Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Current Issues: Doe's Nuclear Energy Programs, Peter Lyons

NSTec UNLV Symposium

• Secretary Moniz on Nuclear Energy
• Secretary Moniz Announces $6.5 Billion Vogtle Loan Guarantee
• Role of U.S. Department of Energy for Sustainable and Innovative Nuclear Energy
• Overview
• Why is the U.S. Government Interested in Supporting SMR Technologies?
• DOE Program to Support SMR Design Certification & Licensing
• Status of SMR Licensing Technical Support Program
• Blue Ribbon Commission Recommendations
• Administration Strategy for Used Fuel Management
• Congressional Activity
• Uranium Extraction from Seawater
• Supercritical CO₂ Energy Conversion
• HUBS AND NEAMS – PARTNERSHIP AND COMPLEMENTARITY
• Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling & Simulation (NEAMS)
• NE Modeling and Simulation Energy Innovation Hub Highlights
• Nuclear …

Solar Cell Design Using Metamaterials, Yang Liu, Yitung Chen, Jichun Li

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Natural structure with simultaneous negative permittivity and permeability has not been discovered yet. However, using specially-designed metal embedded in dielectric bodies can achieve a kind of artificial negative index. This periodic structure which is smaller than the guided wavelength is known as a metamaterial. However, recent designs of metamaterials have some disadvantages when they are used in the application of solar cell. The perfect absorption is only within a narrow band, and for most of the solar spectrum, the absorption is no more than 10%. Here, a new kind of absorber for the solar spectrum has been designed and analyzed, …

A Computation Model For Nanoantenna-Based Solar Cell With High Conversion Efficiency, Yiyan Li, Ke-Xun Sun, Yingtao Jiang

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

• Build a model of spiral nanoantenna and an antenna
  array based solar cell collector.
• Using Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions to
  simulate the spiral nanoantennas.
• We calculate the frequency response of the radiation
  gain as the indicator of receiving bandwidth which is a
  key factor in conversion efficiency.

Investigating Perspectives Of Rural Nevadans On Climate Change Solutions, Tricia Dutcher

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

Rural perspectives are important for the issue of climate change. Rural areas are high concentrations of active voters who deny the problem of anthropogenic climate change. Rural residents also face decisions about inviting large, utility scale renewable energy developments in their areas. This research examines rural Nevadan’s perspectives on climate change to offer insights about the relationship between climate change perceptions and communication strategies. The research offers policy implications that address context specific issues, solution-oriented dialogue, and interest matching to mitigate anthropogenic climate change.

Buffering Pv Output During Cloud Transients With Energy Storage, Yacouba Moumouni

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

The Problem

• Photovoltaic output power can be affected by many factors including clouds passing overhead.

• Utilities in generally prefer a guaranteed power delivery level over some specified power delivery period.

• Power delivered during peak demand hours is generally more valued by utilities. For the Desert Southwest this is in the summertime afternoons. For the local area this will be defined as 1-5 pm for the three summer months.

• While battery power can be adapted to this problem, large batteries to be expensive.

Solar Cell Design Using Metamaterials, Yang Liu, Yitung Chen, Jichun Li

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Natural structure with simultaneous negative permittivity and permeability has not been discovered yet. However, using specially-designed metal embedded in dielectric bodies can achieve a kind of artificial negative index. This periodic structure which is smaller than the guided wavelength is known as a metamaterial. However, recent designs of metamaterials have some disadvantages when they are used in the application of solar cell. The perfect absorption is only within a narrow band, and for most of the solar spectrum, the absorption is no more than 10%. Here, a new kind of absorber for the solar spectrum has been designed and analyzed, …

What Is Influencing Renewable Energy Infrastructure Deployment? A Multi-State Study Of U.S. Wind Generation Deployment Efforts, Laurence D. Helwig

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

Recent research has determined what influences the adoption of state renewable energy policy instruments. At present, nearly all of the U.S. states have deployed or have begun to deploy infrastructure that derives energy from renewable resources. This multiple U.S. State study represents an effort to determine the factors that are influencing the wind renewable energy infrastructure deployment efforts in thirty-eight U.S. states that have widely varying wind power potential capacities, different capacities of wind generation infrastructure deployed and varying Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) policy goals. This study utilizes the internal determinants and regional diffusion theoretical models of government policy innovation …

Novel Thermophilic Cellulolytic Isolates Belonging To The Phylum Chloroflexi, Maryknoll Palisoc, Jessica K. Guy, Joseph P. Peacock, Duy C. Trinh, Jeremy A. Dodsworth, Brian P. Hedlund

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Current biofuel technologies utilize valuable foodstuffs, such as corn kernels and cane sugar, as sources of easily metabolized sugars. Microbes are used to ferment these sugars into bioethanol, a first-generation biofuel. However, in order to avoid diverting foodstuffs from the food supply, the development of second-generation biofuels technology is necessary. Second-generation biofuels are produced by converting structurally complex lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural and municipal wastes, to fermentable sugars or directly to biofuels.

The major technological hurdle limiting the mass production of second-generation biofuels is the difficulty in efficiently converting structurally complex lignocellulosic materials to fermentable sugars or directly to …

Exploring The Potential Of Agave As A Biofuel Crop On Arid Land, Rhea Conlu, Diana Ha, Jeffery Shen

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Worldwide awareness of global warming and depleting fossil fuel sources has made research into alternative resources, such as plant fuels imperative. Since groundwater irrigation is unsustainable, especially in desert climates, plants that are drought resistant or can utilize otherwise unusable water are more viable sources of future biofuel production. Agave nevadensis, a species belonging to the family Agavaceae are succulent plants native to Las Vegas. This experiment aims to expose A. nevadensis to both wastewater and drought conditions and observe its response. The results can help define Agave as a water-resourceful biofuel both tolerant of drought and capable of utilizing …

Global Warming: At What Point Does Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Release Become Unethical?, Luke Good, Gladys Lopez

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

In recent decades, the concept of global warming has developed increasing concern among the scientific community and general public alike. What was initially dismissed as little more than unlikely has now become a severe warning for global climate crisis threatening not only our way of life but ultimate future existence on this planet? Global warming is defined as the steady mean increase in atmospheric temperature, the primary asserted cause thereof being increased emissions and inherent atmospheric concentrations of “greenhouse gases” – carbon dioxide in particular. These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect by trapping radiation (from the sun) in the …

Thin-Film Fabrication For High Pressure Thermoelectric And Electrical Resistivity Studies, Jorge L. Reynaga, Rama Venkat, Ravhi S. Kumar

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Thermoelectric materials are of interest for application such as thermoelectric cooler in microprocessors and power generators in cars. High pressure plays an important role in understanding the changes in the figure of merit of thermoelectric thin films. To study the thermoelectric thin films a direct approach is to fabricate the thin film on the surface of a diamond anvil, so that the pressure dependence of structure and transport properties can be investigated easily. If we could successfully fabricate the electrical probes by depositing thin films, then it reduces the use of electrical wires as probes inside the diamond cell, as …

Energy Densification Via Hydrothermal Carbonization, Keri Noack

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

A process called hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), also known as wet torrefaction involves treatment of raw biomass in hot, pressurized water. HTC of woody biomass has been shown to significantly increase the energy density of the feedstock, producing a biochar, similar to coal, having up to 40% higher calorific energy content. Feedstocks investigated include Tahoe chips, Pinion/Juniper chips, Rice hulls, and Corn Stover pellets pre-treated at 215 °C, 255 °C, and 295 °C. Chemical analyses were conducted on the gaseous, aqueous, and solid HTC products. Energy contents of the solid biochar products were measured by calorimetry, and mass balances were determined.

Oral Presentation: Next Generation Nuclear Fuels, Douglas Hanks

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Zirconium carbide has been proposed as a coating layer for next generation (“TRISO”) nuclear fuel, and is intended as a diffusion barrier to contain fission products (e.g., Pd). To study the chemical interaction between Pd and ZrC, their interface was investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Pd was step-wise deposited onto ZrC in ultra-high vacuum, and the chemical interaction at the interface was monitored, also as a function of temperature (up to 1000 C). In the presentation, details of the chemical interaction and changes in the chemical environment of Pd and their relevance for TRISO fuel will be discussed.

Keynote 2: The Alberta Oil Sands — Wrestling Bitumen Out Of The Wild North, David Rudolph

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

Athabasca Oil Sand Reserve:

- Oil sands are contained within the Cretaceous McMurray Formation. (149,000 km2)

- 2.5 trillion barrels of extractable oil (~ 25 % of Canada Crude Oil Production)

- Surface mineable deposits cover 2,800 km2

- 450 billion L of process water used annually

- Currently over 130 km2 of tailings ponds (largest man-made structures in the world)

Panel Discussion Presentation: U.S. – Mexico Transboundary Perspectives, Martin J. Pasqualetti

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

Panel Discussion: U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Perspectives

Principal Question: What are the implications of the energy/ water nexus at the US/Mexico border?

1. Water Supply and Demand

2. Water Costs of Electricity

3. Virtual Water Transfers

4. Renewable Energy Resources

5. Solar/Water nexus at the US/Mexico Border

Panel Discussion Presentation: Canada-U.S. Transboundary Perspectives, David Rudolph

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

Panel Discussion: U.S.-Canada Transboundary Perspectives

Longest international border in the world: 8,890km, over 3,000km are water!

- Major transboundary river systems (Columbia, Red River)

- 1997 Red River Flood

- Strategies for future power and water needs

- Canadian resource-based economy

Panel Discussion Presentation: Regional Politics, International Dreams, Kathryn Furlong

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

Panel Discussion: U.S.-Canada Transboundary Perspective

The Main Idea:

What are the drivers of hydro-electric development? What are the influences of domestic politics? In what ways are they international?

Panel Discussion Presentation: Columbia River Treaty, Kelvin Ketchum

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

Panel Discussion: U.S.-Canada Transboundary Perspectives

Slide titles:

- Columbia River Treaty – the setting

- What does the Treaty Do?

- Social & Environmental Costs of the Treaty in Canada

- Treaty benefits and term

- Treaty priorities for water usage

- Example of Flood Control Curves

- Actual Treaty operations

- Supplemental operating agreements

- Treaty Implementation

- Reasons for Treaty Success

Panel Discussion Presentation: Thoughts On Energy/Water Nexus – Energy Technologies, California Case, Terry Surles

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

Panel Discussion: U.S.-Canada Transboundary Perspectives

Energy/Security/Water Problem Confluence:

There remains a critical need to make the best use possible of indigenous
national resources
- Water in the Southwest
- Energy resources in the region and nation

International energy resource competition will require effective development and use of national resources
- Geothermal, solar, wind, coal, uranium

Changing climate can produce "winners" as well as "losers" — requires an
understanding of past climate events and the impact on cultures
- Northern countries may benefit: Canada, Russia
- Temperate countries may suffer due to loss of cropland and increase of
tropical diseases and …

Keynote 1: Energy And Water In The Western And Texas Interconnects, Vincent Tidwell

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

- Estimated Freshwater Withdrawals by Sector: 349 BGD

- U.S. Freshwater Consumption: 100 BGD

- Water for Energy, Energy for Water: Energy and power production requires water; Water production, processing, distribution, and end-use requires energy

Event Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

North American Energy Water Nexus Roundtable

The North American Energy-Water Nexus roundtable was held April 1, 2011, to promote the discussion of how energy and water issues converge in addressing international relations. The roundtable focused on water issues specific to the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders, including stakeholder-driven solutions for water policies and water technologies. The event was co-sponsored by the UNLV Urban Sustainability Initiative; Desert Research Institute; the Canadian Consulate of Los Angeles; and the government of Ontario, Canada.

A Short Nuclear Primer, James Conca

UNLV Clean Energy Forum

The 2010 UNLV Clean Energy Forum will take place on the UNLV campus September 8th. The event focuses on clean energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and clean research projects nationwide. Subject matter will focus on financing, national policy, current technologies, and nuclear energy.

Unlv Clean Energy Forum 2010 Agenda, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

UNLV Clean Energy Forum

The 2010 UNLV Clean Energy Forum will take place on the UNLV campus September 8th. The event focuses on clean energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and clean research projects nationwide. Subject matter will focus on financing, national policy, current technologies, and nuclear energy.

Unlv Clean Energy Forum 2010 Summary, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

UNLV Clean Energy Forum

The 2010 UNLV Clean Energy Forum will take place on the UNLV campus September 8th. The event focuses on clean energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and clean research projects nationwide. Subject matter will focus on financing, national policy, current technologies, and nuclear energy.

2010 National Clean Energy Summit 3.0: Program Agenda, University Of Nevada Las Vegas, Center For American Progress Action Fund

National Clean Energy Summit

High-level industry leaders, policy experts, investors, and public officials, along with citizens and the media, will gather in Nevada for a day-long summit hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. National Clean Energy Summit 3.0: Investing in American Jobs, the third annual summit, will bring together top minds to chart the course for our nation’s clean energy future.

Nvrec Subtask 1.1: Pre-Treatment Of Lignocellulosic Biomass, Amber Broch, Kent Hoekman, Larry Felix, Rick Purcell, Curt Robbins, Wei Yan

Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium Meeting

The second annual Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium meeting took place at UNLV on August 20. The meeting focused on the current three NVREC program areas: Solar, Biomass and Geothermal. Presentations were made by participating entities and a poster session followed.

From Smart Grid To Smart Energy Consumption: Itemizing Electricity Bills To Save Energy, Hampden Kuhns, Morien Roberts

Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium Meeting

The second annual Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium meeting took place at UNLV on August 20. The meeting focused on the current three NVREC program areas: Solar, Biomass and Geothermal. Presentations were made by participating entities and a poster session followed.

Nvrec Subtask 1.2: Thermal Treatment Of Biomass, Curtis Robbins, Eric Ceniceros, Kent Hoekman, Richard Jasoni

Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium Meeting

The second annual Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium meeting took place at UNLV on August 20. The meeting focused on the current three NVREC program areas: Solar, Biomass and Geothermal. Presentations were made by participating entities and a poster session followed.

Dri-Wind Energy Assessment And Forecasting, Darko Koracin, Michael L. Kaplan, Radian Belu, Kristian Hovarth, Jinhua Jiang, Kristien C. King, Gregory D. Mccurdy, Travis E. Mccord, John F. Mejia, Ramesh Vallore

Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium Meeting

The second annual Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium meeting took place at UNLV on August 20. The meeting focused on the current three NVREC program areas: Solar, Biomass and Geothermal. Presentations were made by participating entities and a poster session followed.

Cultivation Of Algal Biofuel Feedstock In Desert Area Of Southern Nevada Using Municipal Wastewater (Nvrec Project 1.3), Jian Ma, Chulsung Bae, Peter Faught

Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium Meeting

The second annual Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium meeting took place at UNLV on August 20. The meeting focused on the current three NVREC program areas: Solar, Biomass and Geothermal. Presentations were made by participating entities and a poster session followed.