DURIP Optical Spectroscopy for Operando Studies of Energy Conversion Chemistry
Abstract
Equipment acquired with support from the Department of Defense#s Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) will improve and advance our program#s ability to address leading questions about two types of energy conversion research that align directly with Department of Navy (DON) and Department of Defense strategic priorities.The Office of Naval Research (ONR) currently supports 2 projects in our research program:1.Operando Studies of High-Pressure Monopropellant Combustion (N00014-20-1-2713, Code 333) # This project develops spectroscopic and imaging tools that can identify and quantify intermediates and products formed during high-pressure monopropellant combustion. These data mark the first step towards validating complex kinetic mechanisms describing monopropellant combustion, a topic particularly relevant to the DON#s need for air independent undersea power and propulsion.2.Operando Optical Studies of High Temperature Energy Conversion Chemistry (N00014 23-1-2000, Code 332) # This project#s 15+ year lineage with ONR has established our research collaboration with the Naval Research Lab as a global leader in developing optical methods capable of monitoring the chemistry taking place in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In developing and adapting Raman spectroscopy and near infrared thermal imaging to characterize SOFC behavior, we have examined the chemistry associated with electrocatalytically converting fuels into products on materials at temperatures as high as 800#C. With increasing focus on energy resilience and the need to decarbonize DON activities, SOFCs stand out as an attractive technology that can operate with today#s logistical fuels as well as the low-carbon and bio-derived fuels of tomorrow. This DURIP proposal requests support to purchase 3 optical systems that will transform the types of energy conversion studies our research team will be able to perform within these two projects:1.A tunable nanosecond YAG laser system that will be used to actively probe chemical species in monopropellant flames, rather than relying on the passive emissiondata we have been able to acquire thus far.2.A femtosecond Ti:Sapphire amplified laser that will be used to adapt and apply surfacespecific, nonlinear optical techniques to examine charge transport in ion conducting ceramic materials. This work will reinforce our group#s leadership role in developing operando methods for studying high temperature surface chemistry and introduce distinctive ways to characterize the surface behaviors of engineered functional ceramics.3.A confocal Raman microscope will upgrade our existing10+ year old instrument. Given technical advances over the past decade, the new microscope will afford our program the ability to perform experiments with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution under challenging conditions including those required for high temperature electrolysis. Together, these three instruments will enhance and transformexisting ONR funded research projects studying energy conversion. Furthermore, these instruments will position our research program to tackle emerging challenges directly relevant to the DON#s Strategic Energy Plan. These new capabilities will enable our program to remain a world leader at developing creative solutions for studying energy conversion processes in operationally challenging environments.(This Project Abstract Summary is Publicly Releasable)
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412229
Entities
People
- Robert A Walker
Organizations
- Montana State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy