CRADA Abstract - 2025-03M
CRADA abstract for publication as required by DOE O 483.1B
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Results for “crada”
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.
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Initial CRADA Abstract - MSTS-2026-01U
Initial abstract required by DOE O 483.1B for newly executed umbrella CRADA with Fuse Federal
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Non-Invasive Spin Polarimetry and Magnetometry (CRADA Final Report)
The CRADA objective is to develop the techniques and equipment that will enable real time and non-invasive measurement of spin polarization and beam magnetization.
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
System Level Analysis Software Validation with Argonne's THETA Experimental Facility (Final CRADA Report)
Under this CRADA, the Contractor will be generating and collecting sodium-based experimental data with modern instrumentation. The Contractor will work symbiotically with the Participant to generate SAS4A/SASSYS-1 and SAM computational models of the THETA experimental facility for validation of the system-level analysis codes utilized by Oklo, Inc. This effort will be specifically focused on the design basis event space scoped by Chapter 15 of the NRC’s Standard Review Plan (NUREG-0800) with an emphasis on natural circulation and thermal stratification phenomena in a prototypic sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR).
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Imaging Enhanced Simulation Validation for Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing (Final CRADA Report – NFE-22-09107)
Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a welding-based metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) process that relies on the programmed rastering of an electric arc or laser induced weld pool to construct a component in a layerwise fashion. The induced complex thermal field and uneven thermal contraction depends on the printed geometry and scan pattern, and as such, accumulated residual stresses and distortions are complex and difficult to predict. Several prior works have resulted in tools to combat this issue; ANSYS has developed a thermoplastic simulation package targeting DED AM, and ORNL has developed an in-situ imaging sensor package ‘Stereo Correlated Optical and Pyrometric System’ (SCOPS) that can spatially monitor temperature and full field strain. In this CRADA, these tools are compared in order to validate the results and complimentarily address the weaknesses in each other.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Development of Enzyme Production Host (CRADA Final Report)
This CRADA aims to assess the effectiveness of various enzyme production hosts in efficiently expressing and producing proprietary enzymes for plastic recycling applications. The research includes screening different microbial hosts—notably Bacillus subtilis, Pichia pastoris, and E. coli—to determine their suitability for high-yield enzyme production. Additionally, the project focuses on optimizing scalable fermentation processes tailored to these hosts, with the goal of enabling efficient enzyme production at commercially viable scales.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Development of Enzyme Production Host (CRADA Final Report)
This CRADA aims to assess the effectiveness of various enzyme production hosts in efficiently expressing and producing proprietary enzymes for plastic recycling applications. The research includes screening different microbial hosts—notably Bacillus subtilis, Pichia pastoris, and E. coli—to determine their suitability for high-yield enzyme production. Additionally, the project focuses on optimizing scalable fermentation processes tailored to these hosts, with the goal of enabling efficient enzyme production at commercially viable scales.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
High Linearity RF Circuits in CMOS Platforms (CRADA Final Report)
The goal of this CRADA was to understand high linearity silicon-on-insulator (SOI) radio frequency switches. The first direction investigated was high linearity RF mixers as these components are composed of a network of switches. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that while the SOI RF switches were effective in the application in mixers and produced state of the art performance, the use of SOI for mixers is not economically feasible because the technology only worked with advanced CMOS nodes <65nm which can have an NRE cost (from lithography masks) in excess of $\$$500,000.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Voucher Opportunity 5-15: Independent Assessment of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Technologies and Practices for Enhanced Rock Weathering (CRADA 718) Abstract
Development of robust, transparent, and precise monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies and practices is critical for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project developers to comply with regulatory and permitting requirements, voluntary carbon market (VCM) protocols, and to ensure safety while reducing environmental impacts. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW)-based CDR technologies focus on removing atmospheric carbon through conversion into thermodynamically stable solid or aqueous carbonate forms for permanent storage (i.e., mineralization). This highly durable form of CDR enhances naturally occurring silicate rock weathering cycles by optimizing application of finely-ground silicate rock particles (i.e., from basalt) on terrestrial agricultural lands to accelerate natural silicate rock weathering and mineralization. Enhanced rock weathering may also provide improved crop yields and enhance soil health. A critical aspect for commercialization of these technologies is the development of MRV to quantify the net removal and durable storage of atmospheric CO 2 . For ERW systems, it is essential to accurately characterize the mineral feedstock selected for application to establish the baseline geochemical composition, mineral dissolution rates, and carbon removal potential of the feedstocks to estimate overall net removal. Given the difficulty with conducting MRV for ERW in diverse soil/environment types, over large application areas, and due to complex chemical reaction networks, this project will accelerate understanding towards consensus on best practices for MRV. The overall objectives of the proposed voucher project are to: 1) Characterize and analyze feedstock(s) intended for ERW field application by Lithos Carbon (“Voucher Recipient”/ “CRADA Participant”) to determine overall mineralization potential; 2) Facilitate knowledge transfer and documentation of experimental protocols, instrumentation, and other relevant best practices; and 3) Support the Voucher Recipient’s broader technology commercialization and ERW Research Facility development plans. This work will align with the Voucher Recipient’s MRV plans for field sites and build upon complementary efforts conducted by PNNL on mineralization MRV.
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Advanced Brine Processing to Enable U.S. Lithium Independence (CRADA Report)
Current production of LiOH, which is needed to make Li-ion battery cathode active materials, utilizes a multistep process including solar evaporation, precipitation with Na 2 CO 3 and then conversion to LiOH using Ca(OH) 2 . This process requires a large amount of land area for solar evaporation, the right weather conditions, and chemicals for the conversion process that result in NaCl and CaCO 3 waste products. The production of Ca(OH) 2 is very energy intensive and evolves significant quantities of CO 2 . An alternative process flow utilizing direct lithium extraction techniques, followed by a chemical free conversion process can have benefits in reducing the needed land requirements and chemicals for traditional brine processing. There are many potential direct lithium extraction technologies that are currently being developed. The direct lithium extraction process from typical brine sources will produce a LiCl solution with some impurities including typically high concentrations of Na. This brine then needs to be converted to LiOH for use in battery cathode production. Ideally this conversion could occur without the use of additional chemicals. Electrochemistry can do this conversion either via electrolysis or bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED) to produce LiOH and HCl in solution. BPED utilized bipolar membranes to split water, which has a reduced potential as compared to splitting water at electrodes into hydrogen and oxygen gas. This reduced potential required results in a significant energy savings for BPED over electrolysis methods. This CRADA project aimed to develop such an integrated process using direct lithium extraction followed by BPED to produce a LiOH solution. That solution can then be crystallized into battery grade LiOH. In particular, Albemarle utilized a direct lithium extraction process to produce a concentrated LiCl solution that could be used for the BPED process. The BPED process was first tested using various LiCl solutions with impurity ions added at bench scale to understand the effects of impurities and determine processing parameters. Then testing was performed using the direct lithium extracted brine at the bench scale before scaling the process up. After the process was scaled up a long duration test was carried out to estimate the lifetime of the membranes, which is key to the economics of the BPED process.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Criticality Safety Analysis for NuCycle (Final CRADA Report)
A series of criticality safety analyses was performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to assess the CURIO NuCycle process based on information provided in late 2023 and early 2024. Each of the segments of the NuCycle process is considered separately, although some interface considerations are necessary. A separate detailed final report that includes proprietary analysis details has been provided to Curio; this report provides a high-level summary to document the closure of this cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA), identified as NFE-23-09571.
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
CEC/SNL CRADA Overview
This presentation discusses the SNL Energy storage demonstrations team activities with the CA energy commission under the CRADA
Koripella, Chowdary Ramesh↗
Abstract for CRADA among NETL, Ohio University, and MetalKraft Technologies, LLC
The electrical grid faces challenges for meeting accelerated electricity demand arising from the electrification of building and transportation sectors. According to the DOE Grid Development Office, 70% of transmission lines are approaching the end of their lifecycle. The aging grid and insufficient transmission capacity necessitate the development of new technologies to improve overall grid performance. The conventional conductors used for electrical transmission lines suffer from substantial energy losses, high costs and low durability. These inefficiencies result in higher operational costs, increased energy waste, and difficulties in managing power flow. Improving the grid will require metals and composites with higher electrical conductivity and strength than the materials currently used. This CRADA will develop technologies to improve the grid by fabricating carbon metal composites with improved electrical, structural, and mechanical properties in comparison to metals that do not contain carbon additives. The composites will be made by incorporating carbon materials (graphite, graphene) into aluminum, copper, and other metals. The work will focus primarily on improving material properties that enhance the performance of these materials in electrical conductor applications.
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
Composite Sorbents: Enabling Economical Biomethane Production (CRADA Final Report)
The research performed under this CRADA enhanced the understanding of the performance of LLNL’s composite sorbent technology in the presence of raw biogas with H 2 S contamination, the long-term CO 2 removal performance stability of the composite sorbent in simulated biogas, and highlighted some of the challenges to overcome for further scale-up of material production and system design for deployment. Further development of the technology is of benefit to the public by enabling biogas upgrading from small sources for which existing commercial technologies are not suited, providing additional sources of renewable natural gas and diversifying our energy supply.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
CalTestBed - Twelve Benefit Co - Understanding Degradation of Water Management Properties in Gas Diffusion Layers (CRADA Final Report)
The research between Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Twelve Benefit Co. enhanced Twelve’s understanding of how chemical changes to the gas diffusion layer lead to failure of their CO 2 electrolyzers. During the CRADA period, LBNL team tested Twelve’s gas diffusion layer samples (GDL), some with microporous layer (MPL) and some without MPL using the water-air capillary pressure setup. LBNL team also tested microporous layer samples using the fuel cell test stands and compared those results with commercial GDL and MPL. Understanding the hydrophobicity of the material, along with electrochemical performance is the key to determining Twelve’s ability to scale their platform. Further improvements to Twelve’s CO 2 electrolyzer can enhance the net zero emissions with their technology.
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Oklo Sponsored Testing using PELICAN: System, Subchannel, and High-Fidelity Software Validation (Final CRADA Report)
Argonne National Laboratory (the Contractor), located in Lemont IL, and Oklo, Inc., (the Participant), headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, propose to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to perform a gap analysis of thermal hydraulic data, perform prototypical fuel assembly pressure drop and cavitation model validation, generate the experimental data as well as the corresponding uncertainties for this matrix and, finally, develop the validation models with the Argonne system level code SAS4A/SASSYS-1, the Argonne subchannel analysis code DASSH, the Argonne high fidelity code Nek5000, and/or the Idaho National Laboratory code Pronghorn Subchannel. The work outlined below will significantly improve the experimental and validation database currently available for liquid metal fast reactors, thus making it a viable part of a comprehensive reactor design and licensing suite to be used by the participant.
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Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Ferritic Steel Wire Feedstock Development for Larger Format Additive Manufacturing (CRADA Final Report)
This CRADA project funded through DOE’s INFUSE program sought to demonstrate the viability of fabricating large, complex parts from oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel with advanced manufacturing. Exhibiting excellent radiation tolerance and high mechanical performance at elevated temperatures, ODS steel is a promising structural material candidate for near-plasma components in fusion energy systems. Its use, however, has been limited by a lack of manufacturability. This project sought to produce ODS steel wire through a solid-state shear assisted extrusion process and then demonstrate that the wire can undergo controlled local melting while being welded with the final part sufficiently retaining the beneficial properties of ODS steel. This would allow the use of wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) to manufacture large-scale ODS parts, even though ODS is currently only available as a powder. WAAM is a promising technique for producing components like the replaceable ARC vacuum vessel in CFS’ fusion reactor design. Meanwhile, this project will also expand PNNL’s capability in producing custom wire feedstock with friction extrusion, enabling downstream large-scale manufacturing with WAAM and solid-state based additive manufacturing. The project achieved its goals of developing tooling and fixturing to produce ODS wire at smaller diameters than previous projects. Several small lengths of wire of 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm diameter in the range of 2.5-30 mm long were produced at tool temperatures that are known to cause ODS particle coarsening (~1200 °C). Fixtures and tooling for longer (>1 m) wires were developed but further process development is needed reduce tool temperature during extrusions and to increase wire length needed for WAAM testing and development.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Deep Learning for Fish Identification from Sonar Data (CRADA 481 Final Report)
In eastern regions of the United States, the American eel is a species of management and regulatory concern because of significant population declines, despite the species’ previous abundance in all tributaries of rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The American eel is also a candidate for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. While hydropower construction and operation are only one of several factors contributing to this population decline, such a listing could impose additional regulatory challenges for a large number of hydropower projects. In this CRADA project, we improved technologies for identifying migrating eels with the goal of reducing the cost and time required for future American eel hydropower impact assessment and mitigation studies, while maintaining accuracy. We built on results from a previous FOA project (FOA# DE-FOA-0001662), led by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), which developed a highly accurate, deep-learning method for identifying migrating eels from imaging sonar data. The current study aimed to further optimize this deep-learning model, originally designed for image classification, and to develop an object detection software capable of identifying fish from sonar videos in real time, enabling the detection of events like fish migrations and specific species, such as the American eel, at hydropower dams. The data conversion algorithms were packaged as software with a graphical user interface, and the software is evaluated by external collaborators. We focused on the American eel in this project and explored the transferability of the developed deep learning models to the sea lamprey, given the similar body shape and swimming behavior between the two species.
13 HYDRO ENERGY↗