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DOE OSTI2026

Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode with Dominating Copper and Oxygen Redox Chemistry

Sodium-ion batteries offer low-cost energy storage solutions for the grid and electric vehicles, leveraging the established "rocking-chair" Li-ion design and the natural abundance of sodium. However, SIBs face challenges such as relatively lower voltage and capacity than lithium-ion batteries, as well as dependence on nickel resources. Here, in this work, a new nickel-free cathode material, Na 0.75 Li 0.08 Cu 0.25 Mn 0.66 O 2 , was designed and synthesized. This material has a capacity of ~125 mAh/g and an average discharge voltage of 3.5 V. Notably, more than one-third of the capacity arises from lithium substitution of Cu (~8 mol.%) and high voltage activation to 4.6 V. Multimodal synchrotron x-ray characterization combining spectroscopy, microscopy, and scattering reveal the capacity is primarily from the redox of copper and oxygen, with a minor contribution from the manganese redox. Lithium substitution alters the phase transition mechanism from a two-phase transition in P3-Na 2/3 Cu 1/3 Mn 2/3 O 2 to a solid-solution in Na 0.75 Li 0.08 Cu 0.25 Mn 0.66 O 2 , enhancing the reversibility of this material.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2025

POWER ELECTRONICS GRID TIED SYSTEM FINAL REPORT

Across the country, electric utilities are grappling with the persistent hurdles of integrating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Managing these assets safely and effectively is a complex endeavor, complicated by varying ownership structures, management philosophies, and the diversity of the technologies themselves. Consequently, the industry has seen a proliferation of bespoke system designs, control strategies, and communication frameworks—forcing utilities to spend significant time and resources developing one-off integration solutions. This project addressed these integration hurdles through a scalable demonstration of intelligent devices designed to coordinate and control diverse resources in low-voltage applications. This concept minimized the need for complex integration by transforming the separate DERs into a dispatchable virtual power plant (VPP) with integrated resiliency functions (called a Node). By collaborating with a utility partner, the project focused on developing rapidly implementable use cases that bridged the gap between theoretical control and real-world deployment

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Bacterial Bioleaching and Biorecovery for Biomining Unconventional Rare Earth Element Feedstocks

Bacterial metabolic interactions with rare earth elements (REEs) can be harnessed for biomining unconventional feedstocks like abandoned coal-mine drainage (AMD). Pennsylvania has ~500 AMD passive remediation systems that can precipitate REE rich solids. REEs include yttrium and the lanthanide series that are used in modern energy and technology. Bacteria that metabolically interact with REEs can be used for biomining in an affordable efficient process that does not require hazardous chemical additives. Currently, the microbial metal mechanisms that contribute to REE biorelease and biorecovery are poorly understood. Our work shows acidogenic bacterial isolates (Bacillus mycoides JR07 and Bacillus pseudomycoides KB7) successfully bioleach a mixed REE solution from AMD solids by their organic acid production and biofilm formation. Further, our work shows the potential for bacterial lanthanide-dependent enzymes to recover lanthanides from a mixed REE solution; here we have bacterial isolate Methylobacterium sp. B3 that can recover soluble lanthanum. Whole genome sequencing of Methylobacterium sp. B3 predict lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase XoxF. Understanding the microbial metabolism and genes involved in the REE release and recovery is crucial to optimize the biomining of AMD solids. Our work addresses the growing need to develop novel REE mining methods from unconventional feedstocks.

biogeochemistry↗

DOE OSTI2026

Nanostructuring and Underscreening of Bisalt Electrolytes with Dual-Anion Effects: Insights from Small-Angle Scattering Prepeak Analysis

Using small-angle neutron scattering, we studied the nanostructure of a prototypical D(H)-bonded network electrolyte, alkaline sodium aluminate bisalt, at concentrations up to solute volume fraction of ~0.5. Analysis of the structure factor prepeak at 0.1 < Q < 1.0 Å-1 showed that its evolution is associated with nanoscopic species distribution in water-anion network., with differences in characteristic distance d between OD- and Al(OD)4- anions related to their distinct sizes and interactions. When the solute volume fraction approached 0.5, a common/maximum value of ~4.5 Å was found for the correlation length ? that characterizes the electrostatic force in concentrated electrolyte solution before precipitation occurred. This implies that the solutions’ morphology and behavior at high concentrations may be governed by geometric factors, rather than the chemistry of the specific anion. Furthermore, the scaling of ? with concentration yielded an exponent of 1.25(1), suggesting that ? is limited to a few Å. By combining the current observations of structural heterogeneity at the nanoscale, with dynamic heterogeneity at the microscopic scale from our previous quasi-elastic neutron scattering study, we have established a structural origin of local “caging” and restricted structural relaxation processes. These local solvent-solute interactions not only control dynamics heterogeneity in concentrated electrolytes but also are responsible for crystallization processes in industrial setting, such as aluminum production and radioactive waste treatment.

Wang, Hsiu-Wen↗

DOE OSTI2025

Bioinspired Dry‐Steam Superinsulation Straw Foam

Abstract Cellulosic materials offer sustainable advantages for building energy conservation. However, their development has been hindered by reduced thermal performance, often caused by structural collapse during the transition from solution to solid. Inspired by natural goose down, a bio‐based, lightweight insulation foam derived from agricultural waste straw is presented. Through in situ synthesis, bio‐silica fibers with branched structures capable of supporting hollow silica microspheres are fabricated. After steam‐mediated processing, the resulting foam exhibit low density (95 mg cm − 3 ), high porosity (95.5%), low thermal conductivity (0.03 ± 0.003 W mK −1 ), and a cyclic compressive strength of 90 kPa at 50% strain. Owing to the synergistic microstructure formed by branched bio‐fibers and hollow silica spheres, the bio‐silica foam exhibit outstanding thermal insulation performance relative to other bio‐based foams prepared by ambient drying. A passivated insulation panel is further developed by incorporating this material as the core component, achieving a thermal conductivity of 0.0275 W mk −1 and flexural strength of 6.85 MPa. The panel demonstrated durability with stable thermal performance throughout a 60‐day outdoor test. Moreover, the bio‐silica foam shows a carbon footprint of 7.50 kgCO₂ kg −1 at 70.2 wt.% silica, highlighting its promise as a sustainable insulation solution for green buildings.

Chemistry↗

DOE OSTI2026

Distributed quantum approximate optimization algorithm on a quantum-centric supercomputing architecture

Quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) has shown promise in solving combinatorial optimization problems by providing quantum speedup on near-term gate-based quantum computing systems. However, QAOA faces challenges for high-dimensional problems due to the large number of qubits required and the complexity of deep circuits, limiting its scalability for real-world applications. In this study, we present a distributed QAOA (DQAOA), which leverages distributed computing strategies to decompose a large computational workload into smaller tasks that require fewer qubits and shallower circuits than are necessary to solve the original problem. These sub-problems are processed using a combination of high-performance and quantum computing resources. The global solution is iteratively updated by aggregating sub-solutions, allowing convergence toward the optimal solution. We demonstrate that DQAOA can handle considerably large-scale optimization problems (e.g., 1000-bit problem), achieving a high solution quality and short time-to-solution, outperforming existing strategies. Furthermore, we realize DQAOA on a quantum-centric supercomputing architecture, paving the way for practical applications of gate-based quantum computers in real-world optimization tasks. To extend DQAOA’s applicability to materials science, we further develop an active learning algorithm integrated with our DQAOA (AL-DQAOA), which involves machine learning, DQAOA, and active data production in an iterative loop. We successfully optimize photonic structures using AL-DQAOA, indicating that solving real-world optimization problems using gate-based quantum computing is feasible. We expect the proposed DQAOA to be applicable to a wide range of optimization problems and AL-DQAOA to find broader applications in material design.

Kim, Seongmin [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000159063004)↗

DOE OSTI2026

Scaling Demand Flexibility: Building on 30 Years of Energy Efficiency Success

With electricity consumption across the United States (US) and Canada anticipated to grow, energy efficiency program administrators have a key role to play in helping to ensure energy affordability and reliability in support of the broader economic systems utilities and grid support. Connected, demand side load balancing solutions, such as load shifting heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and managed charging for electric vehicles (EVs), can dynamically manage energy, allowing for more volumetric electricity consumption without incurring the expense of upgraded transmission and distribution capabilities. When combined, or aggregated, many small loads can be managed to have meaningful impact on energy demand on the grid. Utilities and their partners have an opportunity to leverage decades of experience and the infrastructure needed to assess, design, implement, and measure programs to scale up the adoption of equipment with built-in load flexibility capabilities. Current efforts among a wide variety of electricity system service providers, utilities, standards agencies, regulators, national labs and private industry stakeholders aim to identify common standards, metrics, and methodologies for valuing grid services offered by demand side equipment. By combining those efforts with decades of proven energy efficiency resources, utilities are poised to effectuate a scaling up of equipment with energy management capabilities installed in homes and businesses across the US and Canada. This paper will provide an overview of how utilities are approaching this era of load growth and new peak demands across the United States and Canada. It will highlight the specific strategies that program administrators are employing to advance market transformation for grid-enabled products and devices that have the greatest potential to reduce energy use and increase load flexibility.

Grant, Peter↗

DOE OSTI2026

Advanced blade-shaped thermal energy storage device: Development and application

Thermal energy storage (TES) using phase change materials (PCMs) is a promising approach for capturing and reusing excess thermal energy, yet widespread adoption is limited by low thermal conductivity, bulky configurations, and inadequate scalability. Here, this study presents a modular, blade-shaped TES prototype designed to address these challenges. The device integrates a lightweight aluminum shell, an embedded serpentine coil for active or passive heat exchange, and a cost-effective corrugated metal mesh for enhanced PCM thermal conductivity. With thickness-to-length and thickness-to-width ratios of 0.03 and 0.08, respectively, the blade-shaped TES achieves a compact, modular form factor suitable for space-constrained applications. Experimental testing demonstrated the efficient charge and discharge behavior of blade-shaped TES, capturing PCM superheating, phase-change transitions, and subcooling dynamics, with charging and discharging efficiencies of 94.9% and 94.6%, respectively. Also, the system can potentially achieve higher energy density than that of conventional TES designs. When integrated into a household refrigerator during the study, three blade-shaped TES modules successfully shifted 100% of peak-time compressor operation to off-peak hours, reducing energy consumption while maintaining more stable compartment temperatures. The blade-shaped TES's thin geometry, modularity, and enhanced thermal performance support scalable deployment across residential, commercial, and industrial applications, providing a versatile, cost-effective solution for high-efficiency, demand-flexible thermal energy management.

Blade-shaped↗

DOE OSTI2026

Enhanced Recovery of Critical Minerals and Geological Hydrogen in The Mine of the Future

invited perspective article: The rapid demand for critical minerals (CMs) and hydrogen (H2) necessitates innovative solutions beyond conventional mining. This study explores enhanced mineral recovery (EMR) and geological hydrogen production (GeoH2) by leveraging the Earth’s subsurface as a reactive platform. Using ultramafic rocks and engineered fluids, the approach simultaneously mobilizes critical resources and produces H2 through natural processes like serpentinization. This paradigm offers a transformative pathway to secure essential materials and diversify energy resources, setting a foundation for the Terrestrial Mine of the Future

Yan, Keju↗

DOE OSTI2024

Making Plasticized Polymer Electrolytes Stable Against Sodium Metal for High‐Energy Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes based on plastic crystals are promising for solid-state sodium metal (Na 0 ) batteries, yet their practicality has been hindered by the notorious Na 0 -electrolyte interface instability issue, the underlying cause of which remains poorly understood. Here, in this study, by leveraging a model plasticized polymer electrolyte based on conventional succinonitrile plastic crystals, we uncover its failure origin in Na 0 batteries is associated with the formation of a thick and non-uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and whiskery Na 0 nucleation/growth. Furthermore, we design a new additive-embedded plasticized polymer electrolyte to manipulate the Na 0 deposition and SEI formulation. For the first time, we demonstrate that introducing fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive into the succinonitrile-plasticized polymer electrolyte can effectively protect Na 0 against interfacial corrosion by facilitating the growth of dome-like Na 0 with thin, amorphous, and fluorine-rich SEIs, thus enabling significantly improved performances of Na//Na symmetric cells (1,800 h at 0.5 mA cm −2 ) and Na//Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 full cells (93.0 % capacity retention after 1,200 cycles at 1 C rate in coin cells and 93.1 % capacity retention after 250 cycles at C/3 in pouch cells at room temperature). Our work provides valuable insights into the interfacial failure of plasticized polymer electrolytes and offers a promising solution to resolving the interfacial instability issue.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2026

MRV Challenge 3: velocity and passive scalar comparison in a 3D turbulent flow

The third iteration of a magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV) challenge comparison activity consisting of 3D flow measurements for a turbulent flow in a water channel moving past centrally positioned cubic obstacles is reported. In this challenge iteration, MRV measurements are coupled with either temperature or concentration measurements to extend the diagnostic utility. Five research teams from around the world conducted the measurements on a single shared apparatus. The water channel included partial elements along the channel sidewalls that varied in height and precluded easy optical accessibility. In addition to a turbulent mainstream flow, a secondary flow entered the channel between the second and third cubic elements from a square injector hole at the channel bottom wall. The injector jet interacts with the mainstream flow and mixes turbulently as it advects downstream. For the selected flow regime and water solutions used as working fluids, the mixing of the higher temperature or concentration through the secondary flow with the mainstream flow satisfies the same dynamics so that both temperature and concentration fields behave as passive scalars and can be directly compared. The measurements are explained in detail by each participating team, and the results are interpolated onto a common grid and compared using line profiles, contour plots, and isosurfaces.

Benson, Mike [ORNL] (ORCID:000000023210116X)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Efficient Leaching of Metal Ions from Spent Li-Ion Battery Combined Electrode Coatings Using Hydroxy Acid Mixtures and Regeneration of Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide

Extensive use of Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and other energy storage applications has resulted in a need to recycle valuable metals Li, Mn, Ni, and Co in these devices. In this work, an aqueous mixture of glycolic and lactic acid is shown as an excellent leaching agent to recover these critical metals from spent Li-ion laptop batteries combined with cathode and anode coatings without adding hydrogen peroxide or other reducing agents. An aqueous acid mixture of 0.15 M in glycolic and 0.35 M in lactic acid showed the highest leaching efficiencies of 100, 100, 100, and 89% for Li, Ni, Mn, and Co, respectively, in an experiment at 120 °C for 6 h. Subsequently, the chelate solution was evaporated to give a mixed metal-hydroxy acid chelate gel. Pyrolysis of the dried chelate gel at 800 °C for 15 h could be used to burn off hydroxy acids, regenerating lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, and the novel method presented to avoid the precipitation of metals as hydroxide or carbonates. The Li, Ni, Mn, and Co ratio of regenerated lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide is comparable to this metal ratio in pyrolyzed electrode coating and showed similar powder X-ray diffractograms, suggesting the suitability of α-hydroxy carboxylic acid mixtures as leaching agents and ligands in regeneration of mixed metal oxide via pyrolysis of the dried chelate gel.

Electrochemistry↗

DOE OSTI2025

Utility Experience with Inverter Based Resource Impacts on Transmission Protection

High penetration of inverter-based resources (IBR) can adversely affect the transmission protection schemes in the area. With the proliferation of IBRs, utilities are finding out that conventional protection schemes are not adequately equipped to protect the electric systems because the existing system has been designed based on the fault current response of conventional rotating-machine-based generators. In several cases, the available literature does not provide any clear solution for the issues when the protection scheme does not operate properly near IBRs. This report identifies various protection challenges due to IBRs that industry is facing, from the utility perspective. It includes a broad review of all challenges that system protection has experienced so far with high penetration of IBRs. Key issues have been identified based on a survey of different utility protection engineers. Finally, fault event recordings are shown to demonstrate some actual cases of mis-operations of relays near IBRs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Dopant adsorption as a function of bulk concentration at a near 42º (100) twist grain boundary in SrTiO3

The enrichment of grain boundaries with dopant atoms is of critical importance for the macroscopic physical properties of materials. In thermodynamic equilibrium the Gibbs adsorption isotherm relates grain boundary excess of dopant atoms, their chemical potential in the adjacent bulk, and the respective interface energy. This study has used bicrystals with a near 42º (100) twist grain boundary in SrTiO3 to demonstrate that different kinetic pathways of Fe dopant atom additions converge towards comparable grain boundary configurations. Despite differences in bulk chemical potentials remarkably similar grain boundary excess quantities were observed. The experimental results indicate the general experimental feasibility to establish quantitative relationships between variations of grain boundary energy, interfacial excess, and overall dopant concentration. Improved experimental counting statistics are needed to distinguish solute interface excess as a function of bulk chemical potential.

Hahn, William [University of California, Davis]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Hybrid biophysical systems for atmospheric CO 2 capture

Negative emissions technologies will be essential for limiting anthropogenic global temperature increases to 2 °C in the later years of the 21st century. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) metalloenzymes catalyze the otherwise slow conversion of CO 2 into carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3 ), suggesting their utility in the rapid hydration and downstream capture of dissolved CO 2 in aqueous media for a variety of CO 2 capture methods, such as thermal and pH swings and mineralization. The possibility of driving the rapid capture of CO 2 by catalyzing the CO 2 hydration bottleneck carries real potential for realizing efficient direct air capture (DAC) and direct ocean capture (DOC) systems. However, scaled application of CAs will be dependent on some way of economically sourcing the enzymes at volumes relevant to scaled DAC/DOC operations. In this perspective, we consider the prospect of catalyzing CO 2 hydration using a CA that is bound to the outer membrane of a cyanobacterial host, engineered constructs we call CyCAMs. Coupling extracellular CA expression to a marine, photosynthetic cyanobacterial host results in a CO 2 hydration catalyst that is continuously refreshed during the bacterial growth cycle, without the need for enzyme purification or harvesting steps. In the case of marine cyanobacteria, sunlight and the solutes native to seawater provide the respective energy, nutrients and sources of inorganic carbon essential to maintaining the bacterial population. We consider the potential impact of CA-mediated CO 2 hydration on a variety of DAC processes, with CO 2 mineralization explored as a primary use case.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Relithiation process for direct regeneration of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries

A method for the regeneration of cathode material from spent lithium-ion batteries is provided. The method includes dissolving a lithium precursor in a polyhydric alcohol to form a solution. Degraded cathode material containing lithium metal oxides are dispersed into the solution under mechanical stirring, forming a mixture. The mixture is heat treated within a reactor vessel or microwave oven. During this heat treatment, lithium is intercalated into the degraded cathode material. The relithiated electrode material is collected by filtration, washing with solvents, and drying. The relithiated electrode material is then ground with a lithium precursor and thermally treated at a relatively low temperature for a predetermined time period to obtain regenerated cathode material.

Belharouak, Ilias↗

DOE OSTI2025

Selective Binding and Light-Driven Release of Fluorous PF 6 – and Radioactive 99 TcO 4 – Anions for All-to-Nothing Liquid–Liquid Extraction

The removal of anions from aqueous media using molecular receptors in liquid–liquid extraction is a long-standing strategy to clean up contaminated water sources. Therein, high selectivity is needed to remove specific ions from mixtures of other ions, and high affinity provides extractions at low concentrations. However, the high affinity creates a conundrum by impeding the release of the ions in any stripping steps needed for further processing. To circumvent this problem, light-responsive receptors have been proposed as candidates for turning off the binding, but they are currently untested in liquid–liquid extraction. We tested the feasibility of light-driven release using a cyanostar macrocycle. We demonstrate the selective extraction of PF$^{–}_{6}$ anions over large excesses of competing anions (Cl – , NO$^{–}_{3}$, SO$^{2–}_{4}$) followed by photodriven release for quantitative isolation of the target. Release relies on photoisomerization of the macrocycle’s five stilbenes generating distorted isomers to turn off binding. With modest reversibility, only a single-shot release was demonstrated, akin to photodriven uncaging. These methods were extended to the capture and photodriven release of ReO$^{–}_{4}$ and radioactive 99 TcO$^{–}_{4}$ anions at ∼90% efficiency. Extraction was demonstrated down to the highly dilute 4 ppb levels of the 99 TcO$^{–}_{4}$ anion. Furthermore, this proof-of-concept demonstration verifies the use of a large change in affinity for the all-to-nothing capture and release of target anions between liquid phases.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

From Pollutant Removal to Renewable Energy: MoS2-Enhanced P25-Graphene Photocatalysts for Malathion Degradation and H2 Evolution

The widespread presence of pesticides—especially malathion—in aquatic environments presents a major obstacle to conventional remediation strategies, while the ongoing global energy crisis underscores the urgency of developing renewable energy sources such as hydrogen. In this context, photocatalytic water splitting emerges as a promising approach, though its practical application remains limited by poor charge carrier dynamics and insufficient visible-light utilization. Herein, we report the design and evaluation of a series of TiO2-based ternary nanocomposites comprising commercial P25 TiO2, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), with MoS2 loadings ranging from 1% to 10% by weight. The photocatalysts were fabricated via a two-step method: hydrothermal integration of rGO into P25 followed by solution-phase self-assembly of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets. The composites were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was assessed through two key applications: the degradation of malathion (20 mg/L) under simulated solar irradiation and hydrogen evolution from water in the presence of sacrificial agents. Quantification was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and thermal conductivity detection (GC-TCD). Results showed that the integration of rGO significantly enhanced surface area and charge mobility, while MoS2 served as an effective co-catalyst, promoting interfacial charge separation and acting as an active site for hydrogen evolution. Nearly complete malathion degradation (~100%) was achieved within two hours, and hydrogen production reached up to 6000 µmol g−1 h−1 under optimal MoS2 loading. Notably, photocatalytic performance declined with higher MoS2 content due to recombination effects. Overall, this work demonstrates the synergistic enhancement provided by rGO and MoS2 in a stable P25-based system and underscores the viability of such ternary nanocomposites for addressing both environmental remediation and sustainable energy conversion challenges.

Chemistry↗