UCOP Lab Fee Research Program Information Session
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Sauer, Nancy Nellie↗
SEARCH · Search NASA
Results for “RESEARCH PROGRAMS”
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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Final Scientific Findings Report- Hydro Research Foundation- Research Awards Program
The Research Awards Program was established in 2014 by the Hydro Research Foundation (Foundation) to support research efforts for the hydropower industry. Using the previously funded Fellowship Program that ran from 2010-2015, the Research Awards Program (RAP or program) captured the lessons learned from the Fellowship program and fine-tuned a nation-wide graduate level research program to support innovation, research and workforce development. The RAP was funded through a $2 million-dollar grant through the Department of Energy’s Water Power Program within the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office (DOE). This award made possible, 33 research projects by 32 students from 21 universities in 11 states. The grant widely engaged the industry by providing the opportunity to work with 25 organizations as well as 63 students and advisors. The funded research focused on a topic list selected by industry and worked to cover a breadth of research needs across many disciplines, basins and types of hydropower issues. The funded work, answered pressing research needs in the fields of the following disciplines; civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering, geography, fisheries, wildlife, water resources, geology, energy science and materials innovation. The Foundation estimates that 116 individuals benefited from this research through either direct mentorship (42), research (32), overseeing the research (31), partnerships (7) and the day-to-day management of the program (4). This investment by DOE showcases how private-public partnerships can leverage limited funds to create a wide range of research products. The project objective was to build on the successful Fellowship Program to develop and execute the RAP on a national level. The program sought to provide competitively awarded hydropower-related graduate-level research awards. The intent of the RAP was to support beneficial, innovative research related to conventional or pumped-storage hydropower. It also sought to stimulate interest among students and universities in this research arena and provide students with a foundation for productive careers within the hydropower industry. The outcome was 33 research findings with 100% of proposed research completed. In addition, 87% of students chose to either join the hydropower industry or continue their hydropower related research at their universities. These research findings advanced the understanding of pressing research topics within the hydropower industry and met the objective of the funding. An ancillary benefit the program identified through this funding was, not only did 63 students and advisors work on hydropower within the academia space, but now there are more professors and students teaching hydropower at the university level. The program saw an addition of 12 new professors, teaching assistants, and graduate researchers continuing to simulate interest in hydropower. Another interesting outcome is that during this grant funding, the program saw alumni of the predecessor program, who are now professors, applying for the RAP with their students. A unique element of this funding is there was significant cost-share provided by host universities, who did not charge facilities and administration overhead to the student’s research awards. In addition, each university provided laboratories, computing capacity and research facilities to support the research which is extraordinarily unique to grant funding at the university level. The total cost share exceeded 30% of the total grant cost. The funding clearly reached many sectors of the industry to provide helpful work and continue building hydropower’s next generation of innovation and workforce. The Foundation has established a broad network of universities interested and engaged in hydropower. The work was supported by the hydropower industry through donations of meeting space, conference registrations, in-kind contributions, mentorship and support of students. The Foundation would recommend finding a vehicle to further advance programs like the graduate level research through competitions, competitively funded awards and student research. It will take many universities to advance hydropower’s most pressing challenges. To let a program like the RAP dwindle away would incapacitate research at universities.
13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Materials Research Pathway Technical Program Plan
The Materials Research (MR) Pathway within the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program is charged with performing the research and development (R&D) to develop the scientific basis for understanding and predicting long-term environmental degradation behavior of materials in nuclear reactors. Furthermore, it is essential to use the mechanistic understanding of degradation phenomena in materials to develop mitigation, repair, and new material alternatives for existing components. The work will provide data and methods to assess performance of systems, structures, and components (SSCs) essential to safe and sustained reactor operations. The R&D products developed from the LWRS Program will be used by utilities, industry groups, and regulators to inform operational and regulatory requirements for materials in reactor SSCs subjected to long-term operation conditions, providing key input to both regulators and industry. The intent of this research is to help in reducing the operating costs, which may be in the form of offset maintenance costs due to better predictive models for component lifetimes, improved analysis of materials through nondestructive evaluation, reduced costs for repairs, or extended performance of plants through the selection of improved replacement materials. To best achieve this, industry experience and guidance are important as is their role in coordinated or collaborative research projects. The objectives of this report are to describe the motivation and organization of the MR Pathway within the LWRS Program, provide details on the individual research tasks within the MR Pathway, describe the outcomes and deliverables of the MR Pathway, including recent technical highlights and progress, and list the requirements for performing the research.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Materials Research Pathway Technical Program Plan
The objectives of this report are to describe the motivation and organization of the MR Pathway within the LWRS program; provide details on the individual research tasks within the MR Pathway; describe the outcomes and deliverables of the MR Pathway, including recent technical highlights and progress; and describe the requirements for performing this critically important research.
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
FY2025 Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Materials Research Pathway Technical Program Plan
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Chen, Xiang [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000286625209)↗
Light Water Reactor Sustainability: Program Materials Research Pathway (FY22 Technical Program Plan)
The Materials Research (MR) Pathway within the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program is charged with performing R&D to develop the scientific basis for understanding and predicting the long-term environmental degradation behavior of materials in nuclear reactors. Furthermore, the mechanistic understanding of degradation phenomena in materials must be leveraged to develop mitigation and repair strategies and new material alternatives for existing components. This research will provide data and methods to assess the performance of systems, structures, and components essential to safe and sustained reactor operations. The R&D products developed from the LWRS program will be used by stakeholders—including utilities, industry groups, and regulators—to inform operational and regulatory requirements for materials in reactor systems, structures, and components subjected to long-term operation conditions, providing key inputs to regulators and industry. Therefore, the intent of this research is to provide options to reduce the operating costs, which may be in the form of offset maintenance costs due to better predictive models for component lifetimes, improved analyses of materials through nondestructive evaluation, reduced costs for repairs, or extended performance of plants through the selection of improved replacement materials. To provide the best options, industry experience and guidance are important because of their role in coordinated or collaborative research projects. The objectives of this report are to describe the motivation and organization of the MR Pathway within the LWRS program; provide details on the individual research tasks within the MR Pathway; describe the outcomes and deliverables of the MR Pathway, including recent technical highlights and progress; and describe the requirements for performing this critically important research.
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
PMEL Passive Acoustics Research: Quantifying the Ocean Soundscape from Whales to Wave Energy
Passive acoustic monitoring of the global ocean has increased dramatically over the last decade, providing insights into seasonal sea ice and wind/wave variability, biodiversity, geophysical hazards, and anthropogenic noise impacts. All of these phenomena are sentinels of marine ecosystem health and ocean climate change. Recognizing the utility of underwater sound, the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) formed a passive acoustic research program with the goal of quantifying deep-ocean and coastal soundscapes in support of NOAA’s mission to conserve and manage marine ecosystems. PMEL Acoustics Program researchers have built a stable of novel ocean technologies, including autonomous stationary hydrophones, mobile platforms, and near-real-time surface buoys with satellite communication capability. These passive acoustic monitoring systems have been deployed in every major ocean basin on Earth, enabling significant advancements in understanding of natural and anthropogenic sounds. This progress includes evaluation of human-made sound levels across US waters, observations of ship noise fluctuations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluation of noise levels from offshore wave-energy devices. Progress in natural sound research includes assessment of seasonal variability in the presence of endangered cetacean species due to population recovery and/or changing ocean temperatures as well as early detection of the collapse of an Antarctic ice shelf.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Program of Fundamental-Interaction Research for the Ultracold-Neutron Source at the the WWR-M Reactor
The use of ultracold neutrons opens unique possibilities for studying fundamental interactions in particles physics. Searches for the neutron electric dipole moment are aimed at testing models of CP violation. A precise measurement of the neutron lifetime is of paramount importance for cosmology and astrophysics. Considerable advances in these realms can be made with the aid of a new ultracold-neutron (UCN) supersource presently under construction at Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute. With this source, it would be possible to obtain an UCN density approximately 100 times as high as that at currently the best UCN source at the high-flux reactor of the Institute Laue–Langevin (ILL, Grenoble, France). To date, the design and basic elements of the source have been prepared, tests of a full-scale source model have been performed, and the research program has been developed. It is planned to improve accuracy in measuring the neutron electric dipole moment by one order of magnitude to a level of 10{sup −27} to 10{sup −28}e cm. This is of crucial importance for particle physics. The accuracy in measuring the neutron lifetime can also be improved by one order of magnitude. Finally, experiments that would seek neutron–antineutron oscillations by employing ultracold neutrons will become possible upon reaching an UCN density of 10{sup 3} to 10{sup 4} cm{sup −3}. The current status of the source and the proposed research program are discussed.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Innovative Approach to SCC Inspection and Evaluation of Canister in Dry Storage
This final report is summarized four years of work of awarded project number DE-NE0008442\IRP-15-9318, title as: “Innovative Approach to SCC Inspection and Evaluation of Canister in Dry” supported by Nuclear Energy University Program\Integrated Research Program, NEUP\IRP, where last year is an extension of no cost project. This research work is focused on the possible degradation of dry storage canister holding used nuclear fuel (UNF), due to exposure of marine atmospheric environment. The canister usually designed from a welded austenitic stainless-steel of types 304 or 316, encased in a concrete shell known as an overpack. This canister designed and licensed for 20 years with an extension period need to be determined, in addition 20 years or more. These casks are located throughout the country in Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (IFSFIs) often on the site close to nuclear power plants, that are often located in coastal or lake-side regions where a marine atmospheric salt air environment exist. As a result of several recent decisions, such as not pursuing Yucca Mountain as a long-term geologic repository storage facility for UNF and the cancellation of the construction of a reprocessing facility in the 1980s due to proliferation risks, interim dry storage facilities for long-term storage are vital option for the immediate future of nuclear energy technology. One of the primary concerns with respect to the long-term performance of the storage casks is the potential for corrosion initiation due to deliquescence of salts deposited on the canister surface as aerosols; in regions of high residual weld stresses, this may lead to localized stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Dust and aerosols in the air being drawn though ventilation openings in the overpacks of passively ventilated dry canister storage systems may be deposited on the stainless-steel canister outer surfaces. Under these conditions, localized corrosion attack can occur. Chlorides ions deliquescence on the canister surface, a process by which the salts essentially pull moisture out of the air, creating a concentrated salt brine on the canister surface. Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) of welded zones is of special concern, as it a well-documented mode of attack for austenitic stainless steels marine environments, and many independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs) are located in coastal areas. Recent canister inspections have shown that chloride salts are present on the surface of in-service canisters at near-marine settings. However, canister surface inspections of satisfactory resolution to detect SCC have never been carried out in details, because access to the canister surfaces through vents in the overpacks is extremely limited, and high radiation fields make removal of the canisters from the overpacks undesirable. Although no significant corrosion damage has not been detected up to date, there is concern that this may lead to pitting corrosion, which could in turn develop into stress corrosion cracking, causing canister structural failure. The initiation and propagation of pitting corrosion has been widely studied in full immersion conditions, but limited studies have been done on marine atmospheric conditions, which is a focus of this work, these includes laboratory and field experimentally and propagation rate modeling of pitting and transition to crack, and crack propagation rate. It is known, however, that the rate of atmospheric corrosion can be affected by variations in relative humidity (RH), salt density, salt type, droplet area, temperature and stainless-steel microstructure and residual stress particularly in welded zones of canisters. The integrated research program has identified potential deterioration mechanisms for the stainless-steel canisters containing the UNF in dry storage that require detailed research and investigation and will have an impact on the performance of long-term interim storage under the normal and extreme environmental conditions experienced during the duration of this storage. The prediction and monitoring of canister corrosion processes while in storage can provide important data for the assessment of interim storage performance and the safety to the public. This report comprises of mainly the published results in different journals and covering a wide range spectrum from susceptible stainless-steel types 304\316 microstructural analysis through the implant test at atmospheric environment, residual stress analysis of mockup canister and simulation, inspection methodology includes nonlinear ultrasound and vibro-thermography and stochastic modeling and simulation of pits propagation rates and transition to cracks. Description of field specimens installed at ISFSI of Main Yankee is given in the following chapters and will be analyzed in the coming future and serves as an important data for a stochastic analysis as it was drawn from the publications and reports described in this report. The purpose of this report is to bring together the project efforts that includes improving in our understanding of structural aging performance at current dry storage casks fleet at ISFSIs in the context of remedial maintenance and inspection applications technologies.
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
Washington State Biofuels Industry Development
The funding from this research grant enabled us to design, renovate, and equip laboratories to support University of Washington biofuels research program. The research that is being done with the equipment from this grant will facilitate the establishment of a biofuels industry in the Pacific Northwest and enable the University of Washington to launch a substantial biofuels and bio-based product research program.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
Novel Materials R&D for Next-Generation Accelerator Target Facilities
High-Entropy Alloys and Electrospun Nanofiber materials are two classes of novel materials that can offer improved resistance to beam-induced radiation damage and thermal shock. Research to develop these new materials specifically for multi-megawatt accelerator target applications, such as beam windows and particle-production targets, are ongoing at Fermilab within the scope of a DOE Early Career Research Program. The research program combines in-beam experiments with complementary simulations to tailor the microstructures of these novel materials for use in next-generation accelerator target facilities. Iterative simulations to optimize the material composition, physics performance, and beam-induced thermomechanical response will guide the material design and fabrication processes based on established figures of merit. This will be followed by material irradiation experiments using low-energy ions and prototypic high-energy protons with extensive post-irradiation material characterization to assess and qualify the selected novel materials. This talk will describe the alloy design and synthesis, microstructural pre-characterization of the alloys, and plans for the eventual down selection following low-energy ion irradiation studies.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program: Materials Research Pathway: FY 23 Technical Program Plan
Components in operating commercial nuclear power plants must withstand very harsh environments that include extended time at neutron and gamma irradiation, stress, and temperature, as well as possible exposure to corrosive media. The many modes of materials degradation are complex and often include synergies between multiple environmental variables and conditions that vary depending on locations and materials. Understanding and managing materials degradation is a requirement for the continued safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC)–U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Program on Research and Development for Fossil Energy-Related Resources
The EERC teamed with the DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory to conduct complementary research and development under the Joint Program on Research and Development for Fossil Energy-Related Resources (Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC26-08NT43291). This 10-year program merged two previous 10-year agreements—DE-FC26-98FT40320 and DE-FC26-98FT40321—into a single follow-on agreement. The Fossil Energy cooperative agreement between DOE and the EERC was initiated in 1983 when the EERC was defederalized. This dynamic 35-year partnership has evolved to further research in areas that address DOE Office of Fossil Energy program goals while serving the missions and exploiting the strengths of both organizations through this agreement and a new 5-year Fossil Energy-Related Resources cooperative agreement established in 2015. As the 10-year program has ended, the purpose of this report is to summarize the activity and significant outcomes that were accomplished by the EERC. This program is an excellent model for research, development, demonstration, and commercialization partnerships between government, industry, and the applied science and engineering communities to bring cutting-edge science closer to commercial application. The overarching goal was to support DOE Fossil Energy goals by advancing the scientific knowledge and technical development essential to ensuring future sustainable supplies of affordable energy and clean water, protecting and restoring the environment, and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources, thereby increasing U.S. energy security. The strategic objective was to advance continued use of domestic fossil fuels as a mainstay of U.S. energy production by making fossil energy systems nonpolluting and more efficient, capturing and sequestering greenhouse gases, and integrating the use of fossil and renewable energy sources into the energy mix. The research achievements from this partnership have exceeded the goals and objectives by contributing substantially to the development of science-based energy and environmental policy, educational foundations for science and technology, and commercialization and international marketing of energy technologies. The program comprised 75 individual projects, which included basic/applied fossil energy research projects involving no cost share and development, demonstration, and commercialization projects (many derived from applied research projects) that included nonfederal cost share of approximately 40% (the contractually required minimum level of cumulative nonfederal cost share was 29%). In all, 32,798,698 of federal funding was leveraged with industry cash and in-kind cost share of 21,697,129 from 80 nonfederal partners for a total of 54,495,827 of funded research that 1) advanced the development of unconventional tight oil resources in the Bakken Formation; 2) demonstrated the application of CO 2 Storage and EOR in tight oil formations; 3) developed advanced carbon capture technology; 4) addressed key application and infrastructure concerns for commercial deployment of CO 2 ; 5) demonstrated innovative, integrated water management strategies for energy development projects; 6) developed novel pollution control technologies for mercury and hazardous air pollutants; and 7) performed world-class outreach and dissemination of research results to industry partners and other stakeholders. These outcomes speak to the valuable return on the substantial investment in this program.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE-NE Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program and EPRI Long-Term Operations Program. Joint Research and Development Plan
Nuclear power has contributed almost 20% of the total amount of electricity generated in the United States over the past two decades. High capacity factors and low operating costs make nuclear power plants (NPPs) some of the most economical power generators available. Further, nuclear power remains the single largest contributor (nearly 70%) of non-greenhouse gas-emitting electric power generation in the United States. Even when major refurbishments are performed to extend operating life, these plants continue to represent cost-effective, low-carbon assets to the nation’s electrical generation capability. By the end of 2014, about one-third of the existing domestic fleet will have passed their 40th anniversary of power operations, and about one-half of the fleet will reach the same 40-year mark within this decade. Recognizing the challenges associated with pursuing extended service life of commercial nuclear power plants, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have established separate but complementary research and development programs (DOE-NE’s Light Water Reactor Sustainability [LWRS] Program and EPRI’s Long-Term Operations [LTO] Program) to address these challenges. To ensure that a proper linkage is maintained between the programs, DOE-NE and EPRI executed a memorandum of understanding in late 2010 to “establish guiding principles under which research activities (between LWRS and LTO) could be coordinated to the benefit of both parties.” This document represents the third annual revision to the initial version (March 2011) of the plan as called for in the memorandum of understanding.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
University of Kansas Medical center Cancer Research Equipment Award Type: Construction Grant
A major mechanism to strengthen the overall cancer focus of KUCC and expand specific research programs is through targeted recruitment of additional cancer researchers to increase the national and international status of the Cancer Center, enhance the number of NCI/cancer-related grants, fill critical research needs, and enable new collaborative projects. Over the last five years KUCC has demonstrated the ability to recruit nationally recognized basic, translational and clinical scientists to fill key leadership positions and strengthen our research programs. These researchers require new and renovated research facilities require state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. This includes standard equipment for the renovated laboratories and more specialized equipment as part of new investigator start-up packages. This funding is used to support recruitment, facilities, equipment, shared resources, administration, and patient care services. KUCC is committed to recruiting additional cancer researchers to increase the national and international status of the Cancer Center, enhance the number of NCI/cancer-related grants, fill critical research positions and build the four cancer research programs. Each purposeful hire aims to further the scientific vision, mission, and goals of the Cancer Center research programs. The funds requested will be used to supplement the recruitment packages of future cancer center recruits primarily through purchase of key equipment items.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
SU-F-J-101: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Planning for Primary Prostate Cancer with Selective Intraprostatic Boost Determined by 18F-Choline PET/CT
Purpose: To investigate the utility of {sup 18}F-choline positron emission tomography (PET) scans guidance for SBRT dose painting in patients with prostate cancer and its impact on tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Methods: Twenty seven patients with localized prostate cancer who had {sup 18}F-choline PET/CT scan prior to treatment were included. A pair of nested intraprostatic dominant lesion (IDL) contours (IDL{sub suv60%} and IDL{sub suv70%}) were generated for each patient based on 60% and 70% of maximum prostate uptake on the {sup 18}F-choline PET images. GTV{sub reg} was delineated on prostate according to the gland boundary seen on CT images. The PTVs (PTV{sub suv60%} and PTV{sub suv70%}) were defined as respective IDLs with a 3-mm margin posteriorly and 5 mm in all other dimensions. Two 5-fraction SBRT plans using VMAT technique along with 10 MV FFF beams, plan{sub 36Gy} and plan{sub 50–55Gy}, were generated for each patient. All plans included a dose of 36.25 Gy prescribed to PTV{sub reg}. The Plan{sub 50–55Gy} also included a simultaneous boost dose of 50 Gy and 55 Gy prescribed to the PTV{sub suv60%} and PTV{sub suv70%}, respectively. The utility of {sup 18}F-Choline PET-guided SBRT dose escalation was evaluated by its ability to achieve the prescription dose objectives while adhering to organ-at-risk (OAR) dose constraints. The TCP and NTCP calculated by radiological models were also compared between two plans for each patient. Results: In all 54 SBRT plans generated, the planning objectives and dose constraints were met without exception. Plan{sub 50–55Gy} had a significantly higher dose in PTV{sub suv60%} and PTV{sub suv70%} than those in Plan{sub 36Gy} (p < 0.05), respectively, while still maintaining a safe OAR sparing profile. In addition, plan{sub 50–55Gy} had significantly higher TCP than plan{sub 36Gy}. Conclusion: Using VMAT with FFF beams to incorporate a simultaneous {sup 18}F-choline PET-guided radiation boost dose up to 55 Gy into a SBRT plan is technically feasible. This work was supported in part by Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Prostate Cancer Research Program grant PC04130, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute grant R41CA110121, and the UNLV Lincy Endowed Assistant Professorship.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Virtual Special Issue on Catalysis at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratories
Catalysis research at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Laboratories covers a wide range of research topics in heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous/molecular catalysis, biocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and surface science. Since much of the work at National Laboratories is funded by DOE, the research is largely focused on addressing DOE's mission to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The catalysis research carried out at the DOE National Laboratories ranges from very fundamental catalysis science, funded by DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), to applied research and development (R&D) in areas such as biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals, fuel cells, and vehicle emission control with primary funding from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
U.S. Department of Energy Free-Air CO 2 Enrichment Experiments: FACE Results, Lessons, and Legacy
In the 1970s, growing concern about potential long-range consequences of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels prompted the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to begin developing a CO 2 research program. The goal was to obtain the scientific information needed to reduce uncertainty and develop a knowledgebase for decision-making. At its start in 1980, this program had three components: the global carbon cycle, climate effects, and vegetation effects. The vegetation effects component recognized that increased atmospheric CO 2 could be a potential benefit to vegetation and crops because CO 2 is an essential resource for plant growth. In addition to increasing crop yield, program developers and researchers recognized that this fertilizer effect could also result in greater storage of fossil fuel CO 2 by forests. Initial experiments were small in scale and scope and focused on the photosynthesis, physiology, and water use of crop plants, but the focus shifted toward responses of plants in natural systems, as needed for connections to the global carbon cycle. Program research investigated CO 2 interactions with other environmental variables, emphasizing field research whenever possible and recognizing that exposure to elevated CO 2 concentrations under realistic field conditions should lead to better predictions of plant response. Whole-ecosystem field experiments were instituted in low-stature ecosystems, but experiments to address forest responses necessarily relied on tree seedlings or saplings in open-top chambers (OTCs) and not within intact forest ecosystems. The need for larger-scale, longer-duration experiments in each of the world’s six major biomes (tundra, boreal forest, temperate forest, tropical forest, grassland, and desert) became clear, and for these experiments, free-air CO 2 exposure facilities were necessary. This report summarizes the objectives and main results of DOE-sponsored experiments employing such facilities, along with the outcomes from research on ecosystem responses using field chambers (see Fig. ES.1, p. x). Additionally, this report highlights the many successes of DOE CO 2 enrichment studies and considers the lessons learned that can be used to guide future initiatives.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗