Displaying 1101 - 1150 of 1431

Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: CIRCUITS
Award: $1,230,926

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Data Center Power Delivery

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and its project team will develop an extremely efficient AC-to-DC converter based on gallium nitride (GaN) devices for use in datacenters. Datacenters are the backbones of modern information technology and their physical size and power consumption is rapidly growing. Converters for datacenters need to be power dense and efficient to maximize the computing power per unit volume and to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. This project team seeks to develop a prototype device that converts power from a universal grid input (110-240…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: CIRCUITS
Award: $2,535,045

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

On-board Bi-directional Electric Vehicle Charging

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and its project team will develop an on-board electric vehicle charger using a gallium nitride (GaN) based converter to improve power density and conversion efficiency. Conventional power converter topologies which primarily use magnetics (i.e. inductors and transformers) for energy transfer suffer from a tradeoff between efficiency and size. In this project, the team proposes a shift in traditional charger design to develop a bidirectional converter dominated by capacitor-based energy transfer. The team will leverage recent advances in GaN…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: DELTA
Award: $2,618,462

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Wirelessly Powered Heating and Cooling Devices

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) will team with WiTricity to develop and integrate highly resonant wireless power transfer technology to deliver efficient local thermal amenities to the feet, hands, face, and trunk of occupants in workstations. Until now, local comfort devices have had little market traction because they had to be tethered by a cord to a power source. The team will leverage on-going developments in wireless charging systems for consumer electronics to integrate high-efficiency power transmitting devices with local comfort devices such as heated shoe…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: ENLITENED
Award: $2,297,649

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

IceNet Network Topology

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) will develop a new datacenter network topology that will leverage the energy efficiency and bandwidth density through the integration of silicon photonics into micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switches. Today's datacenter architectures use server nodes (with processor and memory) connected via a hierarchical network. In order to access a remote memory in these architectures, a processor must access the network to get to a particular server node, gaining access to the local memory of that server. This requires the remote server…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: IMPACCT
Award: $4,960,431

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Metal Organic Framework Research

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is developing a method for identifying the best metal organic frameworks for use in capturing CO2 from the flue gas of coal-fired power plants. Metal organic frameworks are porous, crystalline compounds that, based on their chemical structure, vary considerably in terms of their capacity to grab hold of passing CO2 molecules and their ability to withstand the harsh conditions found in the gas exhaust of coal-fired power plants. Owing primarily to their high tunability, metal organic frameworks can have an incredibly wide range of different…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: NEXTCAR
Award: $7,344,580

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Predictive Data-Driven Automotive Control

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) team has developed an innovative vehicle dynamics and powertrain (VD&PT) control architecture based on a predictive and data-driven approach. In the NEXTCAR program, UC Berkeley optimized the performance of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in real-world conditions, improving efficiency up to 30% in urban driving and 14% on the highway. In the next NEXTCAR phase, UC Berkeley will adapt and expand its eco-route, eco-drive, and eco-charge controls to leverage connectivity and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Level 4 (L4)…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2012
Award: $6,182,674

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Measuring Phase Angle Change in Power Lines

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is developing a device to monitor and measure electric power data from the grid’s distribution system. The new instrument—known as a micro-phasor measurement unit (µPMU)—is designed to measure critical parameters such as voltage and phase angle at different locations, and correlate them in time via extremely precise GPS clocks. The amount of phase angle difference provides information about the stability and direction of power flow. Data collected from a network of these µPMUs would facilitate better monitoring and control of grid power…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2012
Award: $3,571,837

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Rapid Building Energy Modeler - RAPMOD

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and Indoor Reality are developing a portable scanning system and the associated software to rapidly generate indoor thermal and physical building maps. This will allow for cost-effective identification of building inefficiencies and recommendation of energy-saving measures. The scanning system is contained in a backpack which an operator would wear while walking through a building along with a handheld scanner. The backpack features sensors that collect building data such as room size and shape along with associated thermal…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,100,000

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Ligand Facilitated Bioaccumulation: Biomining of Rare Earth and Other Critical Metals from Electronic Wastes

The University of California Berkeley will develop a highly selective, environmentally friendly bacterial platform to recover rare earth elements (REEs) from complex electronic waste (E-waste) streams. Feedstocks range from simple (magnet shavings) to complex matrix (printed circuit board recycling waste and used mobile devices). The team will engineer a single bacterial species that acquires REEs from solid feedstocks and converts them to REE minerals at a neutral pH without harsh acids or organic solvents. The team will couple synthetic biology with bioengineering to enhance REE-leaching,…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: ECOSynBio
Award: $1,574,966

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

A Microbial Consortium Enabling Complete Feedstock Conversion

The aviation industry requires energy-dense, carbon-based fuels, which are difficult to achieve biologically because of low yields and poor carbon conversion efficiency. The University of California, Berkeley, will engineer an approach to reach near 100% carbon conversion efficiency. A single organism can be limited by CO2 loss from core metabolic reactions. Coupling a heterotroph (an organism that cannot produce its own food like an animal) with an autotroph (an organism that produces its own food using light, water and carbon dioxide like a plant) will enable CO2 recycling and complete…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2021
Award: $1,953,397

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Integrated System for Electromicrobial Production of Butanol from Air-Captured CO2

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) team will jointly develop an integrated process to produce butanol directly from air-captured carbon dioxide (CO2). Butanol has a higher energy density than ethanol and is a precursor to jet fuel. UC Berkeley’s system takes three main inputs: ambient air, water, and a sustainable energy source, and produces butanol. The steps to produce butanol are : (1) capturing CO2 directly from the air by a solid adsorbent, (2) using a chemoautotrophic microorganism to biologically fix the captured CO2 into acetate, and (3) using acetate as a feedstock…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2021
Award: $2,148,991

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Mesh Network of Soil Sensors for Greenhouse Gas Monitoring of Biofuel Agriculture

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) will develop a SmartStake technology consisting of low-cost consumable wireless sensor arrays to measure N2O concentrations and emissions drivers (ammonium, nitrate, oxygen, moisture, temperature, pH, and denitrification enzymes). (SmartStake is a staking service providing real-time performance assessment analytics tools.) UC Berkeley’s results will provide a new paradigm for quantifying, monitoring, and managing for lower N2O emissions from biofuel agriculture. Sensors will be addressed by permanent low power electronics that are…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2021
Award: $1,195,041

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

Ultra Light-weight Bidirectional DC-DC Converters for Electric Aircrafts

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) will develop ultra-light-weight and efficient DC-DC power converters for electric aircraft. The team will drive power density and efficiency through innovation in the electrical and thermal domains and will apply sophisticated modeling and digital control to achieve system-level scalability, reliability, and fault-detection. If successful, this project will propel a disruptive change in electric aircraft propulsion systems, enabling low-cost, high-efficiency, and highly reliable electric flight DC power conversion and distribution. . UC…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: REMOTE
Award: $1,500,000

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

Ethylene-to-Butanol

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) will engineer new biological pathways for bacteria to convert ethylene to a liquid fuel. Currently, ethylene is readily available and used by the chemicals and plastics industries to produce a wide range of useful products, but it cannot be cost-effectively converted to a liquid fuel like butanol, an alcohol that can be used directly as part of a fuel blend. UC Davis is addressing this problem with synthetic biology and protein engineering. The team will engineer ethylene assimilation pathways into a host organism and use that organism to convert…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $553,333

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

Electron Density Profile Measurements Using USPR

Fabricate an ultrashort pulse reflectometer (USPR) diagnostic instrument for electron density profile measurements on compact, short duration, magnetically-confined fusion-energy concept device. Central to the system is a field programmable gate array based controller which will collect and process all of the USPR data in addition to generating all of the control signals needed for maximum flexibility.


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,500,000

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

Carbon-Negative Buildings Assessment and Tool (CaNBAT)

The University of California, Davis, will develop novel models that integrate material properties and characteristics into greenhouse gas sequestration scenarios to inform technological breakthroughs in carbon storing building materials. Models will also be generated for rapid assessment of uncertainty in the life cycle assessment of novel building materials that can inform ARPA-E-funded HESTIA teams of target areas for improvement during the material development process.


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: COOLERCHIPS
Award: $3,586,473

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

Holistic Modular Energy-efficient Directed Cooling Solutions (HoMEDUCS) for Edge Computing

The University of California, Davis, will develop a suite of holistic thermal management solutions for modular datacenters used for edge computing. Their design innovations include efficient heat extraction from CPU and GPU chips with a liquid cooled loop and dissipation of this heat to the ambient by use of high-efficiency, low-cost heat exchangers. Auxiliary electronics in the server boards would be cooled with a secondary loop that rejects heat radiatively to the atmosphere.


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: MINER
Award: $2,850,265

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

Electrochemical Lithium and Nickel Extraction with Concurrent Carbon Dioxide Mineralization

More information on this project is coming soon!


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: DELTA
Award: $2,367,426

University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)

Thermocomfort Cloth

The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) will develop a dynamically adjustable thermoregulatory fabric. This fabric leverages established heat-managing capabilities of space blankets and color-changing polymers inspired by squid skin that will provide wearers with the unique ability to adaptively harness their own individual radiant heat production. This technology holds the potential to establish an entirely new line of personal apparel and localized thermal management products that could significantly reduce the energy required to heat and cool buildings.


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: MARINER
Award: $3,265,352

University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)

MacroAlgae Cultivation Modeling System

The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) will lead a MARINER Category 3 team to develop a flexible macroalgae cultivation modeling system that integrates an open-source regional ocean model with a fine-scale hydrodynamic model capable of simulating forces and nutrient flows in various farming systems. Macroalgae farming systems will require significant capital. Investment and management decisions can be guided by the development of advanced modeling tools to help better understand the nature of macroalgae production within the context of specific ocean regions. The UC…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: ECOSynBio
Award: $2,152,966

University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)

Carbon-Efficient Conversion of Carboxylic Acids to Fuels and Chemicals

The University of California, Irvine, proposes a cell-free enzymatic process as the first biological platform to convert carboxylic acids into a broad range of fuels and commodities with greater than 100% carbon efficiency. This is achieved using stabler bioenergy-storage and transmission molecules and specially engineered enzymes. Natural biological pathways for carboxylic acid conversion suffer from a low carbon yield, however. Compared with grain-derived sugars, this project allows carboxylic acids to be produced in large quantities from food and industrial wastes, serving as a more…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: BEETIT
Award: $520,547

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Compact Solid State Cooling Systems

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is developing a novel solid state cooling technology to translate a recent scientific discovery of the so-called giant electrocaloric effect into commercially viable compact cooling systems. Traditional air conditioners use noisy, vapor compression systems that include a polluting liquid refrigerant to circulate within the air conditioner, absorb heat, and pump the heat out into the environment. Electrocaloric materials achieve the same result by heating up when placed within an electric field and cooling down when removed—effectively pumping…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: Electrofuels
Award: $4,208,460

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Liquid Fuel from Renewable Electricity and Bacteria

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is utilizing renewable electricity to power direct liquid fuel production in genetically engineered Ralstonia eutropha bacteria. UCLA is using renewable electricity to convert carbon dioxide into formic acid, a liquid soluble compound that delivers both carbon and energy to the bacteria. The bacteria are genetically engineered to convert the formic acid into liquid fuel—in this case alcohols such as butanol. The electricity required for the process can be generated from sunlight, wind, or other renewable energy sources. In fact, UCLA's…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: HITEMMP
Award: $2,975,887

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

SHOTEAM: Superalloy Heat exchangers Optimized for Temperature Extremes and Additive Manufacturability

UCLA will develop an extreme-condition heat exchanger technology targeted to ultra-high efficiency hybrid aviation power cycles. The heat exchanger will operate at 50 kW (thermal) at supercritical CO2 pressures of 80 and 250 bar (1160 and 3626 psi) in hot and cold streams and at a hot-stream inlet temperature of 800°C (1472°F). A metallic superalloy capable of withstanding high temperature and pressure will be used to fabricate a shell-and-tube-based design supplemented with 3D-printed tube augmentations. The optimized design will enhance overall heat transfer while maintaining a small…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2009
Award: $2,908,837

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Cost-Effective Solar Thermal Energy Storage

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are creating cost-effective storage systems for solar thermal energy using new materials and designs. A major drawback to the widespread use of solar thermal energy is its inability to cost-effectively supply electric power at night. State-of-the-art energy storage for solar thermal power plants uses molten salt to help store thermal energy. Molten salt systems can be expensive and complex, which is not attractive from a long-term investment standpoint. UCLA and JPL are developing a supercritical…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: PETRO
Award: $4,076,907

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Efficient CO2 Fixation Pathways

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is redesigning the carbon fixation pathways of plants to make them more efficient at capturing the energy in sunlight. Carbon fixation is the key process that plants use to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere into higher energy molecules (such as sugars) using energy from the sun. UCLA is addressing the inefficiency of the process through an alternative biochemical pathway that uses 50% less energy than the pathway used by all land plants. In addition, instead of producing sugars, UCLA's designer pathway will produce pyruvate,…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: RANGE
Award: $1,107,005

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Long-Life, Acid-Based Battery

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is developing a new high-power, long-life, acid-based battery that addresses the cycle life issues associated with lead-acid batteries today. Lead-acid batteries are used extensively in gasoline-powered vehicles and even modern electric vehicles for initial ignition, but inevitably wear out after a limited number of complete discharge cycles. To solve this problem, UCLA will incorporate novel, newly-discovered material that allows the battery to store a greater electrical charge using a conventional battery design. This new battery would…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: REBELS
Award: $1,000,000

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Fuel Cells with Dynamic Response Capability

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is developing a low-cost, intermediate-temperature fuel cell that will also function like a battery to increase load-following capability. The fuel cell will use new metal-oxide electrode materials—inspired by the proton channels found in biological systems—that offer superior energy storage capacity and cycling stability, making it ideal for distributed generation systems. UCLA’s new materials also have high catalytic activity, which will lower the cost of the overall system. Success of this project will enable a rapid commercialization of…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: REMOTE
Award: $3,000,000

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Synthetic Pathway for Methanol Conversion

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will develop a high-efficiency, synthetic metabolic pathway that transforms methanol into n-butanol, a liquid fuel that can be used as a direct substitute for gasoline due to its high energy density. In nature, the process by which organisms that feed on methane convert it into fuel is inefficient, resulting in a substantial loss of carbon in the process. UCLA’s synthetic metabolic pathway would oxidize the methanol into formaldehyde, convert the formaldehyde into an essential metabolite known as acetyl-CoA, and then condense the acetyl-CoA…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: REMOTE
Award: $4,072,695

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Renewable Production of Commodity Chemicals

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks to develop a platform technology, Catalytic Units for Synthetic Biochemistry (CUSB) that will use enzymes in solution (i.e. in vitro) to convert carbohydrates into a wide variety of useful carbon compounds in extremely high yield. The use of enzymes in solution has advantages over whole-cell microorganisms. Enzymes can be concentrated much further than whole-cells which improves volumetric productivity. Additionally enzymes may be less sensitive to the production of compounds of interest that are typically toxic to whole-cells even at low…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: SHIELD
Award: $3,198,651

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Thinner Coatings

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will harness advances in nanotechnology to produce thermally insulating transparent barrier (THINNER) coatings to reduce heat losses through single panes of glass. The porous coatings consist of multiple layers of silica/titania films that can simultaneously control the transmission of heat, light and thermal radiation. The internal structure of the coatings is determined by a polymer lattice that is later removed. This leaves a robust porous oxide layer that is transparent and thermally insulating. In addition to reducing heat loss, the…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,799,669

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Low-Temperature Architected Cementation Agents (LAMINAE)

Develop process to enable low-temperature activation of precursor materials that are geologically sourced and/or that comprise alkaline industrial wastes. Approaches provide alternatives to ordinary Portland cement that have significantly lower energy intensity and greatly enhanced durability.


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: GAMOW
Award: $1,375,000

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

AMPERE - Advanced Materials for Plasma-Exposed Robust Electrodes

Many lower-cost fusion concepts require high-performance, long-life electrodes for plasma generation, sustainment, and refueling. Due to the plasma and high-current-density environments needed for fusion, electrodes can erode quickly, which contaminates and cools the plasma, leading to increased maintenance costs. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has recently explored a new class of plasma-robust materials inspired by reticulated foams and enabled by advanced manufacturing, with the potential to significantly reduce electrode erosion, allowing for five times greater electrode…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2021
Award: $3,000,000

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

AMENDER: Seawater Mediated Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Removal

Developed by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the AMENDER project presents a transformative approach for CDR that exploits the ocean-atmosphere equilibrium of CO2 and enormous abundance of divalent alkaline cations in seawater. These attributes are leveraged electrochemically by flowing seawater through mechanically regenerable electrode surfaces. The minerals formed trap CO2 durably in dissolved and/or solid forms. The decarbonated seawater is then capable of absorbing more atmospheric CO2. Water’s alkalization also generates hydrogen (H2), a clean fuel. UCLA’s AMENDER…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: NEXTCAR
Award: $2,799,999

University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside)

Efficient Plug-In Hybrid Electric Buses

The University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) team will design, develop, and test an innovative vehicle-powertrain eco-operation system for natural-gas-fueled plug-in hybrid electric buses. This system will use emerging connected and automated vehicle applications like predictive approach and departure at traffic signals, efficient adaptive cruise, and optimized stopping and accelerating from stop signs and bus stops. Since stop-and-go operation wastes a large amount of energy, optimizing these maneuvers for an urban transit bus presents significant opportunities for improving energy…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: CHARGES
Award: $3,376,200

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Grid Energy Storage Valuation

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) will conduct testing of existing ARPA-E energy storage technologies in both laboratory and grid-connected conditions. Home to one of the country’s largest microgrids, UC San Diego will apply its advanced understanding of microgrid operation in the California market to select and value applications for storage, in grid-connected and islanded conditions, and to develop duty cycles for energy storage in order to serve individual and stacked applications. UC San Diego plans to test cells and modules from ARPA-E-funded battery developers in…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: DELTA
Award: $2,600,000

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Adaptive Textiles Technology

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) will develop smart responsive garments that enable building occupants to adjust their personal temperature settings and promote thermal comfort to reduce or eliminate the need for building-level air conditioning. The essence of building energy savings in UC San Diego's approach is based on the significant energy consumption reduction from the traditional global cooling/heating of the whole room space. This is done via localized cooling and heating only in the wearable structure in the very limited space near a person’s skin. This…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: ENLITENED
Award: $8,799,233

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Lightwave Networks for Datacenters

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) will develop a new datacenter network based on photonic technology that can double the energy efficiency of a datacenter. Their LEED project mirrors the development of CPU processors in PCs. Previous limitations in the clock rate of computer processors forced designers to adopt parallel methods of processing information and to incorporate multiple cores within a single chip. The team envisions a similar development within datacenters, where the advent of parallel lightwave networks can act as a bridge to more efficient datacenters. This…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: IDEAS
Award: $500,000

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Novel Electrolytes

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) is developing an early-stage concept for an advanced electrochemical energy storage system. If successful, the new approach would enable higher-energy density and higher-power systems that are able to operate over a much wider temperature and voltage range than today’s technologies. Similar to how water is used as a suspension medium for the acid in a conventional lead-acid car battery, the research team is studying the use of certain gases liquefied under pressure as solvents in novel electrolyte systems. The team’s work will enhance our…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: IDEAS
Award: $499,844

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Production of Large-Sized LOCH Parts

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) will develop a scalable process for the production of large (up to 500 lb.) pre-cast blocks using lean-organic compacted hybrid (LOCH), a new type of infrastructural material which may compete with traditional portland cement. Portland cement is the most common cement type and one of the most versatile construction materials in the world. Its widespread use over the last century is due to its low cost, abundance of its ingredients including limestone and shales, and standard performance characteristics. However, the production of portland…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: IONICS
Award: $3,650,000

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Self-Forming Solid-State Batteries

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), in partnership with Liox Power and the University of Maryland, will develop a self-forming, high temperature solid-state lithium battery that solves the critical cost and performance problems impeding commercialization of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. The battery will possess a very long life due to a chemical mechanism that repairs cycling damage automatically. This self-healing electrolyte will also limit the growth of dendrites. Dendrites are branchlike metal fibers that can grow to span the space between the negative…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: NODES
Award: $2,572,257

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Distributed Grid Control of Flexible Loads

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) will develop coordination algorithms and software using intelligent control and optimization for flexible load and DERs to provide reliable frequency regulation services for the bulk power grid. The project will develop a multi-layer framework for larger-scale energy aggregators to act on behalf of their smaller-sized customers to help respond to incoming requests from regional transmission operators. The team will develop approaches that aggregators can use to quantify reserves, system objectives and constraints, customer usage patterns…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2018
Award: $1,892,796

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Low-cost, Easy-to-integrate, and Reliable Grid Energy Storage System with 2nd Life Lithium Batteries

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) is developing a universal battery integration system that conditions used EV batteries for use in second-life applications while simultaneously providing energy storage services to the electricity grid. In principle, millions of EV batteries can be repurposed in a “second life” to provide inexpensive stationary storage for homes, businesses, and the electricity grid. It is challenging to combine batteries because batteries with different ages and usage histories perform differently and have varying amounts of remaining life. In this…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: RANGE
Award: $3,498,061

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Multifunctional Battery Systems for Electric Vehicles

The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) is developing a new battery that can be built into a vehicle frame. Conventional electric vehicle batteries are constructed independently of chassis, which results in a heavier, more inefficient vehicle. By rethinking auto frame design and incorporating the battery into the frame, vehicles can be cheaper and lighter vehicle. Since conventional batteries require potentially flammable materials, UC San Diego will also explore new chemistries to make this multifunctional battery safe in the event of a collision. This approach may require a…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: SHIELD
Award: $1,400,000

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Polymer-Based Window Coating

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) will develop a polymer-based thermal insulating film that can be applied onto windowpanes to reduce heat loss and condensation. The team's approach uses polymer-based coatings with specifically designed structures. Heat management is gained by the thermal conductivity of polymer and the internal thermal barriers. The coating is inherently low-emissivity, and also resists condensation and abrasion. The technology is initially designed for single-pane windows, but can be expanded in the future for use in double-pane windows, doors, and roofs,…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,343,920

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Extremely Durable and Low-Cost Concrete: Ultralow Binder Content and Ultrahigh Tensile Ductility

Develop ultralow-binder-content ductile concrete (UDC), a low-cost, highly durable, strong, energy-efficient, and low-emission infrastructural material. UDC will be lower cost, greater ductility, and longer lifetime than ordinary portland cement.


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: REEACH
Award: $2,131,246

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

High-Efficiency and Low-Carbon Energy Storage and Power Generation System for Electric Aviation

The University of California, San Diego aims to develop a high-efficiency and low-carbon energy storage and power generation (ESPG) system operating on bio-LNG for electric aviation. The proposed system concept is a fuel cell, battery, and gas turbine hybrid system that incorporates a novel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack technology. The proposed SOFC is composed of (1) a lightweight and compact stack architecture based on an array of cell modules in electrical and gas flow parallel and series connections and (2) exceptional high power density direct methane cells made by sputtering…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: GAMOW
Award: $1,600,010

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)

Renewable low-Z wall for fusion reactors with built-in tritium recovery

The University of California, San Diego, will investigate the potential of using a continuously renewable wall to protect the first walls of fusion reactors from large plasma heat loads and sputtering (where solid material ejects microscopic particles after its bombardment by plasma or gas particles), while also allowing tritium recovery. The project team seeks to develop a low-atomic-number renewable wall for fusion devices that contains a slurry composed of carbon pebbles, ceramics, and a volatile binder. The slurry will be continuously pumped and extruded through first-wall openings, where…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: ENLITENED
Award: $12,377,750

University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)

Photonic Integration for Datacenters

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) will develop and demonstrate a technology platform that integrates efficient photonic interfaces directly into chip "packages." The simultaneous design and packaging of photonics with electronics will enable higher bandwidth network switches that are much more energy efficient. Traditional electronic switches toggle connections between wires, each wire providing a different communication channel. Having a limited number of communication channels means that electronic switches can lead to “fat” hierarchical networks, consuming energy…


Status: ACTIVE
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: MARINER
Award: $2,503,740

University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)

Scalable Aquaculture Monitoring System

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) will lead a MARINER Category 4 project to develop a system-level solution to continuously monitor all stages of seaweed biomass production. To maximize biomass yields and minimize risk, farm managers must be able to monitor farm progress starting at seaweed outplanting and continuing through the growth cycle to harvest. UCSB will develop a Scalable Aquaculture Monitoring System (SAMS) comprised of autonomous and semi-autonomous technologies capable of monitoring biomass productivity and physiological status, as well as the…