14.  NANOTECHNOLOGY

 

The United States has made considerable investment in nanotechnology research, with applications envisioned for medicine and health, National defense, electronics, and other areas.  This topic solicits grant applications for nanotechnology research for energy efficiency and renewable energy applications, particularly to enhance efficiency in the ways that energy is converted and used in the U.S.  Grant applications for “cross-cutting” uses of nanotechnology are especially encouraged – for example, the application of sensors and controls, originally developed for the Department of Defense, to a manufacturing industry for civilian applications.  Grant applications must clearly demonstrate how the particular nanomaterial(s) and application will save energy in one or more of the following areas of interest: oil and gas exploration,  industrial manufacturing, commercial and residential building HVAC, power electronics, wind energy systems, geothermal energy systems, biomass power systems, advanced hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and high-temperature gas turbines.  The wider the application and the greater the potential energy benefits, the better.  Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics.

 

a. Nanomaterials—Grant applications are sought to develop nanomaterials – i.e., materials that derive unique properties from a structure or function imparted to a material within the physical dimensions of 1-10 nanometers for the enhancement of energy efficiency.  Grant applications must address one or more of the following areas of interest:  (1) nanomaterials that provide unique wear resistant and erosion-resistant characteristics for improved automotive efficiency (i.e., complete and efficient combustion of fuel), and (2) nanomaterials with high temperature and pressure resistance characteristics for oil and gas exploration and U.S. manufacturing applications.  Grant applications dealing with nanocatalysts and related applications are not of interest and will be declined.

 

Questions – contact Charles Russomanno (Charles.Russomanno@ee.doe.gov)

 

b. Nanotechnology Applications in Electronics, Sensors, and Controls—Grant applications are sought to apply nanotechnology to the development of electronics, sensors, and controls for increasing energy efficiency.  Grant applications must address one or more of the following areas of interest:  (1) energy usage in manufacturing, (2) commercial and residential buildings, and (3) improved automotive performance and fuel economy..   

 

Questions – contact Charles Russomanno (Charles.Russomanno@ee.doe.gov)

 

c. Nanotechnology Applications in Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage—Grant applications are sought to apply nanotechnology to improve the performance or increase the efficiency of one or more of the following areas of interest:  wind energy systems, geothermal energy systems, and biomass power for utility applications.  Because many of these areas already have been the subject of nanotechnology R&D, grant applications must include a review of the pertinent technical and patent literature.

 

Questions – contact Charles Russomanno (Charles.Russomanno@ee.doe.gov)

 

d. Development of Nanoparticle-sized, “High Voltage” Positive Electrode Materials for Use in Advanced Lithium-Ion Cells—Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)  require increased energy density and specific energy relative to batteries now being used in HEVs.  For a lithium-ion cell, one approach to increasing these parameters – while also optimizing the ability of the cell to deliver and accept high discharge and charging currents – is to use “high voltage,” nanoparticle-sized active materials in the positive electrode.  These materials would undergo redox reactions relative to a lithium (or carbon) negative electrode at voltages significantly above 4 V.  However, state-of-the-art lithium-ion systems are rarely charged above approximately 4.2 V because of undesirable side reactions.  Many currently-available positive electrode materials are unstable at these higher voltages.  Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop nanoparticle-sized, positive electrode materials that would be appropriate for use in a lithium-ion cell in a PHEV at voltages greater than 4.8 V relative to lithium metal.  In Phase I, the stability and performance of the new material should be confirmed in laboratory cells.  In Phase II, the materials should be evaluated in lithium-ion cells of at least 2.5 Ah in size, using an electrolyte that is stable enough to allow the assessment of the properties of the electrode material.  This electrolyte does not have to meet the requirements for use in a vehicle, such as calendar or cycle life.  The Phase II evaluation must focus on the performance requirements of a PHEV as described in the references. 

 

Questions - contact James Barnes (james.barnes@ee.doe.gov) 

 

 

References:

 

1        Chemicals Industry of the Future, U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website.  (URL:  http://www.eere.energy.gov/industry/chemicals/)

 

2        Building Technology Roadmaps, U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website.  (URL:  http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tech/roadmaps.html)

 

3        FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies, “Multi-Year Program Plan”, U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website.  (URL:  http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/resources/fcvt_mypp.html

 

4        Building Technologies, “Multi-Year Program Plan,” U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website.  (URL:  http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/about/mypp.html)

 

5        Industrial Technologies Program, “Strategic Plan,” U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website.  (URL:  http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/about/strategic_plan.html)