|
|
Development of Feedforward Control Strategies for Wave Energy Conversion Technologies
The future of wave energy will depend on developing a new generation of wave energy converters (WECs) that maximize energy extraction and mitigate critical loads while reducing costs. Today’s WECs are relatively inefficient compared to their theoretical upper limit and lack the ability to concurrently maximize power capture and minimize structural loads. The majority of existing WECs consist of fixed geometrical bodies relying predominantly on control of the power...
read more |
| 12/29/2015 |
|
|
SEAWOLF
SEAWOLF (Sediment Erosion Actuated by Wave Oscillations and Linear Flow) is a method and apparatus for measuring erosion rates of sediments and high shear stresses in wave dominated environments. Accurate prediction of erosion rates is complicated by a lack of understanding regarding cohesive sediment interactions. A need exists for an apparatus that can accurately and directly measure the individual contributors to the total erosion rate of sediments from suspended and bedload...
read more |
| 03/12/2013 |
|
|
Superhydrophobic Metal-Oxide Thin Film Coatings
Because of their numerous advantages and applications, considerable efforts have been expended to develop superhydrophobic (water repellant) coatings. However, traditional superhydrophobic coatings are soft in nature, with a Teflon-like surface chemistry that results in reduced adhesion and durability, and hence such coatings are not suitable for robust applications. In addition, the harsh chemical treatment processes used to create many of these coatings (e.g., use of chemical solvent...
read more |
| 09/24/2012 |
|
|
Advanced Chlorophyll Fluorometer
To advance miniaturization of the AquaSentinel environmental monitoring technology, ORNL and the University of Tennessee researchers developed a microfluidics-based pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) chlorophyll fluorometer—the first of its kind.
Fluorometers have a wide range of applications in the life sciences, including medical, chemical, biological, and environmental, and have proven especially helpful in the analysis of organic compounds. Miniaturization broadens their appeal and...
read more |
| 08/21/2012 |
|
|
Enhanced Detection of Toxic Agents
Researchers at ORNL and the University of Tennessee have taken the next step in the development of their AquaSentinel water quality monitoring system by improving the sensitivity of the process using a new electrokinetic enrichment technique. |
| 07/11/2012 |
|
|
Bioluminescent Bioreporter Integrated Circuits
To address the need for fieldable real-time biological recognition systems, ORNL researchers developed a "laboratory on a chip" using genetically engineered whole cell biosensors attached to integrated circuits (ICs). These bioluminescent bioreporters can be deployed to assist with environmental detection and analysis during natural and human disasters. |
| 07/11/2012 |
|
|
Coating Surfaces with Superhydrophobic Powder
Researchers at ORNL have developed a method of modifying existing coating techniques to include a bonded superhydrophobic outer coating layer. Superhydrophobic powder will not readily bond to most substrates directly, since superhydrophobic powder is almost entirely made up of fluorinated particles of silica glass, which is chemically inert to most materials. In a standard electrostatic powder spraying process, dry resin powder is sprayed on to a given substrate. The powder adheres to the...
read more |
| 07/11/2012 |
|
|
Superoleophilic Particles and Coatings
Researchers at ORNL have developed a superoleophilic coating that pins a layer of oil to a specially coated substrate and particularly to the surface of the coating. The pinning action keeps the oil from leeching out of the coating, even when the coating is submerged in water or subjected to very wet conditions. This enables the oil to persist on the surface of the coating without significantly reducing the coated surface’s coefficient of friction. |
| 07/11/2012 |
|
|
Energy-absorbent Material and Method of Making
This invention relates to materials that absorb and dissipate energy and/or selectively allow energy to be transmitted – in particular, polymeric materials that include polyol(s) such as polyethers, polyesters, polyether/esters, acrylics, plus other formulary components such as hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes, polyisocyanates, silicone, RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone, and suitable catalysts. Included are such polymeric materials that are resilient and resist...
read more |
| 06/08/2012 |
|
|
Hierarchically Ordered Porous Carbon Films for Commercial Water Desalination
Porous carbon films that can be optimized and assembled as electrodes in a device to desalinate water have been successfully produced at ORNL. The new porous carbon has a controlled, well-ordered hierarchy of pore sizes that readily adsorbs materials in industrial desalination processes. Unlike existing films, these carbon films can readily be produced in a batch-to-batch, repeatable, and uniform way on a commercial scale. |
| 10/25/2011 |
|
|
Advanced Analysis Software Key to New, Energy-Efficient Technologies
Supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, other federal agencies, and industry sponsors, Argonne is providing broad-based scientific and engineering expertise to create analytical software tools that will enable the United States to make substantive enhancements in energy efficiency and serve the growing demand for renewable energy.
|
| 04/05/2011 |
|
|
Substantially Parallel Flux Uncluttered Rotor Machines (U-Machine)
A general concern based on the supply and demand trend of the permanent magnet (PM) raw materials suggests the need for elimination of these materials from electric motors (and generators) to control future costs. This invention discloses a new motor topology that eliminates the PM. Other innovations include brushless adjustable field excitation for high starting torque, field weakening, and power factor improvement and novel locks for higher peak speed. This novel machine shows promising...
read more |
| 02/03/2010 |
|
|
Internal/External Split Field Generator
These technologies are designs and methods that boost the efficiency of electric generators by decoupling the magnetic polarity of the driving mechanism while increasing the operational frequency of the machine. Both are unique, low cost methods to develop a generator with a higher power density. |
| 02/03/2010 |
