Solar Energy Research Opportunities at NSF Energy Initiative (SOLAR) Luminescent Solar Concentrators...
Transcript of Solar Energy Research Opportunities at NSF Energy Initiative (SOLAR) Luminescent Solar Concentrators...
Solar Energy Research Opportunities
at NSF
Scialog Solar Energy Conversion Conference
Biosphere 2
October 11-14, 2011
Tom Peterson
Assistant Director Engineering Directorate
National Science Foundation
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Scialog Solar Energy Conversion
Conference 2010
Scialog 2010 was the first of three Workshops co-
funded by NSF & Research Corporation
At least two NSF SOLAR Award Grantees received
Supplements by partnering with Res Corp PIs
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NSF Solar Energy – Related
Research Program
Examples
(not all-inclusive)
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CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy
Initiative (SOLAR) Program Solicitation: NSF 10-613
PI Limit: Proposals must include three or more co-PIs, of whom one
must be a researcher in chemistry, a second in materials, and a third
in mathematical sciences, in areas supported by the NSF Divisions of
Chemistry, Materials Research, and Mathematical Sciences,
respectively.
Any potential fourth or fifth co-PI can be a researcher in any
relevant area of science, including specifically those supported by the
NSF Divisions of Engineering.
SYNERGY of three disciplines TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL
FY 2012 - There will be no SOLAR Solicitation
ENG can play!
5 Awards were made in FY 2011
UV-vis, 0.2 V(b) UV-vis, 0.2 V(b)
CHE-DMR-DMS
Solar Energy Initiative (SOLAR)
Luminescent Solar
Concentrators
Kelly, UC Merced
Ultrabroad spectral
bandwidth excitonic thin-
film solar cells
Forrest, Univ of Mich
Integrated electro-
photonic development
of polymer solar cells
Samulski, UNC
“Tuned" electrocatalytic
nanostructures for H2
generation
Bard, UT
Austin
Sustainable PV
materials
Law, UC-Irvine
Optical hyperdoping….
Black Silicon
Mazur, Harvard
Solar materials Simulations
Van Voorhis/MIT
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Interagency Collaboration News
SunShot - Just Awarded
• SunShot Initiative $145M for Advanced Solar Technologies
• Next Generation Photovoltaics II ((23 Projects/$22.2M)
• F-PACE (Foundational Program to Advance PV Cell
Efficiency)
• DOE/SETP & NSF/ECCS (18 Projects/$38.5M)
• Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reduction (9
Projects - $42M)
• Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (8 Projects/$25.9M)
• Reducing Market Barriers (7 Projects/$13.6M)
• SunShot Incubator (4 Projects/$5.8M)
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More Opportunities
for
Solar Research
in
FY2012
CAREER - Faculty Early Career Development
Program (solicitation)
REU - Research Experience for Undergraduates; Sites
and Supplements (solicitation)
GOALI - Grant Opportunities for Academic Liason
with Industry (unsolicited)
EAGER - EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory
Research - Replaces SGER (invited)
Traditional NSF –Wide Core Programs
Individual Investigator Award (IIA) Programs
The Challenge of Sustainability
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It is more than just
climate change or
energy, or disaster
response, or …
Economy Environment
Society
The interactions between natural and social systems, and how those
interactions affect the challenge of… meeting the needs of the
present and future generations while substantially reducing poverty
and conserving the planet’s life support systems
What is
Sustainability?
It is research at the
nexus of societal
needs and
behavior,
environmental
impact, and
economic
demands
Sustainability
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SEES and the NSF Mission
(Science, Engineering & Education for Sustainability)
NSF’s mission is to support the progress of science (education); to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.
NSF has the capability to address the full depth and breadth of research and education for sustainable development.
economics environment
energy
education
opportunity
Social behavior Climate change biodiversity
Dear Colleague Letter (NSF 11-022)
Research Coordination Networks–SEES track (NSF 11-531)
SEES submission encouraged in Dynamics of Coupled Natural & Human Systems (NSF 10-612)
New: Sustainability Research Networks (NSF 11-574)
New: SEES Fellows (NSF 11-575)
New: Sustainable Energy Pathways (NSF 11-590)
Exclusive SEES focus in Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) solicitation (NSF 11-564)
Climate-related competitions continue
SEES Summit planned for March 2012
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FY 2011 and 2012 Activities
SEES Proposal Requirements for
All Solicitations
Multidisciplinary by design
• Proposals fundable by core program of directorates not suitable.
• Integration of multi-disciplinary parts is important
Interdisciplinary education & training, e.g.
• Integration multi-disciplinary education into core curriculum
• Novel mechanisms to enhance cross-disciplinary interaction &
understanding
• Creation of infrastructure required for multidisciplinary research
• Enhancing public’s understanding of sustainable energy future
Beyond science and technology
• Consideration of societal, economic, and environmental aspects
required
• Proposals require only consideration, not in-depth treatment of all
aspects
• Depth of treatment depends on proposal scope
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Sustainable Energy Pathways (SEP)
10/18/2011 NSF CISE SEES Webinar
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Amount
Awards
Requirements
Restrictions
$34M for 15 -20 awards
Up to $500K/year
Up to 4 years
Smaller awards also welcome
At least 3 PIs (one lead, 2 co-PIs)
Represents 2 or more disciplines
Max 3 proposals per organization
Max 1 proposal per PI
Sustainable Energy Harvesting, Conversion,
and Storage
• Energy harvesting and conversion
• Energy storage solutions
• Critical elements and materials
• Nature inspired processes
• Reducing carbon intensity
Energy Transmission, Distribution, Efficiency,
and Use
• Transmission and distribution
• Energy efficiency and management
To develop efficient pathways towards sustainable
energy, from starting points to ending points, via a
systems approach in the priority areas of
NSF 11-590
Due February 1, 2012
Science, Engineering, and Education
for Sustainability (SEES)
New solicitation:
Steps for Preparing a Sustainable Energy Pathway (SEP) Proposal
Define core energy-related fundamental science/engineering
problem to be addressed
Identify scientific and engineering challenges (defines energy system
in terms of resource/technology)
Environmental Societal Economic
Step
1
Step
2
Step 3: Describe how the
sustainability factors
(environmental, economic,
societal) affect these
scientific/engineering challenges
Step 4: Describe how the team
will address the scientific/engineering
challenges informed by the
sustainability factors, including
educational aspects with respect to
student /post doc training and public
outreach (i.e. this will define the
energy system in terms of
sustainability– this will be a
Sustainable Energy Pathway).
Sustainable Energy Pathway
(defines the energy system in
terms of sustainability within the
context of the scientific &
engineering, as well as education
challenges)
Science &
Engineering
Factors
SUSTAINABILITY FACTORS
General Topic Areas
Sustainable Energy Resource Characterization, Harvesting,
Conversion, Storage, and Impacts
Energy Harvesting and Conversion from Renewable
Resources
Energy Storage Solutions
Critical Elements & Materials for Sustainable Energy
Nature-Inspired Process for Sustainable Energy Solutions
Reducing Carbon Intensity from Energy Conversion, and
Use
Energy Transmission, Distribution, Efficiency, and Use
Transmission and Distribution
Energy Efficiency and Management
SEP Requirements and Review Criteria
10/18/2011 NSF CISE SEES Webinar 17
The extent to which the proposal articulates SEP vision
• Embraces the overarching theme of sustainability,
• Develops and integrates scientific knowledge & technological innovation with environmental, societal, & economic aspects.
Synergistic engagement of multiple disciplines
As reflected in the research plan, expertise/roles of PIs, and the project management plan
Integration of education & workforce development in research
As reflected in the potential effectiveness and impact in educating students and promoting public understanding of sustainable energy
In Summary
NSF-RCSA interaction in Solar Energy research is positively perceived
New opportunities for Solar Energy Research are in the NSF-wide SEES Initiative
Interdisciplinary collaboration is key.
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Acknowledgements:
George Maracas ENG/ECCS/EPT; Linda Sapochak MPS/DMR/SSMC
SEES Team
Two New Initiatives
Innovation Corps (I-Corps)
Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI)
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University research is key, often driven by
industrial needs.
Faculty are involved along the innovation
continuum, working with industry at all
stages.
A focus on translational research
smoothes the handoff of technology from
universities to industry—resulting in rapid,
efficient innovation.
Characteristics of the
Innovation Ecosystem
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NSF Programs for
Translational Research Science and Technology Centers (STC)
Engineering Research Centers (ERC)
Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC)
Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC)
Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT)
Emerging Frontiers of Research and Innovation (EFRI)
Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)
Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC)
Partnerships for Innovation (PFI)
Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR)
The Innovation Corps (I-Corps)
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Other ENG programs
University
Small Business
Investors
Industry
ENG
ove
rall
NSF
ove
rall
GO
ALI
I /U
CR
C
PFI
ERC
STTR
SBIR
STC
Re
sou
rce
s In
vest
ed
Discovery Development Commercialization
Foundations
NSF Innovation Investments
AIR
Translational Research
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University
Small Business
Investors
Industry
ENG
ove
rall
NSF
ove
rall
GO
ALI
I /U
CR
C
PFI
ERC
The “Ditch of Death”
SBIR
STC
Re
sou
rce
s In
vest
ed
Discovery Development Commercialization
Foundations
NSF Innovation Investments
AIR
Translational Research
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STTR
I-Corps in A Nutshell Transcending the “Ditch of Death”: a public-private
partnership to support the translation of NSF research into the development of technologies, products and processes
Increasing Network Opportunities: aims to help create a national network scientists, engineers, innovators, business leaders and entrepreneurs building on existing NSF grantee events
Supporting NSF Strategy: I-Corps will enhance our nation’s economic competitiveness by “reaching out to a range of communities that play complementary roles in the innovation process and are essential to ensuring the impact of NSF Investments.” *
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*From “Empowering the Nation through Discovery
and Innovation” NSF Strategic Plan, April 2011
I-Corps Projects are Team-
Based Team Composition:
• Entrepreneurial Lead: Post-doc or Student to move it forward
• I-Corps Mentor: Domain-relevant volunteer guide
• PI: Researcher with current or previous award
Program Outcomes
• Functioning network of Mentors/Advisors
• Scientist and Engineers trained as Entrepreneurs
• Increased impact of NSF-funded basic research
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Credit: © 2011 JupiterImages Corp.
•30 Hours of Curriculum
•$50,000 per award
• F&A $5,000 maximum
• 25 awards in FY2011
• 100 awards in FY2012
Science Across Virtual
Institutes (SAVI) Facilitate collaboration among scientists,
engineers and educators across the globe
Spur innovation, enable discovery, and help solve society's most vexing problems.
Early pilots VIs:
• Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (VI-MSS) with India
• Physics of Living Systems Student Research Network (PoLS SRN) with Israel and others
• Wireless Innovation (WiFiUS) with Finland
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