Release Date: January 9, 2001

MORGANTOWN, WV - For the 22nd consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Energy's Fossil Energy Office is calling on the nation's academic researchers for their best ideas and innovative solutions for advancing the use of coal.

The department, through its National Energy Technology Laboratory, has issued its annual University Coal Research solicitation, targeting innovative coal-based technologies that combine efficient energy production with improved environmental protection.

As it has done in recent university coal research competitions, the department is placing a particular emphasis on projects that support its Vision 21 concept ? a high-tech approach for using coal and other fuels to produce a flexible output of electric power, fuels, chemicals and other high value products with virtually no pollution.

Approximately $3 million in federal funds are reserved for this year's winning proposals. Proposals are due on February 8, 2001. Winning projects will be announced this summer.

Since the program began in 1979, it has provided the opportunity for college students to obtain "hands-on" experience in coal research projects. More than 1,350 students have worked side-by-side with university professors in carrying out the research projects.

The program has also produced a wide range of technology advances, from a new coal cleaning technology developed in one of the program's early projects to a more recent improvement in the way speciality carbon-based powders are electrically charged and deposited ? an innovation that could improve copying machines and laser printers.

The 2000 competition is divided into three parts: the Core Program, the Innovative Concepts Phase I-Program, and a new Innovative Concepts Phase-II Program.

Core Program
In its core program, the Department will allot $2 million for 8-10 projects designed to complement and enhance applied research in six specific research areas:

• Materials Development for Advanced Systems Through Nanostructure Science and Technology - materials focusing on ultrahigh temperature nanostructured alloys that explore synthesis, characterization, or engineering development of nanoscale materials for direct application to advanced power and ultra-clean fuels systems.

• Modeling of Molecule-Surface Interactions - algorithmic models and their validation are needed for predicting chemically reaction pathways of ideal catalysts for producing synthetic fuels or chemicals from coal-based synthesis gas.

• Liquid Transportation Fuels/Hydrocarbon Reformulation - the chemistry involved in reforming hydrocarbons -- specifically coal-derived Fischer-Tropsch liquids -- needs to be better understood, particularly the nature of the by-products.

• Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - research needed regarding intermediate (500 degrees C to 800 degrees C) temperature material sets and integration issues for solid oxide fuel cells in Vision 21 coal-based power plants.

• Advanced Sensors for Vision 21 Systems - unique approaches in developing miniaturized advanced sensors and control systems for advanced efficient energy production with zero emission are needed.

• Modeling of Refractory Materials in Coal Gasification Systems - studies needed to consider the combined effect of chemical or phase changes in refractory material and thermal cycling on the stress state of the refractory material -- a crucial material for the commercial operation of future Vision 21 Systems.

Individual project funding could vary from $80,000 to $200,000 depending on the length of the project which could range from 12 to 60 months. As an added incentive, an institution teaming with two other colleges or universities, or two colleges/universities teaming with at least one industrial partner would be eligible for another $400,000 in funding for a 36-month project.

For each project in this category, the department requires that a teaching professor team with at least one student who is working toward a degree in science or engineering.

Innovative Concepts - Phase I Program
Winning ideas for the Innovative Concepts-Phase I Program could receive up to $50,000 for one-year feasibility studies. Up to five grants will be awarded for approaches that offer innovative, "out-of-the-box" thinking that could lead to research breakthroughs. The technical topics for this program include:

• Mercury and Other Trace Emissions in Advanced Power Systems
• Thermodynamic Measurements for Mixtures of Asymmetric Hydrocarbons, and
• Carbon Sequestration

Innovative Concepts - Phase II Program
For the first year, the department is initiating an Innovative Concepts-Phase II Program. This provides an opportunity for winners of Phase I grants in fiscal year 1999 to continue their research projects in the following three areas:

• Novel CO2 Capture and Separation Schemes
• Identification of Promising Vision 21 Configurations
• Efficient Power Cycles

For each of the three categories, the department will accept proposals from three different combinations of research groups: (1) the faculty at a single institution or an institution submitting an application on behalf of two institutions; (2) faculty teams at three or more colleges or universities; or (3) teams composed of two universities and at least one industrial partner.

The department has posted the request for proposals, "Support of Advanced Coal Research at U.S. Universities and Colleges," on the Business section of its National Energy Technology Laboratory web site at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicitations/index.html.

Universities can also obtain the request for proposals by contacting:

Michael Nolan, Contract Specialist
National Energy Technology Laboratory
U.S. Department of Energy
3610 Collins Ferry Road
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880

Requests can also be made by calling 304/285-4149, by fax 304/285-4683, or by sending an e-mail to mnolan@net.doe.gov.