Obama Administration Announces Clean Coal Research Awards for Universities Across the Country

Obama Administration Announces Clean Coal Research Awards for Universities Across the Country | Department of Energy Skip to main content Energy.gov Find information about your town or city. Search form Search Energy.gov Public ServicesTax Credits, Rebates & SavingsHomesVehiclesBuilding DesignManufacturingNational Security & SafetyEnergy EconomyFunding OpportunitiesState & Local GovernmentScience & InnovationScience & TechnologyScience EducationInnovationEnergy SourcesEnergy UsageEnergy EfficiencyMissionNews & BlogMaps & DataAbout UsFor Staff & ContractorsOfficesAll OfficesProgram OfficesStaff OfficesLabs & Technology CentersField SitesPower Marketing AdministrationOther Agencies You are hereHome Obama Administration Announces Clean Coal Research Awards for Universities Across the Country June 6, 2012 - 12:18pm Addthis News Media Contact(202) 586-4940

WASHINGTON, D.C.— As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above approach to American energy, the Energy Department announced that nine universities have won awards for research projects that will continue to support innovation and development of clean coal technologies. The awards, which will leverage student-led teams across the country as they continue research and development of new technologies and materials that will advance clean coal energy production, are part of the Administration’s focus on ensuring we can rely on a broad range of energy sources as we move towards a clean energy economy.

“Advancing the development of clean coal technologies is an important part of President Obama’s strategy to develop every source of American energy and ensure the United States leads the world in the global clean energy race and continues to take advantage of domestic resources here at home,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.  “These university research projects will help build on extensive progressive made by this Administration to promote innovative technologies that help make coal-fired energy cleaner and more cost-competitive, while training the next generation of scientists and engineers in cutting-edge clean coal technologies.”

The projects announced today at the nine universities will each receive approximately $300,000 to spur the next generation of trained scientists and engineers from universities across the nation to focus on the development of high-temperature, high-pressure corrosion-resistant alloys, protective coatings, and structural materials for advanced coal-fired power plants and gas turbines. Research projects will also develop new processes and computational design methods to develop these materials, improve efficiency and reduce the costs of cleaner power generation systems. The Energy Department’s $2.7 million investment will be leveraged with additional funds from the universities to support $3.1 million in total projects.

Today’s awards are part of a more than $5 billion investment strategy by the Obama Administration in clean coal technologies and R&D. This strategy, which has attracted over $10 billion in additional private capital investment, is designed to accelerate commercial deployment of clean coal technologies – particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS) – and to position the United States as a leader in the global clean energy race.

Thanks in part to this strategy, the United States is currently leading the world in CCS technologies. In fact, last week, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, in its semi-annual “Race to First” ranking of the world’s most advanced large-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration projects, announced that the United States was in first place. Topping the list was a project led by Pennsylvania-based Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. – an effort spurred by investments made by the Energy Department in 2010. 

This announcement shows growing momentum for CCS in the U.S. For example, earlier this year, CPS Energy of San Antonio – the largest municipally owned utility in the United States – signed the first agreement in the country to purchase low-carbon power from a commercial-scale coal-based power plant with carbon capture.  The Midland-Odessa- based project – the Texas Clean Energy Project – will be the cleanest coal power plant in the world when it becomes operational in 2015.

In addition, the Energy Department is leveraging investments in clean coal technologies to study and demonstrate ways to continue improving the economics of clean coal projects through enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects.  With EOR, companies can use captured carbon to help develop marginal oil wells and further increase domestic oil production.

President Obama’s sustained all-out, all-of-the-above commitment to American energy also includes the safe and responsible production of our oil and natural gas alongside the development of clean, renewable American energy resources. Today, American oil production is at the highest level in eight years, and last year the U.S. relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years. And over the past few years, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, with the U.S. reclaiming the position as the world’s leading investor in clean energy in 2011.

The projects selected for awards include:

Brown University (Providence, R.I.)Dartmouth College (Hanover, N.H.)Indiana University, in partnership with Purdue University and Praxair Surface Technologies (Indianapolis, Ind.)Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Ill.)Texas Engineering Experiment Station (College Station, Texas)University of North Texas (Denton, Texas), in partnership with University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho)University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)University of Toledo (Toledo, Ohio)

Complete project descriptions can be found HERE.

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Energy Department Announces Launch of Energy Innovation Hub for Critical Materials Research

Energy Department Announces Launch of Energy Innovation Hub for Critical Materials Research | Department of Energy Skip to main content Energy.gov Find information about your town or city. Search form Search Energy.gov Public ServicesTax Credits, Rebates & SavingsHomesVehiclesBuilding DesignManufacturingNational Security & SafetyEnergy EconomyFunding OpportunitiesState & Local GovernmentScience & InnovationScience & TechnologyScience EducationInnovationEnergy SourcesEnergy UsageEnergy EfficiencyMissionNews & BlogMaps & DataAbout UsFor Staff & ContractorsOfficesAll OfficesProgram OfficesStaff OfficesLabs & Technology CentersField SitesPower Marketing AdministrationOther Agencies You are hereHome Energy Department Announces Launch of Energy Innovation Hub for Critical Materials Research May 31, 2012 - 5:56pm Addthis

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced plans to invest up to $120 million over five years to launch a new Energy Innovation Hub, establishing a multidisciplinary and sustained effort to identify problems and develop solutions across the lifecycle of critical materials.  Rare earth elements and other critical materials have unique chemical and physical characteristics, including magnetic, catalytic and luminescent properties, that are important for a growing number of energy technologies. These critical materials are also at risk for supply disruptions.  The Hub, funded by up to $20 million in Fiscal Year 2012, will work to advance U.S. leadership in energy manufacturing – such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, efficient lighting and others – through research aimed both at having a reliable supply of these rare earths and other critical materials, as well as finding efficiencies and alternatives that reduce the amount we actually need. 

“We must ensure America’s entrepreneurs and manufacturers continue to have access to these critical materials so we can compete in the global energy economy,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “As America has done throughout our history to meet a great national challenge, we will pull together a group of talented, creative scientists, engineers and innovators to find the solutions we need for America’s energy security.  Our success will be crucial to ensuring we can continue producing the advanced energy technologies that will power our economy long into the future.”

First established in 2010, the Hubs are major integrated research centers, with researchers from many different institutions and technical backgrounds. They are modeled after the strong scientific management characteristics of the Manhattan Project, Lincoln Lab at MIT that developed radar, AT&T Bell Laboratories that developed the transistor and, more recently, the highly successful Bioenergy Research Centers established during the Bush Administration to pioneer advanced techniques in biotechnology, including biofuels. The new Critical Materials Hub’s research and development will advance innovation at all stages of critical materials science and technology.

The Critical Materials Hub builds on the Department’s Critical Materials Strategy report, which addresses the use of rare earths and other critical materials in clean energy components, products, and processes.

The goal of the Critical Materials Hub will be to reduce U.S. dependence on critical materials and ensure that the deployment of domestic energy technologies is not hindered by future materials supply shortages.  The Hub will address challenges across the entire life of each critical material including mineral processing, manufacture, substitution, efficient use, and end-of-life recycling.

Universities, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private firms are eligible to compete and are encouraged to form partnerships when submitting their proposals.  The award selection is expected this fall.  The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available HERE.

This will be the fifth Energy Innovation Hub established by the Department since 2010.  The other Energy Innovation Hubs are:

The Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, which focuses on advanced research to produce fuels directly from sunlight. The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors, which is seeking to improve nuclear reactors through sophisticated computer-based modeling and simulation.The Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy-Efficient Buildings, which is working to achieve major breakthroughs in energy efficient building design.A Batteries and Energy Storage Innovation Hub was also announced earlier this year.  The deadline for submitting competitive proposals was this week. 

Information on the existing Hubs can be found on the Energy Innovation Hubs website: http://energy.gov/hubs.

 

Addthis Related Articles Energy Department to Launch New Energy Innovation Hub Focused on Advanced Batteries and Energy Storage Critical Materials and Rare Futures: Ames Laboratory Signs a New Agreement on Rare-Earth Research Department of Energy to Invest $366M in Energy Innovation Hubs What We Do For You Energy EconomyEnergy Economy InnovationInnovation Nuclear Security & SafetyNuclear Security & Safety Energy.gov Careers & InternshipsContact UsEmail Updates Popular Topics SavingsHeating & CoolingIndustrial Heating & CoolingSolarHome WeatherizationAppliances & ElectronicsAbout this siteWeb PoliciesPrivacyNo Fear ActInformation QualityOpen GovEnergy DepartmentBudget & PerformanceDirectives, Delegations & RequirementsFOIAInspector GeneralPrivacy ProgramSmall BusinessFederal GovernmentThe White HouseUSA.gov

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Effective Research

The issue, Possibility of Perfect Research, raises some important questions on a research output or research process. What is research? What is the absolute basis of research? Why research is initiated? How research is conducted? How research is evaluated? What is perfection? Is perfection during research process viable? What is effective research management? What is research paper? We will make an effort to answer the aforesaid questions.

Oxford Dictionary defines research as, a careful study of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts or information about it. A research is either summary of information or evaluation of some already discovered information. Literally, research involves "searching again" the subject what others have written on it. A research is blend of information, evaluation, and innovation. Firstly, it gives information on a particular subject or matter, secondly, evaluates the earlier research or reviews relevant literature, and finally, the new work adds some innovative aspects, both practical as well as conceptual.

Man is combination of three basic realities, i.e., body, mind, and soul. Human activities are shaped by physical needs, psychological instincts, and soul urges. At physical level, an important physical need is leisure or relaxation. At psychological level, an important mental instinct is curiosity. Again, at spiritual level, an important soul urge is perfection. The multiple reasons of research are physical demand for more leisure, intellectual thrust on account of instinctual curiosity, perfectionist aspiration of soul due to ingrained urge of soul towards perfection. The very foundation of human anatomy is thus ultimate basis of research, so that research will continue forever. There is not possibility of perfect research in any discipline.

Life has two levels, individual and collective. Collective life is contractual arrangement of leaders and followers. Institutions are inevitable aspect of collective life. An institution works under the stewardship of leaders. Leaders initiate multiple programs to maintain their authority over followers or to maintain smooth sailing of institutions. A follower may change her mind towards leadership on account of static, poor, and corrupt governance. The solution to ceremonial or non-performing institutional setup is introduction of innovations, both conceptual as well as practical. Consequently, innovations are introduced from time to time. The very foundation of innovation is initiation of new and fresh research. In order to maintain the fabric of collective life, leaders (social or economic or political) initiates research from time to time. At intellectual level, the conducted research is prone towards perfection but practically it achieves only a fair output due to multiple constraints, financial and non-financial, imposed by leaders.

A research is conducted by intellectuals. Intellectuals/Scientists are creative group of a society. They receive ideas from multiple life events, now and then. The reception of idea is special psycho-social strength of intellectuals/scientists. An idea is like a seed of a plant. They think-rethink on it and assess the viability of idea. At last, they are positive towards productivity of their idea. They separate/arrange resources for idea realization. Sharing of idea with entrepreneur (social or economic or political) is an important step for resource arrangement. An idea realization activity is self-perfection of intellectual/scientist. It is noteworthy that proactive approach of an entrepreneur or society towards new ideas is vital for the materialization of intellectual creativity.

Research Evaluation is an important step for effective research management. Research Management is a professional work. Although, it is research-driven work but it is not research it is management of research efforts Generally, research is evaluated on the basis of it practical fruits rather than intellectual strength. The significant stakeholders of a research are entrepreneurs, governments, and general public. A research would be productive if it enhances profit of entrepreneur, power of government, and welfare of public. It is noteworthy that the perfectionist tendency of intellectuals/ researchers is not decisive factor for research output; it is effectiveness that determines acceptance of research. It is said that tree is recognized by fruits so the same is true about research output.

Perfection has two aspects, relative and absolute. An absolute perfection is non temporal and non spatial phenomenon, while relative perfection is temporal-spatial phenomenon. Normally, a creative work is only relatively perfect. Overtime it looses her effectiveness, people search for something anew. It has happened many times and it will happen from time to time. For example, during 19th century, scientists have become perfectionist towards their findings. They were painting only statistical picture of everything. In early decades of 20th century, Einstein, Jung, Gestalt, Keynes, Iqbal, Bergson, and Bertrand Russell broke the myth of perfectionism or micro truths. They marginalized the accepted facts and opened new vistas of research.

A research is either positive or fruitful for multiple stakeholders of research or harmful for them. The practical outcome of research and resource input of research decides the effectiveness of research management. A positive research idea of intellectuals/scientists converts into some inventions or creative work, the invention is converted into innovation by entrepreneurs, the innovation is accepted by masses or rejected by them. An accepted innovation is either temporary or permanent. A temporary outcome is obsolete, sooner or later. For example, the 19th century communication system is history in 21st century. On the other hand, democracy is permanent outcome of enlightened intellectuals of 18th/19th century. We are reaping the benefits of democracy established by Abraham Lincoln in America, by Churchill in Europe, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Pakistan.

A research paper is formal presentation of research. The very beginning of a research paper is introduction of focal idea of research. A researcher then reviews the relevant literature to focus her mind towards viability or significance of idea. A definite research methodology is outlined to attain better outcomes from research effort. Now, the researcher explains the findings of research, logically and forcefully. Finally, the researcher discusses the implications, both practical and conceptual, of research endeavor. A good research paper indicates some possible lines of action for further research because a perfect research is not possible on account of multiple constraints both, financial and non financial. A research essay follows the same pattern, however it is less formal.

Muhammad Ilyas Qadri
CEO
SMCSE

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Knowing How To Properly Use A Dictionary Can Help With Research

Curricula for the English Composition course usually include review of fundamental language arts essentials such as grammar, usage, and mechanics. The instruction includes various strategies and techniques that help students learn to read for comprehension and write well-crafted papers. Reference and resource materials are vital for English Composition. Even with the invention of computer spell-check and thesaurus, students should still be familiar with the traditional dictionary and how to use to properly use it.

The dictionary contains a lot of information. Learning to use it efficiently can help students find various facts very quickly. In addition to listing word definitions, the dictionary has several features that aid in understanding every aspect of the entry word. The entry word is the word that is being searched for. Entry words are always listed in alphabetically order.

Guide words are the words at the top of each dictionary page. Each top page of the dictionary includes the first and last word that are on the overall page. Guide words are positioned in this location to help you quickly locate the entry word. Once you find your entry word, you will see a breakdown of the word into syllables, which are typically separated by dots. This feature can help with pronunciation.

Phonetic respelling helps to pronounce an entry word. Each word displays its phonetic respelling. In this spelling, accent marks show where a word has a primary and secondary stress. The dictionary usually has a pronunciation key section at the foot of each page (in some cases every other page) that explains the various phonetic symbols. This helps with sounding out the word for correct pronunciation.

Each entry word is labeled as a part of the speech. The part of speech is usually abbreviated (e.g. n., v., adj., adv., etc.), which in long form is noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. This parcel of information is essential because it gives you a clue as to how to properly use the word. One particular word can be used in several different ways. When you understand the part of speech for an entry word, you can appropriately use the word in the context that it is required to be in.

Definitions explain the meaning of a word. If there is more than one definition, each one is usually numbered and examples, sometimes in the form of a sentence, are included to make the distinction between word usages. The etymology refers to the history or origin of a word, and it usually appears in brackets at the end of a definition. Knowing word origins come in handy when studying/reading historical dialogue and transcripts.

Homographs show that some words have the same spelling but different meanings and origins. They are usually distinguished by being listed as separate entries. Each word has a superscript number identifying that the two words, although spelled the same, have two distinct meanings and historical origin. For example, some dictionaries lists sash1 and sash2; the first is a ribbon with its word origin in Arabic, and the second is a frame with its word origin being French.

As you can see, there are many sections to a dictionary and all of them provide significant amount of information for every single word you look up. This information is not only helpful for pronouncing a word or understanding its definition, but it is also useful research information that can be used when writing papers for any class, not just those involving college English. If you are earning an online college degree, you might find it useful to pick a credible online dictionary to use regularly.

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Decision Making Should Be Based on Your Research Rather Than Other's Comments

To converse and comment about a particular topic which we hardly come across is always dangerous. We should have sufficient knowledge or evidence before commenting on things, especially if our comment is going to be a decisive factor. I would like to illustrate the ill effects of such comments. If we ask anyone their view on a subject they are most willing to share things they know, but many a times they comment based on what they had heard or found out from others. It may or may not be right, but we are risking the credibility of the particular subject. To elaborate this in detail I would like to exemplify about a company against which some people have annotated online without knowing actual facts. The company I am discussing is Pancard Clubs Ltd. I choose this company because of my personal experience with the company.

I planned to invest some amount in their investment scheme, but before investing I thought of having some expert advice. I researched about the company online and found many comments and quote which defame the company as fraud & cheats. The moment I saw the comment I decided not to invest any amount in this company. After six months I happened to meet my ex-colleague. We had a good conversation about the market and the effects of the budget on the market. The one point which he said caught my instant attention. He told about enjoying his holidays at a very nominal cost. When inquired he said that he had invested in Pancard Club Investment Scheme. The moment I heard the company's name, I recollected the time when I was supposed to invest in this scheme. I articulated all the things I encountered when I was willing to invest. He was amused to hear this. The only reply he gave was "No one endorses a good thing, but everyone advertises about negative things." This conversation bought a change in my observation. The decision which I took six months ago about not investing in the firm was because I read negative comments about the company. The comments might not be true, but my decision was based on it. I didn't make any effort to investigate about the comment.

Since then I made sure I will make a decision based on my research and investigation. I decided to investigate about the Pancard Clubs Investment Scheme again. I researched online and found some comments posted by some unsatisfied member. I checked the details and found the complaints genuine. I thought why some would post a negative comment about the company, unless the company has not fulfilled their promises. I was under the impression that no one will publish any negative remark about the company unless the company defaults on certain terms. This was my reaction before I came across a comment to the post published by a member. The comment mentioned that the member should read the terms & conditions about the scheme before investing. The comment included copy-pasted content of the Investment Scheme terms & condition documents which directly contradict the member's complaint. What affected me was I took my decision on a post which was not genuine. Although I am not regretting about the lost opportunity, but I rue about the trust I put on the confutative comment posted by a member.

Such instances made me realize that it's always better to draw any conclusion after proper analysis. Now, I consider others point of view and take decisions only after researching about it. Everyone has the right to post their grievances, but they should also try posting good things they experience. All this will surely help companies to deal with all the incorrect allegations posted against them.

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