Energy and Utilities

The use of class A3 and A2L refrigerants to replace conventional hydrofluorocarbons for their low global warming potential (GWP) presents risks due to leaks of flammable mixtures that could result in fire or explosion.

A new, simpler power module and manifold design shows lower weight and volume, which allows higher power density compared with current state of the art.

A process has been developed to convert coal, or waste streams from coal processing (e.g., coal refuse) into graphite for use as anode in lithium-ion batteries.

The quality and quantity of refrigerant charge in any vapor compression-based heating and cooling system is vital to its energy efficiency, thermal capacity, and reliability.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. With its global warming potential of more than 80x of CO2 over a 20-year period or more than 25x over a 100-year period, oxidizing methane to CO2 is an effective pathway to reduce its environmental impact.

No readily available public data exists for vehicle class and weight information that covers the entire U.S. highway network. The Travel Monitoring Analysis System, managed by the Federal Highway Administration covers only less than 1% of the US highway network.

Efficient and widespread wireless charging is necessary to meet demand of electric vehicles, but adoption of EVs is hampered by long duration charging and limited range. Wireless charging pads require magnetic components.

2,3-butanediol (BDO) is a chemical compound with many industrial uses, including as a biofuel precursor and an additive to aviation fuel. 2,3-BDO can be produced from biomass, making it a more sustainable fuel source, but it must be separated and purified before utilization.

Performance of heat exchangers greatly suffers due to maldistribution of fluid, which also impacts the performance of the entire HVAC system. One method to reduce fluid maldistribution is to improve the design of the manifold to make the flow evenly distributed.