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Technology Transfer Opportunities – Sandia

UFTO

PROPRIETARY

Final Report

Technology Transfer Opportunities in the National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories

Albuquerque, New Mexico

& Livermore, CA

July 1995

Prepared for:

Utility Federal Technology Opportunities (UFTO)

By:

Edward Beardsworth

Consultant

 

This report is part of a series examining technology opportunities at National Laboratories of possible interest to electric utilities

 

Contents:

 

1. Summary
1. Sandia Organization
2. Sandia Technologies & Programs
11. Sandia Contacts

 

This report is proprietary and confidential. It is for internal use by personnel of companies that are subscribers in the UFTO multi-client program. It is not to be otherwise copied or distributed except as authorized in writing.

 

Summary

This report details findings about technology and technology transfer opportunities at the Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) that might be of strategic interest to electric utilities. It is based on visits to Sandia in March 1995, as part of the UFTO multiclient project.

Background

Noting the tremendous scope of research underway in the research facilities of the U.S. government, and a very strong impetus on the government’s part to foster commercial partnering with industry and applications of the technology it has developed, the UFTO program has been established as a multi-client study of the opportunities thus afforded electric utilities.

Sandia Organization

Sandia began in 1945 as a small part of Los Alamos Laboratory, and in 1949 became a separate laboratory managed by AT&T. (The University of California, which manages Los Alamos, did not want to become involved in the actual manufacture of weapons.) Due to AT&T’s culture and management approach, Sandia grew up with an organizational style similar to Bell Labs, and quite different from the other national labs. There is a line management structure, and from the beginning, a strong “industrial R&D” approach that emphasizes practical results and getting them into use.

AT&T has managed Sandia (as a public service, for $1 per year) from 1949 until 1993, when Martin Marietta won the bid to take over. Martin (now Lockheed Martin) has a subsidiary company called Sandia Corporation that manages the laboratory (similar to the arrangement at ORNL and INEL).

Sandia is located on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, and at Livermore California (across the street from L. Livermore National Lab). Total staff number about 8500 people, with about 1000 in California. About 60% of the staff are in technical and scientific positions.

Managers of “directorates” or “centers” have a fair degree of autonomy, and report up to a “sector” vice president level which in turn report to Al Narath, the president and lab director.

The sectors include:

Defense Programs (the largest), which does engineering and design for weapons systems,

Energy & Environment, led by Dan Hartley, deals with all other areas of the Dept. of Energy, with programs in Applied Energy, Nuclear Waste Management, Environment, Nuclear Energy, and Energy Research.

Work for Others (other government agencies) also known as Systems Applications and Research & Exploratory Technology

Sandia has specific major cross-cutting initiatives in agile manufacturing, electronics, and advanced information processing.

A general point of information: each lab annually publishes an “Institutional Plan”, which is organized according to which DOE Program Office supports the work, not the lab’s own organizational structure. Thus a “mapping” between the two structures is required to be able to see the work of the groups within a lab.

Sandia Technologies & Programs

 

Covered in this section:

  • Combustion Research
  • Advanced Batteries and SupercapacitorsUtility Batteries/Storage/UBG
  • Renewables
  • Fuel Cells
  • Robotics
  • High Consequence Operations
  • High Performance Computing
  • Distributed Information Technologies (NII)
  • Sensors
  • Materials
  • Reliability/Decision Making
  • Micro SMES
  • HyMelt
  • High power switching

General Telephone # is (501) 844-5678
In Livermore, CA (510) 294-3000

Programs of greatest direct applicability to utilities are in the:
Applied Energy Program Dan E. Arvizu, Director 505-845-8336

 

Three major program areas:

1. Renewable Energy: solar thermal, PV, wind, geothermal, biomass

2. Energy Efficiency: utility energy management, materials & manufacturing processes, combustion technologies, transportation batteries, superconductivity

3. Fossil Energy: coal combustion, oil & gas production, strategic petroleum reserve
Industry collaborations involve many electric utility companies and manufacturers.

• Combustion Research Don Hardesty, Manager, Combustion Research 510-294-2321

Charles M. Hartwig 510-294-3047

Over 1000 Sandia employees are located in facilities in Livermore California, and operate several special facilities, one of which is the Combustion Research Facility, the only one of its kind in DOE. Can handle industrial scale burners to 3 million BTU/hour. It is a “user facility” and outside visitors and users are encouraged. Partnerships with industry include GM, Cummins and Beckman Instruments and many others. Developed a number of specialized flame/combustion observational, measurement and diagnostic techniques. Provided fuel blending strategies to midwest utilities to meet SOx requirements.

The Burner Engineering Research Laboratory is a user facility for industrial burner manufacturers, is booked for a year in advance. Wide range of studies include air toxics modeling

NOx program addresses measurement and prediction of NO formation in turbulent flames.

Sensors for steel industry for in situ measurement of CO and CO2 in furnaces.

Combustion properties of biomass derived fuels and char.

Laser and remote atmospheric sensing (invented Lidar).

The Engine Combustion Technology Program involves all the major car and engine makers, universities and other labs.

In Hydrogen, work in progress on combustion, engines, storage, and hydrides.

Publications: CRF News published bimonthly. Contact William J. MacLean, 510-294-2687

 

• Advanced Batteries and Supercapacitors

Electrochemical R&D for DOE is longstanding and diverse, meeting many needs for high quality and reliable systems for weapons programs, and working at the forefront in many nonweapons areas of technology. Lawrence Berkeley Lab is well known for fundamental research, and Sandia for devices, having supplied all the power supplies for nuclear weapons systems since the 1950s.

Until a reorganization on July 1, Sandia’s work in battery technology was part of a larger activity called the “Electronic Components Center”, which includes microelectronics, modules, optoelectronics, components and reliability. Full fabrication capability. [This Center could be a valuable resource for a utility’s customers in these industries. Ray Bair, Director, 505-844-1912.]

Battery programs now reside in the “Energy Components Center” (Joan Woodard, Director 505-845-9917) along with work in explosives and neutron generators, though personnel will continue their close coordination with the Electronics Center.

There are four battery development groups at Sandia, each with a different emphasis, but closely interrelated. The department heads form a coordinating team.

Dan Doughty Battery Programs 505-845-8105

Ken Grothaus Battery Research 505-844-1654

Dennis Mitchell Battery Development 505-844-8656

Paul Butler Testing Program 505-844-7874

(Full range of performance, abuse, failure, and qualification testing. Extensive facilities.)

 

– Work in Zinc/Silver Oxide, Sodium Sulfur, Zinc Air, Zinc Bromine, Advanced Lead Acid, Nickel Hydrogen, Nickel Cadmium, Lithium/Sulfur Dioxide, Supercapacitors

– USABC CRADA, with automakers, lithium rechargeable battery development and testing

– Implantable long life battery development for medical application

– Battery Technology Initiative — funds-in CRADA with 4 companies for consumer batteries

– Ultracapacitor — thin film to get 1000 F in a D cell.

– Reserve Batteries — primary energy sources; one-shot devices activated by external means. For weapons systems; not likely to have commercial application.

 

• Utility Battery Storage Program Paul Butler, 505-844-7874 Abbas Akhil, 505-844-3353

Battery technology development (Pb-acid with GNB, Sodium sulfur with Silent Power, etc.), modular systems (AC Battery/Delco), systems studies (SDG&E, Chugach, Oglethorpe, BPA), feasibility studies (SMUD, Chugach), test & demos (PG&E, Metlakatla Alaska, PREPA) subsystems engineering, integration, industry outreach.

Strictly electric power industry oriented. About half of budget goes to industry in heavily cost shared projects. Sandia sees utility applications as being very nearly ready for take off. (Phase 2 of “Opportunities” project just getting underway–needs industry participation! Phase 1 report available from Paul Butler.) Broad view of potential emphasizes T&D benefits, DSM and UPS/Power Quality applications, which don’t require very large scale demos. Problems with large scale installations leading to new approach to do smaller units that are flexible or transportable. More of a T&D asset like a transformer. Puerto Rico’s experience with 20 MW unit has them convinced to meet their estimated need of 100 MW with turnkey units.

 

Provide support to the Utility Battery Group (UBG)

[An excellent and very cost effective way for utilities to stay abreast of developments; controlled by its utility members Many UFTO members already active. Contact Rick Winters, UBG chairman (PG&E/Endicon) 510-867-0904, or Paula Taylor, Energetics, 410-290-0370.]

• Renewables Paul Klimas, Manager, Renewable Energy Office, 505-844-8159

Sandia’s goal is to develop commercially viable energy technologies based on solar, wind and geothermal resources so they beocme significant domestic and international supplies. They have a long-term focus on the utility sector, expecting remote markets to play a key role in supporting the industry.

Photovoltaics Marjorie Tatro 505-844-3154

Activities in all aspects, from cell development to system applications. Work closely with industry on technology development for crystalline silicon cells and modules and other systems components (e.g. inverters, battery charge controllers and controls), and with the systems integration industry and users through the PV Design Assistance Center. The Center did a thorough evaluation of existing installations and identified new opportunities for the National Park Service. They have an extensive publications list (including some on utility interconnection issues), and provide support to project developers here and abroad.

In the past, Sandia had a number of partnerships under an initiative on concentrators, but chose not to support this work when funding levels were reduced in 1993. The only concentrator effort funded through FY94 was the low concentration line focus concept advanced by SEA Corp.

In one-sun cell development, Sandia emphasizes crystalline silicon, working on cell designs and processes. (NREL tends to be more involved in advanced materials and thin film.) Sandia believes their broad resources in manufacturing are valuable, bringing optimized high temperature processes, surface treatments and reduced waste streams to the manufacturers of cells.
Solar Thermal Craig Tyner 505-844-3340

Manage the conversion of Solar One (still operational!) to Solar Two. IR 100 awards for Solar Detox and Dish-Stirling. $150 million jointly funded program with utilities and manufacturers on Dish Stirling engines (Cummins 7 kW remote power unit is making good progress, and there are two other larger system efforts, both with utility involvement). (“Compendium of Solar Dish/Stirling Technology”, SAN93-7026 Printed Jan. 1994, by W.B. Stine and R.B. Diver, a new report surveys international state of the art.)

The National Solar Thermal Test Facility has an array of heliostat, dish and trough systems for running tests of various kinds.

The Solar Thermal Design Assistance Center provides technical assistance, helping clients select and apply solar thermal technology. (Contact David Menicucci, 505-844-3077).
Wind Henry Dodd, 505-844-5253

Historically, Sandia’s emphasis was on the vertical axis concept, however they have a new initiative to approach wind with a systems view, and have worked on materials and blade design improvements for all wind machines.
Geothermal Jim Dunn, 505-844-4715

Working to reduce costs — developing down hole instrumentation to reduce loss circulation, and”slim-hole” technology that could cut cost of drilling by 1/2 (appropriate for remote village applications). Also working on geothermal ground source heat pump concept (drilling, placement and heat exchanger design). Helped commercialize new drill bit.
• Fuel Cells Gary Carlson, Manager, Fuel Science Dept. 505-844-8116

This is a small program, using most internal lab directed funds, except for work for the DOE Office of Transportation Technology on advanced concepts. Goal is to develop partnerships with industry, and capitalize on Sandia’s capabilities in batteries, catalysis, and especially manufacturability. Note need for better materials to get long term performance. Sandia/Livermore is doing some work in PEM thin films, applying membrane supported catalysis to enable on board hydrogen production.

 

They see special opportunity to develop a small fuel cell (less than 1 KW) for remote applications, to compete with PV and batteries. One application could be gas pipeline condition monitoring.

Sandia has a broad capability to tailor properties of carbon foams, as applied to supercapacitors, advanced (Li) batteries, and fuel cells.

 

• Robotics Sandia Intelligent Systems and Robotics Center, Phil Bennet, 505-845-8777

Sandia is at the forefront of bringing defense and weapons related “Intelligent Systems and Robotics” to bear on commercial needs, and has grown to be the leading robotics R&D effort in the U.S. They focus on critical national needs (hazardous waste clean up and manufacturing competitiveness), reducing the time and cost to develop applications of advanced technology into practical systems, and improving the speed, quality and safety of operations. There is a strong emphasis on working with industry, universities and other government facilities.

Their approach is based on an open-architecture communications-based integration of sensors, mechanisms and software. Computer-model and realtime sensor-based control strategies make off-line programming possible, speeding the development of applications and systems.

Historically, DOE’s internal need for systems to handle small production lots led to the development of ways to reduce the costs of programming and fixturing.

Specific projects relevant to utilities include robotic welding of spent fuel barrels, saving on the order of $250 million and thousands of man rems of exposure. Another involves hot repairs to boilers — in fossil plants (proprietary — with an unnamed utility)!

This Center is clearly a potentially valuable resource for automating utility operations, as well as for industrial customers who develop or use robotics. A good overview is contained in a booklet called “Sandia is Changing the Way the U.S. Does Robotics.” Sandia staff have also authored a number of papers at robotics conferences.

 

• High Consequence Operations Russ Skocypec, 505-845-8838

Sandia’s Engineering Sciences Center encompasses computation, testing, and validation, enabling design trade-offs to be confidently evaluated. Evolving from a historical mission to support systems design and safety for nuclear munitions, they now can offer industry a means to quantify efficiency and safety issues pertaining to industrial accident phenomenology. Detailed risk assessment and coupled analysis and testing provide understanding of the physics of fires, crashes and blasts, enabling better decisions about prevention and response.

 

• High Performance Computing Sudip Dosanjh, 505-845-7018

DOE operates the Massively Parallel Computing Research Laboratory (MPCRL) at Sandia, which applies these new levels of computing power to a broad array of scientific and engineering problems, ranging from structural mechanics and acoustics to chemical reaction dynamics, genome mapping and astrophysics. In the last 4 years alone, the computational speeds have increased by a factor of 100. In collaboration with the University of New Mexico, Sandia has developed a unique operating system called SUNMOS, and their own linear equation problem solver gives them powerful capabilities in parallel computing.

A newletter called the MPCRL Research Bulletin is available.

[Perhaps a place to try some new approaches in power system modeling? Particularly in connection with the next item.]

 

• Distributed Information Technologies,

Rich Palmer, Manager, California Program Development, 510-294-13126

Sandia has a major role in developing technologies for distributed information systems that will contribute to building the “National Information Infrastructure.” Industry has needs similar to DOE’s Defense Programs to use cost-effective distributed information systems to access and process information. The issues are the same: manipulating large data sets, moving them around efficiently, and dealing with privacy and security issues. DOE labs have developed synthetic data sets as benchmarks for participants to perform their own validations and comparisons. The goal is to be able to run problems on very large parallel or distributed systems via high-speed networks.

Sandia has also built extensive testbeds to develop and evaluate distributed applications over Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks tying together distributed computing resources. The testbeds include long-link emulators that simulate delays and errors encountered in wide-area networks over large distances. To complement those testbeds, Sandia has also developed a Monte-Carlo simulation based modeling capability for studying realistic network component performance and issues such as congestion control mechanisms for large networks. By including the proper physical representations of traffic models for sources and sink, the same modeling capability could by used to simulate the performance, utilization, and potential overload of wide-area electrical transmission grids.

 

• Sensors Marion Scott, Manager, Sensor Programs Dept., 505-845-8146

Sandia’s work in microsensor development includes acoustic, micro machine/micro electronics, fiber optics, and micro impedance techniques. They have their own complete CMOS IC fabrication capability in-house, as well as for gallium arsenide, enabling them to undertake unique development challenges, such as combining micro machined structures and associated electronics on an IC.

– A bulk quartz resonator can look at the condition of oil in situ. Other possible applications–monitor the state of charge of a Pb acid battery or the capacity of coolants.

– Surface acoustic wave devices coated with chemically sensitive films can sense chemical species in gas at parts per million by looking at resonance changes. With multiple coatings and using pattern recognition techniques it’s possible to distinguish multiple species. Has been packaged in a down hole tool for pollutant sensing.

-Hydrogen sensor on a chip uses special alloys that change their resistivity with maximum sensitivity to H2 concentration.

– Fiber optics offer another technique to sense a wide range of chemicals, such as hydrogen, mercury, SO2, chlorine, and various oxidants. The end of the fiber is coated with a thin chemically sensitive film that changes its reflectivity. CRADA underway with the JW Harley & Assoc to develop a H2 sensor for utility transformers.

– Micro impedance and capacitive sensors can measure physical features for manufacturing applications, e.g. detecting surface flaws in real time. This has been applied to textiles.

– Accelerometers measure vibration indicating structural changes. Sandia has developed a fiber optic/micro machine hybrid device.

• Materials Jim Jellison, Manager, Technical Business Operations,
Materials & Process Sciences, 505-844-6397

Sandia’s Materials Science and Technology program has 600 staff, and is the largest in DOE. Originally developed to provide non-nuclear components for weapons, it now offers services to a wide range of government customers and private industry. The forte is concurent design of the product and the process to make it.

Expertise includes welding, especially cold welding, and soldering; mechanics; tribology, especially lubricant free, with a focus in electromechanical devices; corrosion, emphasis on electronics (e.g., fluxes on circuits, dissimilar metals, batteries); corrosion kinetics, atmospheric testing facility (sensitivities in ppb); aluminum coatings–developing replacement process with less environmental impact; laser surface ablation.

Smart Processes — predictive models using phenomenological data enhances casting, heat treatment, welding, induction heating, etc.

Aging of organic/polymer materials-accurately accelerated aging tests. Applied to electrical cable in work for the NRC

• Reliability/Decision Making

Robert Cranwell, Manufacturing Systems Reliability, (505)844-8368

Industry and the nuclear weapons complex (NWC) rely upon the availability and reliability of equipment which can greatly influence operational costs. Equipment design, reliability, maintenance strategies, and spares inventories all contribute to the cost-of-ownership of factory or plant equipment. Sandia has developed capabilities to assist industry and the NWC in “design for reliability”, equipment improvement analyses, creation of maintenance strategies, and optimization of spares inventories. These capabilities have been broadly applied throughout industry, including the U.S. semiconductor industry, biomedical industry, machine tool industry, automotive and aircraft manufacturing industries, and solar power industry. The capabilities include custom reliability analysis software, optimization analysis techniques, predictive maintenance capabilities, and cost-of-ownership analysis tools. Key partners include SEMATECH and several of its member companies, Cincinnati Milacron, McDonnell Douglas, and USCAR (a consortia of the “big three” auto makers).

Sandia has been working with several major companies, including Motorola and Texas Instruments, to evaluate and qualify new environmentally conscious “no clean” soldering technologies that do not require subsequent cleaning of newly soldered printed wiring assemblies. These new processes are being used extensively throughout industry with great success (Two reports, 11/92 and 6/95, describing these efforts have been issued.)

The Energy Analysis Diagnostic Center (EADC) is a DOE/Office of Industrial Technology program at 30 universities around the U.S., which perform energy audits of companies. In conjunction with this program, Sandia is working with two of the NIST Manufacturing Technology Centers (MTCs) to develop an integrated energy, environment and manufacturing (EEM) assessment tool, the concept being that these three areas (energy, environment, and manufacturing) need to be assessed on an integrated basis, as an attempt to optimize in one area could cause problems in the others. This integrated tool would be used by MTC field agents to assist U.S. manufacturers in EEM related issues, and is being piloted in SIC codes 345, 346 and 347 (screw machines, stampings and forging and metal coating). The Sandia/MTC program is jointly funded by EPRI, NIST, EPA, DOE/OIT, and Sandia.

Follow-on opportunities are needed.

Detailed briefings or information are available on request.

[Perhaps this group would be a good resource to go after the T&D maintenance issue?]

• Micro SMES, Dean Rovang, 505-845-8277

Both Sandia and Los Alamos have a hand in this program to build a SMES unit that would be about 10x larger than Superconductivity, Inc.’s unit, and smaller than the B&W/Anchorage device. The application is Power Quality for industrial customers, and/or at the substation level — on the order of 10’s of MW for seconds. This is seen as a development project, not a research one, with the goal to learn if such a device is the solution to an industry problem.

CRADA negotiations are underway with one utility already, however there is very likely a way for other utilities to participate, if only by providing modest funding for a seat at the table.

• HyMelt, Stuart Purvis, 505-845-8392

The technology makes it possible to convert low grade hydrocarbon feedstocks (or fossil fuels) directly into Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide (separate product streams!) while sequestering impurities, even producing elemental sulfur. There is no stack, and no emissions.

Ashland wants this technology for its refineries, to deal with the sour crude it often must buy, to produce hydrogen, and to handle refinery “bottoms”, which are a costly disposal headache. As a Hydrogen producer, HYMELT is estimated to be 30% cheaper than steam reforming when using the same feedstock, i.e. fuel gas. It is cheaper still when a waste stream is used as the feedstock instead.

Ashland Oil has demonstrated proof of concept in their labs, and has funding committed for a production installation. What’s missing is the piece in the middle — the intermediate scale demonstration R&D. Sandia is proposing to DOE/Fossil to fund the government side of a CRADA with Ashland, but with budget cuts, funds might not be available. Ashland has asked Sandia to look discretely for a partner interested in other fields of use, and who could put up $800k/year for 3 years, leveraging the many $ millions that Ashland has spent and committed.

[This information should be handled with discretion.]

Contact Al Sylwester Tel # 505-844-8151
• High power switching Don Cook, 505-845-7446

Sandia has developed very fast, very high power switching capabilities in connection with pulsed particle accelerators for fusion research and other work requiring fast pulses. For example, they can make a 20 megavolt, 10-20 megamp pulse with a 50 nsec. risetime.

It has been suggested that this technology might be applicable to utility needs, however an initiative would be needed to establish a dialogue between the developers and someone from the utility industry to explore the possibilities.

Sandia Contacts
General Telephone # is (505) 844-5678
In Livermore, CA (510) 294-3000

The primary contacts for UFTO are:
Alan P. Sylwester, Technology Integration Dept., 505-844-8151
Dan E. Arvizu, Director, Applied Energy Program 505-845-8336
Technology Transfer: 505-271-7888

Information Source Contacts / Technical Information Services:

Office of Public Relations and Communications : 505-845-7759

Publications:
“Laboratory Publications” 505-844-4902
Technical Publications 505-844-9285
Technical Library 505-845-8364

Technology Transfer Opportunities – Berkeley National Laboratory

Final Report

Technology Transfer Opportunities in the National Laboratories

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

Berkeley, California

June 1995

Prepared for:

Utility Federal Technology Opportunities (UFTO)

 By:

Edward Beardsworth

Consultant

This report is part of a series examining technology opportunities at National Laboratories of possible interest to electric utilities

 

 

Contents:

page

1. Summary

2 LBL Organization

3. LBL Technologies & Programs

10. LBL Contacts

 

This report is proprietary and confidential. It is for internal use by personnel of companies that are subscribers in the UFTO multi-client program. It is not to be otherwise copied or distributed except as authorized in writing.

 

Summary

This report details findings about technology and technology transfer opportunities at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL)that might be of strategic interest to electric utilities. It is based on two visits to LBL in February and May 1995, as part of the UFTO multiclient project.

Background

Noting the tremendous scope of research underway in the research facilities of the U.S. government, and a very strong impetus on the government’s part to foster commercial partnering with industry and applications of the technology it has developed, the UFTO program has been established as a multi-client study of the opportunities thus afforded electric utilities.

LBL Organization

Unlike the matrix structure common at other DOE labs, LBL has a straight line management organizational structure, and they’ve mostly eliminated (except on the administration side) the layer of managment known as “ALD’s” or Associate Laboratory Directorates seen at many other labs.

Nine technical divisions report directly to the Laboratory Director, C. V. Shank, and several others report to the ALD for Operations. There are also a number of Research Centers and User Facilities within the various divisions.

LBL is a major multiprogram lab managed by the University of California (as are Livermore and Los Alamos), with more than 3000 employees, a third of which are scientists and engineers. The annual budget is over $250 million. LBL is situated adjacent to the Berkeley campus of the University of California, and there is a great deal of collaboration and overlap between the two organizations. Many of the staff hold dual appointments, and UC graduate students often work in LBL programs (notably reducing the cost of research!). No classified work is done at LBL, so security is light, contributing to a campus-like atmosphere.

Administrative relationships can become quite complex. Projects, programs or “centers” may be either university or lab-based. One particularly noteworthy instance is the California Institute for Energy Efficiency (CIEE), which is actually part of UC’s quasi-independent Energy Institute, and until recently was funded by California utilities and state agencies. It is set up as a CRADA between LBL and the California utilities. Its technical resources could become more broadly available as they seek new roles and sources of funding.

Virtually all of the programs in the Energy and Environment Division are relevant to the electric utility industry, as are portions of other divisions(e.g. Materials, Chemical and Earth Sciences, and Information and Computing Sciences). Though the organizational structure is not ideally suited to cross-cutting activities, collaboration and joint efforts are not uncommon.

Within Energy and Environment, areas of interest include building energy efficiency, energy analysis, lighting technology, combustion cleanup, and energy conversion and storage. LBL has very strong programs in these areas, however the dissemination of results and interaction with industry has been somewhat limited, suggesting a possible underutilization of these resources by utilities which UFTO can help to overcome.

Generally speaking, much of LBL’s work in these areas tends to be informational or precompetitive. However there are also a number of specific developments underway with industrial partners, and some that could represent important strategic technology opportunities for utilities.

One other general point: each of the labs annually publishes an “Institutional Plan”, which is organized according to which DOE Program Office supports the work, not the lab’s own organizational structure. Thus a “mapping” between the two structures is required to be able to see the work of the groups within a lab. In most instances, divisions and programs also publish annual reports, providing detailed though not always current accounts of the work

General Telephone # is (510) 486-4000

LBL Technologies & Programs

 

Topics Covered in this Report:

• Energy in Buildings

• Lighting

• Energy Analysis

• Environmental Research (Combustion and Air Quality)

• Information & Computer Sciences

• Materials Science

• Electrochemistry–Advanced Batteries and Fuel Cells

• Geothermal Energy

 

Energy in Buildings

LBL is particularly strong in work on Energy in Buildings from a number of points of view, in three distinct programs and a “Center”, plus the CIEE.

1. Indoor Environment Program, Joan Daisey, 510-486-7491
Ventilation, infiltration, ducts, efficiency in existing buildings, radon, indoor air pollutants, exposure and risk assessment, indoor air quality standards, etc.

• Duct Sealing Technology Mark Modera 510-486-4678, Max Sherman 510-486-4022

Energy losses from leaks in ducts are variously estimated to account for as much as 1/3 of the energy used in residential air-distribution heating and cooling. LBL has developed a technique for sealing leaks in existing systems. Analogous to “stopleak” used in automobile cooling systems, an aerosol is injected into the system which deposits itself at leaks, closing them off. Developed at LBL with support of CIEE, it is to be commercialized by EPRI, acting as a member of CIEE. (Agreements currently in negotiation.)

• Indoor Air Quality

Becoming more of an issue. Lawsuits more common. Standards being revised. Need better sensors for commercial use. Direct measurement more meaningful than specifying air change rates. LBL working on specific species, e.g. VOCs, CO, etc. Environmental Chambers allow detailed simulation and test of emissions from indoor sources.

2. Building Energy Analysis (in the Energy Analysis Program) Alan Meier, 510-486-4740
Data compilation, analysis of measured data (meta analysis across all available studies), assessment of efficiency impacts of technologies and programs, DEEP (Database on Energy Efficiency Programs), impact of high albedo surfaces, shade trees, etc., monitoring building performance, alternatives to compressive cooling, load shape estimation, urban climate, public housing.

3. Building Technologies Program , Stephen Selkowitz, 510-486-5064
Windows and daylighting, building energy simulation tools, lighting systems.

• Electrochromic Window Coatings (“smart windows”) can vary light transmission by from10-80% with the application of a low dc voltage; can be controlled to maintain constant light levels with dimmable electric lighting, control solar heat gain, and result in substantial overall energy savings and load control.

LBL is technical lead for DOE, and holds patents for two families of polymers for use in these coatings, and has CRADAs underway with Dow Chemical. Expect commercial prototypes in 2-3 years. Research field tests are already underway. There will be demos with utilities.

• Selective (“low-E”) Coatings pass visible light and block infrared. LBL doing research in the durability and performance of these coatings.

• Advanced Insulating Windows (“Superwindows”) include coatings and gas filled systems. LBL developed a concept which has been commercialized (with utility co-supported field tests

• Daylighting Design Tools

4. Center for Building Science , Evan Mills, 510-486-6784
A “home” for the three above programs, serving as a national and international source of information, technical support to policymakers, support to new institutions and demonstration programs, facilitate tech transfer.

“From the Lab to the MarketPlace–Making America’s Buildings More Efficient”, Jan, 1995

(40 page overview of building programs)

Center for Building Science News

(contact Ralph McLaughlin, 510-486-4508–also for list of the Center’s publications.)

5. California Institute for Energy Efficiency(CIEE),

Jim Cole, Director, or Carl Blumstein, Assoc. Director, 510-642-9588
This is a separate entity of the University of California — a collaborative of the California PUC and Energy Commission, the California electric and gas utilities, Universities, and LBL, focused directly at advancing technology for energy efficiency in California (all sectors) mid to long term.

CIEE may be an interesting target of opportunity to UFTO members. Its funding has been drastically cut — Calif. utilities are no longer paying dues. CIEE has funds to keep going for another 2 years, as it looks at alternatives for the future, one of which is to broaden its attention outside California.

CIEE may be a useful resource to utilities elsewhere, with its expertise and repository of technical information (available free). Also, there are ongoing projects which could be tuned or redirected to the interests of new players. As just one example, Building Performance Measurement, Operation & Control: Diagnostics for Commissioning and Operation has DOE support, and may be a “line of business” opportunity for utilities. An automated system is being developed that will help operators diagnose performance degradation, so that buildings can be operated “to spec”. There is also work in low NOx burners, alternatives to compressor cooling, HVAC distribution systems, and many other areas.

 

Publications:

CIEE 1992 Annual Report

CIEE 1993 Annual Report

1994 Annual Conference Program

“Research News” (newsletter discontinued. back issues available)

Various technical reports

 

Lighting Systems, Francis Rubinstein, 510-486-4096

LBL is a lead player in lighting technology development, with its extensive R&D program in advanced lighting sources, fixture design, measurement, advanced controls, and education. (A detailed list of Publications of the Lighting Group is available. 510-486-5388)

For lighting, there are many different approaches appropriate in different applications and niches. There isn’t and won’t be a single “magic bullet” new technology. Utilities need to be informed about what is available on the market but is still underutilized (e.g. adv. controls, advanced compact flourescents, etc.) There are different solutions in different niches.

The state of the art in control systems doesn’t yet permit the specifying of useable systems that will achieve energy savings. This is a subject of particular interest at LBL, which is working with the NIST sponsored effort with ASHRAE standards committee to establish the “BACKNET” building automation energy managment protocol. LBL is also working with a utility and the GSA to propose a major advanced lighting control demonstration project in a Federal building. It is the area for utilities to get involved in, as relamping and reballasting become less interesting. Note that ESCOs can count on savings from relamping, but controls are unfamiliar, and can confuse their basic proposition of assured shared savings.

Utility Retrofit Energy Efficiency Program (UREEP): a new proposed program to support utility customer service programs with integrated training and education on advanced lighting retrofit. Will provide participating utilities with practical information and comprehensive guidelines and procedures to use with their customers. A number of utilities have already expressed interest in joining. Michael Siminovitch, 510-486-5863.

Sulfur Lamp: LBL is playing a major role in development and testing. The DOE press releases last year got a lot of attention, but this is still a long way from commercial availability. Generally, high efficiency comes with high intensity, so it means that a way to distribute the light from a single point (not just a fixture) is needed, thus the light pipe configuration. Demo applications/sites will be chosen soon. Interested utilities should contact LBL: Francis Rubinstein, 510-486-4096

Tests and Measurements: LBL has unique measurement programs and equipment, and can perform tests on prototype new lighting technologies. As one example, there is no data available on the angular sensitivity of photosensors, but LBL is performing these measurements. LBL won’t permit its name to be used for commercial testimonial purposes, nor will they compete with commercial test labs.

Advanced Lighting Guidelines: 1993 is a DOE report (DOE/EE-0008) provides an overview of specific lighting technologies and design applications for energy efficient lighting. The report assesses lighting strategies, discusses issues, and explains how to obtain quality lighting design and consulting services. Each of 10 sections provide a technology overview, discussing products on the market. For use by electric utility personnel involved in lighting programs, the report is also used at FEMP training sessions. (The work was cofunded by EPRI and the Calif. Energy Commission, each of whom also published the same document under their own respective covers.)

 

[Note: The Lighting Research Center at RPI in NY conducts the National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP), funded by a number of utilties, EPA, DOE, and others. NLPIP publishes “Specifier Reports” and “Lighting Answers”, providing detailed technical information on commercial products. tel 518-276-8716.]

 

Energy Analysis Program, Mark Levine, Program Leader, 510-486-5238

Steve Weil, Deputy ” ” , 510-486-5396

List of Publications; Current Projects — available from Karen Olson, 510-486-5974.

• Utility Planning and Policy, Ed Kahn, 510-486-6525

Nationally recognized experts in utility industry analysis, funded by DOE Office of Utility Technology (OUT), and no utility funding. The product is “analysis”. Studies have included competition and bulk power markets, the cost of electricity from IPPs, a comparative analysis of the impact of power purchases on utility cost of capital, transmission pricing, IRP methods and case studies, industry evolution, DSM resource characterization, gas DSM and fuel switching, DSM bidding experience, “The Cost & Performance of Utility Commercial Lghting Programs”, J. Eto, etal., LBL-34967, May 94

The group takes on potentially controversial industry wide issues, and has a reputation for objectivity. An annotated publications list, and copies of the publications, are available from

Patty Juergens, Fax # 510-486-6996 or email: pajuergens@lbl.gov.

 

• International Energy & Environment Studies:

– OECD transportation analysis, energy efficiency; structure of demand in Europe and FSU; Lee Schipper

– Energy data, trends and scenarios for developing countries– Jayant Sathaye

– Global climate, developing country economics; training — Steve Weil, Mark Levine

– Energy Business Development–China, India, S. America – the politics, policies, local liaison, intelligence gathering, etc.; early stage plans to couple efficiency and power plant projects.

– Energy in China, e.g. report in preparation and workshop Fall ’95 on business opportunities for cogeneration in China; Mark Levine

 

• Energy Conservation Policy, Jim McMahon, Leader, 510-486-6049

Engineering economics of appliances. Analyze and develop appliance standards. Engineering assessments. Assess impact of standards on manufacturers; forecast sales/prices.

“Economic and Technical Analysis of US Appliance Efficiency Standards” — series of major technical support documents–DOE/EE-0009, Vol 1-3.

• Energy Efficiency Markets and Forecasts, Jon Koomey, 510-486-5974

National and regional level residential end-use forecasting model is fine-grained with respect to technologies and specific end uses. (LBL developed default data for REEPS and COMMEND). Conservation supply curves. Consumer behavior and market failures.

• Building Energy Analysis See description above (page 3).

Environmental Research, Nancy Brown, Program Leader, 510-486-4241

• Air Quality: Urban and Regional Air Pollution, Global Climate Change

(e.g. Reformulated Fuel effects study, Ammonia inventory, atmospheric aerosols, etc.)

• Combustion Research: Chemistry, mixing, diagnostics, …

Reactive Flow Modeling (reaction dynamics, rate coeff prediction, Nitrogen chemistry, reduced mechanisms, emissions inventories, turbulence chemistry interactions)

(e.g. Pollutant control, gas turbines, incineration, fire safety, health effects assessement)

• Low NOx Swirl Burner — ultra lean premix flame stabilized by weak swirl, 4-7 ppm NO, Applicable to wide range of applications, from home furnaces to large boilers and power systems. Robert Cheng, 510-486-5438

• PHOSNOX process, developed in 1990, removes NOx from Flue Gas simultaneously with SOx removal in existing wet FGD systems. NO is oxidized into more soluble NO2, by the addition of yellow phosphorus P4 to the scrubbing solution. Phosphoric acid is a recoverable byproduct. Process would be cheap and effective, but perceived safety issues have blocked further development. (Bechtel was actively promoting this for some time.) Ted Chang, 510-486-5125

• Iron Thiochelate is a more recent development addressing the same issue. The catalyst is added to the limestone in wet scrubbers to absorb NO. The catalyst is then regenerated as the bound NO is reduced to ammonia by electrochemical reduction [See Nature, v. 369, 12 May 94, p. 139.]. In mid May 95, a patent application was filed for a new simpler reduction technique, in which the liquor is passed through a column of Fe chips.

WANTED: a demo host, slip stream or pilot scale. Ted Chang, 510-486-5125

• Pozone uses yellow phosphorus in water to generate Ozone for bleaching paper pulp, and in other applications where the presence of phospate “contamination” isn’t an obstacle. International Paper is doing benchtests. Costs are estimated to be 1/2 to 1/3 (with credit for selling the phosphate byproduct) that of electrically produced ozone. Another possible application — regenerating active carbon that’s loaded with contaminants–could be done locally instead of at the very few licensed facilities. Ted Chang, 510-486-5125

• A novel catalyst offers a breakthrough in treating SO2 gas from coal-fired power plants, converting 98% of it to elemental sulfur. The Ralph M. Parsons Co. has just been granted an exclusive license. Ted Chang, 510-486-5125

Information & Computer Sciences, Stu Loken, Director 510-486-7474

This division includes both the operation of internal lab computer and information systems (technical and administrative information processing, and information services such as publications and the library) and research in information sciences, focusing primarily on network issues.

In this latter role, LBL has played a major part over the years in the formulation of the internet. In fact, TCP/IP traces back to LBL. The network research group deals with bandwidth allocation and scaling issues associated with the rapid growth in the size of the network.

The utility industry is expected to be a major player in the NII, because of the direct benefits to utilities and their customers. It’s already apparent that energy management programs and demonstrations will require such a large number of addresses on the network as to raise a problem that hasn’t really been addressed as yet.

In this light, LBL recognizes that its interactions with utilities have been too limited, and they are just beginning a process of self-education and outreach to the industry. They are looking for partners to work with them, particularly on integrating energy management equipment into network applications.

Materials Science, Joel Ager, 510-486-6715

High degree of involvement with industry, addressing fundamental materials development issues, e.g. high temperature superconductor sensors (squids), tough silicon carbide composites, ultra-hard coatings, crack-path prediction in layered structures, failure mechanism identification in nickel oxide scales (with EPRI), in-situ corrosion study of stainless steel (also EPRI).

 

The super-hard (diamond like) coatings can now be applied cost effectively on large objects (see UFTO Flash 3/21/95).

DOE Center of Excellence for the Synthesis and Processing of Advanced Materials (CSP), funded by the DOE Office of Basic Energy Science, is a network involving 12 of the major DOE labs, to support fundamental research and establish partnerships among the Labs, universities and Industry to shorten the time between development and applications. Steering Groups and a project plan exist for each of more than a 1/2 dozen topics, including Conventional and Superplastic Metal Forming, Materials Joining, Processing for Surface Hardness, and Mechanically Reliable Surface Oxides for High Temperature Corrosion Resistance, plus several dealing with microstructures. A 60 page description of the CSP is available from DOE. [I’ll obtain copies for anyone who wants one.]

 

Energy Conversion and Storage

LBL’s efforts in this arena are wide ranging, from advanced electrodes, to modeling, surface layer physics, and applied research in lithium and zinc based battery systems. There may be less of a place for direct interaction with utilities, as the work tends to emphasize research, not devices. LBL could be helpful, however, as an objective advisor to utilities about technology.

Advanced Batteries and Fuel Cells, Frank McLarnon, 510-486-4636

Berkeley Electrochemical Research Center is a world center for basic electrochemical engineering research, operated as a collaboration between LBL and UC Berkeley. It manages a substantial portion of DOE’s applied battery and EC research (the Exploratory Technology Research Program for Electrochemical Energy Storage), and provides technical guidance to research projects at other institutions around the country.

Geothermal Energy, Jane Long, Head, Energy and Resource Development, 510-486-6697

Geothermal reservoir analysis for specific sites–optimization, recharge, performance modeling, geochemistry, instrumentation, etc. Analysis tools applicable to radwaste and ground water issues.

Ground Source Heat Pumps: proposal for optimization of subsurface part of the system, effects of geology and hydrology on performance. Also, internal (“lab-directed research”) proposal to study ground-source “coolth”.

 

LBL Contacts (general phone # is 510-486-4000)

The primary contact for UFTO is:

Donald F. Grether, Deputy Division Director, Energy & Environment Division

510-486-6283

 

Technology Transfer:

Rod Fleischman, Assoc Lab Director, Industry & Government Partnerships

510-486-5134

Cheryl Fragiadakis, Head, Tech Transfer Dept. 510-486-7020

Bruce Davies, Marketing Manager, 510-486-6461

Industry & Government Partnerships, (quarterly, beginning 1/95) is a new newsletter, listing new CRADAs and licenses issued. Contact Cathy Langridge, 510-486-5894

Information Source Contacts / Technical Information Services:

 

Public Information Department: 510-486-5771

 

LBL Publications:

5 Year Institutional Plan

LBL 1994 (annual) Report to the Regents, University of California

Energy & Environment Division (contact Lila Schwartz, 510-486-4098):

Program Annual Reports:

Environmental Research

Energy Conversion and Storage

Energy Analysis

Indoor Environment Program

Buildings Technology Program

Energy & Environment Divison Newsletter, (monthly)

Energy & Environment Divison brochure (PUB-734 6/94)

Technology Transfer Opportunities – Livermore National Laboratory

by Edward Beardsworth
Nov 1994

Summary

This report details findings about technology and technology transfer opportunities at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) that might be of strategic interest to electric utilities. It is based on several visits to LLNL in 1993 as part of a project for PSI Energy, which had the additional goal to establish relationships that would enable PSI to monitor developments and gain access on an ongoing basis.

Background
Noting the tremendous scope of research underway in the research facilities of the U.S. government, and a very strong impetus on the government’s part to foster commercial partnering with industry and applications of the technology it has developed, PSI Energy supported this project to become familiar with the content and process of those programs, and to seek out opportunities for collaboration, demonstration or other forms of participation that will further the business objectives of PSI. PSI has agreed to make these results available to the participants in UFTO.

Findings
Detailed listings of LLNL people, technologies and programmatic capabilities (of relevance to utilities) were assembled in the course of the project, and are included. LLNL’s matrix organization is not easily understood, though we did begin to get a sense of it, and certainly identified the key people and groups to deal with. It was a matter of hearing similar accounts a number of times from a number of people, before one began to have confidence that an accurate picture was forming.

LLNL has a large body of work that is relevant to utilities, including storage and power conditioning (batteries and capacitors), toxics remediation, NOx reduction, modeling, hydrogen storage, sensors, materials (catalysts, coatings, insulators, thermoelectrics), etc.

Armed with a brief statement of PSI’s technical and business interests (and an understanding of generic industry interests), it was possible to sift very quickly through a large body of program information at LLNL, mostly through conversation with key contact individuals, and identify areas meriting further study. Additional information was requested for projects of particular interest.

On a practical note, it was interesting to discover that a degree of advance preparation is involved even in the practical matters of learning where facilities are located and the procedures for gaining entry (no minor matter in LLNL’s case, since it still operates as a secret weapons lab). After an actual visit, one can approach a facility with far greater ease and familiarity. Like putting names to faces, there is no substitute for seeing things for oneself.

Method of Approach
LLNL personnel repeatedly suggested that progress would be quicker with a list PSI’s specific needs/problems. LLNL could then do its own internal scan of technology resources to find a match. This certainly is a useful approach, however PSI had an additional broader mission in mind. The broader objective included a general familiarization with LLNL’s programs and the start of a fruitful ongoing set of (personal) relationships. Over time, as PSI becomes a known commodity to LLNL, one would expect LLNL to bring new opportunities to PSI’s attention.

Both the “specific needs” approach and a general awareness approach were used. The two overlap, each supporting the other. As interactions continue, each organization gains increasing awareness of the other’s methods, resources, needs and capabilities (“culture”), leading to a stronger potential for a mutually beneficial business relationship. (General Motor’s experience bears this out. See separate writeup.) No “deal” can be made without personal contact at some point, and conversation is the process by which that happens. In any case, when both parties are motivated to “do something”, the process moves with remarkably efficiency, as was the case in this study.

In particular, the “general awareness” mode identified a LLNL technology of potential interest to PSI that is just at a stage where utility interest was being sought (flywheels). In the “specific problem” mode, an unexpected match was identified between a need of PSI to find uses for glass microspheres from flyash, and LLNL’s work on hydrogen storage (itself a spin off from inertial fusion research).

To accomplish the “general awareness” goal, there is no real substitute for personal contact, visits and probing into the various programs and perceptions at a complex organization like LLNL. Published materials are likely to be out of date and certainly will not provide any of the nuance or subtlety of understanding that could eventually lead to an actual working relationship or “deal”.

The various search databases and services can only help to identify contacts for a particular, rather well-defined, question or problem. Even then, however, it is noted in a couple of test cases that neither the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) or the Federal Labaratory Consortium (FLC) identified LLNL’s activity in a particular area.

Business Arrangements
Livermore, as with all the federal labs, are feeling strong pressure to show results in technology transfer, to get their technology out into the marketplace and help the U.S. economy. Likewise, they are very concerned with the survival of their programs, and are anxious to obtain additional outside resources. So, while money is a concern, the motivation is not the same as a business profit motive. The primary goal is to get things used, so society benefits.

While there is a long list of mechanisms for industry-laboratory collaboration, including exchange programs, licenses, and cost-sharing, nearly all new agreements are being prepared under the provisions of CRADAs. The business arrangements possible under a CRADA are very flexible, and can accomplish most if not all of kinds of objectives. Importantly, it is only under CRADA (and directly funded “work-for-others”) that the industrial partner can gain a measure of protection for intellectual property (for up to 5 years) while gaining benefit from the government’s technical capabilities.

CRADAs can be approved more quickly if they do not involve new (i.e. unplanned) expenditure by the lab program. Generally, the concept is a 50-50 split, with each party’s contribution provided by funding, intellectual property rights, technology know-how, use of facilities, man-hours, etc. The only restriction is that government money cannot flow to the industrial partner.

Federal Policies and Programs in Flux
Federal efforts in this arena are very much in flux and the subject of considerable debate and political controversy. The future of the major labs is by no means clear or assured. A new study “Defense Conversion, Redirecting R&D” [Office of Technology Assessment May 1993] cites the continuing difficulties of intellectual property, liability, US only use, funding, and bureaucracy that bedevil the “CRADA” negotiation process, against a backdrop of major debate on the appropriate government role in fostering competitiveness and economic growth (in the context of the end of the cold war and all it implies for defense R&D). Such periods of uncertainty and transition often present big opportunities to those willing to jump in and see what can be done.

General Observations

• TECH TRANSFER is much easier to approach with specific needs/problems!!!!
The message from everyone contacted at LLNL (also a dominant theme from General Motors’ experience) is that a potential industrial partner is best served by coming forward with a statement of its own needs, problems, and goals, and a characterization of its own interests, abilities, and resources. Lab people will then get you together with the right contacts.

• Utilities could have high leverage/influence on LLNL’s ability to get the attention and funding from DOE/Fossil Energy. As a defense lab, LLNL tends not to be regarded as an likely player in fossil work, and is often prohibited by law from responding to DOE solicitations. If PSI sees work of interest at LLNL, its opinion alone would carry considerable weight.

• “TT is a contact sport” Ultimately, deals will be made between individuals, who have to first find each other. The Lab’s objectives are funding and commercial utilization, so they want real business deals to happen.

• The scale of material, technology, personnel and organizational complexity of LLNL is staggering. Over 10,000 people work there. [Note what it takes for a utility to keep up-to-date and tapped in to EPRI]

• Noteworthy that in LLNL’s case, the bulk of the core program is for weapons, isotope separation or magnetic and inertial fusion. Only a relatively small portion is “applied”. Tremendous spin-off potential, however.

• There are tremendous time lags in all aspects of the the TT process, from making first contact to signing a deal.
– Telephone tag and people’s travel schedules mean that initial contacts can take weeks to establish, and meetings can be difficult to arrange. If LLNL perceives a real opportunity, then they are likely to respond more promptly, but they seem very open and accommodating as a general rule.
– At least 4 sets of lawyers get involved in putting a deal together — DOE , U Calif, LLNL and the industrial partner. Sometimes DOE regional office at odds with headquarters. Policy subject to varying interpretations. Policies also evolving.
– DOE budget cycles delay, limit resources available for matching funds.

• If companies approach LLNL, LLNL can respond 1 on 1. If LLNL seeks partners, they must make good faith effort to make opportunity available to any/all companies in the industry.

• LLNL’s internal organization is in constant flux–responding to very real threat of extinction by trying lots of new things. New faces appear, new programs–a moving target to try to know who’s who. Roles and missions of people and offices are changing over time. There appears to be some friction between some of the new “marketers” and some technical people, although most people seem to appreciate the seriousness of the need for LLNL to change in order to survive.

• Information systems, publications, conferences and trade shows are good as hunting grounds, but the Federal R&D resource is immense. Again, having a specific need/topic/problem/question is very helpful.

• Although there is a long list of “mechanisms” for tech transfer with the labs, ranging from cost-sharing and exchange programs to licensing and “work-for-others”, most new agreements are being written as CRADAs (cooperative R&D agreements). This is the only mechanism that affords the industrial partner a degree of protection for intellectual property.

Specific LLNL Technologies Identified

[“Ref Oppty’s ” refers to LLNL publication “Opportunities for Partnership” Technology Profiles — one page write-ups on selected items.]

Batteries:
Zn-Air — [like Al-Air which was commercialized from LLNL work in 70’s (Alu-Power, NJ)]
Cheaper cycle, due to low temp reduction process. Instant refueling. Very little environmental impact of discard.

Flywheel –1, 5, 25 KWH versions. very high specific energy (100-150 kwh/kg) and high power. Conceivably could compete with Pb-Acid in $/kwh. A demo is being built at LLNL. Can tailor design for applications from railroads to UPS (uninterruptible powr supply). Better than SMES. Utility application — interest being pursued by an equipment mfg.

Li-Ion — improvement over Sony/AT&T technology (Reversible intercalation of Li in carbon anode) using foam technology get 1-1/2 times current 80-100 wh/kg. High cycle life. Utilizes aerogel carbon foam technology (see aerogels below).

Renewables:

Windpower: NDE for blade mfg; windflow modeling for siting and dispatch; flywheel storage.

Solar: advanced solar rankine cycle (MHD) very speculative

Thermoelectric Materials. Thermoelectric power generation and cooling has always been limited to very specialized applications, due to low efficiency and high cost. Very recent theoretical work (paper to be published soon) indicates the possiblity of a new class of devices based on new materials and very thin multi layers, with dramatically enhanced figures of merit that would make them competitive. At the stage of basic R&D, first application of interest is cooling of electric vehicles. LNLL has a relationship with MITand a company that is developing solid state replacements for alternators on truck diesels(which use waste exhaust heat).
Contact is Joseph Farmer 423-6574 or Jeff Wadsworth

Storage Reservoir Characterization — acoustic and seismic imaging techniques from work in geothermal applicable to CAES or gas storage? Contact is Alan Burnham. (The principal investigator is Paul Kasameyer, Earth Sciences.)

Hydrogen/fuel cells: LLNL concentrating on vehicle storage–composite materials for tanks; cryogenic carbon adsorption and glass microspheres.
Contact is Glenn Rambach 423-6208
– 10-12 years ago, they needed “perfect” glass microspheres for inertial laser fusion (fill with deuterium or tritium — tiny H-bombs when blasted with lasers). Commercial ones too irregular–sorted thru and found that only 1 in 10**13 that were good enough. (Note one of the commercial processes involves flyash in a turbulent flame.) They developed a way to make perfect ones. Now seeking to scale up the manufacturing process, to use spheres for bulk storage of H2.
– They’re in discussions with a vendor interested in a near term commercial application.
– Need to scaleup mfg. by factor of 10**12 — already accomplished 10**6.
– Still may be able to use commercial/imperfect spheres–sorting process to pick out the ones that are good enough.
– Reference: Robert Teitel, BNL Report # 51439, May 81 “Microcavity H2 Storage, Final Progress Report”. Also, there is an LLNL report on properties, manufacture and use.
– LLNL has best capability in the world to study structure/characteristics of microspheres.

Economic Modeling: Genlzd Equilibrium modeling (3rd generation) network/market model; (relaxation of Lagrange coefficients.) Want opportunity to use methods to meet a utility’s needs. (Tom Edmunds and Alan Lamont)

– National market model –policy applications — market clearing/capacity additions — with accurate detailed charactization of technologies, linked in a network model.
– Distributed Utility (DU) they contributed to PG&E DU report — their approach apparently was not adopted. They feel confident their approach would be useful to utility planners–based on idea of value/market clearing prices determining what is built and when.
– For EIA/DOE — Emission trading and natural gas models.
– META•NET is beta software “language/platform” for this kind of modeling — user’s manual provided.
– Suggest LLNL’s has special competence in sensors, data mgt, control/response moment-to-moment, that would be important in operation of DU.

Supercapacitors:

Thin-layer — < 4 µ layer dielectric – very rugged, high voltage, very high power for pulse applications and high voltage power conditioning. 0.6 wh/kg. With other materials,can go to megavolts! [ref 9-13 Opptys] This is one application of very thin film multilayer manufacturing technology.

Aerogel — (see aerogel discussion) 10**4 better! up to 40 Farads/gm,
high energy 5-10 wh/kg , power 2-20 kw/kg (contact is Jim Kaschmetter, Physics)
Uses carbon aerogel foam in thin layer as electrode in liquid electrolyte. Extremely large surface area and double layer capacitor effect. Carbon aerogel manufacture appears to be closer to practicality, as it doesn’t require non-critical extraction. Very low cost. Opens up possibilities for very low energy desalination via capacitive deionization.
[Update: Jim Kaschmetter left LLNL to form Polystor, a spinoff startup company that is commercializing this technology.]

Materials (general): Contact Alan Burnham or Jeff Wadsworth
Ceramics–non-brittle “plastic”, moldable and fracture resistant.
Blast resistant laminates
Anti-corrosion coatings; modeling of coating properties

Granular Flow Modeling
Over last 10-15 years, developed new class of modeling capability applying molecular dynamics to macroscopic materials. Otis Walton is a world expert. Lots of interest from chemical mfg, and some discussions re coal handling (need better inroads with coal/utilities).
(Potentially applicable to ground source heat pump work.)

Combustion Modeling (Charles Westbrook) work for IC engines, use of refinery gas.
Works very closely with Sandia/Livermore’s combustion group. He does chemical kinetics, toxics, Clean Air Act, etc. They do more numerical work, and have a major coal program.
– Big CRADA with auto makers, Cummins & other engine makers, Sandia and Los Alamos for modeling to reduce HC and NO emissions from engines. (Separate from post combustion NOx project).
– Haven’t had much contact with utilities–have gone to auto, oil, mfg industries first.
Putting together concept for consortium with oil companies for a “Clean Air Act Center”
– Ultra low NOX nat. gas burner subcontract to UC Irvine/Calif Instittute for Energy Efficiency.
– GRI project similar/related
– Also for GRI — Burner Engineering Research Lab at Sandia

NOx reduction: — pulsed plasma and hydrocarbon catalysis — (Henrik Wallman) CRADA with diesel mfg. -Cummins– (advantages over ammonia and urea injection) [ref 3-11 Opptys & handout] Interested in developing power plant application.

Methane-to-methanol in conjunction with power generation: (A. Burnham) once thru system for conversion, with the effluent used for power generation. Avoids expense of multi-pass and separations to utilize all the methane. Conversion takes place via pulse plasma (Henrik Wallman), or “bio-mimetic” catalysts (Bruce Watkins).

Sensors:
Electochemical [ref 9-3] measure contaminants in waste streams, monitor corrosion

Fiber Optic [ref 9-7]

Aerogels:
… “frozen smoke” lowest density solid — many remarkable properties and potential applications. very high surface area 300-1000 sq meters/gm, lowest thermal conductivity of any material. Supercritical extraction of solvents leave open-cell structures of Silicon, Carbon-based or metal oxide materials. Fabrication not cheap yet. [ref 6-5 Opptys]
Supercapacitors ( see above)
Metal Oxide catalysts [ref 6-17 Opptys]
Insulation (can be made from agar–seaweed!)
Natural Gas storage
new electrodes for fuel cells

Environment: (contact is Jesse Yow) [additional details available in “Environmental Technology Program Annual Report FY91 — UCRL-LR-105199-99]

In-Situ Remediation:

Sensors: — New class of fiber optic sensors down in a drill hole detect concentrations 1:10**6 (benzene => gasoline) and 1:10**9 (TCE). Dramatic reduction in cost to characterize/monitor an underground site in almost real time.

Underground Imaging: — Electromagnetic techniques using RF or DC current–can get 3-d images of pollutant plumes, or of the burn front of in situ coal gasification.

Spill Cleanup — Electric resistance heating and steam injection used to drive volatile compounds out of the earth, reducing time scale from 10’s -100’s of years to 10’s of months.
(Ground heating may be applicable to ground source heat pump work.)

Radiolytic Decomposition of toxic Materials (Steve Matthews)
Use of E beams, x-rays and ultraviolet ionizing radiation to break down organic materials into harmless or less toxic materials. Can be applied to vapor or liquid phase, in remediation applications or process streams.

Global Emissions / Atmospheric Release Modeling — LLNL was called upon for analysis of Chernobyl, the Kuwaiti Oil Fires, etc. Can handle accident/leak situations on any scale.

LLNL Organization

LLNL has a complex matrix organizational structure, consisting of “directorates”, or “programs” and “divisions”. The general pattern is for technical personnel to belong administratively in discipline-based divisions (physics, chemistry & material science, engineering, etc.). Most project work is organized in the programs, to which personnel are assigned and bill time, etc. There are many exceptions, however. Some projects are administered in the divisions, and a number of people “wear several hats”, reporting to different groups within LLNL at the same time. Organization charts are of little help. Key contact personnel can provide guidance about who to talk to on any given subject, though it does pay to get more than one perspective on program content and direction.

A recent reorganization is reflected in the attached organization charts.

LLNL Personnel Contacted/Identified: (general phone # 510-422-1100)

Alan Burnham 422-7304, Program Leader, Energy Technologies. is our main point of contact. He is in EMATT, in the Energy Division(see below).

Alan Bennett, 423-3330, Director, Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization.
New to LLNL inDec ’92, to handle “institutional marketing”, and to develop new business for the lab as defense/ weapons budgets shrink. [Promoted 11/94 to new position in charge of tech transfer overall.]

Technology Transfer Initiative Program (TTIP):
(This group of about 30 people has seen its role transition from initiator to production administrator. Where previously they were trying to promote tech transfer and make the connections between Lab staff and industry, they now find themselves with more than enough proposals, and responsible to oversee negotiations and contracting–more of a classic intellectual property/licensing “production” operation. They also coordinate trade show participation and visits to the lab by outsiders.)

(vacant) 423-1341, Director
Dave C. Conrad 422-7839 Acting Director. Came in Feb. 93 from weapons program to set up business procedures; took over when former director Gib Marguth left to go to Sandia Livermore.
Ann Freudendahl 422-7299

“TACTs” Technical Area Coordination Team —
This designation relates specifically to the $140 million DOE Technology Transfer Initiative, and is comprised of technical staff members secunded to review proposals and to meet with reps from other labs to do overall rankings.

Alan Burnham Energy 422-7304
Bill Robson Environment 423-7261 [Laser/Environment Program]
Jeff Wadsworth Chemistry & Materials Sci 423-2184 [Ass’t Asoc. Director]
Bart Gledhill Biotech
Mike Fluss Microelectronics

Their are also TACTs assigned for the new special DOE AMTEX program with the textile industry. (See discussion about Industry Partner Programs.)

Anthony K. (Tony) Chargin 422-5196, head of EMATT (Energy, Manufacturing and Transportation Technologies), a new program established late ’92 bridging the Energy and Engineering Directorates, now reporting directly to the Energy Division.

Alan Burnham, 422-7304, Program Leader, Energy Technologies. Point of contact for energy supply and storage. Also a member of TACT. Most of the work is in oil & gas production, espec oil shale and petroleum geology. Physical Chemist — 1/4 time doing technical work. He is also LLNL’s point of contact with Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC), which handles DOE coal gasif. work.

Jeff Richardson, 423-5187, formerly in Chemistry & Materials Sci., is now Program Leader in EMATT for Materials Manufacturabilit
Dick Post, 422-9853, developer of Flywheel (electromechanical battery)
Henrik Wallman, 423-1522, Staff Scientist, Fossil Fuels. Has work going on in hydrocarbon catalysis and pulsed plasma — NOx reduction. Also proposing partial oxidation of methane coupled to power generation,

Tom Edmunds 422-5156 System Sciences, Engineering Research Div.
Alan Lamont 423-2575
Genlzd Equilibrium modeling (3rd generation) network/market model
Charles Westbrook 422-4108 , Physics Department, Combustion Modeling
Works very closely with Sandia/Livermore’s combustion group. He does chemical kinetics, toxics, Clean Air Act, etc. They do more numerical work, and have a major coal program.
(Sandia/Livermore Combustion Program: Don Hardesty 510-294-2321.)
Glenn Rambach 423-6208, Hydrogen/fuel cells: LLNL concentrating on vehicle storage–composite mat’ls for tanks; cryogenic carbon adsorption and glass microspheres. Also some new concepts in materials for fuel cell electrodes and electrolytes.

Chemistry & Materials Science
Jeff Wadsworth, Chemistry & Materials Sci 423-2184 [Assoc. Director] Joined LLNL in ’92 from Lockheed (metallurgy)

Jean H. dePruneda, 422-1339, [Division Leader, Chem. Sciences Div.] does internal and external networking for tech transfer–point of contact. Aerogels for catalysts, supercapacitors, insulation.

Lucy Hair, 423-7823, Point of contact for aerogel catalysts
Troy Barbee 423-7796, Point of contact for thin layer supercapacitors
Bruce Watkins Methane –> methanol conversion, biomimetic —
synthesize materials to mimic enzyme/proteins — with GRI

Steve Mayer 422-7702, Electrochemist working on Li-ion battery. (Reversible intercalation of Li in carbon anode. Rick Pekala is materials person 422-0152) He is on DOE Utility storage group. Sees utility applications for supercapacitors for Power conditioning, motor starting, etc.
These two people are also the developers of the aerogel supercapacitor.

Laser Program
Ralph Jacobs 424-4545, Director, New Technology Initiatives, Laser Program, (also microelectronics) Focused on laser isotope separation, advanced chemical processing
Bill Robson 423-7261 Environment TACT, industry partnering for Environ Protection Program,
Don Prosnitz 422-7504 contact for emission monitoring
Booth Myers 422-7537 Sr. Scientist, Isotope enrichment (gadolinium for LWR control rods), waste processing/incinerator replacement
Steve Matthews 423-3052, Environmental Protection Dept / E-Beam, LLNL’s own site remediation, and some research. (This group is not in the Laser Program).

Physics and Space Sciences Directorate
Steve Hadley 423-2424 (Assistant Assoc Director for Tech Transfer) Point of contact for Industry partnering. Joined LLNL 11/92 from Aerospace industry. Notes that Physics at LLNL is focused heavily in weapons/SDI related work and basic research. Can also look in other departments (lasers, chem & materials) for items that one might expect to see under physics.

Environmental Programs Directorate (created in a recent reorganization, combining several related functions from other areas. Acting Director is Jay Davis.)
Jesse Yow 422-3521 Deals with wide range of environmental technologies, especially in-situ monitoring and remediation.

Information Source Contacts / Technical Information Services:

Public relations. General # is 422-4599
Marybeth Acuff 423-4432 knowledgable contact.
Loren Devor, Technical Info. Dept. (liaison to Directors Office) 422-0855
She handles corporate publications/ mailing lists;
Energy & Technology Review (monthly magazine), and the 5 yr. Institutional Plan

Research Library (for internal lab use–but individuals seem willing to help over the phone)
Circulation Desk /general # 422-5277 — Betty Herrick is Ass’t Group Leader
– There’s an on line database avail to employees and contractors only of their card catalog/holdings, also to the entire U.C. system (Univ. Calif)
– New LLNL reports list published monthly is for internal use only.
Howard Lentzner 422-5838 — Research Librarian (chemist by training)
– They can help outsiders for pay–complicated administratively. Can help gratis on quick items. Better to get copies of lab reports thru NTIS or directly from the researcher.
– Everything is in DOE databases, on Dialog and other services.