Transportation

Universities Space Research Association is developing a real-time, cloud-based aviation contrail prediction and observation system that would improve airspace operations through new atmospheric data services and ensemble modeling approaches. The system would advance an existing cutting-edge contrail computer model with a novel machine learning approach to produce forecasts of persistent contrail-forming regions.

Pacific Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) will develop a novel synthetic pathway to create methane fuel from carbon dioxide (CO2) at room temperature. Leveraging their expertise in inorganic materials synthesis and catalyst development, PIDC’s CO2-to-fuel conversion process could help drive down emissions and increase energy efficiency when implemented at scale at a target cost of $50 per kilogram.

Johns Hopkins University will develop a process using new electrocatalysts to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, that could accelerate the development of chemicals and food. The novel process would synthesize amino acids using chemical feedstocks that can be derived from merely air, water, and renewable electricity to substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions in food and chemical production.

Northeastern University will develop a computer model that could identify new avenues for producing essential chemical ingredients using carbon dioxide, a waste product of fossil fuels. Computer modeling would save time and money compared with running experiments that often focus on a single reaction pathway, whereas computer models seamlessly detect promising pathways from thousands of options. The project’s first steps will focus on producing propanol, a useful hydrocarbon found in cosmetics, cleaning, printing, motors, and other products.

Project K is developing and commercializing a potassium-ion battery, which operates similarly to lithium-ion batteries. During discharge, potassium ions move from the negative graphite electrode through the electrolyte—a liquid combining organic solvents, dissolved conductive salts, and specialty additives—to the positive electrode, which contains a Prussian blue analog material synthesized from low-cost and abundant raw materials. Potassium ions can migrate through the electrolyte much faster than lithium ions.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will lead a team to assess the risks of next-generation cells from fundamental reaction kinetics to the full battery level. NREL will apply cutting-edge experimental and modeling techniques to build a comprehensive description of the failure mechanisms and risks of cells. NREL’s approach will leverage the capabilities of their partners to understand the thermal and chemical response of cells spatially and temporally to controlled abuse conditions.

South 8 Technologies will develop high-power lithium-ion battery cells with the capacity to charge rapidly using a novel liquefied gas (LiGas) electrolyte technology. The LiGas electrolyte uses non-toxic and non-corrosive gases, which are already domestically manufactured and widely available, that are liquefied under moderate pressures and can be contained in standard form-factor cylindrical cell cans. The technology has demonstrated excellent performance in conventional graphite/lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide cells and offers several opportunities for cost reduction.

24M Technologies will develop low-cost and fast-charging sodium metal EV batteries with good low-temperature performance. 24M’s cell design will incorporate (1) its ultra-thick SemiSolid cathode made up of cobalt-free and nickel-free sodium-based active materials, (2) a wide-temperature, fast-charging electrolyte developed using machine learning and automated high-throughput screening technology, and (3) a solid-state electrolyte-based separator to enable a high-energy density, anode-free configuration.