2009

U.S. Department of Energy

Small Business Innovation Research

And

Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

Technical Topic Descriptions

 

OFFICE OF BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES

Program Area Overview

1.  Technology to Support BES User Facilities

a. Synchrotron Radiation Facilities

b. Beam Diagnostic Instrumentation for Free Electron Lasers and 3rd Generation Light Sources

c. High Power Mercury Spallation Targets

d. Instrumentation for Ultrafast X-ray Science

 

2.  Radio Frequency (RF) Devices and Components for Accelerator Facilities

     a. Power Devices and Components for High Level Radio Frequency (RF) Accelerator   Systems

     b. Modulators for High Level Radio Frequency (RF) Accelerator Systems

     c. Low Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) Accelerator Systems

     d. Devices for the Manipulation of Electron Beams

 

3.  Advanced Sources for Accelerator Facilities

     a. Electron Gun Technology

     b. High Brightness Sources of Negative Hydrogen Ions

     c. Undulator Radiation Sources

 

4.  Ancillary Technologies for Accelerator Facilities

     a. Accelerator Modeling and Control

     b. Superconducting Technology for Accelerators

     c. Cooling of Superconducting Systems
     d. Advanced Laser Systems for Accelerator Applications

 

5.  Instrumentation for Electron Microscopy and Scanning Probe Microscopy

     a. Electron Microscopy and Microcharacterization
      b. Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM)

 

6.  Instrumentation for Materials Research Using Synchrotron Radiation

     a. Beam Line Optics

     b. Control of Sample Environment

     c. Detectors

 

7.  Advanced Coal Research

     a. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Utilization

      b. Development of NDE Techniques and Monitoring Methods for Continuous Plant   Assessment of Critical Components at Temperature and Pressure

     c. Oxygen Reduction Catalyst Development

 

8.  Advanced Battery Electrode Development

     a. Novel Electrode Materials (Non-lithium Based Chemistries)

     b. Hydride Storage Material for Electrodes in Aqueous Alkaline Chemistries

 

9.  Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems

  a.  Advanced Radiation Resistant Ferritic-Martensitic Alloys and Oxide Dispersion       Strengthened (ODS) Steels

     b.  Advanced Refractory, Ceramic, Ceramic Composite, Graphitic or Coated Materials

     c.  Advanced Technologies for the Assessment and Mitigation of Materials Degradation for Light Water Reactor Systems and Components

    

10.  Solid State Lighting 

       a. SSL Products for General Illumination Applications

       b. Off-Grid SSL Products

       c. Core Technology for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

      d. Core Technology for Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)

 

11.  Advanced Materials and Technologies for Cooling and Waste Heat Recovery
       a. Solid-State Materials and Devices for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Applications

       b. Advanced Working Fluids and Mechanical Vapor Compression Systems

       c. Advanced Heat Exchanger Technologies

 d. Advanced Waste Heat Recovery for Electricity Generation or Cooling Applications

 

12.  Energy Efficient Membranes

       a. Membrane Materials with Improved Properties

       b. Biofuels and Bioproducts

       c. Hydrogen Production

      d. Industrial Membrane Process Systems

 

13.  Catalysis

        a. Selective Catalytic Conversion of Fossil Feedstocks
        b. Biomass Deconstruction and Catalytic Conversion to Fuels
        c. Photo- and Electro-Driven Conversion of Carbon Dioxide and Water

14.  Nanotechnology

       a. Nanomaterials

       b. Nanotechnology Applications in Electronics, Sensors, and Controls

       c. Nanotechnology Applications in Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage

       d. Development of Nanoparticle-sized, “High Voltage” Positive Electrode Materials for Use in Advanced Lithium-Ion Cells

 

15.  Technologies  Related to Energy Storage for Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

        a. Technologies to Assess the Behavior of a Lithium-Ion Cell Containing an Internal Short Circuit

        b. Development of Asymmetric Electrochemical Capacitors

        c. Development of Lithium-ion Cells that Do Not Require the Positive Electrode to Provide the Lithium that Is Cycled

       d. Additives to Reduce the Flammability of Materials Vented from a Lithium-ion Cell

 

OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

Program Area Overview

16.  Energy Savings Technologies for Commodity Manufacturing Industries 

       a. Sensors and Controls    

       b. Agile Manufacturing

       c. Process Heat Transfer Enhancement 

 

17.  Increasing Efficiency in Traditional Lighting Technologies 

       a. High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

       b. Fluorescent Lamp and Phospors

       c. Advanced Ballasts and Controls

       d. Incandescent Lamps

 

18.  Production of Biofuels from Biomass 

       a. Biomass Moisture Management and Material Stabilization

       b. Microalgal Feedstock Production 

       c. Small-Scale Transportable Biomass Pyrolysis Technology

       d. Biomass Densification

 

19.  Advanced Water Power Technology Development 

       a. Wave and Current Energy Technologies

       b. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Systems (OTEC)
       c. Advanced Hydropower Systems

 

20.  Wind Energy Technology Development 

       a. Manufacturing and Assembly

       b. Component Reliability

       c. Condition Monitoring

21.  Geothermal Technologies 

       a. Advanced Exploration Technologies for Hidden Geothermal Resources

       b. High-Temperature Sensors and Components for Geothermal Applications

       c. Flow Path Characterization and Sensing Techniques for Enhanced Geothermal and Hydrothermal Systems

 

22.  Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies

       a. Hydrogen Production Process Intensification Technology  

       b. Hydrogen Home Fueling System

       c. Modeling of Hydrogen-Dispensing Options for Advanced Storage  

      d. On-Line Measurement of PEM Electrolyzer Stacks

 

23.  Solar Energy 

       a. PV Devices with Reduced Silicon Intensity

       b. High Efficiency Organic or Sensitized Photovoltaic Cells

       c. Advanced Concentrating Systems

     d. Device Manufacturing, Packaging and Assembly

 

24. Improved Motor Designs and Power Electronics Advancements for Hybrid and  Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
      a. Eddy Current Loss Calculation

      b. High-Power-Density, Non-Permanent-Magnet, Electric Motor Development for Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Fuel Cell Vehicles
      c. High Temperature Packaging
     d. Development of an Accelerated Life Test for HEV/PHEV Power Modules

 

OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY

Program Area Overview

25.  Climate Control Technology for Fossil Energy Applications

       a. Advanced Solvents for CO2 Capture from Existing Coal-fired Power Plants

       b. Advanced Sorbents for CO2 Capture from Existing Coal-fired Power Plants

       c. Advanced Monitoring Technologies for Geologic CO2 Sequestration 

       d. Advanced Technologies for Mitigating CO2 Leaks from Geologic Sequestration Sites

       e. Alternative Use and Reuse of CO2

26.  Oil and Gas
       a. Methane Hydrates
       b. Produced Water Treatment Technologies

27.  Coal Gasification Technologies
       a. Non-Cryogenic Separation of Oxygen from Air 
       b. Concepts for Methane-Production in Gasifiers 
       c. Concepts for Feeding Coal and Coal/Biomass Mixtures into a High-Pressure Gasifier  
       d.  Hydrogen Production and Process Intensification

28.  Use of Algae for Fuels Production

        a. Concepts for Extracting Oil from Algae
        b. Converting Algae-Derived Biodiesel into Aviation Fuels

 

29.  Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology for Coal-Based Power Plants

       a. High-Temperature Sealing Systems Based on Viscous Glass

       b. Cost-Effective Interconnect Coating Process Development

       c. Novel Contaminant-Tolerant Cermet Anodes

       d. Trace Element Removal from Syngas for SOFC Applications  

 

30.  Advanced Turbine Technology for IGCC Power Plants     

       a. Advanced Alloy Development for High Temperature Turbines

       b. Novel Coating Methods for Unique TBC/Bond Coat Architecture that Can Operate at Higher Temperatures

       c. Innovative Cooling Approaches

 

31.  Sensors and Controls for Fossil Energy Power Generation Systems

       a. Solids Flow Characterization Measurements in High Temperature, Non-Mechanical Valve Systems

       b. Development of Standard Packaging and Integration of Sensors for Industrial On-Line use in Harsh Environments

       c. New Approach to Process Control Architecture for Operation of Large Scale Central Power Systems

 

32.  High Performance Materials for Fossil Energy Power Generation Systems

       a. Surface Modification of Alloys for Ultrasupercritical Coal-Fired Boilers             

       b. Sealing Technology for Gas Separation Devices

       c. Computer-Aided Development of  Novel New Materials for Energy Conversion from Coal

 

OFFICE OF HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS

Program Area Overview

33.  High-Speed Electronic Instrumentation for Data Acquisition and Processing
       a. Special Purpose Chips and Devices for Large Particle Detectors

       b. Circuits and Systems for Processing Data from Particle Detectors

       c. Systems for Data Analysis and Transmission

      d. Enhancements to Standard Interconnection Systems

 

34.  High Energy Physics Computer Technology

       a. Large Scale Computer Systems
       b. Computational Methods for Petascale Physics
       c. Software to Support Collaborations of Dispersed Researchers

       d. Web Tools and Associated Infrastructure to Support Collaborations

       e. Simulation and Modeling Techniques and Systems

 

35.  High Energy Physics Detectors
       a. Particle Detection and Identification Devices

       b. Detector Support and Integration Components

 

36.  High-Field Superconductor and Superconducting Magnet Technologies for High Energy Particle Colliders

       a. High-Field Superconducting Wire Technologies for Magnets
       b. Superconducting Magnet Technology

       c. Starting Raw materials and Basic Superconducting Materials

      d. Ancillary Technologies for Superconductors

 

37.  Accelerator Technology for the International Linear Collider

       a. Superconducting Radiofrequency Cavities

       b. Instrumentation for SRF Cavities

       c. Cryogenic and Refrigeration Technology for SRF Systems

       d. Beam Instrumentation and Feedback Systems

      e. Undulators
      f. Magnet and Fast Kicker Technology
      g. Polarized RF Photocathode Sources

38.  Advanced Concepts and Technology for High Energy Accelerators

       a. Advanced Accelerator Concepts and Modeling

       b. Technology for Muon Colliders and Muon Beams
       c. Novel Device and Instrumentation Development

       d. Laser Technology for Accelerators
       e. Inexpensive High Quality Electron Sources

       f. Hardware and Software Solutions for Accelerator Control

       g. Computational Tools and Simulation of Accelerator Systems

 

39.  Radio Frequency Accelerator Technology for High Energy Accelerators and Colliders

       a. New Concepts and Modeling Techniques for Radio Frequency Acceleration Structures

       b. Materials and Fabrication Technologies for SRF Cavities
       c. Radio Frequency Power Sources and Components 
       d. Modulators for Pulsed Radio Frequency Systems

       e. Switching Technology for Pulsed Power Applications

       f. Energy Storage for Pulsed Power Systems

       g. Deflecting Cavities (AKA “Crab Cavities”) for Luminosity Enhancement in Colliders

 

 

OFFICE OF BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Program Area Overview

40.  Imaging, Radiochemistry, and Artificial Retina

       a. Radiochemistry

       b. Advanced Imaging Technologies
 c. Hermetic Packaging for Artificial Retina Integrated Microelectronic Systems

 

41.  Genomes-to-Life (GTL) and Related Biotechnologies

       a. Improved Technology for Transformation of Microbial and Plant Cells

       b. Instrumentation for Biofilms and Anaerobic Bacteria

       c. Instrumentation for Dynamical Analysis of Lignocellulose Processing

       d. Dueterated Macromolecule Resources

 

42.  Technologies for Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring

       a. Mapping and Monitoring Hydrogeologic Processes in the Shallow Subsurface

       b. Real-Time, In Situ Measurements of Geochemical, Biogeochemical and Microbial Processes in the Subsurface

 

43.  Carbon Cycle Measurements of the Atmosphere and the Biosphere

       a. Sensors and Techniques for Measuring Terrestrial Carbon Sinks and Sources

       b. Novel Measurements of Carbon, CO2, and Trace Greenhouse Gas Constituents of Terrestrial and Atmospheric Media

 

44.  Atmospheric Measurement Technology

       a. Stabilizer Platforms for Radiometers

       b. Oxygen-Band Spectrometer

       c. Measurements of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols

       d. Measurements of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosol Precursors

       e. Aerosol Size Distributions

       f. Aerosol Scattering and Absorption 

       g. Aerosol Scattering Coefficient and Phase Function

 

45.  Enhancing Availability of Climate Model Output 

       a. Accessibility of Climate Model Data to Non-Researchers


OFFICE OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS

Program Area Overview

46.  Nuclear Physics Accelerator Technology

       a. Materials and Components for Radio Frequency Devices

       b. Radio Frequency Power Sources

       c. Design and Operation of Radio Frequency Beam Acceleration Systems

       d. Particle Beam Sources and Techniques

       e. Accelerator Control and Diagnostics

 

47.  Nuclear Physics Software and  Data Management

       a. Large Scale Data Storage
       b. Large Scale Data Processing and Distribution
       c. Large Scale Data Archiving and Maintenance
      d. Grid and Cloud Computing

48.  Nuclear Physics  Electronics Design and Fabrication
      a. Advances in Digital Electronics
      b. Circuits
      c. Advanced Devices and Systems

      d. Active Pixel Sensors
     e. Manufacturing and Advanced Interconnection Techniques

 

49.  Nuclear Physics Instrumentation, Detection Systems and Techniques

       a. Advances in Detector and Spectrometer Technology

       b. Technology for Rare Particle Detection

       c. Large Band Gap Semiconductors, New Bright Scintillators, Calorimeters, and Optical  Elements

      d. Specialized Targets for Nuclear Physics Research

 

 

OFFICE OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING RESEARCH

Program Area Overview

 

50.  Software Libraries and Applications Maintenance and Scaling to Petascale
       a. Technology to Support the Accessibility and Maintenance of Scientific Software Libraries

       b. Scaling Mathematical Tools and Libraries to Petascale

51.  Scientific Visualization and Data Understanding
       a. Collaborative Data Analysis and Visualization
       b. Comparative Visualization

       c. Distance Visualization
       d. Knowledge-Assisted Visualization
       e. Petabyte-Scale Data Transformation, Discovery, and Distribution

52.  High Performance Networks
      a. High-Speed Network Provisioning Tools and Services
      b. High-Speed Network Security Systems

      c. High-Speed Data Transfer Tools and Services

      d. Federated Network Management Services and Technologies

53.  Scalable System Software for Petascale Computer Systems

       a. Petascale System Hardware and Software
       b. Petascale File Systems
       c. Applied Computational Sciences Partnership

54. Scalable Middleware and Grid Technologies

      a. Scalable Middleware Technologies
      b.  Scalable Grid Technologies
      c. Scientific Hosting Services and Tools

OFFICE OF FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES

Program Area Overview

55.  Advanced Technologies and Materials for Fusion Energy Systems Plasma Facing Components 

a.       Plasma Facing Components

b.      Blanket Materials and Systems

c.       Superconducting Magnets and Materials

d.      Structural Materials and Coatings

 

56.  Fusion Science and Technology

       a. U.S. ITER Diagnostics

       b. Components for Heating and Fueling of Fusion Plasmas

       c. Fusion Plasma Simulation and Data Analysis Tools

      d. Components and Modeling Support for Innovative Approaches to Fusion

 

57.  High Energy Density Laboratory Plasma (HEDLP)

       a. Beam Generation, Compression, and Focusing

       b. Fast Ignition

       c. Magneto-inertial Fusion, and Other Innovative Approaches to Create High Energy Density Plasmas

 

 

OFFICE OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION 

Program Area Overview

58.  Remote Sensing

       a. Small, High-density Electronics for High-rate Digitized Waveform Readout

       b. Long-Wave Infrared Transmitting Optical Fiber

       c. FTIR Detectors optimized for the 300 to 1000 cm-1 region

       d. Accurate Measurement and Calculation of Sky Temperature

        e. Spectral Assisted Moving Vehicle Tracking

 

59.  Alternative Radiological Sources

        a. Alternative Radiological Sources

 

60.  Simulation And Software Tools For Nonproliferation R&D

       a. Determination of Utility of Data Fusion

 b. Tools for Radiation Tolerant and/or Hardened Microelectronics Coding for Space Systems
 c. Neutron Transport Interface  

 

61.  Seismic Signal Analysis

       a. Tools for Digitization of Historic Seismograms

      b. Seismic Instrument Response Recovery

 

 

OFFICE OF ELECTRICITY DELIVERY AND ENERGY RELIABILITY

Program Area Overview

62.  Advanced Technologies for Electricity Systems
       a. Electricity System Visualization
       b. Smart Grid Technologies for Renewables Integration

63.  Advanced  Energy Storage

       a. Utility Scale Flow Batteries

OFFICE OF SCIENCE

Program Area Overview

64.  Search, Discovery, and Communication of Scientific and Technical Knowledge in Distributed  Systems
a. Web-Based Tools and Deployable Concepts to Accelerate and Facilitate search, Discovery, and Communication of Scientific and Technical Knowledge
b. Data Integrity Analysis, Anomaly Detection, and Correction Tools


OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Program Area Overview

 

65.  Improved Characterization of Waste in Tanks and Ancillary Piping 

a. Technologies for Improved In Situ Characterization

b. Technologies for Characterization of Tanks and Ancillary Piping after Bulk Retrieval. 

 

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Program Area Overview

66.  Advanced Technologies for Nuclear Energy 

       a. New Technology for Improved Nuclear Energy Systems

       b. Advanced Technologies for the Fabrication, Characterization of Nuclear Reactor Fuel for Generation IV Reactor Designs