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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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DOE OSTI2022

U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program: 2021 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Report; June 7-11, 2021

This document summarizes peer review comments and scores for the fiscal year 2021 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR), held virtually June 7-11, 2021. In response to direction from various stakeholders, including the National Academies, this review process provides project- and program-level evaluations of DOE-funded research, development, demonstration, and analysis of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

AMR↗
DOE OSTI2021

Emerging inorganic solar cell efficiency tables (version 2)

Abstract This paper presents the second version of the efficiency tables of materials considered as emerging inorganic absorbers for photovoltaic solar cell technologies. The materials collected in these tables are selected based on their progress in recent years, and their demonstrated potential as future photovoltaic absorbers. The first part of the paper consists of the guidelines for the inclusion of the different technologies in this paper, the verification means used by the authors, and recommendation for measurement best practices. The second part details the highest world-class certified solar cell efficiencies, and the highest non-certified cases (some independently confirmed). The third part highlights the new entries including the record efficiencies, as well as new materials included in this version of the tables. The final part is dedicated to review a specific aspect of materials research that the authors consider of high relevance for the scientific community. In this version of the efficiency tables, we are including an overview of the latest progress in quasi one-dimensional absorbers, such as antimony chalcogenides, for photovoltaic applications.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Distributed Embedded Energy Converter Technologies for Marine Renewable Energy (A Technical Report)

The domain of distributed embedded energy converter technologies (DEEC-Tec) is a nascent and underexplored paradigm for harvesting and converting marine renewable energy. The paradigm distinguishes itself through its use of many small distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) that, ultimately, are assembled through the creation of "DEEC-Tec metamaterials" to create an overall larger marine renewable energy harvesting and converting structure. As an example, such a structure could be an ocean wave energy converter - a converter whose structure is made from various types of DEEC-Tec metamaterials that harvests ocean wave energy and converts that energy into something more useful such as electricity. To that end, DEEC-Tec can be viewed at three different technology levels: (1) individual distributed embedded energy converters, also known as DEECs; (2) DEEC-Tec metamaterials-essentially, pseudo-materials made from the interconnection of many DEECs; and (3) overall larger complete marine renewable energy harvesting-converting structures-these structures being made from DEEC-Tec metamaterials. Arising directly from the application of DEEC-Tec to harvest and convert ocean wave energy are several noteworthy benefits, some of which include: (1) the lack of load concentrations into singular components or subsystems, (2) broad-banded ocean wave energy frequency harvesting and conversion, and (3) inherent redundancy-failure of some individual DEECs does not represent a failure of an entire DEEC-Tec-based WEC. This report describes DEEC-Tec by way of descriptions of those three technology levels: individual DEECs, DEEC-Tec metamaterials, and DEEC-Tec-based WECs. Moreover, the report describes corresponding research approaches and methodologies for related concepts such as DEEC-Tec-based WEC topologies and morphologies in addition to manufacturing and fabrication techniques found suitable for the application of DEEC-Tec within the general domain of marine renewable energy-moving beyond only ocean wave energy conversion.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2023

A critical review of existing and emerging technologies and systems to optimize solid waste management for feedstocks and energy conversion

Solid waste generation and its accumulation is increasing at an alarming pace due to population growth and urbanization posing severe risks to health, safety, and natural ecosystems. Herein this review strategically addresses the challenges and solutions to increasing the sustainability footprint of solid waste management (SWM) systems by revealing multipronged approaches that reduce solid waste and handling costs while generating revenue and reducing greenhouse gas and related emissions. For example, the United States sends ~150 million tons of waste to landfills, which is composed of over 75% organic and recyclable materials having a potential to be diverted to alternative scenarios. The emergence of an automated upstream and downstream sorting process for solid waste to increase material diversion from landfills is a promising approach for creating sustainable SWM. The utilization of artificial-intelligence-enabled smart and automated systems at the home and industrial scales, comprehensive public re-education including awareness of the adverse effects of landfilled waste on the ecosystem, and more eco-friendly product development are required to significantly reduce landfills and their negative footprint.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Supply Chain Sustainability Analysis of Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels via Indirect Liquefaction, Ex Situ Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis, Hydrothermal Liquefaction, Combined Algal Processing, and Biochemical Conversion: Update of the 2020 State-of-Technology Cases

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) aims to develop and deploy technologies to transform renewable biomass resources into commercially viable, high-performance biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower through public and private partnerships (U.S. Department of Energy, 2016). BETO and its national laboratory teams conduct in-depth techno-economic assessments (TEA) of biomass feedstock supply and logistics and conversion technologies to produce biofuels. There are two general types of TEAs: A design case outlines a target case (future projection) for a particular biofuel pathway. It enables identification of data gaps and research and development needs and provides goals and benchmarks against which technology progress is assessed. A state of technology (SOT) analysis assesses progress within and across relevant technology areas based on actual results at current experimental scales relative to technical targets and cost goals from design cases, and includes technical, economic, and environmental criteria as available. In addition to developing a TEA for a pathway of interest, BETO also performs a supply chain sustainability analysis (SCSA). The SCSA takes the life-cycle analysis approach that BETO has been supporting for about 20 years. It enables BETO to identify energy consumption, environmental, and sustainability issues that may be associated with biofuel production. Approaches to mitigate these issues can then be developed. Additionally, the SCSA allows for comparison of energy and environmental impacts across biofuel pathways in BETO’s research and development portfolio. This technical report describes the SCSAs for the production of renewable hydrocarbon transportation fuels via a range of conversion technologies in the 2020 SOTs: (1) renewable high octane gasoline (HOG) via indirect liquefaction (IDL) of woody lignocellulosic biomass (note that the IDL pathway in this SCSA represents the syngas conversion design [Harris et al. 2021]); (2) renewable gasoline (RG) and diesel (RD) blendstocks via ex situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of woody lignocellulosic biomass [Abhijit et al. 2021]; (3) RD via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of wet sludge from a wastewater treatment plant; (4) renewable hydrocarbon fuels via biochemical conversion of herbaceous lignocellulosic biomass (Davis et al. 2021; Lin et al. 2021); (5) renewable diesel via HTL of a blend of algae (Davis and Klein, 2021) and woody biomass (Hartley et al. 2020); and (6) renewable diesel via combined algae processing (CAP) (Wiatrowski and Davis, 2021). This technical report focuses on the environmental performance of these six biofuel production pathways in their 2020 SOT cases. The results of these renewable hydrocarbon fuel pathways in these SCSA analyses update those for the respective 2019 SOT cases (Cai et al. 2020). They also provide an opportunity to examine the impact of technology improvements in both biomass feedstock production and biofuel production that have been achieved in 2020 SOTs on the sustainability performance of these renewable transportation fuels. The SCSA results also reflect updates to Argonne National Laboratory’s Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET®) model, which was released in October 2020 (Wang et al. 2020). These GREET updates include the production of natural gas, electricity, and petroleum-based fuels that can influence biofuels’ supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) (CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O) emissions, water consumption, and air pollutant emissions. GHG emissions, water consumption, and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emissions are the main sustainability metrics assessed in this analysis. In this analysis, we define water consumption as the amount of water withdrawn from a freshwater source that is not returned (or returnable) to a freshwater source at the same level of quality. Life-cycle fossil energy consumption and net energy balance, which is the life-cycle fossil energy consumption deducted from the renewable biofuel energy produced, are also assessed.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Improving durability and performance of solid oxide electrolyzers by controlling surface composition on oxygen electrodes

Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is a promising technology for high-efficiency energy conversion, enabling the production of hydrogen, syngas, synthetic fuels, and various commodity chemicals. Unlike traditional thermochemical processes, SOECs operate at elevated temperatures (600-850°C), benefiting from favorable thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. This makes them highly energy efficient compared to alkaline or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis technologies. However, despite these advantages, SOECs face significant challenges related to performance degradation over time. A primary issue is the degradation of the oxygen electrode due to strontium (Sr) segregation and impurity poisoning from chromium (Cr) and sulfur (S). This is because the pathway to deposition of Cr and S include the reaction of Cr and S with the segregated SrO at the surface. Sr segregation leads to the formation of insulating compounds such as SrCrO4 and SrSO4, which block active sites, reduce oxygen exchange rates, and compromise the electrode's electrochemical stability. The degradation mechanisms involve complex interactions between the electrode material's surface chemistry, microstructure, and the operating environment. Sr segregation is particularly problematic because it facilitates the deposition of Cr and S impurities, exacerbating performance losses. Addressing these issues is critical to enhancing the durability and economic viability of SOEC technology. The primary goal of this project is to improve the durability and performance of SOECs by controlling the surface composition of the oxygen electrode. This is achieved by suppressing Sr segregation, thereby mitigating impurity poisoning pathways. The project aims to enhance the oxygen exchange rate, improve cell stability, and extend the operational lifespan of SOECs without necessitating major changes to electrode chemistry or stack components.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sodium Ion Expansion Power Block for Distributed CSP

The Sodium Ion Expansion Power Block for Distributed CSP was a three-plus-one-year effort under the Concentrating Solar Power: Advanced Projects Offering Low LCOE Opportunities (CSP: APOLLO) funding program within the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. The primary objective of this project is to develop a dual-stage modular sodium thermal electrochemical converter (Na-TEC) heat engine power block, which can be potentially integrated with either a small-scale dish solar or large-scale heliostats and parabolic trough CSP. Na-TEC is a heat engine that generates electricity through the isothermal expansion of sodium ions. The Na-TEC is a closed system that can theoretically achieve conversion efficiencies above 45% when operating between thermal reservoirs at 1150 K and 550 K. However, thermal designs have confined previous single-stage devices to thermal efficiencies below 20%. To mitigate some of these limitations, we consider dividing the isothermal expansion into two stages; one at the evaporator temperature (1150 K) and another at an intermediate temperature (650 K –1050 K). This dual-stage Na-TEC takes advantage of regeneration and reheating, and could be amenable to better thermal management. In light of this, we first designed and developed a thermo-electrochemical model, and thermodynamically demonstrated how the dual-stage device can improve the efficiency by up to 8% points over the best performing single-stage device. We also established an application regime map for the single- and dual-stage Na-TEC in terms of the power density and the total thermal parasitic loss. Moreover, a thermal design of an axisymmetric dual-stage Na-TEC is developed to guide the scale-up and fabrication of sub-components of prototype module. A reduced-order finite-element model is used in conjunction with a Na-TEC thermodynamic model that was developed to determine the total parasitic heat loss of this dual-stage design. A number of simplifications are applied in the reduced-order model to decrease the computational time while maintaining acceptable accuracy. According to this analysis, a maximum efficiency of 29% and a maximum power output of 125 W can be achieved. Ultimately, we were able to demonstrate thermal efficiency improvements of the Na-TEC heat engine from 19% up to 40.3%, in a dual-stage (non-optimized) prototype module that we designed, fabricated, and tested with high temperature stage at 923 K. Furthermore, a cost-performance analysis for this improved dual-stage design was carried out for distributed-CSP systems. A high-level techno-economic analysis (TEA) explores four scenarios where a Na-TEC is used as the heat engine for a distributed-CSP system. Overnight capital cost and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) are estimated for a system lifetime of 30 years, revealing that overnight capital costs in a range from $3.57 to $17.71 per We are feasible, which equate to LCOEs from 6.9 to 17.2 cents/kWh e -1 . This analysis makes a significant contribution by concurrently quantifying the efficiency and unit costs for a range of multistage configurations, and demonstrating that a Na-TEC may be a promising alternative to Stirling engines for distributed-CSP systems at residential scale of 1–5 kW e .

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Supply Chain Sustainability Analysis of Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels via Hydrothermal Liquefaction, Combined Algal Processing, and Biochemical Conversion: Update of the 2022 State-of-Technology Cases

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) aims to develop and deploy technologies to transform renewable biomass resources into commercially viable, high-performance biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower through public and private partnerships. BETO and its national laboratory teams conduct in-depth techno-economic assessments (TEA) of biomass feedstock supply and logistics and conversion technologies to produce biofuels. There are two general types of TEAs: A design case outlines a target case (future projection) for a particular biofuel pathway. It informs R&D priorities by identifying areas in need of improvement, tracks sustainability impact of R&D, and provides goals and benchmarks against which technology progress is assessed. A state of technology (SOT) analysis assesses progress within and across relevant technology areas based on actual results at current experimental scales relative to technical targets and cost goals from design cases, and includes technical, economic, and environmental criteria as available. In addition to developing a TEA for a pathway of interest, BETO also performs a supply chain sustainability analysis (SCSA). The SCSA takes the life-cycle analysis approach that BETO has been supporting for over 20 years. It enables BETO to identify energy consumption, environmental, and sustainability issues that may be associated with biofuel production. Approaches to mitigating these issues can then be developed. Additionally, the SCSA allows for comparison of energy and environmental impacts across biofuel pathways in BETO's research and development portfolio. This technical report describes the SCSAs for the production of renewable hydrocarbon transportation fuels via a range of conversion technologies in the 2022 SOTs: (1) renewable hydrocarbon fuels via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of wet sludge from a wastewater treatment plant; (2) renewable hydrocarbon fuels via biochemical conversion of herbaceous lignocellulosic biomass; (3) renewable hydrocarbon fuels via HTL of an algae/woody biomass blend; and (4) renewable hydrocarbon fuels via combined algae processing (CAP).

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Forum on Materials and Interfaces for Energy Storage and Conversion

This ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces forum on energy storage and conversion contains the topics of research discoveries to advance energy technology development. The topics are focused on the efficient and sustainable use of energy in the fields of fuel cells, CO 2 conversion, water splitting, batteries, and electrochemical capacitor. This forum highlights recent achievements in these emerging technologies through the design and evaluation of novel materials and devices and theoretical study. Additionally, this forum also showcases the technology at all stages of development from “embryonic” conception to industrial adaptation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microwave-assisted catalytic conversion of waste biomass and plastic feedstocks via thermochemical routes

Microwave-assisted catalytic conversion of waste feedstocks to fuels and value-added chemicals shows incredible promise as an efficient pathway to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s vision toward strengthening the nation’s energy independence. Microwave-heated systems have the potential to outperform conventional technologies through energy-efficient heating and improved product selectivity. This chapter emphasizes microwave-assisted catalytic approaches for waste conversion, allowing maximum energy recovery and extraction of valuable chemicals from waste feedstock such as biomass and plastics while reducing undesired byproducts. A gap remains in understanding how microwaves interact with materials to enable rapid and selective heating, which is crucial for improving catalytic efficiency. This chapter attempts to address this knowledge gap by proposing mechanisms that explain the microwave-catalytic interactions for efficient conversion of biomass-plastic wastes. In addition, comparisons with conventional catalytic technologies as well as the potential for scale ups and future commercialization of microwave-catalytic waste conversion technologies are also discussed.

microwave-assisted catalytic conversion↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improving tubular protonic ceramic fuel cell performance by compensating Ba evaporation via a Ba-excess optimized proton conducting electrolyte synthesis strategy

Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are emerging as a promising technology for reduced temperature ceramic energy conversion devices. The BaCe 0.4 Zr 0.4 Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3–δ (BCZYYb4411) electrolyte is notable for its high proton conductivity. However, the tendency of barium to volatilize in BCZYYb4411 during high-temperature sintering compromises its chemical stability and performance. This study investigates the effects of intentionally incorporating excess barium into BCZYYb4411, formulated as Ba 1+x Ce 0.4 Zr 0.4 Y0.1Yb 0.1 O 3–δ (where x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3), with the aim of compensating barium evaporation and enhancing the physical and chemical properties. We find that excess barium results in a greater shrinkage rate, facilitating a denser electrolyte structure. This barium-enriched electrolyte demonstrates improved electrochemical performance by effectively counteracting the deleterious effects of barium evaporation. Applying this strategy to tubular PCFCs, we achieved a peak power density of 480 mW•cm –2 at 600 °C. This unique approach provides a simple, tunable, and easy-to-implement processing modification to achieve high-performance tubular PCFC.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Atomistic Study of the Plastic Deformation of Transition Metals and High Entropy Alloys (Final Report)

The overarching goal of the research performed in the studies supported by the DOE Basic Energy Sciences has been investigation of mechanical properties of materials employed in technologies related to energy production and conversion using atomic level computer modeling. The materials studied are body-centered-cubic (BCC) transition metals, including α-iron, their alloys and most recently also compositionally complex, so called high entropy alloys (HEAs), which are believed to become future materials in high temperature applications. The goal of the research has been to achieve atomic level understanding of the deformation and fracture of these materials starting from the electronic structure, coarse grain the material energetics into potentials describing interaction between atoms and proceed via atomistic modeling and mesoscopic models to investigation of the glide of dislocations and thus advance the theory of plastic deformation of studied materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Building Artificial Layered Solids from the Bottom-up: Materials by Design to Enable New Energy Technologies

This final technical report summarizes the key accomplishments on this DOE Early Career Program award received by PI Guihua Yu at the University of Texas at Austin. The main goal of this ECP award was to develop synthetic methodologies, self-assembly approaches towards structurally controlled nanosheets-like solids from the bottom up, and to understand and characterize their chemical/physical characteristics for the design of future-generation energy devices with novel functions and properties, that will have direct implications for energy science and technologies such as energy storage and conversion, and catalysis. The project accomplished these goals by completing the following objectives: • Rational design, synthesis, and self-assembly of structurally-controlled molecular ‘nanosheets’ materials. Moving beyond conventional van der Waals two-dimensional crystals, this project enables new synthesis and processing strategies to develop ultrathin nanosheets materials, from inorganic transition-metal oxides-based, to hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials, with structural factors such as facet, thickness and pore structure being well controlled during synthesis or assembly processes. • Fundamental understanding and electrochemical characterization of these assembled molecular ‘nanosheets’ materials via charge/mass transport studies through electrochemical intercalation of different metal ions for next-generation energy storage, as well as electrocatalytic studies using this new material platform for understanding catalytic reaction kinetics and the roles of surface functionalization and interface interactions owing to atomic thickness, nanoscale porosity, and other structural factors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Apparatus and systems for incorporating effective transparent catalyst for photoelectrochemical application

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for the conversion of solar energy into chemicals may require cost-effective photoelectrodes to efficiently and stably drive anodic and/or cathodic half-reactions to complete the overall reactions for storing solar energy in chemical bonds. Apparatus and systems incorporating effectively transparent metal catalysts enable the design and/or implementation of PEC devices for light harvesting. Triple-junction photocathodes with the triangular catalyst grids are provided to improve the efficiency of the photocathodes to generate renewable fuel from sunlight.

Cheng, Wen-Hui↗
DOE OSTI2020

The 2020 photovoltaic technologies roadmap

Over the past decade, the global cumulative installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity has grown exponentially, reaching 591 GW in 2019. Rapid progress was driven in large part by improvements in solar cell and module efficiencies, reduction in manufacturing costs and the realization of levelized costs of electricity that are now generally less than other energy sources and approaching similar costs with storage included. Given this success, it is a particularly fitting time to assess the state of the photovoltaics field and the technology milestones that must be achieved to maximize future impact and forward momentum. This roadmap outlines the critical areas of development in all of the major PV conversion technologies, advances needed to enable terawatt-scale PV installation, and cross-cutting topics on reliability, characterization, and applications. Each perspective provides a status update, summarizes the limiting immediate and long-term technical challenges and highlights breakthroughs that are needed to address them. In total, this roadmap is intended to guide researchers, funding agencies and industry in identifying the areas of development that will have the most impact on PV technology in the upcoming years.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Review of Sandia Energy Storage Research Capabilities and Opportunities (2020 to 2030)

Large-scale integration of energy storage on the electric grid will be essential to enabling greater penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources, modernizing the grid for increased flexibility security, reliability, and resilience, and enabling cleaner forms of transportation. The purpose of this report is to summarize Sandia's research and capabilities in energy storage and to provide a preliminary roadmap for future efforts in this area that can address the ongoing program needs of DOE and the nation. Mission and vision statements are first presented followed by an overview of the organizational structure at Sandia that provides support and activities in energy storage. Then, a summary of Sandia's energy storage capabilities is presented by technology, including battery storage and materials, power conversion and electronics, subsurface-based energy storage, thermal/thermochemical energy storage, hydrogen storage, data analytics/systems optimization/controls, safety of energy storage systems, and testing/demonstrations/model validation. A summary of identified gaps and needs is also presented for each technology and capability.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Magnesium- and intermetallic alloys-based hydrides for energy storage: modelling, synthesis and properties

Hydrides based on magnesium and intermetallic compounds provide a viable solution to the challenge of energy storage from renewable sources, thanks to their ability to absorb and desorb hydrogen in a reversible way with a proper tuning of pressure and temperature conditions. Therefore, they are expected to play an important role in the clean energy transition and in the deployment of hydrogen as an efficient energy vector. This review, by experts of Task 40 ‘Energy Storage and Conversion based on Hydrogen’ of the Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme of the International Energy Agency, reports on the latest activities of the working group ‘Magnesium- and Intermetallic alloys-based Hydrides for Energy Storage’. The following topics are covered by the review: multiscale modelling of hydrides and hydrogen sorption mechanisms; synthesis and processing techniques; catalysts for hydrogen sorption in Mg; Mg-based nanostructures and new compounds; hydrides based on intermetallic TiFe alloys, high entropy alloys, Laves phases, and Pd-containing alloys. Finally, an outlook is presented on current worldwide investments and future research directions for hydrogen-based energy storage.

Energy storage↗