Life at the National Renewable Energy Lab

The laboratories, research, buildings, and people at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are featured in this photo collection. Search the Photographic Information eXchange for more photos depicting life at NREL.

These images were shot in early 2006 by Jack Dempsey (coordinated through NREL Public Affairs), Mike Linenberger of the PIX staff, and Eric Telesmanich of the Site Operations staff.

#14409 - Clearing ground for construction of the Science & Technology Facility (S&TF). Shot by Eric Telesmanich

#14651 - Science & Technology Facility (S&TF) building is nearly complete on the exterior. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14468 - Continuous concentrator cell current versus voltage measurement test bed. The light is directed from a 1000W Xe lamp on to a sample at light levels from 1 -sun to around 100 suns depending on the technology and size. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14476 - Spectral responsivity measurement system using 10nm bandwidth interference filters. L to R, lamp, mechanical chopper, shutter, filters, temperature controlled probe station with mirror over the sample to direct the monochromatic beam to large area modules, rack is on the right. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14487 - NREL researcher uses the scanning Fourier transform infrared microscope to examine novel PV materials. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14492 - The SPM 3100 from Veeco Metrology works in air and is capable of analyzing large area samples with the following techniques: Atomic Force Microscopy (contact, non-contact, tapping modes), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy, Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Capacitance Microscopy. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14503 - The SPM MultiProbe S, from Omicron Nano Technology has the capability to clean the sample surface in vacuum and deposit metals on the surface. Atomic Force Microscopy (contact, non-contact, tapping modes), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy in ultra-high-vacuum. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14513 - This is a Dual Beam instrument that consists of a focused ion beam (FIB) column and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) column on the same platform. It is used for ion milling, metal deposition, ion imaging and electron imaging on the micrometer and nanometer scale of advanced PC materials and devices. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14516 - The F20 microscope is used to investigate microstructure, defect, chemical composition and electronic structure in advanced semiconductors. The microscope offers capabilities of atomic-resolution imaging, EDS, EELS and elemental mapping. Shot by Mike Linenberger

#14523 - The Carbon Nanoscience Group seeks to understand the chemical, physical and optoelectronic properties of a variety of nanosystems and nanomaterials. The end goal is to develop and apply design principles to fabricate new molecules and materials for application in several important renewable energy technologies. In particular, we are interested in hydrogen storage, solar photochemistry to produce electricity or fuels, gas seperation membranes, and fuel cell, catalytic, photovoltaic and battery materials. In the photo, Mike Heben is showing a purified nanotube paper. Shot by Jack Dempsey

#14531 - Dr. Teresa Palmer analyzes visualization of HVAC simulation. Shot by Jack Dempsey

#14556 - Through its Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program, NREL conducts R&D in hydrogen production and delivery, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, technology validation, safety, codes and standards and analysis. This crosscutting effort involves Laboratory research in photovoltaics, bioenergy, transportation, wind, buildings and basic sciences. Shot by Jack Dempsey

#14564 - Hydrogenasas are specialized proteins (enzymes) that can take electrons released from water by photosynthesis and combine them with protons also released by the water-splitting process. The result is the generation of hydrogen gas. In the photo, Alexandra Dubini is performing enzyme purification inside and anaerobic chamber for the algal H2 production technology. Shot by Jack Dempsey

#14573 - Hydrogenasas are specialized proteins (enzymes) that can take electrons released from water by photosynthesis and combine them with protons also released by the water-splitting process. The result is the generation of hydrogen gas. Operating bioreactor producing hydrogen via the fermentation of lignocellulosic waste biomass. Shot by Jack Dempsey

#14581 - Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the world and can be produced from a wide variety of domestic resources using a number of different technologies. Researchers in NREL's Basic Sciences and Computational Sciences Center are working together on a novel way to use green algae to produce hydrogen directly from water and sunlight, that, when recombined with oxygen in a fuel cell, produces clean energy without pollutants. Shot by Jack Dempsey

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