Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “INVENTOR”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

OpenMSI Arrayed Analysis Tools (OMAAT) v2.0

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that enables all chemical species within a complex mixture to be resolved and identified based on their mass:charge ratio. MS is an increasingly important tool in life science research and development because it can resolve or separate small molecules, peptides, lipids, proteins, biopolymers and fragments of all of these structures. Unfortunately, the use of MS has been limited for lack of software tools to visualize, manipulate, store and transfer MS data. Ben Bowen, Oliver Ruebel and colleagues made a huge advance on the resolution of these limitations with the invention of "OpenMSI" (#2013-004), a computational method that makes the handling of these very large files (up to 50 Tb) much easier, especially for scientists with limited background in bioinformatics or sophisticated software applications of the type needed to handle such data files. With the OpenMSI Arrayed Analysis Tool (OMAAT, #2016-188) invention, the authors take MS data analysis one step further by providing tolls for automatic sample position optimization and ion selection. Even though sample deposition technologies have improved greatly, there is always the chance of encountering outliers in a predefined roster, especially in very large sample sets. Manual curation of the data would be extremely time consuming, so the inventors have included an algorithm that automatically finds the outliers. OMAAT is written in Python with accompanying Jupyter (formerly iPython) notebook and is fully integrated with OpenMSI.

Bowen, Benjamin↗
DOE OSTI2017

Leószilárdite, the first Na,Mg-containing uranyl carbonate from the Markey Mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Leószilárdite (IMA2015-128), Na 6 Mg(UO 2 ) 2 (CO 3 ) 6 ·6H 2 O, was found in the Markey Mine, Red Canyon, White Canyon District, San Juan County, Utah, USA, in areas with abundant andersonite, natrozippeite, gypsum, anhydrite, and probable hydromagnesite along with other secondary uranium minerals bayleyite, čejkaite and johannite. The new mineral occurs as aggregates of pale yellow bladed crystals flattened on {001} and elongated along [010], individually reaching up to 0.2 mm long. More commonly it occurs as pale yellow pearlescent masses to 2 mm consisting of very small plates. Leószilárdite fluoresces green under both longwave and shortwave ultraviolet light, and is translucent with a white streak, hardness of 2 (Mohs), and brittle tenacity with uneven fracture. The new mineral is readily soluble in room temperature H 2 O. Crystals have perfect cleavage along {001}, and exhibit the forms {110},{001},{100},{101} and {101}. Optically, leószilárdite is biaxial (-), α= 1.504(1), β= 1.597(1), γ = 1.628(1) (white light); 2V (meas.) = 57(1)°, 2V (calc.) = 57.1°; dispersion r > v , slight. Pleochroism: X = colourless, Y and Z = light yellow; X < Y ≈ Z . The average of six wavelength dispersive spectroscopic analyses provided Na 2 O 14.54, MgO 3.05, UO 3 47.95, CO 2 22.13, H 2 O 9.51, total 97.18 wt.%. The empirical formula is Na 5.60 Mg 0.90 U 2 O 28 C 6 H 12.60 , based on 28 O apfu. Leószilárdite is monoclinic, C2/m, a = 11.6093(21), b = 6.7843(13), c = 15.1058(28) Å, β = 91.378(3)°, V = 1189.4(4) Å 3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure ( R 1 = 0.0387 for 1394 reflections with I obs > 4σ I ), consists of uranyl tricarbonate anion clusters [(UO 2 )(CO 3 ) 3 ] 4- held together in part by irregular chains of NaO 5 (H 2 O) polyhedra sub parallel to [010]. Individual uranyl tricarbonate clusters are also linked together by three-octahedron units consisting of two Na-centred octahedra that share the opposite faces of a Mg-centred octahedron at the centre (Na–Mg–Na), and have the composition Na 2 MgO 12 (H 2 O) 4 . The name of the new mineral honours the Hungarian-American physicist, inventor and biologist Dr. Leó Szilárd (1898–1964).

Mineralogy↗
DOE OSTI2013

The first colliders: AdA, VEP-1 and Princeton-Stanford

The idea of exploring collisions in the center-of-mass system to fully exploit the energy of the accelerated particles had been given serious consideration by the Norwegian engineer and inventor Rolf Wideröe, who had applied for a patent on the idea in 1943 (and got the patent in 1953 [1]) after considering the kinematic advantage of keeping the center of mass at rest to produce larger momentum transfers. Describing this advantage G.K.O’Neill, one of the collider pioneers, wrote in 1956 [2]: “…as accelerators of higher and higher energy are built, their usefulness is limited by the fact that the energy available for creating new particles is measured in the center-of-mass system of the target nucleon and the bombarding particle. In the relativistic limit, this energy rises only as the square root of the accelerator energy. However, if two particles of equal energy traveling in opposite directions could be made to collide, the available energy would be twice the whole energy of one particle...” Therefore, no kinetic energy is wasted by the motion of the center of mass of the system, and the available reaction energy E R = 2E beam (while a particle with the same energy E beam colliding with another particle of the mass m at rest produces only E R = (2E beam m)½ in the extreme relativistic case.) One can also add that the colliders are “cleaner” machines with respect to the fixed target ones since the colliding beams do not interact with the target materials. The other advantage is that it is much easier to organize collisions of beams composed of matter-antimatter particles, like in electron-positron and proton-antiproton colliders.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Center for Energy Efficient Materials (CEEM) (Final Technical Report)

The mission of the Center for Energy Efficient Materials (CEEM) was to serve the Department of Energy and the nation as a center of excellence dedicated to advancing basic research in nano-structured materials and devices for applications to solar electricity, thermoelectric conversion of waste heat to electricity, and solidstate lighting. The foundation of CEEM was based on the unique capabilities of UCSB and its partner institutions to control, synthesize, characterize, model, and apply materials at the nanoscale for more efficient sustainable energy resources. This unique expertise was a key source of the synergy that unified the research of the Center. Although the Center’s focus was basic research, It’s longer-term objective has been to transfer new materials and devices into the commercial sector where they will have a substantial impact on the nation’s need for efficient sustainable energy resources. As one measure of the impact of the Center, two start-up companies were formed based on its research. In addition, Center participants published a total of 210 archival journal articles, of which 51 were exclusively sponsored by the DOE grant. The work of the Center was structured around four specific tasks: Organic Solar Cells, Solid-State Lighting, Thermoelectrics, and High Efficiency Multi-junction Photovoltaic devices. A brief summary of each follows – detailed descriptions are in Sections 4 & 5 of this report. Research supported through CEEM led to an important shift with respect to the choice of materials used for the fabrication of solution deposited organic solar cells. Solution deposition opens the opportunity to manufacture solar cells via economically-viable high throughput tools, such as roll to roll printing. Prior to CEEM, most organic semiconductors utilized for this purpose involved polymeric materials, which, although they can form thin films reliably, suffer from batch to batch variations due to the statistical nature of the chemical reactions that produce them. In response, the CEEM team developed well-defined molecular semiconductors that produce active layers with very high power conversion efficiencies, in other words they can convert a very high fraction of sunlight into useful electrical power. The fact that the semiconductor is formed from molecular species provides the basis for circumventing the unreliability of polymer counterparts and, as an additional bonus, allows one to attain much grater insight into the structure of the active layer. The latter is particularly important because efficient conversion is the result of a complex arrangement of two semiconductors that need to phase separate in a way akin to oil and water, but with domains that are described by nanoscale dimensions. CEEM was therefore able to provide deep insight into the influence of nanostructure, through the application of structural characterization tools and theoretical methods that describe how electrical charges migrate through the organic layer. Our research in light emitting diode (LED)-based solid state lighting (SSL) was directed at improving efficiency and reducing costs to enable the widespread deployment of economically-viable replacements for inefficient incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent-based lighting. Our specific focus was to advance the fundamental science and technology of light emitting diodes to both understand factors that limit efficiencies and to provide innovative and viable solutions to the current impediments. One of the main challenges we faced is the decrease in efficiency when LEDs are driven harder to increase light output---the so called “droop” effect. It requires large emitting surfaces to reach a desired optical output, and necessitates the use of costly heat sinks, both of which increase the cost. We successfully reduced droop by growing LED crystals having non-conventional orientations. As recognized by the award of the 2014 Nobel prize to the inventors of the nitride LEDs (one of whom was a member of CEEM), LEDs already have a large societal impact in both developed (leading to large energy savings) and developing countries (bringing light where there is no electrical grid). The improvements in efficiency sought after in the CEEM project are key to a further impact of solid state lighting by LEDs with a projected doubling in efficiency by year 2020. Direct generation of electricity from heat has enormous promise for beneficial use of waste heat. But practical power generation directly from heat requires understanding and development of new and improved materials that will be more efficient and rugged than today’s thermoelectric materials. To accomplish this goal CEEM has synthesized five distinct and promising new classes of thermoelectric materials: (a) nanoparticle arrays that are effective in maximizing electric power generation and reducing detrimental loss of heat; (b) nitride and (c) oxide thermal electric materials that are effective at high temperatures where much beneficial heat is available; (d) arrays of silicon nano-wires that integrate thermal electricity generation into silicon-based electronics and materials; and (e) chemically synthesized nanostructured compounds that are cost effective, earth abundant, and environmentally friendly. The further development of these thermoelectric sources of electricity could have revolutionary impact for society in the recovery of waste heat from sources such as power plants and automobile exhaust, where there could be significant associated energy saving. It could even, in the future, provide disruptive alternatives and replacements for today’s internal combustion engines and could enable improved all-electric propulsion by the heat from shipboard nuclear reactors. The High Efficiency Multi-junction Photovoltaics task was a UCSB/NREL collaboration which bonded sub-cells from two different compound semiconductors material systems to make high efficiency multijunction solar cells for concentrating photovoltaic applications thathave substantially higher efficiency than single substrate cells made of elemental semiconductors such as silicon. This task required the development of new cell bonding methods with excellent coupling of both photons and electrons between the sub-cells. To accomplish this, we developed (1) GaInN solar cells with enhanced performance by using quantum-well absorbers and front-surface optical texturing, (2) a hybrid "pillar-array" bond which uses an array of metal pillars for electrical coupling, and (3) a "hybrid moth-eye" optical coating which combines the benefits of nano-imprinted moth-eye coatings and traditional multilayer coatings. The technical effectiveness was assessed by measurement of the photovoltaic efficiency of solar cells made using these techniques; the ultrahigh efficiencies targeted by this work are of compelling economic value for concentrating photovoltaics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

University of Utah, Energy Commercialization Center

During the Energy Commercialization Center’s (ECC) three years in operation, the only thing constant was change. The world of commercialization and cleantech evolved significantly during the time the ECC was formed and operating, including: the availability of cleantech funding lessoned, the growth of incubators and accelerators skyrocketed, the State of Utah created an office dedicated to energy development, the University of Utah was both praised and criticized for its success in commercialization, and the Federal government temporarily shut down. During the three-year grant there were three principle investigators on the grant, as well as three directors for the University’s Commercialization Office. Change can be hard for an organization,but as we instruct the companies we support, “Fail fast and fail often, because it is the fastest path to success.” Although there were some unanticipated challenges along the way, the local ecosystem is stronger because of the ECC’s efforts. Perhaps the greatest lesson learned was the importance of aligned incentives between key stakeholders in the commercialization process and the need for resources at the company and individual entrepreneur levels. The universities have systems and incentives to commercialize technologies, but creating value and companies generally rest with the individuals and entrepreneurs. Unfortunately the ECC was unable to create a viable mechanism to transfer the commercialization process that successfully aligned incentives and achieve a more effective ecosystem within the Rocky Mountain West. However, the ECC was successful in adding value to the individual ecosystems, and connecting national resources to regional and local needs. Regarding the ECC’s effectiveness in developing a cleantech commercialization ecosystem, initial inroads and relationships were established with key stakeholders. However, incentives, perceived or real competition, differences in commercialization processes, and culture all played a role in inhibiting the development and distribution of a regional ecosystem and commercialization process. Had the University and the ECC been able to develop a software platform, some of these challenges may have been overcome, but without the final development and release of the Western Innovation Network, the ECC realistically could not scale and distribute a commercialization platform. Further, cleantech startups need to engage in a more intensive customer validation process, and establish strong community connections if they are to succeed in commercializing their products. The university system incentivizes research and access to research funding and risk capital is competitive, so by nature collaboration on commercialization was difficult. Each of the local ecosystems within the Rocky Mountain West was unique. Utah did not, and does not, have a system outside of the universities to support entrepreneurs and cleantech commercialization. Through the ECC’s efforts developing a regional ecosystem, it became clear that successful ecosystems had a community and associated mechanisms that supported local entrepreneurs and startups. Most importantly the ECC aided in the creation of Utah’s cleantech ecosystem, one that supports entrepreneurs and startup companies that need help and support in their efforts to commercialize clean technologies. The absence of support for clean tech from state government and local organizations was a significant impediment to cleantech commercialization. To overcome this challenge, the ECC has formed Sustainable Startups. Sustainable Startups is a new non-profit organization designed to build a culture and community in Utah that supports and understands the importance of cleantech and sustainable development. While the ECC generated mixed success in building a regional commercialization ecosystem for cleantech, the organization did provide tremendous benefit to startups and the broader public. Over 60 companies were given direct business development support by the ECC, many of whom then generated direct economic development impacts. In addition, the ECC served an important role as community convener, educator and relationship builder through hosting numerous public and private events including: Energize 2013; Millennial Train whistle stop; business plan competition supporter; Clean Tech Open Accelerator organizer; Sustainable Startups Series developer, and much more. While the ECC did not fully apply, develop, and transmit the University of Utah’s TCO commercialization model to cleantech, it nevertheless assisted numerous inventors, entrepreneurs and institutions in furthering the growth of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. The TCO’s commercialization model was not applied to regional clean tech initiatives for several main reasons. First, flaws with the commercialization model were realized after the ECC’s formation. Second, leadership changes within the TCO and ECC hampered early organizational development and implementation initiatives. Third, misaligned incentives between the ECC, regional universities, institutions, and the State of Utah resulted in a lack of collaboration and knowledge transfer regarding commercialization. In principle, everyone was aligned and willing to collaborate, but reality was much different and challenging.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Flotation Chemistry of Nonsulfide Minerals

Particulate separations are of considerable significance in many areas of technology ranging from pharmaceutics and microelectronics, to mining and construction materials industries. In addition, particulate separation technology is of critical importance in the environmental area, for example, the development of advanced water treatment processes for the 21st century will rely on more efficient particulate separation techniques. In this regard it is most appropriate that the Separations Program of the Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, of DOE supports basic science research in the area of particulate separations. One such particulate separation process of special importance is froth flotation, a physico-chemical process that is used to separate particles in an aqueous suspension via differences in hydrophobicity as established by the interaction of various reagents at the solid/water, solid/gas and water/gas interfaces. Surfactants, called collectors, are added to a suspension to selectively adsorb at the surface of specific particles, rendering these particles hydrophobic. Regulators are employed to promote collector adsorption at the desired surfaces, while preventing such reactions at other surfaces. When air is dispersed into the suspension, the bubbles generated attach to the hydrophobic particles. The resulting bubble/particle aggregates float to the suspension surface and are collected in a froth phase as a concentrate. The remaining hydrophilic particles are retained in suspension and discharged as a tailings product. Clearly, particulate separation by froth flotation is an outstanding example of applied surface chemistry, and is used in the food, petroleum, pulp/paper, and mineral industries. The use of flotation technology is perhaps most significant in the mineral industry where, in the U. S. alone, over 500,000 tons/day of nonsulfide minerals are processed. The estimated value of all nonfuel mineral materials processed in the United States during 2015 totaled $630 billion. It is evident that particle separation by flotation is an important process that is used in many of the mineral industries. Understanding of the interfacial chemistry for the development of improved flotation separations is required for more effective production and utilization of our mineral resources, especially the critical minerals as identified in the 2017 USGS report, “Critical Mineral Resources of the United States – Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply.” In this regard, a research program has been in progress with DOE support from Grant DE-FGO2-93ER14315 to study the fundamental interfacial chemistry features in nonsulfide mineral flotation systems in order to increase our understanding and provide for improved separation efficiencies and energy economy in the processing of our mineral resources. Significant contributions have been made to the flotation chemistry of flotation separations in many areas, including, salt minerals; collector adsorption; wetting, surface forces, bubble attachment; interfacial water structure; phyllosilicate minerals, and critical mineral resources such as rare earth minerals and lithium resources. The research results summarized herein have resulted in more than 225 publications, the education of 28 PhD graduate students, and impressive recognition with university, national, and international awards. For example, among many other awards, Distinguished Professor Jan Miller, PI, was elected to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering (1993) and the National Academy of Inventors (2014). In 2015 he received the University of Utah’s most prestigious award presented annually to a faculty member, the Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence. Research Professor Xuming Wang was selected by SME to be a Henry Krumb Lecturer (2013-2014), and many of the student researchers involved in the program received national awards from AIME, ICE, IPMI, SME, and TMS. It is evident that the flotation separation research program has been quite successful. Unfortunately, the flotation chemistry research for mineral particle separation has been terminated even though the renewal proposal received excellent reviews with recommended funding. The need for continued support of minerals separation research is of critical importance as recognized by 1) the recent 2017 USGS report, “Critical Mineral Resources of the United States – Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply,” and by 2) the 20 December 2017 executive order from President Trump to increase the discovery, production, and domestic refining of critical minerals. In view of our research accomplishments, the excellent reviews of the renewal proposal, and the expressed need for attention to the production of critical minerals, termination of “The Flotation Chemistry of Nonsulfide Minerals” research program by DOE is not appropriate, and continued support should be reconsidered.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Getting all the Light Out: Eliminating Plasmon Losses in High Efficiency (Final Report)

In this program we demonstrated three cost-effective and practical means for extracting light from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) based lighting fixture. Conventional OLEDs emit only 20% of the light produced in their active regions due to light trapping and losses of the light incident on metal contacts. Our methods for light extraction, that eliminate both of these substantial losses, include placement of a grid-mirror at the substrate side of top-emitting OLEDs, using an ultralow cost diffusing surface at the substrate side of top-emitting OLEDs, and employing high index of refraction sub-electrode microlens arrays (SEMLA). All of these methods result in light emission that is wavelength and viewing angle independent, does not interfere with the OLED structure itself, and is of potentially low cost. By combining the SEMLA solution with substrate outcoupling such as microlens arrays or index matching fluid, up to 70% of the light can be extracted from the OLEDs, thus meeting all of the program objectives. Furthermore, the solutions have been transferred to the industrial sector where efforts at commercialization are underway with the continued involvement of the inventors.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Who Invented the Christy Gadget

The Christy Gadget, named after its principal inventor, is the informal name for the device tested at Trinity on July 16th, 1945. In late 1944, Robert Christy proposed a novel invention that altered the design of the plutonium pit in Fat Man. While scientists originally intended to use a hollow sphere of plutonium, there was a substantial risk given a number of asymmetries that resulted from implosion. Christy proposed changing the design of the plutonium core to a solid sphere of plutonium with a modulated neutron source. The new model was adopted and used in the early implosion bombs. While there is little debate about the important role that Christy played in demonstrating its feasibility as a safe design, there is a debate as to who initially proposed the idea of the Christy Device. My project this summer outlines and resolves this dispute. While Christ does deserve the majority of the credit for the invention and design, I also acknowledge the important role Rudolf Peierls and John von Neumann played in its development.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of a Beam Halo Monitor

Muons, Inc. proposed improved Residual-Gas luminescent Beam Profile Monitors for Intense Beams by adding novel features including a mirascope, a light collecting device devised in the 16th century by an inventor of the telescope. A modern mirascope consists of 2 paraboloids. Light generated by the beam is collected by the paraboloids and creates a beam image. By placing a lens near the image it is possible to collect almost 100% of the emitted light, up to ten times better than existing fluorescence profilometers. Intense (multi-MW) proton beams pose a challenge for beam profile measurements. Solid-based beam intercepting instrumentation produces unallowable levels of radiation at these high powers. An alternative is to use a zero-or-low mass device such as a residual-gas profile monitor, either through collection of ionization or fluorescence. Fluorescence has an intrinsic advantage over the usual collection of ionized electrons in that it is not affected by the strong and variable electric and magnetic fields created by the beam that can distort profiles and make calibration difficult. For this reason, we proposed the fluorescence technique using the mirascope and other methods to enhance light collection and versatility by modifying the residual gas and its spatial distribution. In Phase I, we designed a mirascope and its electronics for commissioning and beam tests in a proposed Phase II. The design was based on optical simulations done in Phase I, and a physics run plan was developed for optimizing and testing. The Phase II experimental site and program have been planned and our goal is to produce a universal low cost Mirascope Residual-Gas Luminescent Beam Profile Monitor that can replace all other profile monitors currently used in accelerators.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

TCF High Efficiency Anaerobic Electroporation

The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) researchers were co-inventors of the technology that will be used on this project and have developed a more current version of the chip and controller. JBEI will also assist with the design of the pathways and implementation of pathways on the chip. LanzaTech has developed novel gas fermentation technology that captures and utilizes greenhouse gases for production of fuels and chemicals. In contrast to traditional fermentation that uses sugars as substrate (and releases CO2 as a byproduct), gas fermentation utilizes C1 substrates carbon monoxide (CO) or CO2. This enables a diverse range of feedstock options including waste gases from industrial sources (e.g., steel mills and processing plants) or syngas generated from any biomass resource (e.g., agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, or organic industrial waste). Biomass is then gasified, allowing for maximum yields and complete carbon utilization including the recalcitrant lignocellulosic fraction that cannot be utilized in traditional sugar fermentation.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

TCF High Efficiency Anaerobic Electroporation (CRADA Final Report)

The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) researchers were co-inventors of the technology that will be used on this project and have developed a more current version of the chip and controller. JBEI will also assist with the design of the pathways and implementation of pathways on the chip. LanzaTech has developed novel gas fermentation technology that captures and utilizes greenhouse gases for production of fuels and chemicals. In contrast to traditional fermentation that uses sugars as substrate (and releases CO2 as a byproduct), gas fermentation utilizes C1 substrates carbon monoxide (CO) or CO2. This enables a diverse range of feedstock options including waste gases from industrial sources (e.g., steel mills and processing plants) or syngas generated from any biomass resource (e.g., agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, or organic industrial waste). Biomass is then gasified, allowing for maximum yields and complete carbon utilization including the recalcitrant lignocellulosic fraction that cannot be utilized in traditional sugar fermentation. To maximize the value that can be added to the array of gas resources that the LanzaTech process can use as an input, LanzaTech has pioneered genetic modification of acetogens and developed a comprehensive set of genetic tools to perform routine strain modification, including genome editing tools as CRISPR/Cas9 and libraries of validated genetic parts as promoters and terminators. Using this platform, production of over 50 new molecules have been demonstrated directly from gas. For a few selected molecules production rates and yields have been optimized and surpass production of native producers and engineered E. coli or yeast strains, but a higher throughput approach for combinatorial optimization of pathways is required to further advance synthesis of additional products in parallel.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Towards Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Centers of Excellence

A diverse portfolio of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies will be essential to meeting climate goals while supporting sustainable development. In particular, marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) methods can help diversify the existing portfolio, which currently relies heavily on engineered direct air capture systems for large-scale atmospheric removals. To fulfill their potential in the CDR ecosystem, these early-stage mCDR technologies require additional research and development. Here, we propose regional mCDR Technology Centers of Excellence that will provide inventors and developers with access to right-scale facilities and engineering expertise that will meet their needs wherever they are on the journey from bench- to pilot-scale development. To support innovation across the technological readiness level spectrum, these Centers will provide collaborative access to ocean-based mCDR testing sites; other opportunities for partnering with multidisciplinary experts in technology development and commercialization; provide meaningful pathways for integrated engagement with local industrial and regulatory systems; and help in developing tailored, impactful community benefit models. Ideal sites are co-located in areas with a favorable natural environment for testing mCDR, well studied baselines, accessible infrastructure for multidisciplinary marine research, and technology commercialization support. As a case study, we offer the Pacific Northwest as particularly suitable for a regional mCDR Technology Center of Excellence given existing and potential growth of all the characteristics of ideal sites listed above, and which could especially benefit from the region’s growing marine climate technology sector. Last, we offer a brief whole-of-government perspective for supporting and regulating these Centers of Excellence, including identification of mCDR Science Centers of Excellence to ensure that the development of mCDR technologies dovetails with much-needed advancements in oceanographic observation and simulation infrastructure.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Institute for Catalysis in Energy Processes (ICEP) (Final Report)

The Institute for Catalysis in Energy Processes (ICEP) was a multi-PI program located at the Northwestern University Center for Catalysis and Surface Science from 2006-2024. Over several renewal cycles and several organizing themes, ICEP addressed fundamental questions in catalysis science. In turn, the scientific questions addressed were directly relevant to the efficient use of the nation’s resources to produce fuels and commodity chemicals, harness alternate energy sources for chemical reactions such as light or electricity, reduce emissions and waste, and minimize the impact of our use of plastics. Selective oxidation, (oxidative) dehydrogenation, deNOx, CO 2 reduction, hydrogen release, polymer decomposition / depolymerization, and many other reactions of intense interest to the US Department of Energy were studied in the center. Major ICEP strengths were in catalyst synthesis, in measurements that elucidated catalyst properties, in reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and in predictive theory and modeling. ICEP researchers were often the inventors or developers of materials and methods that were brought to bear on the Institute’s catalytic systems. Key characterization tools advanced through this project included resonance Raman and related techniques, sum frequency generation, and X-ray standing wave spectroscopy. Center members relied extensively on computational tools such as density functional theory and microkinetic modeling to fully investigate catalyst structures and catalytic mechanisms. ICEP researchers were early developers of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for catalyst synthesis and were early pioneers of metal organic frameworks for catalysis. ICEP innovations are found in areas of intense research such as single-atom catalysts, catalytic deconstruction of plastics, and catalytic MOFs, to name a few. Research areas initiated by ICEP indirectly led to DOE EFRCs, startup companies, and other achievements. Over its 18 years of existence, ICEP involved two different PIs (Stair and Notestein) and 24 senior investigators across several academic disciplines at Northwestern University. There were tight collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory, including specialized equipment and experiments permanently located there. The center supported ~400 person-years of effort by graduate students and postdocs, either directly through DOE support or indirectly by leveraging independent support provided to the trainees, e.g. through the NSF GRFP or internal fellowships. The project resulted in 328 manuscripts and numerous conference presentations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Evolution of Radioisotope Thermal Generators (RTG)

Introduction The advancement of space exploration owes a lot to the development of nuclear power in space. The Radio Isotopic thermal generator (RTG) was first invented in 1954 and earned its place in the inventor’s hall of fame in 2015. The RTG was and still it the key to our success in the exploration of deep space

Belian, Olivian↗
DOE OSTI2022

Programs Enabling Deep Technology Transfer from National Labs

To maximize the technology transfer potential, it is important to create an ecosystem for the inventors to adapt the technologies developed for basic science to successful commercial ventures. In this white paper we present a brief overview of technology transfer programs at high energy physics (HEP) laboratories with a focus on the programs at Fermilab and KEK, and identify opportunities and recommendations for increasing partnerships and commercialization at HEP-centric laboratories.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1974

NASA patent abstracts bibliography: A continuing bibliography. Section 1: Abstracts (supplement 05)

This bibliography is issued in two sections: Section 1 - Abstracts, and section 2 - Indexes. The abstract section cites 217 patents and applications for patent introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system during the period of January 1974 through June 1974. Each entry consists of a citation, an abstract, and, in most cases, a key illustration selected from the patent or application for patent. The index section contains entries for 2653 patent and application for patent citations covering the period May 1969 through June 1974. The index section contains five indexes -- subject, inventor, source, number and accession number.

Source record↗