[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 245 (Thursday, December 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31497]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Research

 

Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 95-11; 
Advanced Battery Technology Research and Development

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) of the Office of 
Energy Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy, hereby announces its 
interest in receiving grant applications to support a continuing 
program for advanced battery technology research and development 
focused on batteries for the consumer market.
    Batteries and battery-like devices are a mainstay of contemporary 
electronic, information, and transportation industries. The performance 
of batteries is often the limiting factor that hinders the development 
of improved portable devices such as cellular telephones, laptop 
computers, hand held tools, and other consumer products. Stringent 
environmental requirements impose restrictions on the use of battery 
materials and components deemed to be harmful not only to the 
environment but also to human well being.
    The objective of this effort is to develop new generic battery 
technology for a wide range of non-automotive uses, with particular 
emphasis on improvements in battery size, weight, life, and recharge 
cycles. The interest is in novel research and technology development, 
and not in research leading to incremental improvements in existing 
devices. For the purpose of this notice, batteries for transportation 
and fuel cells are excluded from consideration.

DATES: Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be 
received by 4:30 p.m., E.S.T., February 2, 1995, to be accepted for 
merit review in early 1995 and to permit timely consideration for award 
in Fiscal Year 1995.

ADDRESSES: Formal applications referencing Program Notice 95-11 should 
be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, 
Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64, (GTN) 
Washington, D.C. 20585, Attn: Program Notice 95-11. The following 
address must be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal 
Service Express Mail, any commercial mail delivery service, or when 
handcarried by the applicant: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Energy Research, Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert S. Marianelli, Office of 
Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences Division, ER-14, GTN, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20585. Telephone: (301) 903-
5804.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department's intention for this program 
is to use a limited amount of money to stimulate as much research and 
development as possible on new battery technologies. Accordingly, 
applicants are encouraged to collaborate with industry and to 
incorporate cost sharing and consortia wherever feasible. The extent of 
collaboration and cost sharing may be considered when DOE selects 
applicants for support under this program.
    Appropriate topics for research are: Electrode research including 
investigations of graphitized and composite electrodes for Li+ 
cells, metal hydrides, bifunctional air electrodes, fundamental studies 
of composite electrode structures, the failure and degradation of 
active electrode materials, and thin-film electrodes, electrolytes, and 
interfaces. Consideration will also be given to secondary aqueous zinc 
cells and the problems of overcharge/overdischarge, power capability, 
and cyclability of anodes in lithium cells, oxidative degradation of 
electrolytes by high voltage cathodes, and highly conductive thin-film 
ceramic electrodes. Appropriate topics in the area of characterization 
and methodologies include problems of electrode morphology, zinc 
corrosion, separator/electrolyte stability and stable microelectrodes. 
Also of interest are investigations in computational chemistry, 
modeling, and simulations, including property predictions, 
phenomenological studies of reactions and interactions at critical 
interfaces, film formation, phase change effects on electrodes and 
characterization of crystalline and amorphous materials. Other topics 
of interest include novel battery separators and the transport 
properties of electrode and electrolyte materials and surface films. A 
detailed listing of research needs for battery technology appears in 
the report of a ``Workshop on Advanced Battery Technology Research and 
Development''. Copies are available on request from the U.S. Department 
of Energy, Chemical Sciences Division, Office of Energy Research, ER-
14, Washington, D.C. 20585. Telephone requests may be made by calling 
(301) 903-5804.
    It is anticipated that $600,000 will be available for grant awards 
during FY 1995, contingent upon availability of appropriated funds. The 
number of awards and the range of funding will depend on the number of 
applications received and selected for award. Information about the 
development and submission of applications, eligibility, limitations, 
evaluation, selection process, and other policies and procedures may be 
found in the Application Guide for the Office of Energy Research 
Financial Assistance Program and 10 CFR Part 605. The application guide 
is available from the U.S. Department of Energy, Chemical Sciences 
Division, Office of Energy Research, ER-14, Washington, D.C. 20585. 
Telephone requests may be made by calling (301) 903-5804.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR part 
605.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 9, 1994.
D. D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 94-31497 Filed 12-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P