Blog Posts
In January, we introduced a new blog series to highlight the transformational technology our project teams are developing across the energy portfolio. In this installment, we look at how the LanzaTech and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)/Blue River Technology (BRT) teams are converting bioprocess and biomass production ideas into reality.
Blog Posts
In January, we introduced a new series to highlight the transformational technology our project teams are developing across the energy portfolio. The Ginkgo Bioworks and Evolva teams are working to turn biofuel ideas into reality.
Blog Posts
ARPA-E recently released a funding opportunity, Systems for Monitoring and Analytics for Renewable Transportation Fuels from Agricultural Resources and Management (SMARTFARM), to develop innovative new technologies for measuring emissions from agricultural feedstock production. We sat down with Dr. David Babson, SMARTFARM’s Program Director, to learn about his vision and the technologies of interest for Phase 2 of the program.
Blog Posts
ARPA-E strives for excellence in both program development and program integration, to encourage new discussions and new perspectives. This approach was on display at the recent ARPA-E “Ocean Week,” held from January 28-30, in Washington. This three-day voyage into ARPA-E’s ocean-focused programs consisted of three events: The Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (MARINER) Program Review, the Aerodynamic Turbines Lighter and Afloat with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS) Program Kickoff, and a Submarine Hydrokinetic Industry Day.
Blog Posts
Every year, convention centers around the world fill with eager attendees looking for a chance to experience firsthand the latest and greatest in the world of automobile innovation. Whether you’re a classic gearhead or technology enthusiast, the auto manufacturers’ annual showcase season is truly a sight to behold. To celebrate car show season, here’s a quick look at some of ARPA-E’s transportation portfolio and a few projects that could one day shape how Americans get around.
Blog Posts
We sat down with ARPA-E Program Director, Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh, as she reflected on her experience attending the very first ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit Student Program back in 2010.
Slick Sheet: Project
Emvolon is repurposing automotive engines as chemical reactors to convert renewable power and greenhouse gas emissions to liquid clean fuels. The project develops a modular, scalable system capable of rapidly adjusting to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. By leveraging mature, mass-produced internal combustion engine technology to compress and convert gases into liquids such as methanol, a flexible, cost-effective solution can be produced that drastically reduces the expenses associated with traditional gas-to-liquid technologies.
Slick Sheet: Project
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is developing a new prototype design for a carbon dioxide electrolyzer that will operate with a much lower energy requirement than current electrolyzers. UCLA’s modular design will be stacked and multiplied in parallel to achieve scalability, overcoming a major hurdle of current-day gas-diffusion electrodes-based carbon dioxide electrolyzers. The control of the reactor will be based on a machine-learning predictive control system. The team will also innovate the catalyst composition for better performance.
Slick Sheet: Project
Illinois Institute of Technology’s project aims to showcase a prototype-integrated process on a kilowatt scale (equivalent to processing of up to 4 kilograms per day of propane) utilizing a system of multiple carbon dioxide electrolyzer stacks. These stacks will be integrated with separations and recycle functionalities to attain a 97% propane selectivity, energy-to-liquid efficiency surpassing 50%, and a multi-pass carbon yield exceeding 85%.
Slick Sheet: Project
North Carolina State University (NC State) is designing a dielectric barrier discharge plasma-enhanced catalysis (PEC) system to efficiently convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol at low pressures. This approach has several advantages to current technologies, since the plasma-enhanced system is operated under ambient pressure and without the need for external heating. As a result, the system is both cost-effective and flexible to accommodate high turndown ratio and rapid start-up and shutdown.