Producing Transportation Fuels, Electrical Power, and Chemicals in a Circular Bioeconomy
Renewable raw materials can be exploited as alternatives to fossil fuel–based liquid transportation fuels, electrical power, and chemicals.
42 ENGINEERING↗
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Results for “renewable materials”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Dual Function Materials for Direct Air Capture of CO2 - Final Technical Report
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
Chitin- and cellulose-based sustainable barrier materials: a review
Abstract The accumulation of synthetic plastics used in packaging applications in landfills and the environment is a serious problem. This challenge is driving research efforts to develop biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable barrier materials derived from renewable sources. Cellulose, chitin/chitosan, and their combinations are versatile biobased packaging materials because of their diverse biological properties (biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, antioxidant activity, non-toxicity, and less immunogenic compared to protein), superior physical properties (high surface area, good barrier properties, and mechanical properties), and they can be assembled into different forms and shapes (powders, fibers, films, beads, sponges, gels, and solutions). They can be either assembled into packaging films or used as fillers to improve the properties of other biobased polymers. Methods such as preparation of composites, multilayer coating, and alignment control are used to further improve their barrier, mechanical properties, and ameliorate their moisture sensitivity. With the growing application of cellulose and chitin-based packaging materials, their biodegradability and recyclability are also discussed in this review paper. The future trends of these biobased materials in packaging applications and the possibility of gradually replacing petroleum-based plastics are analyzed in the “Conclusions” section.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Electrons to Molecules: Electricity-Driven Processes for Future Generation of Renewable Hydrogen, Net-Zero Fuels, Chemicals, and Materials
Interconverting electrical and chemical energy efficiently and cost-effectively provides a massive opportunity to generate renewable hydrogen, create net-zero fuels and chemicals, capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO2), and create innovative sustainable industrial processes.
affordable electricity↗
Enzymatic Routes to Designer Hemicelluloses for Use in Biobased Materials
Various enzymes can be used to modify the structure of hemicelluloses directly in vivo or following extraction from biomass sources, such as wood and agricultural residues. Generally, these enzymes can contribute to designer hemicelluloses through four main strategies: (1) enzymatic hydrolysis such as selective removal of side groups by glycoside hydrolases (GH) and carbohydrate esterases (CE), (2) enzymatic cross-linking, for instance, the selective addition of side groups by glycosyltransferases (GT) with activated sugars, (3) enzymatic polymerization by glycosynthases (GS) with activated glycosyl donors or transglycosylation, and (4) enzymatic functionalization, particularly via oxidation by carbohydrate oxidoreductases and via amination by amine transaminases. Thus, this Perspective will first highlight enzymes that play a role in regulating the degree of polymerization and side group composition of hemicelluloses, and subsequently, it will explore enzymes that enhance cross-linking capabilities and incorporate novel chemical functionalities into saccharide structures. These enzymatic routes offer a precise way to tailor the properties of hemicelluloses for specific applications in biobased materials, contributing to the development of renewable alternatives to conventional materials derived from fossil fuels.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Multiscale Materials Characterization
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is advancing the state of the art in multiscale characterization to solve critical issues in materials science. We enthusiastically welcome industry, manufacturing, and government enterprises to partner with us on design integration that ranges from materials selection to manufacturing to reliability.
characterization↗
Emergence of deep eutectic solvents (DES): chemistry, preparation, properties, and applications in biorefineries and critical materials
The emergence of renewable deep eutectic solvents (DES) as clean and efficient catalysts and solvents has created new opportunities for lignocellulosic biorefineries and critical material sectors, including chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, textile, and hydrometallurgical industries. This review provides an in-depth overview of DES, covering their chemistry, classifications, preparation methods, processing characteristics, and recyclability, while highlighting their unique attributes and industry relevant applications. Emphasis is placed on the integration of DES into advanced biorefinery systems, focusing on their tunable physicochemical and thermodynamic properties for biomass pretreatment and the production of value-added products. The review explores how DES can be tuned for selective dissolution of biomass components and evaluates production and valorization of DES-derived biochemicals, with attention to lignin extraction mechanisms and conversion of biomass into bioproducts and biofuels. Beyond biorefineries, the scope extends to DES applications in electrochemical energy devices, where they serve as electrolytes, synthesis media for electrode materials, and leaching agents in battery recycling. The multifunctional roles of DES in pharmaceutical, hydrometallurgical, and textile sectors are also explored for contributions to sustainable processing. Finally, the review identifies future research directions, outlining benefits, challenges, and knowledge gaps, for continued industrial development.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
Hierarchical Zeolite Catalysts for Renewable Surfactants Platform
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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Understanding the Beneficial Role of Transition-Metal Layer Na + Substitution on the Structure and Electrochemical Properties of the P2-Layered Cathode Na 2+ x Ni 2– x /2 TeO 6
Layered Na x MO 2 sodium oxide positive electrode materials have experienced renewed interest owing to the current commercial attention on sodium-ion batteries. Although there are many attractive qualities of these materials, they suffer from serious shortcomings owing to Na + ordering and transition-metal layer gliding that cause a plethora of voltage plateaus during cycling. The P2-layered Na 2+x Ni 2–x/2 TeO 6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) system provides a framework for investigating the effect of dual Na + substitution into the sodium layer and the transition-metal layer of the structure and its effects on the electrochemical properties of the materials. A careful investigation into the synthesis and properties of these materials reveals that the sodium content used during material preparation has a drastic effect on the composition and electrochemical profile of these materials. The sodium substitution disrupts ordering within the transition-metal layer, thereby disrupting Na + ordering in the adjacent sodium layers. Beyond a critical sodium concentration, the layer stacking shifts, and all voltage plateaus of the P2-Na 2 Ni 2 TeO 6 material are no longer observed at 4.4 V versus Na + /Na. These results also question the common belief that additional sodium precursor is required when preparing layered sodium oxide cathodes, providing new guidelines for material synthesis and characterization.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Terrestrial radiative cooling: Using the cold universe as a renewable and sustainable energy source
Photonic materials designed at wavelength scales have enabled a range of emerging energy technologies, from solid-state lighting to efficient photovoltaics that have transformed global energy landscapes. Daytime passive radiative cooling materials shed heat from the ground to the cold universe by taking advantage of the terrestrial thermal radiation that is as large as the renewable solar energy. Newly developed photonic materials permit subambient cooling under direct sunshine, and their applications are expanding rapidly enabled by scalable manufacturing. We review here the recent advancement of daytime subambient radiative cooling materials, which allow energy-efficient cooling and are paving the way toward technologies that harvest the coldness from the universe as a new renewable energy source.
Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
Renewable Lactam Monomer for Tunable and Processable Polyamides
Replacement of petroleum-derived monomers with renewable alternatives is an integral part of the sustainable polymer framework. Research in this area involves the search for bio-based or recycled starting materials for traditional polymers, as well as investigations into new materials accessible from renewable feedstocks. Focusing on the latter, we studied the properties of polyamides synthesized from γ-methyl-ε-caprolactam through anionic ring-opening polymerization by an activated monomer mechanism. Here, the amorphous homopolymer presents high stiffness (Young’s modulus, ≈3 GPa), strength (stress at break, ≈80 MPa) and toughness under dry (low humidity) conditions, high ductility (strain at break, ≈1100%) in humid environments, optical clarity, and excellent processability due to its non-crystallizable nature and solubility in common organic solvents. Copolymerization with ε-caprolactam allows tailoring the mechanical properties and crystallinity in the resultant copolymers and provides new opportunities for advanced manufacturing and other applications.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Subcomponent Validation of Composite Joints for Marine Energy Structures
The Marine Energy Advanced Materials project addresses the barriers and uncertainties facing marine renewable energy developers in using composite materials for load-bearing structures. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office, the multiyear project comprises of collaborators from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Montana State University (MSU), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and industry stakeholders. As part of the Marine Energy Advanced Materials project, marine renewable energy industry surveys and assessments were conducted to identify key materials and knowledge gaps that hinder the adoption of composite materials in marine renewable energy structures. Specific knowledge gaps highlighted for composite materials were environmental effects, fatigue strengths, and bonded and bolted interconnects (composite/composite and composite/metal). It was concluded that many of these gaps could be addressed through subcomponent validation; consequently, a program was developed at NREL with the goals of developing subcomponent validation methods for appropriate marine energy materials, which would improve the understanding of design allowables for full-scale structural components and joints. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce timelines and costs associated with full-scale structural validation efforts while also providing near-net-scale static and fatigue data of composite/metal subcomponents for marine renewable energy systems. To approach these goals, a testing program was developed at NREL to investigate a variety of materials and structural design details at the subcomponent scale to understand (a) the effects of harsh and corrosive marine energy environments and (b) the static and fatigue strengths of the complex geometries. The recent study from this testing program is perhaps the largest that has ever been conducted with respect to specimen scale and geographic diversity of underwater environmental conditions that the specimens were subjected to. A variety of specimen geometries were designed by NREL to highlight key features of multimaterial (composite/composite or metal/composite) interconnects that may be used in marine renewable energy structural designs. The designs used several different composite matrices, adhesives, and marine-grade steels, which were highlighted in the surveys as being the most appropriate for harsh marine environments. Composite panels were then manufactured at MSU, and were subsequently manufactured into test specimens by NREL. The specimens were shipped to FAU and PNNL for conditioning in ocean water tanks at various temperatures for an extended period. The specimens were then returned to NREL for structural validation. This presentation will provide an overview of recent advances within the testing program in terms of specimen design and test methods, and will discuss results and key findings of the subcomponent testing program to date at NREL.
adhesives↗
Innovative and Economically Beneficial Use of Corn and Corn Products in Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications
The United States is by far the largest corn producer worldwide, with corn yields steadily increasing for the past decades. In many midwestern U.S. states such as Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska, corn farmers currently grow more corn than consumers can utilize as human food or animal feed. To sustain the economic viability of corn farmers, it is critical that new uses and markets for corn, corn byproducts from harvesting, corn industrial products, and corn byproducts from industrial processing should be discovered, giving the highest return to corn producers. With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and grid-level energy storage systems for renewable energy, there has been an ever-growing interest in improving existing energy storage technologies as well as developing new ones. During this development, a great amount of effort has been focused on exploiting cost-effective solutions utilizing sustainable materials derived from renewable biomass. Here, innovative and economically beneficial uses of corn and corn products in various energy storage applications, such as lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, and redox flow batteries, are looked at comprehensively, which may shed light on how to establish an environmentally sustainable, technically feasible, and economically beneficial solution to support the corn industry.
25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Crystallization-induced emission enhancement of alkyl chain-dependent pyrene-based luminogens: Visual detection of nitro-explosives
In view of the widespread applications and urgent need for efficient blue emitting materials, the synthesis of such materials has seen renewed interest. In the present work, three alkyl chain-dependent blue emitting pyrene-based luminogens were synthesized and characterized. Here, the experimental results show that these luminogens exhibited high photoluminescence efficiency both in solution (>86%) and in the solid state (>35%). Interestingly, 1,3,6,8-tetrakis (pentylphenyl)pyrene (TPPy), as a photoelectric functional material, was endowed with higher quantum yield (72%) and competitiveness due to a remarkable crystallization-induced emission enhancement (CIEE) property. More importantly, TPPy exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for ortho-nitroaniline (o-NA) with low limit of detection (9.99 × 10 -8 M), which is mainly due to the distinctive odd-even effects of the terminal alkyl chain. The results demonstrate that this type of luminogen can potentially be utilized for practical applications in the field of contaminant or explosive detection as a sensitive and portable fluorimeter.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Significant charge transport effects due to subtle molecular changes in nitroxide radical single crystals
Radical-containing materials have received renewed interest due to their charge-conducting properties. However, most work focuses on macromolecules, while less attention has been paid to radical-containing small molecules. Here, we quantify the electrical conductivity in two organic radical single crystals and demonstrate that a subtle change in atomic connectivity drastically alters the macroscopic electronic properties of the materials. One radical crystal has an electrical conductivity of 3S m –1 , which is the among the highest values for nonconjugated radical conductors over a 1 μm scale. However, the other radical crystal has a 1,000-fold lower conductivity, despite their extremely similar molecular structures. The temperature-dependent conductivity follows the variable range hopping mechanism for both radical crystals, and the difference in effective charge mobility is the reason for the conductivity difference. These results present a clear picture of the design rules and charge transport mechanism for radical-based small-molecule materials.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Solar Decarbonization of Paraffin Dehydrogenation Through Particle Heat Carriers (Final Technical Report)
This project focuses on solutions to decarbonize high-temperature catalytic processes using solar thermal heat. The primary project goal is to show the validity of a moving packed bed reactor for propane dehydrogenation using catalyst particles as the heat carrier for the reaction, which can be heated by concentrated solar energy in a particle receiver. This concept, if further developed, may provide a cost-effective pathway for converting lower value gases to important chemical precursors for industrial materials using only renewable energy. The project was divided into six tasks. In Task 1, DFT calculations were performed to understand the role of Pt and Sn in the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction. In Task 2 chemical kinetics measurements were made for several catalyst formulations at high temperatures. In Task 3, the solar absorptance of catalyst particles was compared to the absorptance of commonly used materials in particle receivers. In Task 4, numerical models were developed which could predict performance of the complete system and predict specific temperatures in the system. In Task 5, a prototype system was designed, fabricated, and tested to show the validity of the concept. Task 6 concerned project management activities. Experiments with the prototype showed repeatable thermal performance at temperatures targeted for the reaction. A limited set of tests were done with active catalyst and propane dehydrogenation, showing conversion of propane to propylene with a range of conversions and selectivities. The results are promising, and the prototype designed was reliable during testing, and the team expects that further development of the prototype would yield improved results. A numerical model framework based on coupled fluid and particle mechanics was developed with high computational efficiency using GPU calculations. The model may prove highly useful for evaluating other high-temperature particle systems. However, it was determined that simpler porous media models were good fits for the needs of the current moving packed bed concept. Data showing strong solar absorption of the particles validates the plan of using existing solar particle receivers with only a change in the particle type. Catalyst investigation showed that Pt 1 Sn 3 is the most viable candidate for developing PtSn catalysts for high temperature propane dehydrogenation, considering the balance of activity, selectivity, and deactivation. This project completed an initial study of various factors needed to incorporate a moving bed catalytic reactor for propane dehydrogenation into a concentrated solar thermal particle system. Future developments may allow this technology to be scaled up and help to use solar thermal energy to decarbonize not only the propane dehydrogenation reaction, but other gas-solid catalytic reactions at similar temperatures.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Evaluations for medium- and high-mass nuclei for FUSION applications
There is a renewed attention to nuclear fusion as a commercial source of carbon-free energy, however there are many scientific needs that must be addressed to enable the future success of fusion as an economical energy option. Among these is the proper description of the impact of radiation produced in the fusion vessel chamber and all other components of the reactor. In this work we will focus on the nuclear data needs to describe the interaction between primary and secondary neutron radiation and the medium- and high-mass nuclei commonly present in structural (such as stainless steel) and superconducting (e.g., electromagnets) materials.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗