Professor Peter A Dowben from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Physics and Astronomy Department presented a lecture on his energy sciences research (“Interface-Engineered Materials for High-Efficiency All-Organics Solar Cells”) at the “COMSTECH-CIIT Joint International Workshop on Modern Trends in Computation and Experimentation towards the Rational Design of Materials for Energy Needs” in Pakistan.  The workshop was held May 22-26, 2017.  To learn more about the conference, go to http://comstech.org/comstech-ciit-2017.aspx

The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) is taking applications for the summer undergraduate internship in energy sciences research. The Darrell J. Nelson Summer Undergraduate Internship in Energy Sciences Research is being offered for the fourth time in the amount up to $5,000 per recipient for the summer of 2017. For additional information about the 2017 application requirements, click here: 2017 NCSER Summer Internship Info Sheet.  For a copy of the application form (Word document),  click here: NCESR Summer Undergraduate Internship – 2017 Application Form.  The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) showcased the 2016 summer undegraduate interns in their publication “Energy Insight”.

Materials scientists at the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, are working on a variety of “radiation-tolerant” materials that are self-healing in nuclear reactors.  These would improve the durability of the metal parts, which would be helpful for the current fleet and more important for advanced reactors still in the design phase. Fuel elements in existing reactors are replaced after a few years, but some of the new designs would leave metal parts in place for far longer. And better materials can improve the reliability of any industry.  To learn more, click on this link:  http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-nanomaterials-can-make-nuclear.html

Sponsor:  American Public Power Association (APPA), Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Development projects (DEED)

Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time students attending school at an accredited college/university or vocational institution within the US and must not be graduating within 12 months of the application deadline. Official transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline. Continue reading →

Six new research projects were selected for funding by the Energy Center in its eleventh annual grant competition.  The faculty selected for the awards were Professors Chris Cornelius, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering;  Wei Niu, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Jeff Shield,  Mechanical and Materials Engineering; Martha Shulski, School of Natural Resources; Peter Sutter, Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Jian Wang, Mechanical and Materials Engineering.  To learn more go to Research Grant Awards – Cycle 11

On July 13, the Nebraska Public Power District and UNL’s Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute presented an educational forum entitled “Climate Change Research and Considerations in NPPD’s Carbon-Emission Reductions” (EPRI Forum Program 2016. The featured speaker was Anda Ray, Senior vice President, Environment and External Relations at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). To view her slides from the forum, click on ANDA RAY – Nebraska Forum – Energy Vision 07-13-2016  and  ANDA RAY – Nebraska Forum – Tech Solutions 07-13-16.  To view presentations from other speakers at the forum, click on their name: John McClure, Michael Nastasi,   Axel Enders, Bai Cui, and Dennis Alexander.  Cole Epley, a reporter from the Omaha World Herald, attended the forum and wrote the following article   “. . .electricity could be vital . . .”

Ed Cahoon and James Alfano

Professor Edgar Cahoon from the Biochemistry Department recently informed the Energy Center that he and his co-PI, James Alfano, are recipients of a $20 million grant from the NSF EPSCoR program.  The title of the project is “RII Track-1: Center for Root and Rhizobiome Innovation (CRRI)”. The project is designed to improve soil and crops in Nebraska and globally. Dr. Cahoon credits the Energy Center with laying the foundation for making this grant possible.  The Energy Center and its research projects are funded by the Nebraska Public Power District through a partnership with the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.  (Picture from UNL Today, courtesy of Gillian Klucas, Research and Development)

The Energy Center Summer Interns and the Bioenergy REU (NSF funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates) interns journeyed to the Sheldon Station on Thursday, June 23, 2016. The Sheldon Station is a coal-fired generating plant located near Hallam, Nebraska.  Once there, the interns were greeted by Lee Sauter, one of our Sheldon Plant tour guides, and Alan Dostal, Corporate Nuclear Business Manager from NPPD.  A video about the Sheldon Station gave the interns background information that was helpful to them as they toured the facility.  Throughout the tour, the students had the opportunity to ask many questions while they learned about the process of converting coal to energy. Sheldon Station Tour June 23

In the near future, the Sheldon Station will burn hydrogen instead of coal to power one of two steam boilers. To learn more about this exciting change, click Monolith Announcement.

Jerry Doyle is the new Program Manager in the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research. In this role, he will provide business and program support, including overseeing financial management, marketing and outreach and providing support for grants development and coordination of research groups.  Jerry is a graduate of James Madison University (Virginia) with a bachelor’s degree in political science and University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in public policy.