Five new research projects have been selected for funding by the Energy Center in its nineteenth annual grant competition. The funding started on January 1, 2025. The overall goal of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) is to foster research and education in energy sciences by providing funding to support innovative research and collaboration among UNL faculty and other public and private-sector organizations and businesses.
NCESR provides major funding for two-year research projects to UNL faculty through collaboration with the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). The NCESR funds enable UNL faculty to conduct innovative research to develop or enhance energy science and technologies and educate undergraduate and graduate students on various energy-related aspects. Faculty are required to use NCESR’s funding as a seed to pursue major external funding. NPPD provides several letters of support for UNL faculty each year as they bid on federal grants (e.g., Department of Energy, Department of Defense, etc.). NCESR also awards annual summer internships for UNL undergraduates to conduct research with a professor as advisor.
The following information provides more details about the Cycle 19 Projects.
• Enhanced CO2 transport for high-efficiency biological carbon capture and biofuel fermentation
Principal Investigator (PI) – Dr. Nicole Buan, Professor of Biochemistry, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) – Dr. Siamak Nejati, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
Abstract – The transition to a sustainable bioeconomy requires converting up to one billion tons of captured and waste carbon in the form of CO2, biomass, and biosyngas to biogas (methane) and other transportation fuels annually. Methanoarchaea, a promising platform to generate renewable methane and bioisoprene fuels from CO2 and waste carbon, can further enhance yield and efficiencies through metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Here, we propose to design novel enzymes, bioreactors, and Methanosarcina cells to optimize CO2 conversion selectivity to biogas and bioisoprene. We will use computational modeling and a high-throughput enzyme engineering screen to design and select for novel enzyme variants to enhance the capabilities of microbial cells to produce isoprene, which can be used as fuel or chemical precursor. We will also explore embedding biocatalysts in soft materials for the design and development of robust gas-liquid contactors. If successful, the project's enzymes, materials, and engineered cells are expected to improve carbon capture technologies and enable sustainable biofuel and biomanufacturing in various applications, including for (ethanol) fermentation and biomedical uses. When combined, the novel bioreactors, strains, and enzymes produced have the potential to make a significant impact on converting captured and waste carbon for sustainable aviation and transportation fuel, decarbonizing heavy industry, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture: Greening Ammonium Sulfate Production
PI – Dr. Mona Bavarian, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Yașar Demirel, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Javed Iqbal, Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Abstract – Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 is a fertilizer and soil conditioner crucial in agriculture. However, traditional production of this compound often involves energy-intensive processes and raises environmental concerns. This proposal focuses on advancing the electrified production of green (NH4)2SO4 and assessing it as a fertilizer in Nebraska's agriculture, with a specific emphasis on the process modeling and design of an integrated process to valorize sulfur impurities captured in the desulfurization units of coal-fired power plants. By evaluating the proposed approach's scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, we aim to demonstrate the potency of the proposed approach in valorizing sulfur removed from the flue gas and supplying green fertilizers. This path is of primary interest as it integrates renewable energy with fossil fuel-powered generation schemes and produces (NH4)2SO4. Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) using ammonia can achieve an effective SO2 removal by producing ammonium sulfate. Ultimately, this research aims to advance sustainable agriculture by providing a green and efficient solution for (NH4)2SO4 production while desulfurizing flue gas efficiently. We rely on life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to identify sustainable materials for electrocatalysis. Our LCCA will be updated with information on our catalysts’ performances, including thermodynamics and kinetics data. The goal of this project will be materialized by following our specific objectives: a) developing a model for green ammonia production, b) optimizing the ammonia-based FGD process, c) assessing ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer and the health and economic effects of ammonia release, and d) conducting LCCA analysis to assess the sustainability of utilizing ammonia in FGD and production of ammonium sulfate as green fertilizer in moderate condition. The findings from this research will support the advancement of green ammonia and (NH4)2SO4 synthesis, promoting more environmentally friendly and economically viable approaches to meeting the increasing demand in agriculture and other areas.
• Enhanced Hydrogen Generation and Utilization using Femtosecond Laser-Nanostructured NiCo2O4 Electrocatalysts
PI – Dr. Yongfeng Lu, Lott Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Bai Cui, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Vitaly Alexandrov, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
Abstract – To date, low-temperature unified electrochemical energy conversion devices, known as unified regenerative fuel cells (URFCs), have been the focus of intensive research and development. In these devices, the same pair of electrodes is used for both electrolysis and electricity generation, with oxygen evolution reaction (OER)/oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring at one electrode and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)/ hydrogen reduction reaction (HOR) occurring at the other one. URFCs offer significant advantages in terms of construction costs, mobility, and cost-effectiveness in energy production and storage, especially for applications in the hydrogen energy/economy. However, the biggest challenge is to find and design efficient OER/ORR catalysts. Due to kinetic hindrances, OER/ORR reactions present a much greater technological challenge than their hydrogen electrode counterparts.
In this proposal, we aim to significantly enhance OER/ORR performances by increasing the electrocatalytically active areas and enhancing local electric fields using femtosecond (fs) laser-nanostructured NiCo2O4/Ni. Fs laser surface nanostructuring precisely alters Nickel (Ni) surfaces at nanoscale, creating unique and repeatable nanostructures, such as nanospikes. When combined with NiCo2O4 electrocatalyst, which has been identified by our team as a promising electrocatalyst for enhancing hydrogen-involved reactions, we expect significant improvements. Specifically, for OER, the overpotential of nanostructured NiCo2O4/Ni will be lowered to approximately 240 mV at 100 mA/cm², which is only 55% and 27% of the overpotential of untreated NiCo2O4 and platinum (Pt), respectively.
Co-Ni oxides have been identified as a potential electrocatalyst for H2 utilization in fuel cells. Its good catalytic performance can also be attributed to its porous structure, high specific surface area, and abundant Co3+ active sites. Therefore, this project will also explore and extend the evaluation of the proposed nanostructured NiCo2O4/Ni for ORR. If successful, our proposed electrocatalyst system will be an efficient and cost-effective bifunctional OER/ORR electrocatalyst for both H2 production and utilization.
• Innovative Solutions for Data Center Thermal Management: Oxide-Free Femtosecond Laser Processed Copper Surfaces
PI – Dr. Graham Kaufman, Research Engineer, Research Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Craig Zuhlke, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Jeffrey Shield, Department Chair, Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering
Abstract – Rapid advances in the power density of processors used in data centers have led to a growing need for innovative thermal management solutions. Agencies like the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) are supporting ongoing research efforts to more efficiently manage large heat fluxes produced by high-performance computers to reduce power consumption associated with cooling. With the advent of widespread artificial intelligence (AI) based computing, the annual worldwide power consumption of AI data centers has been predicted to be as high as 134 TWh by 2027 [2]. The proposed work will focus on enhancing the two-phase heat transfer performance of copper (Cu) surfaces functionalized using femtosecond laser surface processing (FLSP) for mitigating large heat fluxes more efficiently than air-cooled solutions currently implemented in data centers. FLSP is a technology that can be utilized to produce finely-tuned, highly-permanent, micro- and nano-scale surface features that increase the boiling performance of surfaces. The two-phase heat transfer enhancements observed when applying FLSP to materials like aluminum and stainless steel are not observed for Cu processed by FLSP due to a laser-induced oxide layer. However, due to its superior thermal properties, Cu is a key material used in thermal management of electronics. Recently, the PI, working in the Center for Electro-optics and Functionalized Surfaces (CEFS), developed a novel technique to reduce the oxide state of surface and subsurface Cu atoms while maintaining the important micro- and nano-scale porosity of the laser processed surfaces. In preliminary studies, Cu FLSP surfaces fabricated with this post-laser-processing technique exhibited breakthrough improvement in two-phase heat transfer performance when compared to as-FLSP-processed and unprocessed Cu. The proposed research will take advantage of the flexibility and fine control of features achievable by FLSP and the environmental conditions of the post-laser process to improve the performance of Cu surfaces for two-phase heat transfer.
• Advanced manufacturing of high-temperature alloy components for small modular reactors
PI – Dr. Bai Cui, Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering
Co-PI – Dr. Yongfeng Lu, Lott Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Abstract – Compared to the traditional full-scale nuclear energy plants, small modular reactors (SMRs) have advantages such as smaller physical footprints, reduced capital investment, and ability to be sited in locations inappropriate for larger nuclear plants. In addition to generation of electricity for Nebraskans, SMRs may create new economic opportunities for Nebraska such as the nuclear-powered data centers and agricultural wastewater treatment plants.
This project aims to enable advanced manufacturing of high-temperature alloy components in Nebraska for SMRs. It will develop novel additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for advanced austenitic steels, which are candidate materials for components of high-temperature SMRs. AM can produce small, high value components, which has the potential to reduce the deployment time and component fabrication costs of SMRs.
The scientific hypothesis is that mechanical properties of additive manufactured structural alloys, particularly the ductility and creep deformation, are controlled by defects. The key innovations include: 1) understanding the relationship between processing and defects; 2) interpreting the relation between microstructures and high-temperature mechanical properties; and 3) scaling-up the AM process to produce the specific components for SMR. We will collaborate with external partners in national laboratories and nuclear industry to understand the scientific mechanisms, evaluate the performance of additive manufactured materials, and scale up the manufacturing process.