Energy%20and%20Sustainability Grants

Jan. 1, 2019

$1.35M | DOE | | ""

This project will determine the relative value of two different kinds of module construction for encapsulating photovoltaic cells: one of double-glass construction and the other known as glass/backsheet, where the backsheet is instead a multilayer polymer laminate.

Jan. 1, 2019

$155K | DOD Office of Naval Research | | ""

The main goal of this proposal is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of electronic and thermal breakdowns in multilayer films (MLFs) and develop viable approaches to further enhance their breakdown strength and lifetime.

Jan. 1, 2019

$210K | NSF | Fumi Takahashi | "Structure of Chemically inhibited Diffusion Flames"

The objective of the present project is to study the interactions of a gas-phase chemical inhibitor and the structure of coflow (cup-burner) diffusion flames, which bear some resemblance to real fires, and thereby gain better understanding of flame extinguishment and retardation mechanisms.

Dec. 14, 2018

$250K | DOE ARPA-E | Marija Prica | "Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow"

This project seeks to determine a minimum cost generation schedule to meet the demand for power at each node in a network while ensuring the integrity of the transmission network and all assets.

Oct. 1, 2018

$600K | NASA | Burcu Gurkan | "NASA-Early Career Poly(ionic liquid)-ionic liquid membranes reinforced by graphene sheets for CO2 capture and conversion in microgravity"

Focuses on air-ionic liquid, solid-ionic liquid and vacuum-ionic liquid interfaces in microgravity environment for on-board CO2 removal from air, taking advantage of the high absorption capacity and selectivity of ionic liquids (ILs) towards CO2.

Sep. 1, 2018

$358.46K | NSF | Huichun (Judy) Zhang | "Predictive Modeling of Multi-Solute Adsorption Equilibrium based on adsorbed Solution Theories"

The proposed research aims to develop predictive models for multisolute adsorption equilibria of a number of organic contaminants (OCs) by two common adsorbents, in both the absence and presence of natural organic matter (NOM).

Sep. 1, 2018

$299.97K | NSF | Ya-Ting Liao | "Ignition Propensity of Structural Materials Exposed to Firebrand in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires"

The goal of this research is to improve the understanding of firebrand ignition mechanisms.

Sep. 1, 2018

$110K | American Chemical Society | Mark De Guire | "Chemical Expansivity in Ceramic Oxygen Transport Materials"

Developing modular, portable, reliable methane reformers to convert natural gas syngas at wellheads, with the potential for subsequent conversion to (for example) higher- value hydrocarbons or hydrogen for carbon-free electricity.

Sep. 1, 2018

$403.39K | NSF | Huichun (Judy) Zhang | " Synthetic Manganese Oxides for Oxidative and Catalytic Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern"

The proposed research aims to examine the oxidative and catalytic reactivity of a variety of synthetic Mn oxides (MnOx) in removing emerging contaminants (ECs) from water, wastewater and contaminated sites.

Oct. 1, 2017

$1.64M | U.S. Department of Energy | | ""

Explores the reliability and power degradation rates of PERC modules using differentiated packaging strategies and characterization tools

Oct. 1, 2017

$300K | U.S. Department of Energy | Mark De Guire | "Operating Stresses and their Effects on Degradation of LSM-Based SOFC Cathodes"

Seeks to understand the impact of operating conditions and stages of performance loss on specific microstructural changes in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes based on lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM).

Sep. 1, 2017

$50K | Electrochemical Society | Julie Renner | "ECS Toyota Young Investigator"

Studying self-assembled templates for ultra-high utilization of noble metals in electrolysis membrane electrode assemblies

Sep. 1, 2017

$76K | National Academy of Sciences | | ""

Seeks to understand hazards associated with coastal community risks and to examine the safety of critical oil and gas infrastructural systems exposed to such hazards. Three main tasks to accomplish the research objectives are to assess coastal- flooding hazards, to evaluate the fragility of oil and gas systems, and to assess hydrocarbon release-induced hazards.