Stronger Cobalt for Fuel Cells
PNNL led a multi-institutional effort to design a highly active and more durable catalyst made from cobalt, which sets the foundation for fuel cells to power transportation, stationary and backup power, and more.
ELECTROCHEMICAL LEACHING FOR NUTRIENT DELIVERY IN WATER (iEdison No. 0685901-23-0084)
Photosynthetic productivity has the potential to capture and store atmospheric carbon as biomass. Trace metal nutrient limitations often constrain the capacity for carbon capture and fixation in marine photosynthetic algae. Increases in algal CO2 uptake and carbon sequestration can be achieved by removing nutrient limitations to growth and metabolism via the local addition of nutrients. To address this, open ocean iron fertilization was tested at-scale in the 1970s, but the experiments were conducted with little control, generating public concern. However, as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is a topic of growing interest both within DOE (FECM, WPTO etc.) and private sector (Climate Works Foundation, Ocean Visions etc.), interest in open ocean Fe fertilization is resurging as an avenue to achieve scalable ocean decarbonization. The aim for the new generation of Fe-fertilization experiments is to have significant control on delivery so benefits are maximized, and any potential unintended ecosystem impacts are minimal. To that end, unlike the original experiments which relied on one-time addition of chemicals shipped to the open ocean, we have developed and demonstrate here an electrochemical method for controlled addition of Fe for maximum benefit and process control. Not only can electrodes containing Fe be placed local to algal populations and fertilization initiated without human intervention, but dosage can be kept to controllable minimums and in a bioavailable form. We demonstrated an 890% increase in harvest densities of algae cultures fertilized via electrochemical iron leaching compared to controls. This is the first example of electrochemically controlled nutrient fertilization in algae cultivation. Electrically iron-dosed cultures captured 1.04 ± 0.29 g L-1 day-1 CO2 during maximum growth, 10 times more than iron-limited cultures. We refer to this as 'precision electrofertilization". While we demonstrate the concept for Fe, the same method can be extended to various other micronutrients that are critical to the growth of algae (e.g., Mn, Zn, etc.) by simply changing the alloy of the electrode and electrochemical process conditions. Note that while this work originated from our interest in marine carbon dioxide removal in the open oceans, the near-term applications are likely to be in near-shore or on-shore aquaculture where controlled nutrient delivery can generate significant increase in productivity.
PNNL Scientists Contribute to New, High-resolution Earth System Model
A powerful, new model helps scientists understand earth system processes.
Uranium Extraction from Seawater
Researchers mine and extract uranium from seawater, which could be useful in providing an alternative source of nuclear power.
Technical Reports
The HydroPASSAGE project has technical reports related to the toolsets and associated research on biological reponse, fish passage, and hydropower.
Reaching Out to the Next Generation of Scientists
The Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis participated in the Salmon Summit in May 2010, with the activity "Green Power!" and "Water Chemistry."
PNNL at CES 2024
PNNL is showcasing bold breakthroughs and technology transfers at CES, the most powerful technology event in the world. Learn how to power business success with our intellectual property.
Climate Events Create Compound Challenges for Electricity Planning
Researchers at PNNL used key metrics to develop visualizations that show how the combined effects of climate change on hydropower and load influence the frequency, duration, and severity of power shortfalls.
Addressing Grid Vulnerabilities with E-COMP
PNNL's E-COMP initiative is helping unleash American energy innovation with advanced theories, models, and software tools to better operate power systems that rely heavily on high-speed power electronic control.
PNNL to give helping hand to small green energy businesses
PNNL will help three small businesses reduce the cost of hydropower, cut building energy use, and make adhesives from plants through new projects announced today by DOE's Small Business Vouchers program.