DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

AND

SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM

FY 2006 PHASE II - AWARDS BY TOPIC

 

 

TOPIC:  ADVANCED POWER ELECTRONICS FOR ENERGY STORAGE, TRANSMISSION, AND  DISTRIBUTION APPLICATIONS

 

STTR Project                                                  Research Institution

Aegis Technology                                            University of Tennessee at Knoxville

3300 Westminster Avenue

Santa Ana, CA  92703

 

Project:  An Advanced Power Converter System Using High Temperature, High  

Power Density SiC Devices                                         

With the advantages of higher energy efficiency, compact size, and light weight for power conversion systems, SiC power devices increase system functionalities and competitiveness in marketplace. This project will develop a converter based on these SiC power devices as an essential step toward utilizing these advantages.

 

Arkansas Power Electronics                             High Power Density (100 kW) Silicon

International, Inc.                                              Carbide (SiC) Three-Phase Inverters

700 Research Center Boulevard

Fayetteville, AR  72701

 

With worldwide energy consumption becoming an epidemic and the future need for power conservation self evident, the improvement of power conversion systems and the reduction of energy waste has become a global priority. The researchers will develop high efficiency power electronic converters with an order of magnitude size and volume reduction through the implementation of the new silicon carbide semiconductor material.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  SENSORS FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING OF TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION LINES

 

 

Promethean Devices, LLC                                Novel, Low-Cost, Non-Contact, High

9896 Old Charlotte Highway                            Accuracy Sensor for the

Fort Mill, SC  29715-7133                              Simultaneous, Reliable, Real-time

Determination and Monitoring of HV

Transmission Line Sag, Temperature,

Current, and Ampacity.  

 

Through blackouts, brownouts, and curtailments, transmission grid congestion causes U.S. productivity losses totaling $46-$100 billion annually.  This project will develop a low-cost, non-contact transmission line/circuit sensor that will decrease the frequency, duration, and magnitude of grid disturbances while increasing grid reliability and enhancing the utilization, capacity, and lifetime of the existing transmission infrastructure. A reduction in consumer electricity costs should follow.

 

 

Underground Systems, Inc.                               Low Cost Sensors for Real Time

86 Business Park Drive                                     Monitoring of Overhead Transmission

Suite 109                                                          Lines

Armonk, NY  10504

 

This project will develop a new-generation line sensor for electrical overhead transmission

lines. Through the use of commercial, cell phone GPRS wireless data services, this low cost sensor will transmit early warnings of potential problems, to improve the security and reliability of the electric transmission grid, and mitigate wide-area blackouts.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Aerodyne Research, Inc.                                  Characterization of Carbonaceous

45 Manning Road                                             Particles:  Aerosol Mass

Billerica, MA  01821-3976                              Spectrometry and Light Scattering

 

This project will develop an instrument with unique capabilities for measuring organic particulate matter, including real-time measurements of particle size, chemical composition, and light scattering properties.  The instrument should enable characterization of small airborne particles generated from energy-related activities that can adversely impact global climate, human health, and visibility.

 

 

Aerodyne Research, Inc.                                  Innovative Aerosol Collector for

45 Manning Road                                             On-Line Analysis of Individual

Billerica, MA  01821-3976                              Particulate Organics

 

Small airborne particles generated from energy-related activities can adversely impact global climate, visibility within the earth’s atmosphere, and human health. We propose to develop an instrument with unique capabilities for measuring organic particulate matter, including near real-time measurements of particle size and chemical composition.

 

 

STTR Project                                      Research Institution

Aerosol Dynamics, Inc.                       The Regents of the University of

935 Grayson Street                             California

Berkeley, CA  94710-2401

 

Project:  Two Dimensional Chromatography of Atmospheric Aerosols:  A New

In-Situ Instrument

 

Creating new instrumentation for measuring the composition of organic particles in the atmosphere is critical for solving air pollution problems in the United States, and may lead to new abilities for detecting airborne tracers of drug or even weapons manufacturing. We propose to develop novel instrumentation, for high resolution field measurements, that holds the potential to revolutionize our investigations of organics in the atmosphere.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  MEDICAL SCIENCES

 

 

Illuminex Corporation                                       Nanowire Optical Assay Probe

627 Conestoga Boulevard

Lancaster, PA  17602 

 

Medical sensor systems that are highly versatile and easy to use are needed for diagnosing diseases like cancer at the early stages when the early treatment can greatly enhance survival rates. Illuminex is developing a nanotechnology-enabled portable sensor for rapid and sensitive medical diagnosis.

 

 

NanoTek, LLC                                                Rapid Microfluidic Production of PET

217 FenceRail Gap                                           Biomarkers

Walland, TN  37886-2510

 

There is a need for technology to produce radio labeled molecular imaging biomarkers for early disease detection at increased speed and reduced cost. Microfluidic chemical reactor technology will be developed to improve synthesis time and reduce reagent consumption by 30 to 100 times.

 

 

Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.                    A New Scintillator for

44 Hunt Street                                                  Time-of-Flight PET

Watertown, MA  02472-4699

 

The proposed research will investigate a promising radiation detector that will have major impact in medical imaging, homeland security, well-logging, and industrial applications.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  GENOMICS: GENOMES TO LIFE AND RELATED BIOTECHNOLOGIES

 

 

Callida Genomics Inc.                                       Universal Probe Reagents for

750 N. Pastoria Ave.                                        Detection and Quantitation of RNA

Sunnyvale, CA  94085                                      Splicing

 

The ability to provide comprehensive and cost effective detection and isolation of millions of gene splice variants is critical for medical-diagnostic, industrial, and research applications. This project will develop universal gene probe reagents and software for detecting and isolating any splice gene variant of any gene in any organism.

 

 

TOPIC:  MEASUREMENT/MONITORING AND CHARACTERIZATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE  SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENT

 

 

4th Wave Imaging Corporation                         Time-Lapse 3D GPR Characterization 

16A Journey                                                     and Monitoring of Near-Surface     

Suite 200                                                          Groundwater and Contaminant Flows  

Aliso Viejo, CA  92656-9786

 

Two hundred fifty billion dollars will be spent over the next 30 years to clean up groundwater sites contaminated with hazardous waste and petroleum products. To improve the efficiency of the clean-up operation, this research will produce ground-penetrating radar technology for imaging contaminant plumes underground, and monitoring them in real time.

 

EIC Laboratories, Inc.                                      A Fiber Optic Multipass Raman Probe

111 Downey Street                                          and Instrumentation for Monitoring

Norwood, MA  02062-2612                           Flammable Gases in High Level Waste

Tanks

                                                                                    

Flammable gases form in underground nuclear waste storage tanks, if the conditions are not properly maintained and monitored. The goal of this research is to develop a probe based on Raman spectroscopy for monitoring flammable gases.

 

 

STTR Project                                                  Research Institution

Geomatrix Consultants, Inc.                          Lawrence Berkeley National

2101 Webster Street                                        Laboratory

12th floor

Oakland, CA  94612-3027

 

Project:  Development of HydroImage: A User-Friendly Hydrogeophysical

Characterization Software Package 

 

A user-friendly software package will be developed for characterizing subsurface conditions at contaminated sites. The software will enable the design and implementation of efficient, cost-effective remediation systems for site cleanup and restoration.

 

 

Multi-Phase Technologies, LLC                        An Ultra-Precise System for

310 Rebecca Drive                                           Electrical Resistivity Tomography

Sparks, NV  89436                                          Measurements

 

In this project, hardware and procedures of an established geophysical imaging technique will be improved to provide a ten-fold increase in measurement precision.  Applications include site closures and long-term monitoring of contained waste sites and remediation processes, plus characterizing subsurface water flow and movement of dissolved or suspended chemicals.

 

 

Vista Photonics, Inc.                                         In Situ Optical Monitor for Waste

67 Condesa Road                                            Tank Gases

Santa Fe, NM  87508-8136

 

Long-term environmental risk-assessment of waste storage tanks requires continuous monitoring of gases within the tank headspace. In a rugged, compact, and inexpensive package, the proposed optical sensor will provide continuous detection of multiple targeted gases.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR REDUCING ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE

 

 

GVD Corporation                                            A High-Throughput Assay for

19 Blackstone Street                                        Microbe-Based Hydrogen Production

Suite 1

Cambridge, MA  02139

 

Certain types of algae and bacteria can facilitate the conversion of sunlight directly into hydrogen, and could turn out to be the most sustainable source of energy for the future. Our goal is to accelerate progress in this area by developing an instrument that can quickly and accurately identify those microbes which are producing hydrogen, allowing researchers to pinpoint and harvest candidate organisms many times faster than previously possible.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  CARBON CYCLE MEASUREMENTS OF THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE BIOSPHERE

 

 

Atmospheric Observing Systems, Inc.               Ultralight, Low-power Probes of

1930 Central Avenue                                        Carbon Dioxide

Suite A

Boulder, CO  80301

 

Inexpensive probe detection systems are being developed for deployment from airborne, ground-based, and oceanic platforms. The detection systems will observe carbon sequestration within entire natural ecosystems and aid in the prediction of global climate change.

 

 

Atmospheric Observing Systems, Inc.               Vertically Integrated Measuring and

1930 Central Avenue                                        Monitoring Instrumentation for

Suite A                                                             Terrestrial Sinks and Sources of

Boulder, CO  80301                                        Carbon Dioxide

 

A suite of instruments will be developed to monitor the flow of carbon dioxide within terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The suite will include instruments for monitoring CO2, an unmanned airborne vehicle for mapping concentrations, and expendable probes for measuring concentrations at strategic locations.

 

 

LI-COR Biosciences                                        A Laser-based Instrument Platform

4421 Superior Street                                        for Measuring Methane and Other

Lincoln, NE  68504-1395                                Trace Gases

 

This project will develop an economical, robust, and reliable methane gas analyzer, capable of long-term measurements in remote areas for global climate change and environmental research. The device also can serve as a laser-based instrument platform for developing analyzers of other trace gases.

 

 

Physical Sciences Inc.                                       Laser-based Sensor for routine, High

20 New England Business Center                     Precision, Field Measurements of

Andover, MA  10810-1077                             Ambient CO2

 

Policy decisions relating to resource utilization and energy production are based on various models of global climate change and regional air quality. These models rely on the accuracy of measurements of trace species in the atmosphere, such as CO2. This project will develop a sensor for monitoring CO2 with high precision.

 

 

Vista Photonics, Inc.                                         Optical Carbon Dioxide Field Isotope

67 Condesa Road                                            Ratiometer

Santa Fe, NM  87508-8136

 

Measurement of carbon dioxide isotopes is critical to understanding global warming. The

technology developed will allow rapid and precise measurement of these isotopes at relevant levels in the atmosphere.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  COAL GASIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES

 

 

Eltron Research Inc.                                         Advanced Coal Gasification System

4600 Nautilus Court South

Boulder, CO  80301-3241

 

This project will develop a chemical looping system, a novel means of gasifying coal that will reduce the cost of a FutureGen power plant by 20%. These plants will then be cost-competitive with traditional power plants, yet have minimal emissions such as CO2.

 

 

TDA Research, Inc.                                          Sorbents for Air Separation

12345 W. 52nd Avenue

Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-1916

 

The use of advanced, highly efficient and environmentally responsible coal-based processes that can overcome the economic and environmental impediments that limit the full utilization of coal is hindered by the presence of wide spectrum trace contaminants. TDA will develop a new material to provide low-cost oxygen to support the widespread utilization of coal.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORT FOR EXISTING FOSSIL ENERGY FACILITIES

 

 

 STTR Project                                                 Research Institution

Bloom Consultants, LLC                                Board of Regents of the University

10001  Innovation Dr.                                                of Wisconsin

 Suite 200

 Milwaukee, WI  53226

 

Project:  Utilize Cementitious High Carbon Fly Ash (CHCFA) to Stabilize Cold

In-Place Recycled (CIR) Asphalt Pavement as Base Course

 

The land filling of high carbon fly ash generates significant land purchase costs and environmental concern.  This project will use high carbon fly ash to stabilize recycled asphalt pavement and create a strong base for new pavement. Benefits include reducing landfill costs and enhancing the environment.

 

 

Ceramatec, Inc.                                                High Volume Utilization of Fly Ash

2425 South 900 West                                      Containing Mercury-Impregnated

Salt Lake City, UT  84119-1517                      Activated Carbon

 

In concrete applications, fly ash that contains activated carbon and mercury is not suitable for use as a partial replacement for Portland cement. This project will develop, characterize, and determine the manufacturing requirements for concrete made with fly ash that contains carbon and mercury.

 

 

Energy Concepts Company                              Water-Conserving Steam Ammonia Power

627 Ridgely Avenue                                         Cycle

Annapolis, MD  21401-1062

 

Power production consumes too much fresh water and too much fuel. In this project, a new power production cycle will be developed that markedly reduces water usage without increasing fuel consumption, and without increasing cost.

 

Sporian Microsystems, Inc.                               Adaptable Sensor Packaging for High

515 Courtney Way, Suite B                              Temperature Fossil Fuel Energy

Lafayette, CO  80026-8821                             Systems

 

While micro-sensors that will allow for the optimized conversion of fossil fuel for power generation have been demonstrated, what is missing is packaging to protect the micro-sensors from harsh environments, and to allow the sensors to be implemented into practice. The proposed work is to develop an engineered, standard testing package, with an integrated protective housing, to enable the use of micro-sensors in high temperature harsh environments, so that cost and performance targets of high-efficiency, low emissions fossil-fuel plants can be achieved.

 

 

TOPIC:  OIL, TAR SANDS, AND OIL SHALE TECHNOLOGIES

 

 

Composite Technology Development,               Downhole Heater Cables for Oil Shale

    Inc.                                                              Recovery

2600 Campus Drive

Suite D

Lafayette, CO  80026

 

High-performance heater cables are a critical technological need for oil shale recovery. New cables with a composite insulation system will be developed to meet application requirements and secure a domestic source of oil for the nation.

 

 

Kalsi Engineering, Inc.                                      Advanced Sealed Bearing Assembly for

745 Park Two Drive                                         Positive Displacement Motors used in

Sugar Land, TX  77478-2843                          Micro-borehole Drilling

 

The proposed research is aimed at the development of an advanced Sealed Bearing Assembly for use in micro-hole drilling of oil and gas.  The advanced seal bearings should enable drill motors to operate under high differential pressures for increased efficiency and for long lifetimes necessary to accomplish dramatic reductions in drilling costs.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  NATURAL GAS AND HYDROGEN SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES

 

 

CM-TEC, Inc.                                                 High Bulk-Density, Large Capacity

1 Innovation Way                                             Activated Carbons for Small-Scale

Suite 100                                                          Natural Gas Storage

Newark, DE  19711

 

Natural gas supply network is ill-distributed for projected growth in natural gas used for power generation. We propose to develop an adsorbed natural gas storage system, which will be well suited for residential and commercial backup generators, and for new small- to mid-size commercial power generators.

 

 

Synergistic Advanced Technologies,                  High-Temperature Ceramic Capacitors

      LLC                                                           for Applications in Deep Drilling

8987 East Tanque Verde Road                         and Completion Processes

Suite 292B

Tucson, AZ  85749-9610

 

This project aims to develop high temperature capacitors that are urgently needed in deep drilling of gas and oil. In this effort, high temperature capacitors will be developed by using a new type of temperature-compensating nanocomposite dielectrics.

 

 

TDA Research, Inc.                                          High Efficiency, Low-Cost Reforming

12345 W. 52nd Avenue                                   to Produce Hydrogen

Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-1916

 

This project will develop technology to enhance the generation of hydrogen in large-scale plants. The overall goal is to reduce the cost of hydrogen production from natural gas, increase its efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (SOFC) AND MATERIAL RESEARCH

 

 

Eltron Research Inc.                                         Reformer for Conversion of Diesel

4600 Nautilus Court South                               Fuel into CO and Hydrogen

Boulder, CO  80301-3241                                                    

 

The diesel-fuel-reforming system, developed in this project, will reduce the cost of fuel cell systems that produce electricity in diesel-powered vehicles. The compact reforming system can be fed all grades of sulfur-containing diesel, plus other liquid and gaseous fuels, ranging from natural gas to bottom-of-the-barrel petroleum residues.

 

 

Phoenix Analysis and Design                             Low Cost Hot Anode Recycle Blower

     Technologies

7755 S. Research Drive

Suite 110

Tempe, AZ  85284-1803

 

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell systems, developed for the distributed power industry, require a very high temperature (850º C) pump to re-circulate fuel. This project focuses on developing a pump that can provide that function in a cost-effective package.

 

 

R&D Dynamics Corporation                             Foil Gas Bearing Supported High

15 Barber Pond Road                                      Speed Centrifugal Blower

Bloomfield, CT  06095

 

A high-speed, high-temperature anode gas recycle centrifugal blower will be designed, manufactured and demonstrated, which will increase the efficiency of solid oxide fuel cell systems. A high-speed direct drive motor combined with foil gas bearing technology will result in a low cost, efficient, small, oil-free and reliable blower.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  MATERIALS RESEARCH

 

 

Faraday Technology, Inc.                                 Development of Electrically Mediated

315 Huls Drive                                                 Electrophoretic Deposition for

Clayton, OH  45315-8983                               Thermal Barrier Coating Systems

 

The proposed project will develop a low cost process to deposit protective coatings that enable increased operating temperatures in gas turbine engines. The proposed coating deposition process is simpler, faster and less expensive than competing technologies in current use.

 

 

STTR Project                                                  Research Institution

Karta Technologies, Inc.                                 Southwest Research Institute

5555 Northwest Parkway

San Antonio, TX  78249-3339

 

Project:  Nanostructured Coatings by Pulsed Plasma Processing for Alloys

in Coal-Fired Environments

 

Materials used in power generation applications, such as Fe- and Ni-based alloys, are subjected to severe damage caused by oxygen and sulfur at high temperatures. This project will develop a plasma-enhanced process to deposit nanostructured coatings of nickel and iron aluminides onto alloy surfaces for increased corrossion resistance and longer material lifetimes.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  ADVANCED FOSSIL FUELS RESEARCH

 

 

STTR Project                                                  Research Institution

Altuda Energy Corporation                            Virginia Polytechnic Insitute and

401 Austin Highway                                        State University

Suite 209

San Antonio, TX  78209-4670

 

Project:  Accelerated Biomethanation of Sequestered Carbon Dioxide and

Paraffin in Coal Beds                                            

 

In this project, enhanced coal bed methane recovery, using carbon dioxide sequestration, will be followed by the accelerated in situ bioconversion of paraffin and carbon dioxide into methane, an environmentally clean energy source. The simultaneous removal of pore-plugging paraffin will increase natural gas production rates and its ultimate recovery from coal beds, sandstones, and carbonate reservoirs.

 

 

Specialties Group, Inc.                                      An Economic Process for Coal

1128 University Drive                                       Liquefaction to Liquid Fuels

Morrisville, PA  19067

 

In order to meet increasing US energy needs while utilizing the vast supply of American coal, the cost of direct coal liquefaction should be reduced. A novel coal liquefaction process is being developed to produce high quality transportation fuel at low cost.    

 

 

 

TOPIC:  TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO ENERGY STORAGE FOR ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES

 

 

STTR Project                                                  Research Institution

MER Corporation (Materials and                   Brookhaven National Laboratory

       Electrochemical Research)

7960 South Kolb Road

Tucson, AZ  85706-9237

 

Project:  Improved Performance of Lithium-ion Cells at Low Temperature     

 

A high performance additive material is proposed to improve the low temperature performance of organic-solvent-based electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries. It would benefit the Nation to become the source of the economical additive material for lithium-ion batteries, which can be used for automotives, electronics, and virtually any secondary power requirement.

 

 

Physical Sciences Inc.                                       Electroactive Polymer Separator to

20 New England Business Center                     Protect from Overcharging in Lithium

Andover, MA  10810-1077                             Ion Batteries

 

This project will promote energy efficient transportation through improvements in the

performance of Li-ion batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles. Overcharging of individual cells within a battery is one of the dominant causes for the short cycle life of hybrid electric vehicle battery packs. This proposed separator is a cost-effective tool to prevent the deleterious effects of overcharging, and thereby enable long life rechargeable batteries.

 

 

TIAX, LLC                                                      Technology to Improve the

15 Acorn Park                                                 Performance of Lithium-Ion Cells at

Cambridge, MA  02140-2390                          Low Temperatures

 

Previously, potential pathways were identified for improving low-temperature performance of lithium iron phosphate, used in automotive batteries.  Based on this research, this project will develop a material that meets the requirements for automotive batteries at low temperatures.

 

 

TOXCO Inc.                                                    Improved Electrolytes For

1830 Columbia Avenue                                    Electrochemical Capacitors

Folcroft, PA  19032-1905

 

Hybrid electric vehicles will require the use of ultra capacitors, which currently contain a flammable, toxic electrolyte for high performance.  This project is replacing this undesirable electrolyte with a non-flammable non-toxic electrolyte, with heightened performance and increased voltage range.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  TECHNOLOGIES FOR HYDROGEN TRANSPORT AND STORAGE

 

 

Mohawk Innovative Technology, Inc.                Oil-Free Hydrogen Compressor

1037 Watervliet-Shaker Road

Albany, NY  12205-2033

 

For the hydrogen economy to become a reality and achieve energy independence, efficient and reliable large-scale compressors are needed to transport hydrogen gas from production to end user locations. Oil-free non-contacting bearings, which are one of the most critical technologies needed to support development of these compressors, will be demonstrated under this program.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  ENERGY EFFICIENT MEMBRANES

 

 

Compact Membrane Systems, Inc.                   Hybrid Anti-Fouling Membrane System

325 Water Street                                              for Natural Gas Separation

Wilmington, DE  19804-2410

 

Natural gas resources that are contaminated with hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide cannot be used or pumped. This project will enhance membrane processes that remove these contaminants and expand the useable supply of natural gas.

 

 

Compact Membrane Systems, Inc.                   Hybrid Membrane Distillation Process

325 Water Street                                              for Enhanced Integrated Ethanol

Wilmington, DE  19804-2410                           Production

 

Biomass-based ethanol represents an environmentally friendly, renewable

domestic fuel source for enhanced US fuel independence. This program will significantly reduce the energy and capital costs of making fuel-grade ethanol.

 

 

Media and Process Technology, Inc.                 Hydrogen Recovery Via Nanoporous

1155 William Pitt Way                                      Carbon Membrane for Large Scale

Pittsburgh, PA  15238-1368                             Refinery Application

 

This project will develop a nanoporous carbon membrane for hydrogen recovery for large-scale refinery applications. Hydrogen recovery efficiency will be improved through the membrane structure, and a payback period of less than one year is feasible. 

 

 

Media and Process Technology, Inc.                 Dehydration of Acids and Harsh

1155 William Pitt Way                                      Chemicals Via Pervaporation/Vapor

Pittsburgh, PA  15238-1368                             Permeation Using Inorganic Membranes

 

This project will develop a membrane that will reduce the capital and operating cost, and improve the reliability of pervaporation and vapor permeation membranes.  These enhancements should open the door to widespread acceptance of this important energy saving technology in the chemical, pharmaceutical, refining, and other industries

 

 

Membrane Technology and Research,               Novel Nanoporous Polymer Membranes 

    Inc. (MTR)                                                   for Gas and Vapor Separations      

1360 Willow Road

Suite 103

Menlo Park, CA  94025-1516

 

Nanoporous polymer membranes, with improved separation performance in refinery and natural gas applications, have been developed. This project will lead to a field-demonstrated membrane separation system that will significantly lower the cost of gas processing in important refinery and natural gas processing applications.

 

 

PoroGen Corporation                                       Membrane Process for Bioethanol

200 Boston Avenue                                          Production

Suite 4750

Medford, MA  02155-4257

 

A low cost membrane-based process for production of bioethanol will be

developed. The process will reduce the cost of bioethanol production and advance its use

as a renewable energy source that reduces atmospheric emissions and decreases US

dependence on foreign oil.

 

 

Trans Ionics Corporation                                  Membrane Mediated Extraction Process

2408 Timberloch Place, Suite D-5                    for Olefin/Paraffin Separation

P.O. Box 130511

The Woodlands, TX  77382

 

This project will develop a membrane-mediated extraction process that has the potential to achieve highly selective recovery of ethylene or propylene from mixed gas waste streams. This environmentally friendly process should conserve large amounts of energy currently expended in the separation of these species by cryogenic distillation.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

 

 

STTR Project                                                  Research Institution

Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI)                            Ohio University

141 West Xenia Avenue

P.O. Box 579

Cedarville, OH  45314-0579

 

Project:  Development of Low Cost Conducting Polymer for Electrostatic

Precipitators

 

With more than half of US electricity generated from coal, the development of clean coal technology has become a national priority. This project will use carbon nanofibers to produce improved air pollution control devices for our nation’s 1,000 coal-burning power plants.

 

 

Lynntech, Inc.                                                   Enhanced Catalysts from

7607 Eastmark Drive                                        Nanostructured Materials

Suite 102

College Station, TX  77840-4027

 

Catalyst cost is a significant impediment to a US hydrogen economy.  This project will develop a plasma-based catalyst production system that eliminates chemical wastes, reduces manpower requirements.  Furthermore, its product, a nano-scale fuel cell catalyst, should outperform commercially available, higher cost catalysts.

 

 

Nanotek Instruments, Inc                                  Nano Graphene Plate-Reinforced

1214 43rd Street NW                                      Polymer Composites

Fargo, ND  58102

 

In this project a new class of nano-materials, with superior mechanical and electrical properties, plus related manufacturing technologies for both load-bearing and functional applications will be developed. Advanced composites from these nano-materials should find use in aerospace and sports equipment as well as automotive and other transportation industries.

 

 

TDA Research, Inc.                                          Nanostructured Materials for Olefin

12345 W. 52nd Avenue                                   Oligomerization

Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-1916

 

This project will optimize and then make new materials for the production of improved synthetic oils. The synthetic oils should allow for increased gas mileage (a potential 0.15 Quads/year in energy savings for the U.S.) and lengthened service life in automotive and gas turbine engines. Reduced environmental impact from the oil should follow through a decrease in CO2 emissions as well as used oil disposal.

 

 

Wright Materials Research Company                Filtration of Fluid Media Containing

1187 Richfield Center                                       Very Fine Heavy Metals

Beavercreek, OH  45430-1120

 

Filters are necessary items to maintain a safe living environment for human beings as they provide a means to clean up fluids containing particles, waste, metal working contaminants, and even radioactive materials. There is a lack of efficient and suitable filters to purify fluids containing a few to submicron particles. This project will develop composite nano-structured filters to solve the problem, and allow for a safer living environment. The processing technique has the feature of low energy consumption.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  ALTERNATIVE REACTION MEDIA FOR INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL PROCESSES

 

 

Exelus, Inc.                                                       New Energy Efficient Route to

99 Dorsa Avenue                                             Styrene

Livingston, NJ  07039   

 

The manufacture of styrene, a large-volume commodity chemical, is a major contributor to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. An energy-efficient cleaner-by-design process is being developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase US profits through use of lower cost feed-stocks.

 

 

 

TOPIC:  SOLID STATE INORGANIC AND ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODES FOR GENERAL IGHTING

 

 

Fairfield Crystal Technology, LLC                    A Novel Growth Technique for Large

8 South End Plaza                                            Diameter AlN Single Crystal

New Milford, CT  06776-4200

 

Widespread use of high brightness light emitting devices for general lighting in offices and homes will save enormous energy consumed in lighting. But inadequate substrate materials hamper the development of highly efficient light emitting devices. This project will develop and commercialize aluminum nitride single crystal substrates that enable fabrication of highly efficient light emitting devices for solid-state lighting.

 

 

Universal Display Corporation                    &n