DOE Funds Two Projects of the Pennsylvania State University

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by means of its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has funded $2.5 million for two projects of the Pennsylvania State University.

In one of the projects, by collaborating with the University of Kentucky, the Pennsylvania State University will conduct research activities to assist the energy industry to produce alternative energy. An oil-rich alga that receives its energy from organic waste and light is likely to be ‘rewired’ to utilize electrical energy. From there, carbon dioxide and hydrogen will be transformed into bio-oils that can further be refined and converted into gasoline.

The second project involves the university partnering with Recapping Inc. to create a new energy storage device using a 3D nanocomposite structure. This novel device is likely to offer a cost-effective substitute to battery solutions.

These awards are a part of DOE’s larger offering of $106 million in 17 U.S. states for 37 projects. The funding had initially received over 540 concept papers. Some 180 applications were rigorously reviewed with inputs from panel members composed of U.S. technology and science experts.