US – Page 57 – TechConnect Briefs

Biorenewable Production Pathway for Nylon and PET

Forney C., Iowa State University, US

Advances in biological engineering over the last several decades have increased the production of naturally (and some non-naturally) occurring molecules from biomass. However, it is evident that despite these gains, relying solely on biological methods [...]

Production of hydrogen from various feedstock options using non-thermal plasma catalyzed reforming

Frost L., Hartvigsen J., Elangovan E., Ceramatec Inc, US

Ceramatec has developed a method for reformation of various hydrocarbons using a non-thermal plasma system to catalyze the reformation process. The plasma provides the same type of catalytic activity as a solid catalyst but since [...]

Particle/Polymer Nanofiber Mat Electrodes for Hydrogen/Air Fuel Cells

Pintauro P.N., Slack J., Wycisk R., Brodt M., Vanderbilt University, US

A new method of preparing fuel cell electrodes has been developed. Electrode mats composed of particle/polymer nanofibers work exceptionally well in a hydrogen/air fuel cell, in terms of power output and long-term durability. Abstract: The [...]

Self-healing Composite Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Wang L., Advani S.G., Prasd A.K., University of Delaware, US

Defects in the form of pinholes and cracks can occur in the membrane due to a combination of chemical and mechanical degradation mechanisms during operation of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Such defects are [...]

Why Hydrogen?

Blanchet S., Nuvera Fuel Cells, US

Modern civilization has grown reliant on plentiful, cheap and convenient energy from fossil fuels. Now, the reality of climate change has compelled us to reconsider our current ways of producing and using energy. The standardization [...]

Rheological Behavior of Novel Switchable Cationic Surfactant in High Salinity Carbonate Reservoirs

Gurusinghe N., Ramadan G., Liebum M., Nguyen Q.P., The University of Texas at Austin, US

The use of viscoelastic (VES) or polymer-like surfactant solutions are important in applications related to enhanced oil recovery and subsurface conformance control. VES resembles polymer where it acts as a mobility control agent to promote [...]

Rheological Characterization of a Novel Viscoelastic Surfactant for Subsurface Applications

Liebum M., Nguyen Q.P., The University of Texas at Austin, US

Viscoelastic solutions (VES) are used in many applications including oil and gas operations regarding reservoir stimulation and enhanced oil recovery to modify rheology properties in the subsurface. In general, the viscoelastic property of the surfactant [...]

A Novel Approach to Reducing Water and Energy Consumption in Oil Production

Pavia M.R., Glori Energy, US

Of all the oil discovered in the world to date, 60-70% remains trapped in the reservoir. Glori Energy has developed a novel oil recovery biotechnology, the AERO (Activated Environment for Recovery of Oil) Technology, which [...]

Bending the DoD Energy Consumption Curve With Big Data Analytics (Conserving Energy with 1’s and 0’s)

Weatherly M., Frontier Technology, Inc. (FTI), US

In 2014 Frontier Technology, Inc. (FTI) utilized Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) funded technologies to develop a Decision Support and Optimization System Model for energy consumption for the United States Navy’s Fleet Forces Command (USFF). [...]

Nanostructured Magnets and High-Power-Density Synchronous Generators

Lyshevski S.E., Rochester Institute of Technology, US

This paper examines enabling nanotechnology solutions for power generation systems (GGS) to improve and empower clean and renewable energy systems [1, 2]. The goal is to design electric machines with nanostructured magnets. We design optimized [...]