Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

The goal of the Process Systems, Reaction Engineering and Molecular Thermodynamics (PRM) program is to advance fundamental engineering research on the rates and mechanisms of important classes of catalyzed and uncatalyzed chemical reactions as they relate to the design, production, and application of catalysts, chemical processes, biochemical processes, and specialized materials that have important impacts on society.  The program seeks to advance electrochemical and photochemical processes of engineering significance or with commercial potential, design and optimization of complex chemical and biochemical processes, thermodynamic modeling and experiments that relate molecular dynamics to macroscopic properties and behavior, dynamic modeling and control of process systems and individual process units, reactive processing of polymers/ceramics/thin films, and interactions between chemical reactions and transport processes in reactive systems, for the integration of this information into the design of complex chemical and biochemical reactors.  A substantial focus of the PRM program is to impact the chemical manufacturing enterprise by funding projects aimed at zero emissions and environmentally-friendly, smart manufacturing using sustainable materials.  Areas that focus on reactors of all types (fuel cells, batteries, microreactors, biochemical reactors, etc.), reactor design in general, and design and control of all systems associated with energy from renewable sources have a high priority for funding

The objective of this program is to conduct research and advance the current state-of-the-art in photonic materials technologies, interactions, and applications using unique and innovative solutions for improved hardened materials and increased survivability of sensors, structures, systems, and aircrew members. Separate Task Orders will contain specific requirements relative to a particular program's technical objectives. Some of the key technical areas of interest include Optical Materials and Processing, Hardening Materials and Processing, Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor Protection, Warfighter Protection, Structural Protection, Optical Technology, Computational and Theoretical Studies on Functional Materials, Proactive Threat Defeat, and High Energy Laser Source Materials. The following initial Task Orders are anticipated:

Through research and development of solid state lighting (SSL) including both light emitting diode and organic light emitting diode technologies the objectives of this opportunity are to maximize the energy efficiency of SSL products in the market place, remove market barriers through improvements to lifetime, color quality, and lighting system performance, reduce costs of SSL sources and luminaires, improve product consistency while maintaining high quality products, and encourage the growth, leadership, and sustainability of domestic US manufacturing within the SSL industry.

Roadway lighting sources are being converted from high pressure sodium (HPS) and other high-intensity discharge (HID) luminaires to light emitting diode (LED) luminaires because LEDs are generally more energy efficient and may offer better visibility. LEDs with a correlated color temperature (CCT) greater than 3000K often have higher blue content in their spectrum (460 to 480 nm) than HPS lamps. Light in this wavelength affects the production of the hormone melatonin, which regulates the human circadian rhythm. In June 2016, the American Medical Association (AMA) issued a report (The Council on Science and Public Health Report 2-A-16, Human and Environmental Effects of Light Emitting Diode (LED) Community Lighting) noting that roadway lighting with higher blue content, such as the light produced by LEDs with higher CCTs, could adversely suppress melatonin and affect the sleep health of people exposed to it. However, a link between melatonin suppression and LED lighting at roadway levels has never been reported. There could, however, be an advantage to the blue content in the LEDs. Because the blue content in LEDs has the potential to suppress melatonin, then by extension it may have the potential to make drivers more alert. In order to design LED roadway lighting that minimizes any negative impacts on drivers, research is needed to understand the relationship between LED roadway lighting and driver sleep health and alertness.

Applications are sought for novel technologies that are targeted to scale down Integrated Gasification and Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant components in the REMS philosophy to achieve programmatic cost reduction goals and to enable opportunities for lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions by locating distributed generation/fuel production closer to its raw material source. The overall technical goal of this FOA is the development of REMS for combined heat and power, and the development of retrofit options to process clean syngas to other products such as liquid fuels and chemicals in lieu of power. In particular, the FOA has an objective to develop REMS process technologies that are cost effective relative to state-of-the-art commercial technology, due to low cost fabrication via advanced manufacturing. The FOA also has an objective to study the cost and performance of a REMS-based combined heat and power or polygeneration system implemented in remote areas subjected to traditionally high energy costs to understand the extent of program impact.

This FOA seeks applications for projects to design, construct, and operate large-scale pilots of transformational coal technologies aimed at enabling step change improvements in coal powered system performance, efficiency, and cost of electricity. The FOA will be carried out in three phases, with a down-select between phases. Phase I, Feasibility, will be aimed at supporting recipients' efforts to secure team commitments, including host sites and recipient cost share for Phase II, update the preliminary cost estimate and schedule for design, construction, and operation, and complete an environmental information volume. Projects selected for Phase II, Design, will complete a Front End Engineering Design study, secure construction-operation cost share funding, and complete the National Environmental Policy Act process. Finally, at least two projects will be selected for Phase III, Construction-Operation, which will support construction and operation of the large-scale pilot facilities. Any recipients proceeding to Phase III will be required to utilize domestic coal and/or domestic coal-derived fuels in the operation period. Applicants to Phase I who plan to primarily use other fuel sources during operations will be judged non-responsive. While only detailed Phase I applications are being solicited at this time, information relating to preliminary plans to carry out Phases II and III will be required to assess the potential viability of the overall project.