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NIST Extends Response Period for Comments on Proposed New Advanced Manufacturing Program

To accommodate additional interested parties, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced a 30-day extension on a request seeking public comment on the proposed new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia program. The comment period now ends 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. The Request For Information asks interested parties to answer 23 questions about eligibility for consortia membership, selection criteria for research funds, best practices for maximizing small business participation or disseminating results, and a number of other topics. Comments will be accepted by email only to AMtechRFC@nist.gov. All comments will be made publicly available.

DOE and Israel Announce $3.1 Million in Cooperative Clean Energy Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today highlighted a milestone in U.S.-Israel cooperation on clean energy technology. DOE and the Ministry of National Infrastructures of Israel (MNI) have selected four projects in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington to receive $3.1 million under the 2011 Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy program. Each of the cooperative projects includes a U.S. and Israeli partner and addresses energy challenges and opportunities of interest to both countries, while focusing on commercializing clean energy technologies that improve our economic competitiveness, create jobs, and support innovative companies. The selected projects will leverage private sector cost-share for a total project value of $8.46 million.

GE, Nissan Sign R&D Agreement to Fast Track Broader Adoption of Electric Cars

GE and Nissan have signed a two-year research collaboration to speed up the development of a reliable, robust smart charging infrastructure to fuel mass market adoption of electric cars like the Nissan LEAF and have identified two key focus areas for the research efforts. The first relates to the integration of electric vehicles with homes and buildings. The second looks at electric vehicle charging dynamics and the future impact on the grid once millions of electric cars are on the road.

Copper nanowire organization method could mean cheaper substitute for ITO films

Duke University chemist Ben Wiley and his graduate student have developed a technique to organise copper atoms to form long, thin, non-clumped nanowires. The nanowires are then transformed into transparent, conductive films and coated onto glass or plastic for applications in displays on mobile phones, e-readers and iPads. They could also be utilized to build foldable electronics and improved solar cells, according to new research.

 The research shows that the copper nanowire films have the same properties as those currently used in electronic devices and solar cells, but are less expensive to manufacture.

Development of Sensor Device Using High-transparency Organic Piezoelectric Film

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has developed a sensor device using high-transparency organic piezoelectric film. This film has the following characteristics: (1) high piezoelectric output constant*1; (2) high transparency (light beam transmittance of 98% or higher [according to the internal haze measurement]); and (3) free from pyroelectric effect*2. As smartphones, tablet computers, and portable game devices become more widespread, there is a growing demand for a new human/machine interface. Conventional piezoelectric films are usually subject to a pyroelectric effect, which is a disadvantage because they cannot detect bending and twisting vibrations separately from changes in temperature. Murata has developed a high-transparency piezoelectric film free from pyroelectric effect through joint research with Kansai University and Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

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Having just announced that they will be spending $550 million converting a Detroit SUV factory into a hybrid and electric vehicle factory, Ford Motors has announced a further investment of $450 million into electric cars and batteries.

Part of the money will be used to move lithium-ion battery production from its current location in Mexico to Michigan. Ford’s executive chairman, Bill Ford, said they were moving to address environmental, energy and economic issues.

Jennifer Granholm, the outgoing state governor, said that “vehicle electrification is part of our ongoing strategy to diversify Michigan´s economy and make the state a center for green and advanced manufacturing.”

The company has outlined plans to bring several vehicles to market over the next three years including the Ford Transit Connect electric commercial van, the Ford Focus electric passenger car and a hybrid based on the C-car platform.

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Detroit’s WWMT.com reported that GM has manufactured an advanced lithium-ion battery for its electric vehicle, the Chevy Volt.

The Volt is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing emissions. When Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted of energy, a flex-fuel engine-generator operates to extend total driving range to about 300 miles before refueling or stopping to recharge the battery.

The Volt’s battery pack is made up of multiple linked battery modules and around 200 battery cells. The initial assembly area is where cells are processed and installed by automated equipment into modules and delivered to battery pack main line area. It features an “automated guided cart” system including operations for thermal and electrical assembly, along with quality and dimensional checks.

Ed Whitacre, chairman and CEO of GM, said, “The development of electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt is creating entire new sectors in the auto industry an ‘ecosystem’ of battery developers and recyclers, builders of home and commercial charging stations, electric motor suppliers and much more. These companies and universities are creating new jobs in Michigan and across the US, green jobs and they’re doing it by developing new technology, establishing new manufacturing capability, and strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness.”

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Example of Better Place charging locations.

The New York Times today has a story about a major tax-policy initiative underway in Denmark that government officials are hoping will provide a big boost to the use of electric cars. The story also reports on how Better Place, a company we’ve written on in the past, and Dong Energy, Denmark’s largest utility company, is working to build a charging infrastructure/battery-replacement system throughout the nation.

According to the story, Danish citizens now get to waive a 200 percent tax levied on most cars. Thus a car nominally priced at $20,000 would end up costing $60,000. A car buyer in Denmark could save $40,000 or more if they opt for an electric vehicle. An additional perk is free downtown parking in cities such as Copenhagen.

Expect to see some of this feature in background stories related to the meeting next week of world leaders in Copenhagen on the topic of climate change. Better Place signed an agreement back in May with city leaders to have a demonstration of the technology ready when the global warming conference begins.

The Times quotes Lars Barfoed, Denmark’s transportation minister, as saying, “We want to be a test and laboratory country for electric cars, hybrid cars and other new technology. And as host of the climate change conference, that’s made us feel responsible and want to show the world we can do something.”

Better Place apparently recently predicted that Denmark will have 100,000 charging locations functioning by 2010, but the Times suggests that the company is falling behind, having only 55 locations functioning now. Better Place is now saying that a 2011 deadline is more likely.

The vulnerable underbelly to these plans is resistance by automakers. So far, only Renault has agreed to build cars compatible with the Better Place system. However, big players, such as Toyota, say they have no interest in the Better Place approach.

One other interesting side note is that the Better Place/Dong Energy plan is to use wind power to support their charging system.

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There has been a lot of discussion on this site regarding Nissan’s new all electric vehicle, the Leaf. This promotional video highlights the lithium-ion battery pack, and other cool features found in the car.

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