, high‐temperature steels and alloys with practical applications for Generation IV reactor systems, such as high‐temperature gas‐ or liquid‐cooled systems at 400‐850°C. In general, this will be interpreted to mean that those materials which have improved creep strength can be formed and joined, are compatible with one or more high temperature reactor coolants, and could reasonably be expected to eventually receive ASME Section III qualification for use in nuclear construction.

Questions – Contact: William Corwin, william.corwin@nuclear.energy.gov

b. Ceramic Composites

Grant applications are sought to develop improved design and fabrication methods targeted at reducing cost and/or allowing joining of nuclear‐grade SiC‐SiC composites that can be used in the Generation IV gascooled and liquid fluoride salt‐cooled reactors at temperatures up to 850°C. Additional consideration will be given to proposals for SiC‐SiC materials and forms that are also compatible for use as fuel cladding.

Questions – Contact: William Corwin, william.corwin@nuclear.energy.gov

**c. In Situ Mitigation and Repair of Materials Degradation**

Grant applications are sought to develop technologies for the in situ mitigation and repair of materials degradation in Light Water Reactor systems and components, in order to extend the service life of current light water reactors. Approaches of interest include new techniques for the repair of materials degradation in metals, concrete, and cables; and methods that can mitigate irradiation and aging effects in existing reactors and components.

Questions – Contact: Sue Lesica, sue.lesica@nuclear.energy.gov

d. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: Sue Lesica, sue.lesica@nuclear.energy.gov

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. The results of BES‐supported research are routinely published in the open literature.

A key function of the program is to plan, construct, and operate premier scientific user facilities for the development of novel nanomaterials and for materials characterization through x‐ray and neutron scattering; the former is accomplished through five Nanoscale Science Research Centers and the latter is accomplished through the world's largest suite of light source and neutron scattering facilities. These national resources are available free of charge to all researchers based on the quality and importance of proposed nonproprietary experiments.

A major objective of the BES program is to promote the transfer of the results of our basic research to advance and create technologies important to Department of Energy (DOE) missions in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, improved use of fossil fuels, the mitigation of the adverse impacts of energy production and use, and future nuclear energy sources. The following set of technical topics represents one important mechanism by which the BES program augments its system of university and laboratory research programs and integrates basic science, applied research, and development activities within the DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Basic Energy Sciences priorities, click here.

TOPIC 8: nstrumentation for Advanced Chemical Imaging

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $150,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,000,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: YES
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: YES

The Department of Energy seeks to advance chemical imaging technologies that facilitate fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels. The Department is particularly interested in forefront advances in imaging techniques that combine molecular‐scale spatial resolution and ultrafast temporal resolution to explore energy flow, molecular dynamics, breakage, or formation of chemical bonds, or conformational changes in nanoscale systems.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. High Spatial Resolution Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Chemical information associated with molecular‐scale processes is often available from optical spectroscopies involving interactions with electromagnetic radiation ranging from the infrared spectrum to x‐rays. Ultrafast laser technologies can provide temporally resolved chemical information via optical spectroscopy or laser‐assisted mass sampling techniques. These approaches provide time resolution ranging from the breakage or formation of chemical bonds to conformational changes in nanoscale systems but generally lack the simultaneous spatial resolution required to analyze individual molecules. Grant applications are sought that make significant advancements in spatial resolution towards the molecular scale for ultrafast spectroscopic imaging instrumentation available to the research scientist. The nature of the advancement may span a range of approaches including sub‐diffraction limit illumination or detection, selective sampling, and coherent or holographic signal analysis.

Questions – Contact: Larry Rahn, larry.rahn@science.doe.gov

b. Time‐Resolved Chemical Information from Hybrid Probe Microscopies

Probe microscopy instruments (including AFM and STM) have been developed that offer spatial resolution of molecules and even chemical bonds. While probe‐based measurements alone do not typically offer the desired chemical information on molecular timescales, methods that take advantage of electromagnetic interactions or sampling with probe tips have been demonstrated. Grant applications are sought that would make available to scientists new hybrid probe instrumentation with significant advancements in chemical and temporal resolution towards that required for molecular scale chemical interactions. The nature of the advancement may span a range of approaches and probe techniques, from tip‐enhanced or plasmonic enhancement of electromagnetic spectroscopy’s to probe‐induced sample interactions that localize spectroscopic methods to the molecular scale.

Questions – Contact: Larry Rahn, larry.rahn@science.doe.gov

c. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: Larry Rahn, larry.rahn@science.doe.gov

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. The results of BES‐supported research are routinely published in the open literature.

A key function of the program is to plan, construct, and operate premier scientific user facilities for the development of novel nanomaterials and for materials characterization through x‐ray and neutron scattering; the former is accomplished through five Nanoscale Science Research Centers and the latter is accomplished through the world's largest suite of light source and neutron scattering facilities. These national resources are available free of charge to all researchers based on the quality and importance of proposed nonproprietary experiments.

A major objective of the BES program is to promote the transfer of the results of our basic research to advance and create technologies important to Department of Energy (DOE) missions in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, improved use of fossil fuels, the mitigation of the adverse impacts of energy production and use, and future nuclear energy sources. The following set of technical topics represents one important mechanism by which the BES program augments its system of university and laboratory research programs and integrates basic science, applied research, and development activities within the DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Basic Energy Sciences priorities, click here.

TOPIC 12. Membranes and Materials for Energy Efficiency

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $150,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,000,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: NO
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: NO

Separation technologies recover, isolate, and purify products in virtually every industrial process. Using membranes rather than conventional energy intensive technologies for separations could dramatically reduce energy use and costs in key industrial processes [1]. Separation processes represent 40 to 70 percent of both capital and operating costs in industry. They also account for 45 percent of all the process energy used by the chemical and petroleum refining industries every year. In response the Department of Energy supports the development of high‐risk, innovative membrane separation technologies and related materials. Many challenges must be overcome before membrane technology becomes more widely adopted. Technical barriers include fouling, instability, low flux, low separation factors, and poor durability. Advancements are needed that will lead to new generations of organic, inorganic, and ceramic membranes. These membranes require greater thermal and chemical stability, greater reliability, improved fouling and corrosion resistance, and higher selectivity leading to better performance in existing industrial applications, as well as opportunities for new applications. Materials for energy efficiency include both organic and inorganic types. Their applications can be for supporting structures, such as durable sealing materials to increase reliability of hydrogen storage or for electronics substrates. They also include materials that are key to highly pure hydrogen. Finally, conductor materials that promise 50% or more improvement in energy efficiency are examined.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. High Selectivity Membranes

This subtopic is focused on the advancement of manufacturing processes that are able to produce membranes with exceptional selectivity for separations.

High performance membranes offer the potential to provide game‐changing process energy advances. Specifically we are interested in chemical separations, desalination, and gas separations. Of greatest interest are methods that employ strong, thin membranes (e.g., covalently bonded, one‐molecule‐thick structures) for high permeance, with atomically precise pores for high selectivity. In desalination, a rate increase of 2‐3 orders of magnitude over reverse osmosis is projected for a system with not only controlled pore size but also engineered pore edge composition [1]. In principle, a series of membranes of sufficient selectivity could separate air into its raw components of N2, O2, Ar, CO2, Ne, He, etc. for significant energy savings in a wide range of chemical and combustion processes [2, 3], and for greenhouse gas reduction.

We seek grant applications to advance scalable technologies that provide order‐of‐magnitude increments over the performance of current industrial separation processes. The focus of the application must be on significant improvements in uniformity of pore size distribution and composition for near 100% selectivity. Consideration should be given to addressing the other barriers cited in this topic: fouling, instability, flux, durability, and cost. The choice of membrane material should be appropriate to the target separation in a commercial setting. Target separations with high energy impact are preferred. As a deliverable, a minimum of 50% energy savings over separations in current commercial practice shall be demonstrated through the manufacture of exemplar parts or materials, with sufficient experimental measurements and supporting calculations to show that cost‐competitive energy savings can be achieved with practical economies of scale. The application should provide a path to scale up in potential Phase II follow on work.

Questions – Contact: David Forrest, david.forrest@hq.doe.gov

b. High Performance Conductors

This subtopic is focused on methods to enhance the thermal and electrical conductivity of commercial metals.

Electrical and thermal conductivity are thermophysical properties of metals that play key roles in the energy efficiency in many applications. In general, we seek to increase both properties but are limited by competing material requirements such as strength and oxidation resistance. High electrical conductivity, strong aluminum would address transmission losses (0.2‐0.4 quads) and reduce total ownership costs in high voltage power transmission lines. High electrical conductivity aluminum could replace copper for wiring and motor lightweighting in certain aircraft and automotive systems. High conductivity copper could improve the efficiency of electric motors and reduce the weight of aircraft and automobiles. Improving the thermal conductivity of steels and superalloys would improve the efficiency of high temperature processes (including power generation) through high performance heat exchangers, and would reduce material requirements.

There are several new approaches, which have seen mixed degrees of technical success but no significant commercial inroads due to cost or scalability: multifunctional metal/polymer composites, nanocarbon infusion processes, severe plastic deformation of aluminum, and metal matrix composites. Specific challenges include establishing a quality interface between the metal and high conductivity material (such as carbon nanotubes) in metal matrix composites, and minimizing defects that reduce conductivity in the highly conductive material [1‐4].

We seek grant applications to advance scalable technologies that provide at least a 50% increment over the performance of commercial metal conductors. The improvement can be in electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity either on a volumetric or weight basis. The choice of metallurgical system should be appropriate to the target component in a commercial setting. Consideration should be given to addressing all aspects of the materials design at the system level (cost, corrosion and oxidation resistance, joining and fabrication procedures, strength, fatigue, hardness, ductility). Industrial uses of the enhanced conductors that will result in high energy impact are preferred. As a deliverable, a minimum of 50% energy savings in service over current commercial practice shall be demonstrated through the manufacture of exemplar components or materials, with sufficient experimental measurements and supporting calculations to show that cost‐competitive energy savings can be achieved with practical economies of scale. The application should provide a path to scale up in potential Phase II follow on work.

Questions – Contact: David Forrest, david.forrest@hq.doe.gov

c. Fuel Cell Membranes

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are a leading candidate to power zero emission vehicles, with several major automakers already in the early stages of commercializing fuel cell vehicles powered by PEM fuel cells. PEM fuel cells are also of interest for stationary power applications, including primary power, backup power, and combined heat and power. Commercial PEM technology typically is based on perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers, but these ionomer materials are expensive, particularly at the low volumes that will be needed for initial commercialization. Non‐PFSA PEMs, including those based on hydrocarbon membranes, represent a lower‐cost alternative, but relatively low performance and durability has limited non‐PFSA PEM applications to date.

Development of novel hydrocarbon ionomers and PEMs suitable for application in PEM fuel cells is solicited through this subtopic. Novel PEMs developed through this subtopic should have properties and characteristics required for application in PEM fuel cells, including:

• High proton conductivity in a range of temperature and humidity conditions

• Good film forming properties enabling formation of thin (<10 μm) uniform membranes Low swelling and low solubility in liquid water

• Low creep under a range of stress, temperature, and humidity conditions

• Low permeability to gases including H₂, O₂, and N₂

• Chemical and mechanical durability sufficient to pass the accelerated stress tests in the Fuel Cell Tech Team Roadmap [1]

The goal of any proposed work under this subtopic should be to produce a PEM that can meet all of the technical targets in the table below. PEM technology proposed for this subtopic should be based on proton‐conducting non‐perfluorinated ionomers, but may include reinforcements or other additives. Membrane samples should be tested at an independent laboratory at the end of each phase. Phase 1 should include measurement of chemical and physical properties to demonstrate feasibility of meeting the targets below related to these parameters, while Phase 2 addresses long term durability and development of manufacturing processes to meet the cost targets.

Technical Targets: Fuel Cell Membranes for Transportation Applications [2]

Characteristic	Units	Target 2020
Maximum operating temperature	°C	120
Area specific proton resistance at:
Maximum operating temp and water partial pressures from 40 to 80 kPa	Ohm cm²	≤ 0.02
80°C and water partial pressures from 25 ‐ 45 kPa	Ohm cm²	≤ 0.02
30°C and water partial pressures up to 4 kPa	Ohm cm²	≤ 0.03
‐20°C	Ohm cm²	≤ 0.2
Maximum Oxygen cross‐over	mA / cm²	2
Maximum Hydrogen cross‐over	mA / cm²	2
Minimum electrical resistance	ohm cm²	1000
Cost	$ / m²	≤ 20
Durability
Mechanical	Cycles w/ < 2 mA/cm² crossover	≥ 20,000
Chemical	Hours	> 500

Questions – Contact: Donna Ho Donna.Ho@ee.doe.gov or Dimitrios Papageorgopoulos Dimitrios.Papageorgopoulos@ee.doe.gov

d. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department solicits applications in other areas that fall within the specific scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: David Forrest, david.forrest@hq.doe.gov

Electron microscopy and microcharacterization capabilities are important in the materials sciences and are used in numerous research projects funded by the Department. Grant applications are sought to develop components and accessories of electron microscopes that will significantly enhance the capabilities of the electron-based microcharacterization, including improved spatial and temporal resolution in imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy with and without applied stimuli (e.g., temperature, stress, electromagnetic field, and gaseous or liquid environment):

Stages and holders that provide new capabilities for in situ transmission electron microscopy experiments in liquid, gaseous, optoelectronic and/or other extreme environments that also provide capability for simultaneous spectroscopy.

New electron sources that can operate in pulsed modes to femtosecond frequencies. Of particular interest are laser-assisted field emission guns for application to pulsed mode operation as a single purpose apparatus for time-resolved diffraction experiment, or incorporated into a conventional electron microscope to achieve more versatile capabilities. Proposed solutions must demonstrate point-source-emitter capability.

Ultra-high energy resolution and collection efficiency x-ray, electron loss, and/or optical spectrometers compatible with transmission electron microscopy. Analytical electron energy loss spectroscopy approaches include systems able to achieve high energy resolution (10 meV or better), high energy dispersion (>25mm/eV), efficient trapping of the zero-loss-peak (ZLP) so that spectra at energies <1eV will not be dominated by the ZLP “tail”. Energy dispersive spectroscopy approach of interest should include efficient detector materials and improved geometry for maximum signal collection. Single electron detector arrays facilitating ultra high speed counting for electron spectroscopy (~ nanosecond) are of particular interest.

High efficiency and high sensitivity electron detectors. Approaches of interest include CMOSbased electron detectors for high-resolution imaging, detectors with a wide dynamic range (16-20bit) for electron diffraction, and secondary electron detectors for surface imaging.

Systems for automated data collection, processing, and quantification in TEM and/or STEM. Approaches of interest should include (1) hardware and platform-independent software for data collection and visualization, (2) automated measurement and mapping of crystallography, internal magnetic or electric field, or strain, and (3) multi-spectral analysis. Proposed solutions must be demonstrated in TEM or STEM mode.

Questions – contact Jane Zhu, Jane.Zhu@science.doe.gov

Scanning probe microscopy is vital to the advancement of nanoscale and energy science, and is used in numerous materials research projects and facilities funded by the Department. Grant applications are sought to develop: New generations of SPM platforms capable of operation in the functional gas atmospheres and broad temperature/pressure ranges, functional SPM probes, sample holders/cells (including electrochemical and photoelectrochemical cells), and controller/software support for ultrafast, environmental and functional detection. Areas of interest include: (1) SPM platforms capable of imaging in the controlled and reactive gas environments and elevated temperatures for fuel cell, and catalysis research, (2) variable pressure systems with capabilities for surface cleaning and preparation bridging the gap between ambient and ultra-high vacuum platforms, (3) insulated and shielded probes and electrochemical cells for high-resolution electrical imaging in conductive solutions; (4) heated probes combined with dynamic thermal measurements including thermomechanical, temperature, and integrated with Raman and mass-spectrometry systems, and (5) probes integrated with electrical, thermal, and magnetic field sensors for probing dynamic electrical and magnetic phenomena in the 10 MHz - 100 GHz regime, and (6) SPM platforms and probes for other functional imaging modes (including but not limited to microwave, pumpprobe, etc). Probes and probe/holder assemblies should be compatible with existing commercial hardware platforms, or bundled with adaptation kits. Complementary to this effort is the development of reliable hardware, software, and calibration methods for the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal spring constants of the levers, sensitivities, and frequency-dependent transfer functions of the probes.

SPM platforms designed for SPM combined with other high-resolution structural and chemical characterization modes. Examples include but are not limited to (a) SPM platforms integrated with high-resolution electron beam imaging in transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy environments, (b) SPM platforms integratable with focused X-ray, (c) imaging modalities providing local chemical information including mass-spectrometry and nanooptical
detection.

A new generation of optical and other cantilever detectors for beam-deflection-based force microscopies. Areas of interest include: (1) low-noise laser sources and detectors approaching the thermomechanical noise limit, (2) high bandwidth optical detectors operating in the 10-100 MHz regime, and (3) small-spot (sub-3 micron) laser sources for video-rate Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements. Piezoresistive and tuning-fork force detectors compatible with existing low-temperature high-magnetic field environments are also of interest. Systems for next-generation controllers and stand-alone modules for data acquisition and analysis. Areas of interest include: (1) multiple-frequency and fast detection schemes for mapping energy dissipation, as well as mechanical and other functional properties; (2) active control of tip trajectory, grid, and spectral acquisition; and (3) interactive SPMs incorporating decision making process on the single-pixel level. Proposed systems should include provisions for rapid data collection (beyond the ~1kHz bandwidth of feedback/image acquisition of a standard SPM), processing, and quantification; and hardware and platform-independent software for data collection and visualization, including multispectral and multidimensional image analysis (i.e., for force volume imaging or other spectroscopic imaging techniques generating 3D or 4D data arrays). For rapid data acquisition systems, software and data processing algorithms for data interpretation are strongly encouraged.

Questions – contact Jane Zhu, Jane.Zhu@science.doe.gov

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. The results of BES‐supported research are routinely published in the open literature.

A key function of the program is to plan, construct, and operate premier scientific user facilities for the development of novel nanomaterials and for materials characterization through x‐ray and neutron scattering; the former is accomplished through five Nanoscale Science Research Centers and the latter is accomplished through the world's largest suite of light source and neutron scattering facilities. These national resources are available free of charge to all researchers based on the quality and importance of proposed nonproprietary experiments.

A major objective of the BES program is to promote the transfer of the results of our basic research to advance and create technologies important to Department of Energy (DOE) missions in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, improved use of fossil fuels, the mitigation of the adverse impacts of energy production and use, and future nuclear energy sources. The following set of technical topics represents one important mechanism by which the BES program augments its system of university and laboratory research programs and integrates basic science, applied research, and development activities within the DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Basic Energy Sciences priorities, click here.

TOPIC 14:Advanced Fossil Energy Technology Research

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $150,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,000,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: NO
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: NO

For the foreseeable future, the energy needed to sustain economic growth will continue to come largely from hydrocarbon fuels. Advanced Fossil Energy technologies must allow the Nation to use its indigenous fossil energy resources more wisely, cleanly, and efficiently. These include R&D activities required to reduce the capital and operating cost and to meet zero emission targets in power systems (e.g., turbines, fuel cells, hybrids, novel power generation cycles), coal conversion (e.g., gasification) and beneficiation, advanced combustion (e.g., oxy‐combustion, chemical looping, ultra super critical steam), hydrogen and fuels, and beneficial re‐use of CO₂. This topic addresses grant applications for the development of innovative, cost effective technologies for improving the efficiency and environmental performance of advanced large scale industrial and utility fossil energy power generation and natural gas recovery systems. The topic serves as a bridge between basic science and the fabrication and testing of new technologies. Small scale applications, such as residential, commercial and transportation will not be considered. Generally, electrochemical (SOFC excepted), microwave and plasma processes will not be considered due to high energy requirements. Applications determined to be outside the mission or not mutually beneficial to the Fossil Energy and Basic Energy Sciences programs will not be considered.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Shale Gas Conversion to Liquid Fuels and Chemicals

With the discovery of vast quantities of natural gas available in various shale gas formations in the U.S. comes the opportunity to convert this gas, traditionally used directly as fuel, into more value added products. Traditionally, petroleum has been used to make ethylene, propylene and other building blocks used in the production of a wide range of other chemicals. We need to develop innovative processes that can readily make these chemical intermediates from natural gas.

The methane fraction can be converted into intermediates such as ethylene via oxidative coupling or reforming to synthesis gas, whereas the ethane/propane fraction can be converted into ethylene via conventional steam pyrolysis. Since methane is rather inert and requires high temperatures to activate strong chemical bonds, practical and cost‐effective conversion technologies are needed. Attempts to develop catalysts and catalytic processes that use oxygen to make ethylene, methanol, and other intermediates have had little success as oxygen is too reactive and tends to over‐oxidize methane to common carbon dioxide. Recent advances with novel sulfide catalysts have more effectively converted methane to ethylene, a key intermediate for making chemicals, polymers, fuels and , ultimately products such as films, surfactants, detergents, antifreeze, textiles and others.

Proposals are sought to develop novel and advanced concepts for conversion of shale gas to chemicals based on advanced catalysts. Processes must have high selectivity and yield compared to existing state of the art. Proposals must be novel and innovative and show clear economic advantages over the existing state of the art.

Questions – Contact: Doug Archer, douglas.archer@hq.doe.gov

b. Additive Manufacturing for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Components

Additive manufacturing (AM) which is used to create components in a layering manner to achieve intricate final shape products has been identified as a potentially attractive option for the manufacture of high temperature performance components used in SOFC technology in order to address the need for components processing that not only maintains structural integrity but also offers the ability to perform multiple functions as well. AM also enables the design and synthesis of materials whose microstructure and properties allow for the construction of such components. Due to the limitations in terms of spatial control and high reproducibility of microstructures involving traditional screen printing, slurry pasting, and dip coating methods, there has been of late an increasing interest in inkjet printing and other direct‐write additive processes.

Grant applications are sought for research and development to innovate AM techniques and to design and generate SOFC structures and components with functionality and characteristics that exceed the performance requirements of state of the art materials and manufacturing processes. Approaches of interest include, but are not limited to additive manufacturing techniques to engineer preferred architectures or microstructure of a material system that possesses enhanced physical, electrical and thermal properties for high temperature SOFC applications. Techniques for SOFC interconnect coating and electrode infiltration are not of interest. A complete description of the manufacturing process required to achieve the proposed architectures should be provided to facilitate analysis of potential cost entitlements and implementation complexity. Applications can focus on individual components; however, a clear plan must be presented that outlines how entire SOFC cell or stack architectures would be fabricated, implemented, and perform.

Questions – Contact: Patcharin Burke, patcharin.burke@netl.doe.gov

c. CO₂ Capture from Low Concentration Sources

DOE has a large program associated with capture carbon from higher concentration CO₂ sources including both coal combustion and coal gasification units. However, there are other sources associated with coal power systems, resource recovery, and emissions mitigation where the concentration of the CO₂is smaller but collectively these can represent a large quantity of CO₂ emissions.

In response to the environmental concerns and prevailing market conditions facing the coal industry, the

DOE is seeking technologies to address CO₂ capture from coal‐related sources producing low concentration CO₂ emissions. Some technologies (materials and processes) may have inherent advantages when capturing CO2 at these lower concentrations.

Grant applications are sought for cost‐effective CO₂ capture technologies that mitigate CO₂ from coal relevant gases with CO₂ concentrations of <1 vol% and also highlight the size and relevance of the targeted low concentration market. The objective is to initiate R&D of applied cost‐effective CO₂ capture solutions for low concentration (<1 vol%), coal‐relevant CO₂ sources. Technology proposed in this topic area may include, but is not limited to: coal‐relevant lifecycle GHG emissions such as those from mining operations; approaches that are part of hybrid CO₂ capture/conversion process and CO₂ "polishing" steps that address the lower concentrations of residual CO₂ resulting from less than 100% capture. Applicants that have already identified a low CO₂ concentration market and successfully completed proof‐of‐concept analytical studies and simulations showing a pathway towards the aggressive Fossil Energy performance goals either as part of earlier DOE or non‐DOE supported efforts should apply.

Questions – Contact: John Litynski, john.litynski@hq.doe.gov

d. Modifications to Existing Alloys that Promote Corrosion and / or Erosion Resistance in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Based Power Cycle Applications

There has been an increase in interest over the past several years in supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) cycles for power generation. These cycles offer the potential for increased efficiency over Rankine cycles with inherent capture of carbon dioxide using oxy‐fuel combustion of natural gas or coal derived syngas as the heat source. The application of sCO₂ cycles to commercial power generation necessitates the development of new technologies in several areas, especially materials that are used in high pressure and temperature conditions under which sCO₂ based power cycle applications operate. The severe conditions occurring at both high pressures and temperatures up to 20‐25 MPa and 550‐700° C and higher, respectively can impose high levels of stress and severe challenges to the integrity of materials that are used in the sCO₂ system, especially in terms of corrosion and erosion resistance. Although many super alloys that are classified into three main categories based on their major compositional element

(nickel‐, iron‐nickel‐, and cobalt‐base alloys) are generally considered to be thermally stable at

temperatures below 1500°C, little is known about material compatibility with CO₂ under supercritical conditions.

Grant applications are sought for research and development to understand and develop corrosion and erosion resistance of sCO₂ candidate materials in order to prevent unexpected deterioration of components or decline in efficiency. Approaches of interest include, but are not limited to investigations of:

The effects of protective or non‐protective oxide layers induced from additive alloying elements on corrosion and erosion resistance of candidate materials and the corresponding dependence on temperature and pressure at a range of operating conditions.
The kinetics of oxide growth in an effort to build accurate models of corrosion mechanisms in materials used in sCO₂ applications in order to predict corrosion and service life of alloys under relevant operational conditions.

Questions – Contact: Seth Lawson, seth.lawson@netl.doe.gov

e. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: Doug Archer, douglas.archer@hq.doe.gov

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. The results of BES‐supported research are routinely published in the open literature.

A key function of the program is to plan, construct, and operate premier scientific user facilities for the development of novel nanomaterials and for materials characterization through x‐ray and neutron scattering; the former is accomplished through five Nanoscale Science Research Centers and the latter is accomplished through the world's largest suite of light source and neutron scattering facilities. These national resources are available free of charge to all researchers based on the quality and importance of proposed nonproprietary experiments.

A major objective of the BES program is to promote the transfer of the results of our basic research to advance and create technologies important to Department of Energy (DOE) missions in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, improved use of fossil fuels, the mitigation of the adverse impacts of energy production and use, and future nuclear energy sources. The following set of technical topics represents one important mechanism by which the BES program augments its system of university and laboratory research programs and integrates basic science, applied research, and development activities within the DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Basic Energy Sciences priorities, click here.

TOPIC 15: Advanced Fossil Energy Separations and Analysis Research

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $150,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,000,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: NO
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: NO

For the foreseeable future, the energy needed to sustain economic growth will continue to come largely from hydrocarbon fuels. This topic addresses grant applications for the development of innovative, cost‐effective technologies for improving the efficiency and environmental performance of advanced large scale industrial and utility fossil energy power systems and natural gas recovery systems. Areas considered include research and technology issues and opportunities for carbon storage, including, geologic storage, monitoring, verification, and accounting, enhanced oil recovery and residual oil zone production using CO₂, advanced simulation and risk assessment, and CO₂separation. In addition, efforts on enabling technology (e.g., sensors and controls) energy conversion, water issues, advanced modeling and simulation materials critical to the implementation and optimization of fossil power and recovery systems are included. The topic serves as a bridge between basic science and the fabrication and testing of new technologies. Small scale applications, such as residential, commercial and transportation will not be considered. Applications determined to be outside the mission and scope or not mutually beneficial to the Fossil Energy and Basic Energy Science programs will not be considered.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Enabling Technologies for Advanced Combustion Systems

Develop and validate a predictive, multi‐scale, combustion model to optimize the design and operation of a spouted bed using a coal and biomass mixture to reduce GHG emissions. This predictive capability, if attained, will change fundamentally the process for combustion of combined fuels by establishing a scientific understanding of sufficient depth and flexibility to facilitate realistic simulation of mixed fuel combustion in these newly proposed power boiler designs.

Similar understanding in aeronautics has produced the beautiful and efficient complex curves of modern aircraft wings. These designs could never have been realized through cut‐and‐try engineering, but rather rely on the prediction and optimization of complex air flows. An analogous experimentally validated, predictive capability for combustion is a daunting challenge.

This SBIR project should demonstrate and validate the design and operation of the spouting fluidized bed for use with coal and biomass fueled combustion and verifies how it compares with a conventional fluidized bed in terms of efficiency and reduces carbon in ash due to better control of residence time.

The scope of the project can comprise design, fabrication, and testing of a small demonstrable unit with pulverized coal and biomass as feedstock. Research will include collecting various data and information to address any major technical gaps. If successful in Phase 1 the project has a chance to move to Phase II where substantially higher funding is given.

Questions – Contact: Bhima Sastri, Bhima.Sastri@hq.doe.gov

b. Advanced Shale Gas Recovery Technologies for Horizontal Well Completion Optimization

Proposals are sought to develop and test technologies that will reduce the amount of water needed for hydraulic fracturing when completing natural gas wells or that will improve the apparent low (<30%) natural gas and liquids recovery efficiency currently associated with horizontal, hydraulically fractured wells producing from shale formations. Proposals should focus on addressing a number of important areas where cost effective improvements may be possible. The objective is to increase the efficiency of resource recovery on a per well basis or reduce the volume of fresh water required to produce a unit volume of natural gas. For example, research could include quantitative assessments of the practical and economic limits and potential benefits (if any) of employing mixtures of natural gas (not LPG as is currently practiced) with conventional sand‐laden fracturing fluids, as a novel fracturing fluid to partially replace water in the large volume, multiple stage hydraulic fracturing treatments representative of those being applied in shale gas and shale oil plays today.

Examples of analyses could include laboratory experiments and/or computer simulations that quantify the effect on relative permeability to gas in a producing wellbore when mixtures of conventional fracturing fluids and natural gas (versus fracturing liquids only) are employed as fracturing fluids under conditions representative of major shale gas plays. Research could characterize the potential volumes and rates of natural gas/conventional fracturing fluid mixtures required to achieve well productivity similar to that achieved when wells are fractured using conventional fracturing fluids alone.

Other examples of analysis could aim to characterize the suitability of the rheology of such conventional fracturing fluid/natural gas mixtures for large volume hydraulic fracturing, and to prove the feasibility of employing natural gas as a partial alternative to water, as justification for a Phase II field experiment focused on testing the process.

Questions – Contact: Al Yost, albert.yost@netl.doe.gov

c. CO₂ Use and Reuse

To reduce risk and offset the cost of CCS, development of CO₂ utilization/conversion technologies, specifically those that rely on biological processes (e.g., algae) or mineralization/carbonation processes to generate value‐added products will be required. A larger and more diverse market is needed to facilitate deeper GHG reductions from CO₂ sales beyond what can be realized by Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) alone. For instance, a coal‐fired power plant equipped with a CO₂ capture and purification unit could offer multiple gas streams with varying concentrations of CO₂ potentially suitable for CO₂ utilization/conversion, including: (1) flue gas exiting the desulfurization unit (prior to entering the downstream CO₂ capture and purification unit), (2) CO₂‐dilute flue gas being directed to the stack following bulk CO₂ removal, and (3) concentrated CO₂ exiting the CO₂ capture and purification unit that is ready for compression and storage.

Grant applications are sought for the development or enhancement of novel technologies that support DOE’s goals to reduce carbon emissions at a relative cost below $40 per tonne of CO₂. It is expected that the revenue generated from these novel utilization processes may result in positive revenue. The applicant must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the biological or chemical CO2 utilization/conversion process being proposed and its ability to integrate with coal‐fired power plants. Of particular importance is a thorough discussion of the integration approach with the power plant, optimal inlet CO2 concentration, rate of CO2 utilization and practical limits on how much flue gas could be processed from a single power plant, associated CO2 emission reduction, process footprint, impact and ultimate fate of heavy metals and other flue gas impurities, novel dewatering concepts, knowledge gaps and key technical challenges, and process costs.

Preference will be given to applications that have the potential to be economically viable at large‐scale based on the value of the products produced, considering the existing market for these products. Additionally, the proposal should include a preliminary, high‐level life cycle analysis (LCA) to demonstrate that the proposed technology will not create more CO₂ than is utilized and/or show that the CO₂ emissions are less than the process that it would replace. Projects will be selected based on the strength of proposed concepts and approach, prior progress made by the applicant in developing the technology, potential for future and near‐term commercialization, assessment of the technology’s promise for substantive and cost effective CO₂ mitigation, and reasonableness of proposed cost of the technology.

DOE is currently supporting multiple small‐ and large‐scale R&D projects to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of CCS. While advances have been made to reduce the cost of implementation, cost remains a primary concern. Recent studies support the approach that CO₂ utilization should focus on identifying technologies and opportunities that assist in reducing CO₂ capture costs as a means to accelerate industrial‐scale implementation of geologic storage. Consequently, technologies that support this approach are of particular interest.

Questions – Contact: Danielle Petrucci, danielle.petrucci@hq.doe.gov

d. Material Development for Ceramic‐Metal Transitions that Facilitate Ceramic and Metal Joining and Flanging under High Temperature and Pressure Conditions

Economical and efficient heat transfer technologies applicable to high‐temperature, high‐pressure conditions are a common requirement for advanced fossil energy power generation systems. For example, power cycles based on steam on supercritical CO₂ are targeting temperatures in excess of 700 C to enable highly efficient performance. In these cycles, heat is transferred from a heat source such as an air‐ or oxyfired coal boiler or natural gas turbine into a power cycle working fluid by means of heat exchange components such as boiler tubes, heat recovery steam generator, heat exchanger, or recuperator. Some of these heat exchange environments contain very large pressure differentials (20‐25 MPa) while others may contain periodic or occasional pressure fluctuations. Alloys with the requisite corrosion resistance and mechanical properties tend to be expensive. Alternatively, many ceramic materials are stable to much higher temperatures providing an opportunity to improve cycle performance and improve durability. Ceramic components perform poorly in tension requiring specialized engineering, in particular with respect to joining with adjacent components. In other words, joining ceramics to other high temperature metallic components is seen as an enabling technology for high‐performance heat transfer components and by extension high‐efficiency power cycles.

Grant applications are sought for research and development to join candidate high‐temperature ceramic materials and heat exchange components with high‐temperature metallic components. Joining technology should be robust to pressure upsets. Target applications should focus on extraction of heat from fossil‐fired combustion heat sources into working fluids or internally between working fluids within a steam or supercritical CO₂ power cycle.

Questions – Contact: Steve Richardson, steven.richardson@netl.doe.gov

e. Other

In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: Doug Archer, douglas.archer@hq.doe.gov

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Biological and Environmental Research

The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program supports fundamental, peer‐reviewed research on complex systems in climate change, subsurface biogeochemistry, genomics, systems biology, radiation biology, radiochemistry, and instrumentation. BER funds research at public and private research institutions and at DOE laboratories. BER also supports leading edge National Scientific User Facilities including the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL), the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility and instrumentation for structural biology research at the DOE Synchrotron Light and Neutron sources.

BER has interests in the following areas:

1) Biological Systems Science integrates discovery‐ and hypothesis‐driven science with technology development on plant and microbial systems relevant to DOE bioenergy mission needs. Systems biology is the multidisciplinary study of complex interactions specifying the function of entire biological systems—from single cells to multicellular organisms—rather than the study of individual components. The Biological Systems Science subprogram focuses on utilizing systems biology approaches to define the functional principles that drive living systems, from microbes and microbial communities to plants and other whole organisms. Key questions that drive this research include: What information is encoded in the genome sequence? How is information exchanged between different sub‐cellular constituents? What molecular interactions regulate the response of living systems and how can those interactions be understood dynamically and predictively? The approaches employed include genome sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, structural biology, high resolution imaging and characterization, and integration of information into predictive computational models of biological systems that can be tested and validated.

The subprogram supports operation of a scientific user facility, the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), and access to structural biology facilities at the DOE Synchrotron Light and Neutron Sources. Support is also provided for research at the interface of the biological and physical sciences and in radiochemistry and instrumentation to develop new methods for real‐time, high‐resolution imaging of dynamic biological processes.

2) The Climate and Environmental Sciences subprogram focuses on a predictive, systems‐level understanding of the fundamental science associated with climate change and DOE’s environmental challenges—both key to supporting the DOE mission. The subprogram supports an integrated portfolio of research from molecular level to field‐scale studies with emphasis on multidisciplinary experimentation and use of advanced computer models. The science and research capabilities enable DOE leadership in climate‐relevant atmospheric‐process research and modeling, including clouds, aerosols, and the terrestrial carbon cycle; large‐scale climate change modeling; integrated analysis of climate change impacts; and advancing fundamental understanding of coupled physical, chemical, and biological processes controlling contaminant mobility in the environment. The subprogram supports three primary research activities and two national scientific user facilities. Atmospheric System Research seeks to resolve the two major areas of uncertainty in climate change model projections: the role of clouds and the effects of aerosols on the atmospheric radiation balance.

Environmental System Science supports research that provides scientific understanding of the effects of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, the role of terrestrial ecosystems in global carbon cycling, and the role of subsurface biogeochemistry in controlling the fate and transport of energy‐relevant elements. Climate and Earth System Modeling focuses on development, evaluation, and use of large scale climate change models to determine the impacts of climate change and mitigation options.

Two scientific user facilities the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) provide the broad scientific community with technical capabilities, scientific expertise, and unique information to facilitate science in areas integral to the BER mission and of importance to DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Biological and Environmental Research priorities, click here.

TOPIC 17: Atmospheric Measurement Technology

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $225,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,500,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: NO
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: NO

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), where it was reinforced that clouds and aerosols dominate uncertainties in climate feedbacks associated with future climate projections (Reference 1). The mission of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility is to provide the climate research community with strategically located in situ and remote sensing observations to improve the understanding and representation, in climate and earth system models, of clouds and aerosols as well as their interactions and coupling with the Earth’s surface. The Atmospheric System Research (ASR) program brings together ARM expertise in continuous remote sensing measurements of cloud properties and aerosol influences on radiation with the expertise of in situ characterization of aerosol properties, evolution, and cloud interactions. The goal of ASR, in partnership with the ARM Facility, is to quantify the interactions among aerosols, clouds, precipitation, radiation, dynamics, and thermodynamics to improve fundamental process‐level understanding, with the ultimate goal to reduce the uncertainty in global and regional climate simulations and projections (Reference 2).

Measurements of aerosol and cloud particles under a range of atmospheric conditions are required to fully understand aerosol and cloud lifecycles, their interactions, and their impact on the radiation budget. Innovative measurement technologies are needed to provide this data, which is necessary both for process understanding and for evaluation of numerical models that are used to assess the climate change impacts to global and regional systems. Small aerial platforms, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), tethered balloons, and kites, provide an innovative approach for making atmospheric measurements in conditions that are logistically difficult for ground‐based measurements, that are too dangerous or cost‐prohibitive for manned aircraft, or under operating conditions (e.g., slow airspeeds or low altitudes) that are more difficult for large or manned platforms. While small aerial platforms are gaining increased use in the scientific, civil, and defense arenas, there is still a lack of sophisticated observing capabilities for important aerosol, cloud, and associated meteorological state variables that have been miniaturized for deployment on such platforms.

Grant applications are sought for technology innovation in aerosol and cloud measurements to capitalize on the increasing utility of UAS platforms for scientific missions.

Grant applications submitted to this topic must propose Phase I bench tests of critical technologies. (“Critical technologies” refers to components, materials, equipment, or processes that overcome significant limitations to current capabilities.) In addition, grant applications should (1) describe the purpose and benefits of any proposed teaming arrangements with government laboratories or universities, and (2) support claims of commercial potential for proposed technologies (e.g., endorsements from relevant industrial sectors, market analysis, or identification of potential spin‐offs). Grant applications proposing only computer modeling without physical testing will be considered non‐responsive.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Aerosol and Cloud‐Related Measurements from Small Aerial Platforms

Instrument packages developed to measure aerosol and cloud properties have been successfully deployed from research aircraft in a wide range of atmospheric conditions. However, traditional instrument packages typically are too large and heavy and/or require too much power to be used on small aerial platforms, such as UAS, tethered balloons, or kites. A need exists for instrument packages capable of installation on a small aerial platform with capabilities to measure properties of aerosols, cloud droplets, and/or glaciated hydrometeors. Grant applications are sought to develop lightweight and low power (suitable for sampling from UAS, tethersonde, or kite platforms) instruments for (1) cloud droplet/drizzle measurements (10–1000 μm size range), (2) accurate measurements of liquid water content and/or ice water content – techniques that distinguish phase of condensed water are high added value, (3) accurate measurements of water vapor concentration and local thermodynamic state that enable accurate calculation of relative humidity and/or supersaturation, (4) acquisition of high‐resolution cloud particle images capable of distinguishing size and habit of ice particles as well as droplets in mixed‐phase clouds, (5) a fast spectrometer for measurement of cloud condensation nuclei number concentrations over supersaturation ranges of the order 0.02% – 1%, (6) a spectrometer/counter for ice nuclei (IN) number concentrations over effective local temperatures down to ‐38 °C, and (7) a nephelometer to measure aerosol scattering (nominal wavelength 550 nm with a sensitivity of at least 1 M m‐1; additional wavelengths may be proposed).

Instruments must be capable of operating on light‐weight airborne platforms such as UAS’s with little or no temperature or pressure controls. We are particularly interested in instruments that weigh less than 6 kg and require less than 150 W of power.

Questions – Contact:

Rickey Petty, rick.petty@science.doe.gov (platform‐related) or

Ashley Williamson, ashley.williamson@science.doe.gov (sensor related)

b. Other

In addition to the specific subtopic listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact:

Ashley Williamson, ashley.williamson@science.doe.gov

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Biological and Environmental Research

The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Program supports fundamental, peer‐reviewed research on complex systems in climate change, subsurface biogeochemistry, genomics, systems biology, radiation biology, radiochemistry, and instrumentation. BER funds research at public and private research institutions and at DOE laboratories. BER also supports leading edge National Scientific User Facilities including the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL), the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility and instrumentation for structural biology research at the DOE Synchrotron Light and Neutron sources.

BER has interests in the following areas:

1) Biological Systems Science integrates discovery‐ and hypothesis‐driven science with technology development on plant and microbial systems relevant to DOE bioenergy mission needs. Systems biology is the multidisciplinary study of complex interactions specifying the function of entire biological systems—from single cells to multicellular organisms—rather than the study of individual components. The Biological Systems Science subprogram focuses on utilizing systems biology approaches to define the functional principles that drive living systems, from microbes and microbial communities to plants and other whole organisms. Key questions that drive this research include: What information is encoded in the genome sequence? How is information exchanged between different sub‐cellular constituents? What molecular interactions regulate the response of living systems and how can those interactions be understood dynamically and predictively? The approaches employed include genome sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, structural biology, high resolution imaging and characterization, and integration of information into predictive computational models of biological systems that can be tested and validated.

The subprogram supports operation of a scientific user facility, the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), and access to structural biology facilities at the DOE Synchrotron Light and Neutron Sources. Support is also provided for research at the interface of the biological and physical sciences and in radiochemistry and instrumentation to develop new methods for real‐time, high‐resolution imaging of dynamic biological processes.

2) The Climate and Environmental Sciences subprogram focuses on a predictive, systems‐level understanding of the fundamental science associated with climate change and DOE’s environmental challenges—both key to supporting the DOE mission. The subprogram supports an integrated portfolio of research from molecular level to field‐scale studies with emphasis on multidisciplinary experimentation and use of advanced computer models. The science and research capabilities enable DOE leadership in climate‐relevant atmospheric‐process research and modeling, including clouds, aerosols, and the terrestrial carbon cycle; large‐scale climate change modeling; integrated analysis of climate change impacts; and advancing fundamental understanding of coupled physical, chemical, and biological processes controlling contaminant mobility in the environment. The subprogram supports three primary research activities and two national scientific user facilities. Atmospheric System Research seeks to resolve the two major areas of uncertainty in climate change model projections: the role of clouds and the effects of aerosols on the atmospheric radiation balance.

Environmental System Science supports research that provides scientific understanding of the effects of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, the role of terrestrial ecosystems in global carbon cycling, and the role of subsurface biogeochemistry in controlling the fate and transport of energy‐relevant elements. Climate and Earth System Modeling focuses on development, evaluation, and use of large scale climate change models to determine the impacts of climate change and mitigation options.

Two scientific user facilities the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) provide the broad scientific community with technical capabilities, scientific expertise, and unique information to facilitate science in areas integral to the BER mission and of importance to DOE.

For additional information regarding the Office of Biological and Environmental Research priorities, click here.

TOPIC 18: Technologies for Characterizing and Monitoring Complex Subsurface Systems

Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $225,000	Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,500,000
Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting SBIR Fast‐Track Applications: NO
Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES	Accepting STTR Fast‐Track Applications: NO

Reactive transport models are increasingly used to model hydrobiogeochemical processes in complex subsurface systems (soils, rhizosphere, sediments, aquifers and the vadose zone) for many different applications and across a wide range of temporal and spatial (e.g., pore to core to plot to watershed) scales. With increasing computational capability it is possible to simulate the coupled interactions of complex subsurface systems with high fidelity. The predictive skill of these advanced models is limited, however, by the accuracy of the parameters that are used to populate the models and represent the system structure and intrinsic properties. Furthermore, robust testing of these increasingly complex models requires high fidelity measurements of the hydrobiogeochemical structure and functioning of the complex subsurface systems over the relevant spatial and temporal scales.

The focus of this topic is on the development of improved sensing systems for capturing the in‐situ hydrobiogeochemical structure and functioning of complex subsurface systems because they serve as the substrate for natural, disturbed and managed terrestrial vegetation systems.

Grant applications submitted to this topic must describe why and how the proposed in situ fieldable technologies will substantially improve the state‐of‐the‐art, include bench and/or field tests to demonstrate the technology, and clearly state the projected dates for likely operational deployment. New or advanced technologies, which can be demonstrated to operate under field conditions and can be deployed in 2‐3 years, will receive selection priority. Claims of relevance to field sites or locations under investigation by DOE, or of commercial potential for proposed technologies, must be supported by endorsements from relevant site managers, market analyses, or the identification of commercial spin‐offs. Grant applications that propose incremental improvements to existing technologies are not of interest and will be declined. Collaboration with government laboratories or universities, either during or after the SBIR/STTR project, may speed the development and field evaluation of the measurement or monitoring technology. BER funding to the National Laboratories is primarily through Scientific Focus Areas (SFAs). The Subsurface Biogeochemical Research (SBR) supported SFAs, and the field sites where they conduct their research, are described at the following website: http://doesbr.org/research/sfa/index.shtml. The Terrestrial Ecosystem Science (TES) program also supports several interdisciplinary field research projects focused on carbon and nutrient cycling: http://tes.science.energy.gov/research/ameriflux.shtml; http://tes.science.energy.gov/research/criticalecosystems.shtml. These field research sites may also be appropriate venues for testing and evaluation of novel measurement and monitoring technologies. Proposed plans to conduct testing at these DOE supported research sites should be accompanied by a letter of support from the project PI.

Grant applications must describe, in the technical approach or work plan, the purpose and specific benefits of any proposed teaming arrangements.

Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics:

a. Real‐Time, In Situ Measurements of Hydrobiogeochemical and Microbial Processes in Complex Subsurface Systems

Sensitive, accurate, and real‐time monitoring of hydrobiogeochemical processes are needed in subsurface environments, including soils, the rhizosphere, sediments, the vadose‐zone and groundwaters. In particular, highly selective, sensitive, and rugged in situ devices are needed for low‐cost field deployment in remote locations, in order to enhance our ability to monitor processes at finer levels of resolution and over broader areas. Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop improved approaches for the autonomous and continuous sensing of key elements such as carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus in situ; improved methods to measure and monitor dissolved oxygen, vertically resolved soil moisture distributions, and groundwater age.

The ability to distinguish between the relevant oxidation states of redox sensitive elements such as iron, manganese, sulfur and other inorganics is of particular concern. Innovative approaches for monitoring multi‐component biogeochemical signatures of subsurface systems is also of interest, as is the development of robust field instruments for multi‐isotope and quasi‐real time analyses of suites of isotope systems of relevance to hydrologic and biogeochemical studies (e.g. ²H, ¹⁸O, CH₄, CO₂, nitrogen compounds, etc.).

Grant applications must provide convincing documentation (experimental data, calculations, and simulation as appropriate) to show that the sensing method is both highly sensitive (i.e., low detection limit), precise, and highly selective to the target analyte, microbe or microbial association (i.e., free of anticipated physical/chemical/biological interferences). Approaches that leave significant doubt regarding sensor functionality in realistic multi‐component samples and realistic field conditions will not be considered.

Grant applications also are sought to develop integrated sensing systems for autonomous or unattended applications of the above measurement needs. The integrated system should include all of the components necessary for a complete sensor package (such as micro‐machined pumps, valves, microsensors, solar power cells, etc.) for field applications in the subsurface. Approaches of interest include: (1) automated sample collection and monitoring of subsurface biogeochemistry and microbiology community structure, (2) fiber optic, solid‐state, chemical, or silicon micro‐machined sensors; and (3) biosensors (devices employing biological molecules or systems in the sensing elements) that can be used in the field – biosensor systems may incorporate, but are not limited to, whole cell biosensors (i.e., chemiluminescent or bioluminescent systems), enzyme or immunology‐linked detection systems (e.g., enzyme‐linked immunosensors incorporating colorimetric or fluorescent portable detectors), lipid characterization systems, or DNA/RNA probe technology with amplification and hybridization. Grant applications that propose minor adaptations of readily available materials/hardware, and/or cannot demonstrate substantial improvements over the current state‐of‐the‐art are not of interest and will be declined.

Questions – Contact: David Lesmes, david.lesmes@science.doe.gov

b. Other

In addition to the specific subtopic listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.

Questions – Contact: David Lesmes, david.lesmes@science.doe.gov

DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Genomic Science Program supports DOE mission-driven fundamental research to identify the foundational principles that drive biological systems. Development of innovative approaches for sustainable bioenergy production will be accelerated by a systems biology understanding of non-food plants that can serve as dedicated cellulosic biomass feedstocks and microbes capable of deconstructing biomass into their sugar subunits and synthesizing next generation biofuels from cellulosic biomass. Genomic Science Program research also brings the -omics driven tools of modern systems biology to bear for analyzing interactions among organisms that form biological communities and between organisms and their surrounding environments. BER established three Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs) in 2007 to pursue the basic research underlying a range of high-risk, high-return biological solutions for bioenergy applications. Advances resulting from the BRCs are providing the knowledge needed to develop new biobased products, methods, and tools that the emerging biofuel industry can use. The three Centers are based in the Southeast, the Midwest, and the West Coast, with partners across the nation. DOEs Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory leads the DOE Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) in California, DOEs Oak Ridge National Laboratory leads the BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) in Tennessee, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison leads the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC). The goal for the three BRCs is to understand better the biological mechanisms underlying biofuel production so that these mechanisms can be redesigned, improved, and used to develop novel, efficient bioenergy strategies that can be replicated on a mass scale. Many of these mechanisms form the foundation for the BRCs inventions and tech-transfer opportunities, which enable the development of technologies that are critical to the growth of a biofuels sector. Successful applicants will propose R&D that will lead to biofuel commercialization utilizing one of the TTOs listed below. Applications that propose technologies related to a TTO but that do not directly utilize a TTO will not be funded. Applications should include sufficient preliminary data and scientific detail so that expert reviewers will understand both the potential benefits and the challenges that may be encountered in carrying out the proposed research. Challenges should be identified, and solutions should be proposed that will explain how the PIs team will overcome the challenges. Applications should address potential risks such as biocontainment challenges as well as strategies to mitigate those risks.

The JBEI has developed a technology that can be used to fine-tune desirable biomass traits in plants. A key feature of the invention is the design of an artificial positive feedback loop whereby a transcription factor induces increased transcription of itself. Gene promoters are selected according to the desired outcome, for example, to improve saccharification efficiency or to raise the level of desirable hexose sugars in relation to hard-to-ferment pentoses. Some promoters can boost secondary cell wall deposition of cellulose; others can decrease deposition of lignin or hemicellulose (xylan). With similar promoter engineering, increased wax production can be directed to the epidermal layers of a plant, improving drought tolerance and efficient water use while preserving energy for increased production of biomass. This versatile technology can be used to improve crops used for biofuels and paper production; provide livestock with more digestible forage; extend the range of crops to marginal land; or produce stronger timber for construction, among other applications. Unlike other genetic engineering methods, when applied to increasing secondary cell wall deposition, the JBEI technologies alter biosynthesis in plant fibers but not in vascular tissue or leaves. Thus they do not adversely affect growth, fertility, or the fruit- or grain-bearing capacity of the plants. Because this new method involves dominant traits and uses genetic promoters that are part of conserved pathways, it will be applicable across many species, including polyploids and sterile plants. Moreover, its application does not require sequencing of the entire genome of the target plant or the presence of a particular variety or cultivar. To date, the technology has been applied to three applications: 1. Controlling Lignin Deposition: To fine-tune lignin deposition, the scientists started with a mutant of Arabidopsis that under-produces lignin in all tissues. The JBEI scientists then selectively restored lignin biosynthesis to vascular tissue but not fiber cells by expressing a wild-type allele under the regulation of a promoter that is expressed only in vascular tissue. The engineered plants were morphologically and developmentally identical to the wild type, but they had a total lignin level that was approximately 33% less. When tested with several different pretreatment methods, biomass from the engineered plants had a saccharification efficiency 1.5-2.3 times greater than that of wild types. 2. Controlling Xylan Deposition: Using a method similar to that described above, the scientists started with a mutant with a defective allele for a key gene in xylan biosynthesis. They then selectively restored expression of a normal allele to vascular tissue only. The resulting plants have a reduced amount of hemicellulose relative to cellulose. Thus, compared to wild types, these plants can be pretreated more easily for biofuel production, yield more glucose per unit of biomass, and produce fewer low-value byproducts such as pentose from biofuels production or black liquor from pulping. 3. Increasing Wood Density and Drought Tolerance: In this application, promoters are used in a positive feedback loop to increase traits such as wood density or drought tolerance. To boost wood density, JBEI scientists upregulated a transcription factor that induces the expression of genes involved in secondary cell wall synthesis in native tissues. This upregulation occurs only in fiber cells and in a manner that does not interfere with growth, cell expansion, or nutrient transport. When this technology was combined with the fine-tuning of lignin deposition, stem density was increased by almost 20% and the saccharification efficiency was two- to three-times greater than that of wild types. While boosting yields, the technology can also decrease the cost of transporting biomass from the field to the biorefinery.

Please Note that a Letter of Intent is due Tuesday, September 08, 2015 5:00pm ET

Program Area Overview

Office of Nuclear Physics

Nuclear physics (NP) research seeks to understand the structure and interactions of atomic nuclei and the fundamental forces and particles of nature as manifested in nuclear matter. Nuclear processes are responsible for the nature and abundance of all matter, which in turn determines the essential physical characteristics of the universe. The primary mission of the Nuclear Physics (NP) program is to develop and support the scientists, techniques, and facilities that are needed for basic nuclear physics research and isotope development and production. Attendant upon this core mission are responsibilities to enlarge and diversify the Nation's pool of technically trained talent and to facilitate transfer of technology and knowledge to support the Nation's economic base.

Nuclear physics research is carried out at national laboratories and accelerator facilities, and at universities.

The Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator

Facility (TJNAF) allows detailed studies of how quarks and gluons bind together to make protons and neutrons.

In an upgrade currently underway, the CEBAF electron beam energy will be doubled from 6 to 12 GeV. The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is forming new states of matter, which have not existed since the first moments after the birth of the Universe; a beam luminosity upgrade is currently underway. NP is supporting the development of a future Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) currently under construction at Michigan State University. The NP community is also exploring opportunities with a proposed electron‐ion collider.

The NP program also supports research and facility operations directed toward understanding the properties of nuclei at their limits of stability, and of the fundamental properties of nucleons and neutrinos. This research is made possible with the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) which provides stable and radioactive beams as well as a variety of species and energies; a local program of basic and applied research at the 88‐Inch Cyclotron of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL); the operations of accelerators for in‐house research programs at two universities (Texas A&M University and the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) at Duke University), which provide unique instrumentation with a special emphasis on the training of students; non‐accelerator experiments, such as large standalone detectors and observatories for rare events. Of interest is R&D related to future experiments in fundamental symmetries such as neutrinoless double‐beta decay experiments and measurement of the electric dipole moment of the neutron, where extremely low background and low count rate particle detections are essential. Another area of R&D is rare isotope beam capabilities, which could lead to a set of accelerator technologies and instrumentation developments targeted to explore the limits of nuclear existence. By producing and studying highly unstable nuclei that are now formed only in stars, scientists could better understand stellar evolution and the origin of the elements.

Our ability to continue making a scientific impact on the general community relies heavily on the availability of cutting edge technology and advances in detector instrumentation, electronics, software, accelerator design, and isotope production. The technical topics that follow describe research and development opportunities in the equipment, techniques, and facilities needed to conduct and advance nuclear physics research at existing and future facilities.

For additional information regarding the Office of Nuclear Physics priorities, click here.

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DOE SBIR DE-FOA-0001164 1

Available Funding Topics

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DOE SBIR DE-FOA-0001164 1

Available Funding Topics

TOPIC 6. High Performance Materials for Nuclear Application

a. Specialty Steels and Alloys

b. Ceramic Composites

c. In Situ Mitigation and Repair of Materials Degradation

d. Other

TOPIC 8: nstrumentation for Advanced Chemical Imaging

a. High Spatial Resolution Ultrafast Spectroscopy

b. Time‐Resolved Chemical Information from Hybrid Probe Microscopies

c. Other

TOPIC 12. Membranes and Materials for Energy Efficiency

a. High Selectivity Membranes

b. High Performance Conductors

c. Fuel Cell Membranes

d. Other

TOPIC 14:Advanced Fossil Energy Technology Research

a. Shale Gas Conversion to Liquid Fuels and Chemicals

b. Additive Manufacturing for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Components

c. CO2 Capture from Low Concentration Sources

d. Modifications to Existing Alloys that Promote Corrosion and / or Erosion Resistance in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Based Power Cycle Applications

e. Other

TOPIC 15: Advanced Fossil Energy Separations and Analysis Research

a. Enabling Technologies for Advanced Combustion Systems

b. Advanced Shale Gas Recovery Technologies for Horizontal Well Completion Optimization

c. CO2 Use and Reuse

d. Material Development for Ceramic‐Metal Transitions that Facilitate Ceramic and Metal Joining and Flanging under High Temperature and Pressure Conditions

e. Other

a. Aerosol and Cloud‐Related Measurements from Small Aerial Platforms

b. Other

TOPIC 18: Technologies for Characterizing and Monitoring Complex Subsurface Systems

a. Real‐Time, In Situ Measurements of Hydrobiogeochemical and Microbial Processes in Complex Subsurface Systems

b. Other

**c. In Situ Mitigation and Repair of Materials Degradation**

c. CO₂ Capture from Low Concentration Sources

c. CO₂ Use and Reuse