Displaying 1301 - 1350 of 1431

Status: ALUMNI
State: PA
Project Term: -
Program: FLECCS
Award: $789,486

University of Pittsburgh

Natural Gas/Direct Air Capture Hybrid Plant

The University of Pittsburgh’s team will develop a hybrid plant model consisting of a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant coupled with membrane and sorbent carbon capture systems. During peak hours, the NGCC plant produces power, and the two sequential carbon capture systems capture roughly 99% of the CO2 produced by the combustion of natural gas. During off-peak hours, the NGCC plant powers the two carbon capture systems to capture the CO2 from the air, as well as capturing all the CO2 produced by the plant. The team will optimize the hybrid model to minimize cost and study how the…


Status: Selected
State: TBD
Project Term: TBD
Program: SEA-CO2
Award: TBD

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid Distributed pH, CO2, Temperature, and Acoustic Sensing for Monitoring and Verification of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Applications

University of Pittsburgh is developing buoy-based optical fiber sensors for measuring pH and carbon dioxide in seawater from the ocean’s surface to the seafloor. Using chemically selective and optically sensitive coatings, the proposed project would integrate a fiber optic sensing technology into low-cost commercial fibers used for marine buoy sensor systems. A reel-to-reel continuous manufacturing approach enables straightforward large-scale manufacturing. University of Pittsburgh’s approach would aid monitoring of nearshore marine carbon dioxide removal technologies, particularly those in…


Status: ALUMNI
State: NY
Project Term: -
Program: BETHE
Award: $1,749,960

University of Rochester

Advanced Inertial Fusion Energy Target Designs and Driver Development

The University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics ($1.75M) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) ($1.75M) will advance inertial fusion energy (IFE) by developing (1) innovative direct-drive, high-bandwidth, high-gain target designs using high-bandwidth laser technologies with < 1 MJ of laser input energy, and (2) high-efficiency, high-bandwidth IFE drivers to eventually enable experimental demonstration of the advanced target designs. The new laser-driver technologies, including both diode-pumped solid-state and excimer lasers, are expected to mitigate laser-plasma…


Status: ALUMNI
State: NY
Project Term: -
Program: MOSAIC
Award: $3,069,168

University of Rochester

Planar Light Guide Concentrated Photovoltaics

The University of Rochester along with partners Arzon Solar and RPC Photonics will develop a micro-CPV system based on Planar Light Guide (PLG) solar concentrators. The PLG uses a top lenslet layer to focus and concentrate sunlight towards injection facets. These facets guide and redirect light, like a mirror, towards a PV cell at the edge of the device. Combined, these methods lead to higher efficiency over conventional FPV systems. At fewer than 3 mm thick, the system will be thin and flat, similar to traditional FPV panels. The PLG system also reduces complexity and costs by only requiring…


Status: ACTIVE
State: NY
Project Term: -
Program: BETHE
Award: $1,999,095

University of Rochester

A Simulation Resource Team for Innovative Fusion Concepts

Numerical simulations are critically important for the design and development of fusion concepts. However, establishing an adequate simulation capability for a fusion concept can easily be more expensive and time-consuming than building the first experiment. This Capability Team will provide simulation support for fusion-concept teams and independent analysis of fusion concepts. The FLASH, TriForce, and OSIRIS codes were chosen for this project because they are flexible, high-performance, multi-dimensional codes, all with the potential to be used by concept teams to carry out their own…


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

University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

LLE Diagnostic Resource Team for the Advancement of Innovative Fusion Concepts

Form a diagnostic resource team to provide travelling diagnostics, calibrations, analysis techniques, and diagnostic consultants to fusion projects. The diagnostics that will be provided are a neutron time of flight detector, neutron activation detectors, and a time-resolved x-ray imaging system.


Status: ALUMNI
State: SC
Project Term: -
Program: REBELS
Award: $3,200,000

University of South Carolina

Bi-functional Ceramic Fuel Cell Energy System

The University of South Carolina is developing an intermediate-temperature, ceramic-based fuel cell that will both generate and store electrical power with high efficiencies. Reducing operating temperatures for fuel cells is critical to enabling distributed power generation. The device will incorporate a newly discovered ceramic electrolyte and nanostructured electrodes that enable it to operate at temperatures lower than 500ºC, far below the temperatures associated with fuel cells for grid-scale power generation. The fuel cell’s unique design includes an iron-based layer that stores…


Status: ALUMNI
State: FL
Project Term: -
Program: HEATS
Award: $2,664,640

University of South Florida (USF)

Efficient Phase-Change Materials

The University of South Florida (USF) is developing low-cost, high-temperature phase-change materials (PCMs) for use in thermal energy storage systems. Heat storage materials are critical to the energy storage process. In solar thermal storage systems, heat can be stored in these materials during the day and released at night—when the sun is not out—to drive a turbine and produce electricity. In nuclear storage systems, heat can be stored in these materials at night and released to produce electricity during daytime peak-demand hours. Most PCMs do not conduct heat very well. Using an…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: ENLITENED
Award: $3,100,000

University of Southern California (USC)

Photonic Project Evaluation

The University of Southern California (USC) will develop a framework and testbed for evaluating proposed photonic and optical-electronic interconnect technologies, such as those developed under the ARPA-E ENLITENED program. These new approaches will develop novel network topologies enabled by integrated photonics technologies, which use light instead of electricity to transmit information. USC’s effort aims to offer an impartial assessment of these emerging datacenter concepts and architectures and their ability to reduce overall power consumption in a meaningful way. The team will focus on…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: GRIDS
Award: $1,481,528

University of Southern California (USC)

Iron-Air Rechargeable Battery

University of Southern California (USC) is developing an iron-air rechargeable battery for large-scale energy storage that could help integrate renewable energy sources into the electric grid. Iron-air batteries have the potential to store large amounts of energy at low cost—iron is inexpensive and abundant, while oxygen is freely obtained from the air we breathe. However, current iron-air battery technologies have suffered from low efficiency and short life spans. USC is working to dramatically increase the efficiency of the battery by placing chemical additives on the battery's iron-…


Status: ALUMNI
State: CA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2012
Award: $2,719,018

University of Southern California (USC)

Inexpensive, Metal-free, Organic Flow Battery

University of Southern California (USC) is developing a water-based, metal-free, grid-scale flow battery that will be cheaper and more rapidly produced than other batteries. Flow batteries store chemical energy in external tanks instead of within the battery container. This allows for cost-effective scalability because adding storage capacity is as simple as expanding the tank. Batteries for grid-scale energy storage must be inexpensive, robust, and sustainable—many of today’s mature battery technologies do not meet all these requirements. Using innovative designs and extremely low-cost…


Status: ALUMNI
State: MS
Project Term: -
Program: MARINER
Award: $500,000

University of Southern Mississippi (USM)

Adjustable Depth Seaweed Growth System

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will lead a MARINER Category 1 project to design and develop a novel, robust seaweed growth system capable of deployment across the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The technology will enable precise positioning of large farm structures to maximize productivity and actively avoid surface hazards such as weather or marine traffic. The seaweed will grow while affixed to support ropes strung between concentric rings. The structure will have automated buoyancy compensation devices to optimize depth minute-by-minute for maximum light…


Status: ALUMNI
State: MS
Project Term: -
Program: MARINER
Award: $499,999

University of Southern Mississippi (USM)

SeaweedPaddock Pelagic Sargassum Ranching

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will lead a MARINER Category 1 project to design and develop a semi-autonomous enclosure, called a seaweed paddock, to contain and grow mats of free-floating Sargassum, a brown seaweed species native to the eastern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. One of the major cost drivers for production of macroalgae is the expense of the farming equipment, particularly anchors used to hold the farms in place in a particular spot in the ocean. Unlike most kelps, Sargassum does not require anchoring to a fixed structure, but rather will grow as…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: DAYS
Award: $1,499,149

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Reversible Fuel Cells for Long Duration Storage

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville team will develop an energy storage system based on an innovative electrolyzer/fuel cell combination. Typically, fuel cells produce water from hydrogen and oxygen. The Tennessee team will instead use the fuel cell to produce hydrogen peroxide, a liquid that can be stored. When extra power is needed on the grid, the fuel cell will produce peroxide and electricity. Available electricity then can be used to convert the peroxide back to hydrogen and oxygen during the charging cycle, which can be stored for future use. The benefit of using peroxide rather…


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

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Reversible Air Batteries

The University of Tennessee (UT) will develop a reversible Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) catalyst that can be used both as a peroxide-producing electrolyzer and in reversible air batteries. The ORR catalyst development seeks to significantly improve peroxide electrolysis efficiency and achieve high charge and discharge rates in air-breathing batteries. In conjunction with the new catalyst, an anion exchange membrane (AEM) will be used to further increase the electrolyzer efficiency and reduce peroxide production costs. In the reversible air battery, the AEM increases battery power…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2012
Award: $2,261,744

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

High Throughput Bioengineering of Switchgrass

The University of Tennessee (UT) is developing technology to rapidly screen the genetic traits of individual plant cells for their potential to improve biofuel crops. By screening individual cells, researchers can identify which lines are likely to be good cellulosic feedstocks without waiting for the plants to grow to maturity. UT’s technology will allow high throughput screening of engineered plant cells to identify those with traits that significantly reduce the time and resources required to maximize biofuel production from switchgrass.


Status: ALUMNI
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2015
Award: $3,589,719

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Advanced Bioengineering for Biofuels

The University of Tennessee (UT) team proposes to develop a tool that will revolutionize plant metabolic engineering by using a large scale DNA synthesis strategy. The UT team will develop synthetic chloroplast (the part of the plant cell where photosynthesis occurs) genomes, called “synplastomes.” Rather than introducing or editing genes individually inside the plant cell, the UT team will synthesize a complete chloroplast genome in the laboratory that can be readily modified and then introduced into the plant. UT’s synplastomes will have significant advantages over conventional…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2015
Award: $3,400,000

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Smart and Flexible Microgrid

University of Tennessee (UT), along with their partners, will develop a new type of microgrid design, along with its corresponding controller. Like most other microgrids, it will have solar PV-based distributed generation and be capable of grid-connected or disconnected (islanded) operations. Unlike other microgrids, this design will incorporate smart grid capabilities including intelligent switches and high-speed communication links. The included controller will accommodate and utilize these smart grid features for enhanced performance and reduced costs. The microgrid controller will be open…


Status: ACTIVE
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,400,000

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Ultra-Light Tightly-Integrated Modular Aviation-Transportation Enabling Solid-State Circuit Breaker (ULTIMATE-SSCB)

A medium voltage direct current (MVDC) system provides lower distribution losses, higher power carrying capacity, and reduced conductor material compared with its low voltage alternative current counterpart. These benefits are critical to meet stringent weight and size requirements for aviation applications. The University of Tennessee will develop a lightweight, reliable, efficient, and flexible protection solution for future electrified aircraft propulsion systems that are expected to use a 1 kV to 10 kV MVDC distribution system. The team will develop a modular architecture with a highly…


Status: ACTIVE
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2021
Award: $2,418,576

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Microfluidic Alpha Spectrometer for Materials Accountancy and Control in Liquid-Fueled Molten Salt Reactors

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) will develop a high-temperature, chemically resistant, diamond-based microfluidic alpha spectrometer (DiMAS) that will enable accurate online and/or at-line (the sample is removed and analyzed near the production process) measurement of alpha-emitting isotopes in LF-MSR fuel. The team will develop an optimal spectrometer design by using experimental and computational methods to evaluate the sensor architecture, packaging, and performance. The team also plans to develop on-site data processing algorithms that will provide rapid information via remote…


Status: ACTIVE
State: TN
Project Term: -
Program: HESTIA
Award: $2,557,383

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

Lignin-derived Carbon Storing Foams for High Performance Insulation

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) will develop higher performance, carbon-negative, and eco-friendly lignin polyurethane (PU) foams as a building insulation material via non-isocyanate synthesis. Non-isocyanate PU via polyaddition of cyclic carbonates and amines is non-toxic and non-moisture sensitive. Lignin is inherently hydrophobic, antibacterial, and fire-resistant, which are essential properties of insulation materials. Lignin’s propensity to char instead of ignite is advantageous but insufficient to address modern anti-flammability requirements. UTK will apply anti-…


Status: Selected
State: TBD
Project Term: TBD
Program: ULTRAFAST
Award: TBD

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)

A UNIVERSAL (Ultrafast, Noise-Immune, Versatile, Efficient, Reliable, Scalable, and Accurate Light-Controlled) Switch Module

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville will develop scalable light-triggered semiconductor switch modules for the protection of grid and aviation power systems. The proposed switch module seeks to achieve cost savings, fast switching speeds, and built-in redundancy by using sub-modules featuring lower-voltage and lower-current silicon carbide devices for desired higher application voltage and current levels. The University of Tennessee’s switch modules are controlled by light instead of electrical signals to minimize the electromagnetic interference and to simplify electrical isolation design.


Status: CANCELLED
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: MINER
Award: $2,999,994

University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington)

RECLAIM: Electrochemical Lithium and Nickel Extraction with Concurrent Carbon Dioxide Mineralization

The University of Texas at Arlington will develop two technologies to produce lithium (Li) and nickel (Ni) from CO2-reactive minerals and rocks that contain calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), while sequestering CO2 in the form of carbonate solids (calcium carbonate, or CaCO3; magnesium carbonate, or MgCO3; and variants thereof). The technologies, acoustic stimulation and electrolytic proton production, use electricity to liberate valuable metal ions from the surrounding mineral matrix at sub-boiling temperatures (~20-80°C). Feedstocks will include Li, Ca, Mg-rich igneous and sedimentary…


Status: ACTIVE
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: COOLERCHIPS
Award: $2,843,224

University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington)

Holistic Co-Design of Novel Hybrid Cooling Technology for the Data Center of the Future

The University of Texas at Arlington and collaborators will develop a novel hybrid cooling technology to address the growing need for advanced thermal management solutions for high-power data centers. At the server level, the design combines direct-to-chip evaporative cooling module including electrodeposition of metal on high-powered devices to eliminate thermal interface materials and to reduce chip-to-coolant thermal resistance, and air cooling including Rear Door Heat Exchanger for the rest of the system and thus enabling a robust and extendible solution for the future as well as an easy…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: DIFFERENTIATE
Award: $1,616,524

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Learning Optimal Aerodynamic Designs

The University of Texas at Austin proposes to create efficient, accurate, and scalable deep neural network (DNN) representations of design optimization problem solutions. The inputs to these DNN representations will be the vector of design requirement parameters, the outputs will be the optimal design variables, and the goal is to learn the map from inputs to outputs (i.e., inverse design). The team will focus on the problem of the optimal shape design of aerodynamic lifting surfaces—in particular aircraft wings—using Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes models for minimal drag and energy savings.…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: HEATS
Award: $2,602,961

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Thermal Batteries for Electric Vehicles

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will demonstrate a high-energy density and low-cost thermal storage system that will provide efficient cabin heating and cooling for EVs. Compared to existing HVAC systems powered by electric batteries in EVs, the innovative hot-and-cold thermal batteries-based technology is expected to decrease the manufacturing cost and increase the driving range of next-generation EVs. These thermal batteries can be charged with off-peak electric power together with the electric batteries. Based on innovations in composite materials offering twice the energy…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: MOVE
Award: $4,238,439

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Single-Piston Natural Gas Compressor

The Center for Electromechanics at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is developing an at-home natural gas refueling system that compresses natural gas using a single piston. Typically, at-home refueling stations use reciprocating compressor technology, in which an electric motor rotates a crankshaft tied to several pistons in a multi-stage compressor. These compressor systems can be inefficient and their complex components make them expensive to manufacture, difficult to maintain, and short-lived. The UT Austin design uses a single piston compressor driven by a directly coupled…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2012
Award: $2,986,145

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Smart Window Coatings

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is developing low-cost coatings that control how light enters buildings through windows. By individually blocking infrared and visible components of sunlight, UT Austin’s design would allow building occupants to better control the amount of heat and the brightness of light that enters the structure, saving heating, cooling, and lighting costs. These coatings can be applied to windows using inexpensive techniques similar to spray-painting a car to keep the cost per window low. Windows incorporating these coatings and a simple control system have…


Status: ACTIVE
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,800,000

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Nanotechnology-Enabled Transformer Life Extension

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will use novel nanotechnology to develop a power transformer capable of operating for 80 years, increasing U.S. grid reliability. Key elements of UT- Austin’s research includes (1) the development and synthesis of cellulosic material and nano-additives (boron nitride, oxides) for paper and pressboard, (2) use of validated high-fidelity models to predict the thermal and electrical performance and life of transformers, (3) refurbishing a transformer to assess the impact of new materials, and (4) scale-up manufacturing of down-selected nanomaterials.


Status: ACTIVE
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: MINER
Award: $4,997,015

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Carbon Negative Reaction-driven Cracking for Enhanced Mineral Recovery: In-Situ Test at a Ni-Co-PGE Deposit

The University of Texas, Austin, will conduct an in-situ injection of CO2 dissolved in water to permanently sequester CO2 via carbon-negative reactions (carbon mineralization), chemically fracture the rock via reaction-driven cracking before mining to reduce extraction and comminution energy by at least 50%, replace the CO2-reactive rock waste with carbonate to reduce energy needed for separation, improve concentrate grade, and increase ore recovery, and expand the lifespan of the mine as a CO2 sink once the ore is exhausted. The methodology applies to ultramafic rock-hosted mining operations…


Status: Selected
State: TBD
Project Term: TBD
Program: SEA-CO2
Award: TBD

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

Acoustic Methods for mCDR based on Blue Carbon Burial in Seagrass Meadows

The University of Texas at Austin is developing an acoustic sensor network to quantify ecosystem activity and how effectively carbon is stored in shallow seagrass beds, an important sink in the coastal blue carbon cycle. The proposed sensor network detects the acoustic signature of bubbles that are released from seagrass leaves as photosynthesis produces excess oxygen. The network also analyzes the refraction of sound through the seafloor to estimate the quantity of carbon locked in seagrass roots and sediment. This passive listening technology would aid in monitoring the performance of large…


Status: ACTIVE
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: ATLANTIS
Award: $3,300,000

University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas)

A Low-Cost Floating Offshore Vertical Axis Wind System

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT-Dallas) team plans to develop a floating turbine design featuring a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The design will exploit inherent VAWT characteristics favorable to deep water environments and use a CCD approach to overcome common challenges. VAWTs offer advantages over traditional offshore wind designs because they have a lower vertical center of gravity and center of pressure; require a smaller, less expensive floating platform; do not need yaw control systems; and have the potential to reduce operations and maintenance costs due to platform-level…


Status: ALUMNI
State: TX
Project Term: -
Program: REACT
Award: $2,848,278

University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas)

Double-Stator Motor Design

University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is developing a unique electric motor with the potential to efficiently power future classes of EVs and renewable power generators. Unlike many of today's best electric motors—which contain permanent magnets that use expensive, imported rare earths—UT Dallas' motor completely eliminates the use of rare earth materials. Additionally, the motor contains two stators. The stator is the stationary part of the motor that uses electromagnetism to help its rotor spin and generate power. The double-stator design has the potential to generate very high…


Status: ALUMNI
State: OK
Project Term: -
Program: FOCUS
Award: $922,378

University of Tulsa

Enabling Energy Conversion and Storage with Light-Filtering Mirror

The University of Tulsa is developing a hybrid solar converter with a specialized light-filtering mirror that splits sunlight by wavelength, allowing part of the sunlight spectrum to be converted directly to electricity with photovoltaics (PV), while the rest is captured and stored as heat. By integrating a light-filtering mirror that passes the visible part of the spectrum to a PV cell, the system captures and converts as much as possible of the photons into high-value electricity and concentrates the remaining light onto a thermal fluid, which can be stored and be used as needed. University…


Status: ALUMNI
State: OK
Project Term: -
Program: FOCUS
Award: $1,762,075

University of Tulsa

Liquid Filter with Plasmonic Nanoparticles

The University of Tulsa is developing a hybrid solar converter that captures ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths of light in a thermal fluid while directing visible wavelengths of light to a photovoltaic (PV) cell to produce electricity. The PV cells can be kept at moderate temperatures while high-quality heat is captured in the thermal fluid for storage and conversion into electricity when needed. The thermal fluid will flow behind the PV cell to capture waste heat and then flow in front of the PV cell, where it heats further and also act as a filter, passing only the portions of sunlight…


Status: ALUMNI
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: HEATS
Award: $2,662,493

University of Utah

Advanced Metal-Hydrides-Based Thermal Battery

The University of Utah is developing a compact hot-and-cold thermal battery using advanced metal hydrides that could offer efficient climate control system for EVs. The team's innovative designs of heating and cooling systems for EVs with high energy density, low-cost thermal batteries could significantly reduce the weight and eliminate the space constraint in automobiles. The thermal battery can be charged by plugging it into an electrical outlet while charging the electric battery and it produces heat and cold through a heat exchanger when discharging. The ultimate goal of the project…


Status: ALUMNI
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: METALS
Award: $4,996,597

University of Utah

Direct Titanium Production from Titanium Slag

The University of Utah is developing a reactor that dramatically simplifies titanium production compared to conventional processes. Today's production processes are expensive and inefficient because they require several high-energy melting steps to separate titanium from its ores. The University of Utah's reactor utilizes a magnesium hydride solution as a reducing agent to break less expensive titanium ore into its components in a single step. By processing low-grade ore directly, the titanium can be chemically isolated from other impurities. This design eliminates the series of complex, high…


Status: ALUMNI
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: METALS
Award: $2,980,000

University of Utah

Electromagnetic Light Metal Sorting

The University of Utah is developing a light metal sorting system that can distinguish multiple grades of scrap metal using an adjustable and varying magnetic field. Current sorting technologies based on permanent magnets can only separate light metals from iron-based metals and tend to be inefficient and expensive. The University of Utah’s sorting technology utilizes an adjustable magnetic field rather than a permanent magnet to automate scrap sorting, which could offer increased accuracy, less energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and reduced costs. Due to the flexibility of this design…


Status: ALUMNI
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2018
Award: $2,164,187

University of Utah

Ultra-Low Power Sensor Network

The University of Utah will develop ultra-low power sensors engineered to passively detect specific volatile emissions, and enable the early detection of invasive weeds and/or insects in biofuel crop production. Farmers currently lose about 40% of crops due to weeds and insects that ideally need to be removed within a week of detection to prevent significant damage. Earlier detection could minimize such losses, and enable decreased applications of pesticides and herbicides, significantly increasing the overall energy efficiency of crop production and economic viability of energy biomass…


Status: ALUMNI
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: Exploratory Topics
Award: $1,430,556

University of Utah

Self-Sustaining Cementitious Systems in Roman Reactive Glass Concretes

Develop extremely durable concretes with engineered foam glass aggregates that mimic the reactive volcanic glass of 2000-year-old Roman architectural and marine concretes. These innovative materials, mixtures and processing technologies, could improve durability at 4 times typical 50-year Portland cement concrete service life and reduce by up to 85% the energy and emissions associated with production and deployment.


Status: ACTIVE
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: SMARTFARM
Award: $1,899,316

University of Utah

Soil Organic Carbon Networked Measurement System (SOCNET)

The University of Utah aims to develop and deploy a distributed carbon sensor system that is buried into the soil, capable of locally stimulating a surrounding volume of soils at multiple depths, and sensing carbon and carbon flux at ultra-low operational cost. The sensors will enable high-accuracy and real-time decision data for cost-effective carbon removal, storage, and management to promote climate change mitigation via agriculture and managed land systems. The team aims to develop (1) a UV-based non-destructive CO2 sampling technique, (2) low-cost, wideband, and high-selectivity CO2…


Status: ACTIVE
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: ULTIMATE
Award: $1,250,000

University of Utah

Designing Novel Multicomponent Niobium Alloys for High Temperature: Integrated Design, Rapid Processing & Validation Approach

The University of Utah will use physical metallurgy principles and artificial intelligence to identify the chemistry of new niobium (Nb)-based refractory alloys to ensure they have excellent high-temperature properties without being brittle at low temperatures. The artificial intelligence approach will discover promising compositions for the new alloys based on existing knowledge of simple alloys. The computational materials models will be used to predict the proper processing conditions for the material chemistries. This two-step process can down-select the alloy compositions and…


Status: ACTIVE
State: UT
Project Term: -
Program: CURIE
Award: $1,454,068

University of Utah

Pyrochemical Dissolution of LWR Spent Fuel with Actinide Recovery for Advanced Reactors

The University of Utah will research a pyrochemical process for efficiently converting UNF to a uranium/transuranic (U/TRU) product suitable for sodium-cooled fast reactors or molten-salt fueled reactors. This process is based on two key separations steps that can occur in a single reaction vessel: dissolution of oxide UNF in molten lithium chloride (LiCl)-potassium chloride (KCl) salt and electrochemical recovery of U/TRU metal on a cathode. Overall, this technology should result in less material handling and lower space requirements than conventional pyroprocessing technology via…


Status: Selected
State: TBD
Project Term: TBD
Program: SEA-CO2
Award: TBD

University of Utah

SEAfloor Self-sustaining CO2 Assessment Probe Edge (SEASCAPE)

University of Utah is developing a micro-optical, micro-electronic seafloor probe that would extend the longevity and persistence of current-day seafloor carbon storage measurement tools. The proposed probes—deployed in a group across a wide seafloor area—would be inserted directly into the seafloor to measure the accumulation of carbon in ocean sediments for more than a year. University of Utah’s probe would house a newly developed sensor that evaluates carbon dioxide and pH using a novel bubble mechanism, a low-power method that avoids the degradation, calibration, and power issues of…


Status: ALUMNI
State: VT
Project Term: -
Program: NODES
Award: $3,967,508

University of Vermont (UVM)

Packetized Energy Management

The University of Vermont (UVM) will develop and test a new approach for demand-side management called packetized energy management (PEM) that builds on approaches used to manage data packets in communication networks without centralized control and with a high level of privacy. The PEM system will allow millions of small end-use devices to cooperatively balance energy supply and demand in real time without jeopardizing the reliability of the grid or the quality of service to consumers. The project will develop the PEM method to optimally manage the rapid fluctuations that come with large…


Status: ALUMNI
State: VA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2015
Award: $5,535,380

University of Virginia (UVA)

Ultra-Large Wind Turbine

The team led by the University of Virginia (UVA) will design the world’s largest wind turbine by employing a new downwind turbine concept called Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotor (SUMR). Increasing the size of wind turbine blades will enable a large increase in power from today’s largest turbines – from an average of 5-10MW to a proposed 50MW system. The SUMR concept allows blades to deflect in the wind, much like a palm tree, to accommodate a wide range of wind speeds (up to hurricane-wind speeds) with reduced blade load, thus reducing rotor mass and fatigue. The novel blades also use…


Status: ALUMNI
State: VA
Project Term: -
Program: OPEN 2018
Award: $1,186,934

University of Virginia (UVA)

Reinventing CEMENT: Carbonation-Enabled Mineralization to Engender Novel Technology

The University of Virginia (U.Va.), in collaboration with C-Crete Technologies, is developing a new approach for making cement by leveraging the ways in which certain mineral silicates react with carbon dioxide and water. These reactions produce mineral phases that are much stronger and more stable than commercial cements, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and energy use over time. Chemically, the products of these reactions share more in common with ancient Roman cements than they do with OPC. Because of the temperatures and pressures required to make these materials, the project will initially…


Status: ALUMNI
State: VA
Project Term: -
Program: ULTIMATE
Award: $1,030,000

University of Virginia (UVA)

High Entropy Rare-earth Oxide (HERO) Coatings for Refractory Alloys

A turbine engine's combustion environment can rapidly degrade high temperature alloys, which means they must be coated. This coating must be able to expand with the alloy so it adheres during temperature cycling, prevent combustion gases from permeating to the underlying alloy, and possess ultra-low thermal conductivity to protect the alloy from high surface temperatures. The University of Virginia will develop a novel coating for high temperature alloys that enables both a dramatic increase in upper use temperature for turbine engine blades and increased engine efficiency. The proposed…


Status: ACTIVE
State: VA
Project Term: -
Program: SHARKS
Award: $2,900,000

University of Virginia (UVA)

Bio-Inspired Renewable Energy (BIRE) for Highly-efficient Low-cost Riverine Hydrokinetics

The University of Virginia proposes a simple, resilient, and scalable solution, inspired by unsteady lift-based hydrodynamics observed in fish swimming. By adapting the concept of biological unsteady lift, the University of Virginia’s BIRE system aims to generate energy from the river environment through real-time control of pairs of out-of-phase oscillating hydrofoils placed into oncoming flow. The river flow causes the two foils to oscillate in opposite directions. A novel power conversion mechanism converts the oscillatory motion of the foils to unidirectional rotary motion to harvest the…


Status: ALUMNI
State: WA
Project Term: -
Program: ALPHA
Award: $6,025,830

University of Washington (UW)

Flow Z-Pinch for Fusion

The University of Washington (UW), along with its partner Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will work to mitigate instabilities in the plasma, and thus provide more time to heat and compress it while minimizing energy loss. The team will use the Z-Pinch approach for simultaneously heating, confining, and compressing plasma by applying an intense, pulsed electrical current which generates a magnetic field. While the simplicity of the Z-Pinch is attractive, it has been plagued by plasma instabilities. UW will investigate Z-pinch fusion using sheared-flow stabilized plasmas, meaning that…