Three New York based projects have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $5.5 million for research projects that aim to dramatically improve how the U.S. uses and produces energy.
Notably, none of them involve Long Island, Nassau County or Long Island universities or businesses.
Instead, Nassau and Suffolk are courting the Shinnecock Indian tribe, which recently earned federal standing after a 30-year battle, to open casino gambling. That's what these politicos think is the answer to jobs and tax relief.
Instead of getting jobs in medical research or alternative energy production, or doing anything that is remotely productive for society, our kids can look forward (or probably not) to jobs raking in cash at the tables or pushing drinks at the bar.
This is Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano's grand vision for growth.
As for an view of an alternative reality, in an announcement made by Secretary Steven Chu, the DOE – through the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) – is awarding a total of $92 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 43 cutting-edge projects that focus on accelerating innovation in green technology while increasing America's competitiveness in grid scale energy storage, power electronics and energy efficient cooling systems.
“These innovative ideas will play a critical role in our energy security and economic growth,” said Secretary Chu. “It is now more important than ever to invest in a new, clean energy economy.”
The New York based projects selected for award include:
CUNY Energy Institute (New York, NY) Capacitors - Lighting: Metacapacitors: This project will develop a novel electrically insulating material for a new breed of capacitors that increases the capacitor's storage capability and allows for low-cost, efficient grid interfaces for applications from solid-state lighting to solar photovoltaics. The thin film capacitor can be printed in rolls similar to newspaper printing. Transistors are sealed into these capacitor films to form Metacapacitors. The resulting Metacapacitors are a flexible fabric for electrical power conversion. DOE award: $1,568,330
GE Global Research (Niskayuna, NY) Magnetics - Photovoltaics: Nanostructured Scalable Thick-Film Magnetics: This project will develop a novel magnetic component that supports compact power interfaces between solar photovoltaics and the electrical grid. This new component uses nanostructured magnetic materials scaled to millimeter dimensions. DOE award: $949,545
CUNY Energy Institute (New York, NY) Battery: Low-cost Grid-Scale Electrical Storage using a Flow-Assisted Rechargeable Zinc-Manganese Oxide Battery: In this project, the CUNY Energy Institute, in partnership with Rechargeable Battery Corporation (RBC) and the Ultralife Corporation, will develop a novel battery that radically transforms the chemistry and low-cost materials found in disposable consumer-grade alkaline batteries into a long-lasting, fully-rechargeable energy storage system. While CUNY has already demonstrated some of the basic scientific principles, work in this high-risk project aims to achieve a rechargeable battery system that lasts for over ten years and costs under $100/kWh, demonstrating potential for use on the electricity grid. DOE award: $3,000,000
In all, the DOE announced projects based in 18 states, with 36% of projects led by universities, 33% by small businesses, 24% by large businesses, 5% by national labs, and 2% by non-profits. These awards complete ARPA-E’s grants under its Recovery Act funding: in three rounds of awards since last year, the agency has selected a total of 117 projects for $349 million in funding, supporting research that can deliver breakthrough changes in how the U.S. generates, stores, and utilizes energy.
[View the project selections announced.]
[View technical descriptions for the projects announced.]
ARPA-E received 529 initial concept papers and encouraged approximately 164 applicants to submit full applications. Multiple review panels composed of leading U.S. science and technology experts reviewed each proposal and made recommendations based on scientific and technical merit and the potential to dramatically advance national energy and economic goals. Potential additional applications for funding innovative research projects are pending further review.
To learn more about ARPA-E and previous awards, visit arpa-e.energy.gov.
Karen Rubin, Long Island Populist Examiner
_________________
© 2010 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved.
What do you think?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!