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Algae harvesting and cultivating systems and methods for producing high concentrations of algae product with minimal energy. In an embodiment, a dead-end filtration system and method includes at least one tank and a plurality hollow fiber membranes positioned in the at least one tank. An algae medium is pulled through the hollow fiber membranes such that a retentate and a permeate are produced.
Algae harvesting and cultivating systems and methods for producing high concentrations of algae product with minimal energy. In an embodiment, a dead-end filtration system and method includes at least one tank and a plurality hollow fiber membranes positioned in the at least one tank. An algae medium is pulled through the hollow fiber membranes such that a retentate and a permeate are produced.
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement a lithium-based high energy density flow battery. In one embodiment, a lithium-based high energy density flow battery includes a first anodic conductive solution that includes a lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex dissolved in a solvent, a second cathodic conductive solution that includes a cathodic complex dissolved in a solvent, a solid lithium ion conductor disposed so as to separate the first solution from the second solution, such that the first conductive solution, the second conductive solution, and the solid lithium ionic conductor define a circuit, where when the circuit is closed, lithium from the lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex in the first conductive solution dissociates from the lithium polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex, migrates through the solid lithium ionic conductor, and associates with the cathodic complex of the second conductive solution, and a current is generated.
Annually, 20–55 million tons of electronic waste (e-waste) is produced worldwide (5% of all municipal solid waste). Although e-waste embodies only 2% of America’s municipal waste, it accounts for a significantly larger proportion of the heavy metals and flame retardants present in the waste stream. Currently, less than 20% of all e-waste is recycled in the United States because the heterogeneity of the feedstock limits the opportunity for reuse in high value products and processing of the waste itself is often too costly to justify handling. To address this concern, the aims of this study are: 1) to identify the major plastic and metal compositions within electronic shredder residue (ESR), 2) to formulate solvents and processing conditions to separate 90% of the plastics targeted from consumer shred ESR, and 3) to develop a process design model to estimate the cost and energy efficiency of the proposed solvent-based processing. In this study, a pre-sorted heterogeneous ESR feedstock (one where aluminum, magnetic components, and hazardous battery materials removed by an e-waste recycling facility) was used, with the major compositions of the ESR characterized. It was found that 25 wt.% of the feedstock was composed of plastics, 6 wt.% rubber, 27 wt.% printed circuit boards, 23% wire, and the remainder metals and capacitors. Within the plastic portion, polystyrene (PS, 40 wt.%), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS, 25 wt.%), and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN, 9wt.%) were identified to compose the majority of the screened plastics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Next, selective solvents were screened using Hansen Solubility Parameter Theory (HSP) for dissolving PS and ABS. The pre-screening results show that methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) are capable of dissolving the most PS and ABS, while methanol (MeOH) and ethylene glycol (EG) are capable of precipitating the most PS and ABS. These solvents were subsequently used to recover polymers and remove. flame retardants within the ESR feedstock. By optimizing the dissolution time and the solvents used, the highest polymer dissolution yield (99 wt.%%) was achieved using DCM for 48 hr. Both pre-screened anti-solvents (MeOH and EG) showed the highest polymer precipitation yield (71 wt.%). In terms of flame retardant removal rate, EG was found to have a high phosphorus-containing flame retardant removal rate (up to 98%). Characterization shows that the proposed solvent-based processing can preserve a high molecular weight fraction of the polymers and effectively remove flame retardants. Cost analysis indicates that the amount of the solvent/anti-solvent recovered after the reaction would play a critical role in reducing the operating costs. The energy analysis shows that the proposed solvent-based processes can save up to 60% of the embodied energy used to manufacture plastics used in electronics (PS and ABS were used for calculations). The results from this project prove the potential of solvent-based processing to produce secondary materials (plastics and metals) from e-waste for cross-industry reuse.
Annually, 20-55 million tons of electronic waste (e-waste) is produced worldwide (5% of all municipal solid waste). Although e-waste embodies only 2% of America’s municipal waste, it accounts for a significantly larger proportion of the heavy metals and flame retardants present in the waste stream. Currently, less than 20% of all e-waste is recycled in the United States because the heterogeneity of the feedstock limits the opportunity for reuse in high value products and processing of the waste itself is often too costly to justify handling. To address this concern, the aims of this study are: 1) to identify the major plastic and metal compositions within electronic shredder residue (ESR), 2) to formulate solvents and processing conditions to separate 90% of the plastics targeted from consumer shred ESR, and 3) to develop a process design model to estimate the cost and energy efficiency of the proposed solvent-based processing. In this study, a pre-sorted heterogeneous ESR feedstock (one where aluminum, magnetic components, and hazardous battery materials removed by an e-waste recycling facility) was used, with the major compositions of the ESR characterized. It was found that 25 wt.% of the feedstock was composed of plastics, 6 wt.% rubber, 27 wt.% printed circuit boards, 23% wire, and the remainder metals and capacitors. Within the plastic portion, polystyrene (PS, 40 wt.%), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS, 25 wt.%), and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN, 9wt.%) were identified to compose the majority of the screened plastics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Next, selective solvents were screened using Hansen Solubility Parameter Theory (HSP) for dissolving PS and ABS. The pre-screening results show that methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) are capable of dissolving the most PS and ABS, while methanol (MeOH) and ethylene glycol (EG) are capable of precipitating the most PS and ABS. These solvents were subsequently used to recover polymers and remove. flame retardants within the ESR feedstock. By optimizing the dissolution time and the solvents used, the highest polymer dissolution yield (99 wt.%%) was achieved using DCM for 48 hr. Both pre-screened anti-solvents (MeOH and EG) showed the highest polymer precipitation yield (71 wt.%). In terms of flame retardant removal rate, EG was found to have a high phosphorus-containing flame retardant removal rate (up to 98%). Characterization shows that the proposed solvent-based processing can preserve a high molecular weight fraction of the polymers and effectively remove flame retardants. Cost analysis indicates that the amount of the solvent/anti-solvent recovered after the reaction would play a critical role in reducing the operating costs. The energy analysis shows that the proposed solvent-based processes can save up to 60% of the embodied energy used to manufacture plastics used in electronics (PS and ABS were used for calculations). The results from this project prove the potential of solvent-based processing to produce secondary materials (plastics and metals) from e-waste for cross-industry reuse.
Simplified design concepts were used to estimate gravimetric and volumetric energy densities for metal hydrogen battery cells for assessing the characteristics of cells containing metal hydrides as compared to gaseous storage cells, and for comparing nickel cathode and silver cathode systems. The silver cathode was found to yield superior energy densities in all cases considered. The inclusion of hydride forming materials yields cells with very high volumetric energy densities that also retain gravimetric energy densities nearly as high as those of gaseous storage cells.
A method and apparatus wherein phase changes in a material can dampen vibrational energy, dampen noise and facilitate heat transfer. One embodiment includes a method for damping vibrational energy in a body. The method comprises attaching a material to the body, wherein the material comprises a substrate, a shape memory alloy layer, and a plurality of temperature change elements. The method further comprises sensing vibrations in the body. In addition, the method comprises indicating to at least a portion of the temperature change elements to provide a temperature change in the shape memory alloy layer, wherein the temperature change is sufficient to provide a phase change in at least a portion of the shape memory alloy layer, and further wherein the phase change consumes a sufficient amount of kinetic energy to dampen at least a portion of the vibrational energy in the body. In other embodiments, the shape memory alloy layer is a thin film. Additional embodiments include a sensor connected to the material.
In the representative embodiment of the invention disclosed, a load limiting, energy absorbing net is arranged to overlay a normally-covered vent opening in the rear bulkhead of the space orbiter vehicle. Spatially-disposed flexible retainer straps are extended from the net and respectively secured to bulkhead brackets spaced around the vent opening. The intermediate portions of the straps are doubled over and stitched together in a pattern enabling the doubled-over portions to progressively separate at a predicable load designed to be well below the tensile capability of the straps as the stitches are successively torn apart by the forces imposed on the retainer members whenever the cover plate is explosively separated from the bulkhead and propelled into the net. By arranging these stitches to be successively torn away at a load below the strap strength in response to forces acting on the retainers that are less than the combined strength of the retainers, this tearing action serves as a predictable compact energy absorber for safely halting the cover plate as the retainers are extended as the net is deployed. The invention further includes a block of an energy-absorbing material positioned in the net for receiving loose debris produced by the explosive release of the cover plate.
To holistically address building sustainability, Argonne National Laboratory has expanded its Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) life-cycle model with a new GREET Building Module. This report documents life-cycle analysis (LCA) methodology and foreground data that Argonne National Laboratory compiles and develops to address embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy impacts of a wide range of envelope and structural building materials for new construction and retrofits. The methodology and data form the backbone of the GREET Building Module. This research effort focuses on developing consistent LCA methodology that conforms to building LCA standards such as the EN 15978 to address embodied GHG emissions and energy impacts of building materials/technologies. We document detailed foreground data for selected building materials and building components that are common for building construction. To test the LCA methodology and the GREET Building Module, this report includes case studies of insulation materials and wall panels for residential building retrofit. We have developed a separate document as a User Guide for understanding and applying the GREET Building Module to conduct detailed, process-level LCA of embodied carbon and energy impacts of emerging building materials and technology solutions that of interest to the Building Technologies Office (BTO) of the US Department of Energy, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
Measuring energy consumption of buildings is well established, and techniques to evaluate the carbon associated with operating buildings are improving. Embodied carbon of buildings is more complex as it considers the release of carbon throughout the building material supply chain and building material end of life fate. Decisions made early during the design and construction of the building can influence and potentially reduce the embodied carbon of buildings. The design and construction communities are uniquely positioned to make decisions that reduce embodied carbon. The objective of this project is to understand barriers to low carbon design and delivery and to point the design and construction communities to useful resources that will result in decisions that reduce embodied carbon. The outcomes of this work include educational resources that familiarize designers and contractors with embodied carbon and life cycle assessments (LCA), case studies that focus on design changes from LCA results, an overview of LCA tools, and examples of readily available, cost-effective design and construction steps to lower embodied carbon. We present an evaluation of existing resources, organized in a decision tree guidance, and identify gaps for further resource development. Through this evaluation process we investigated ways to streamline the process of identifying barriers to implementing solutions quickly.
In one embodiment, a metal-plated polymer object includes a polymer surface, a first metal layer that has been applied to the polymer surface to render it electrically conductive, and a second metal layer that has been deposited on the first metal layer.
An integrated, optoelectronic, variable thresholding neuron implemented monolithically in GaAs integrated circuit and exhibiting high differential optical gain and low power consumption is presented. Two alternative embodiments each comprise an LED monolithically integrated with a detector and two transistors. One of the transistors is responsive to a bias voltage applied to its gate for varying the threshold of the neuron. One embodiment is implemented as an LED monolithically integrated with a double heterojunction bipolar phototransistor (detector) and two metal semiconductor field effect transistors (MESFET's) on a single GaAs substrate and another embodiment is implemented as an LED monolithically integrated with three MESFET's (one of which is an optical FET detector) on a single GaAs substrate. The first noted embodiment exhibits a differential optical gain of 6 and an optical switching energy of 10 pJ. The second embodiment has a differential optical gain of 80 and an optical switching energy of 38 pJ. Power consumption is 2.4 and 1.8 mW, respectively. Input 'light' power needed to turn on the LED is 2 micro-W and 54 nW, respectively. In both embodiments the detector is in series with a biasing MESFET and saturates the other MESFET upon detecting light above a threshold level. The saturated MESFET turns on the LED. Voltage applied to the biasing MESFET gate controls the threshold.
The computer program NECAP (NASA's Energy Cost Analysis Program) is described. The program is a versatile building design and energy analysis tool which has embodied within it state of the art techniques for performing thermal load calculations and energy use predictions. With the program, comparisons of building designs and operational alternatives for new or existing buildings can be made. The major feature of the program is the response factor technique for calculating the heat transfer through the building surfaces which accounts for the building's mass. The program expands the response factor technique into a space response factor to account for internal building temperature swings; this is extremely important in determining true building loads and energy consumption when internal temperatures are allowed to swing.
Improved negative electrodes can comprise a silicon based active material blended with graphite to provide more stable cycling at high energy densities. In some embodiments, the negative electrodes comprise a blend of polyimide binder mixed with a more elastic polymer binder with a nanoscale carbon conductive additive. The silicon-based blended graphite negative electrodes can be matched with positive electrodes comprising nickel rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides to form high energy density cells with good cycling properties.
Improved negative electrodes can comprise a silicon based active material blended with graphite to provide more stable cycling at high energy densities. In some embodiments, the negative electrodes comprise a blend of polyimide binder mixed with a more elastic polymer binder with a nanoscale carbon conductive additive. The silicon-based blended graphite negative electrodes can be matched with positive electrodes comprising nickel rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides to form high energy density cells with good cycling properties.
Falling particle solar receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that include one non-linear falling particle curtain or two or more falling particle curtains within a solar receiver that receives incident solar radiation. The particles heated in the solar receiver may be used to heat a secondary fluid. In an embodiment, the particles may be recirculated to improve energy capture and thermal efficiency. In other embodiments, an air curtain may be used across the aperture of the receiver, and flow-control devices may be used to evenly spread particles across the width of the receiver inlet. Finally, feed particles may be preheated using heat from the solar receiver.
Off-site construction methods offer the opportunity to compress costs of net zero energy housing using the advantages of mass production. Blokable, LLC, a vertically integrated modular builder, wanted to know how the learning curves of mass production would help them decarbonize their existing modular housing prototype at a relative cost advantage. The method developed for this question looked at the life cycle assessment of an individual apartment and used learning curve efficiencies to approximate the relative advantage of construction-at-scale. Greenhouse gas emissions were quantified by a learning-affected, whole life carbon emissions model and demonstrated a path to a 60% reduction of whole life CO2-equivalent in the 2030 production year. The resultant roadmap considers a best-first approach to decarbonizing a modular building product line, and the method can be replicated for other modular builders.
Magnetic materials host a wealth of nonlinear dynamics, textures, and topological defects. This is possible due to the competition between strong nonlinearity and dispersion, which act at the atomic scale, as well as long-range interactions. However, these features are difficult to study analytically and numerically because of the vastly different temporal and spatial scales involved. Here, in this work, we present a pseudospectral approach for the Landau-Lifshitz equation that invokes energy and momentum conservation embodied in the magnon dispersion relation to accurately describe both atomic and continuum limits. Furthermore, this approach enables analytical study at every scale. We show the applicability of this model in both the continuum and atomic limit by investigating modulational instability and ultrafast evolution of magnetization due to transient grating, respectively, in a one-dimensional ferromagnetic chain with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. This model provides the possibility of grid-independent multiscale numerical approaches that will enable the description of singularities within a single framework.