On November 18th, DOE announced $104.7 million in
funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for eight new projects
to establish research and testing facilities at seven DOE National
Laboratories. The projects are in the areas of carbon fiber manufacturing
and processing technologies, advanced battery prototype fabrication and testing
facilities, and integrated building systems development. With regard specifically to the carbon fiber
and battery projects, the awards are as follows:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, TN) will receive
$34.7 million for carbon fiber manufacturing and processing to construct the
Carbon Fiber Technology Center. The Center will investigate novel
manufacturing processes and alternative feedstocks in order to lower the cost
of carbon fiber from the current $10-$20 per pound to under $5 per pound.
- Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL) will receive
$8.8 million to construct three battery research and development
facilities: a Battery Prototype Cell Fabrication Facility, a Materials
Production Scale-Up Facility, and a Post-Test Analysis Facility.
- Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho Falls, ID) will receive $5
million to establish a High Energy Battery Test Facility. The High Energy
Battery Test Facility will possess capabilities that will enable development of
low cost batteries that meet real world performance requirements.
- Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM) will receive
$4.2 million to modify and enhance its Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory.
Abusive testing includes such conditions as over charging, over discharge,
short circuits, fire and external heat exposure. The improved battery abuse
testing facilities will possess capabilities critical for developing low cost
batteries that meet real world performance requirements.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO) will receive $2
million to establish a Battery Thermal and Life Test Facility. The Battery
Thermal and Life Test Facility will enable researchers to develop lower cost,
more robust battery thermal management systems and battery designs.
Comments