Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in a project managed by NETL, developed and demonstrated a new approach for making ordinary Portland cement replacement in concrete that can significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and is already being commercialized for use in U.S. cement plants.

NETL’s research has unlocked a low-temperature synthesis process to make America’s coal waste into critical mineral graphite with a lower processing intensity. This takes what would otherwise be an environmental liability and instead use it to help address rising demand by adding to the domestic supply chain and address commercial market needs for several key industries as well.

Sean Plasynski has been named principal deputy director of NETL.

NETL researchers took a major step forward in studying how well a new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) product can work in a micro-grid setting when they installed a cutting-edge SOFC system to help meet power needs at NETL’s Morgantown, West Virginia site.

NETL and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) will post a pre-recorded webinar to provide information on the University Training and Research (UTR) Program and a grant writing discussion. 

NETL researchers have developed a low-cost process for converting coal tar waste into a high-quality graphene — material that can increase performance of energy-storing supercapacitor systems by up to 55%.

NETL expertise and oversight played a significant role in completing the first successful field test of a direct air capture (DAC) technology at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC).

NETL researchers have successfully operated a new modular rotating detonation engine (RDE) combustor that offers full optical access to the fuel/air injectors, the combustion channel and across the exhaust duct. This will assist with acquiring crucial measurements to help accelerate the development of highly efficient RDE technology for power generation.

The application period is open to become a summer intern at NETL through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program. The MLEF Program offers summer research internships for undergraduate and graduate students preparing for energy-related careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). MLEF interns are mentored by NETL scientists and engineers while completing research projects focused on developing clean energy technologies and moving the nation toward net-zero emissions.

NETL’s new CO2-Locate web application, now available on NETL’s EDX®, offers decision makers access to a wide swath of information needed to help create a net-zero carbon emissions power sector. The application is one of several new, innovative tools developed with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.