NREL Capabilities for Vehicle Technologies Office Program-Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement 0003248

NREL's battery researchers have demonstrated expertise in a wide variety of topics including materials synthesis of pristine and modified phosphate cathodes, battery lifespan and health predictions, multi-scale modeling to accelerate understanding of material and cell design, and advanced characterization to optimize and understand electrode architecture. Previous work at NREL focused on LiFePO₄ includes material doping, laser ablation of electrodes, and degradation modeling.

Contact Katie Harrison to partner with NREL on AOI 1.

NREL has unique capabilities in the material synthesis, characterization, and modeling of emerging battery materials. Specific to Na-ion, NREL is developing low-cost hard carbon derived from heavy residuals from pyrolysis biocrude and next generation, high specific capacity alloy anodes to improve energy density. The team is also developing methods to improve the cycle lifetime and specific capacity of earth abundant cathodes free from critical materials. NREL is a recognized leader in using physics-based models to accelerate materials development employing models that represent the complex chemistry and mechanics that often occur in advanced materials. We are also well-positioned to use a variety of characterization techniques (XRD, XPS, GC/MS, FTIR/Raman, X-ray nanoscale computed tomography (nano-CT), mechanical, etc.) to better understand current limitations and make suggestions for methods to overcome performance and lifetime limitations.

Contact Andrew Colclasure to partner with NREL on AOI 2.

NREL provides a broad range of world-class technical expertise, analysis, experimental facilities, and high-performance computing to support diverse decarbonization pathways for off-road vehicles. This includes expertise in vehicle electrification, charging and grid infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, fuel cells, batteries, power electronics, and digital twin development and simulations for operational efficiency.

NREL also offers a suite of modeling tools covering advanced powertrain models, EV grid integration, duty cycle analysis, battery life, hydrogen infrastructure, total cost of ownership, and much more. Additionally, NREL's Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) is a unique research platform designed to explore energy systems integration at-scale and to develop and de-risk optimized energy systems to fit the needs of the highly varied off-road industry. Our advanced electric vehicle charging technologies and fuels and combustion research are relevant to off-road applications. Finally, NREL has proven expertise in convening industry and government stakeholders to identify challenges and strategies pertaining to the decarbonization of the off-road sector, including construction, mining, military, and agricultural industries.

Contact Ken Kelly to partner with NREL on AOI 3.

NREL is pioneering the development of a scalable co-simulation framework to integrate the LTE-based C-V2X communication system models, mobility system models, and NREL's vehicular energy consumption model. NREL integrates advanced mobility systems modeling and simulation and control capabilities to produce real-world impacts. NREL's Infrastructure Perception and Control (IPC) Laboratory is equipped with latest infrastructure-based technologies, and is complemented by a 1.4-mile test track, a mobile lab, and the latest C-V2X devices for hardware testing. The lab's IPC research leverages spatial sensor technology (LiDARs, radars, and video image processing) to develop a fused, high-confidence 3D operating picture of all road users to drive numerous applications spanning signal control, safety, and energy interests. NREL also developed a computer vision-based lane intrusion detection system for truck platoons to evaluate the fuel consumption impacts of intrusions and the causes or infrastructure features that enabled the intrusion event.

Contact Qichao Wang to partner with NREL on AOI 4.

NREL has a long history of optimizing materials properties while maintaining or improving cost parity across many different technology spaces. As part of a major lab-wide industrial decarbonization initiative, NREL researchers are developing new processes to produce green steel, with a focus on basic materials production. NREL's research emphasizes use of domestic resources (i.e., taconite, scrap, and other domestic feedstocks) as well as integration of domestic renewable energy in production processes. Additionally, NREL has expertise to lead technoeconomic analysis, performance analysis, and workforce development planning relevant to the U.S. transportation industry.

Contact Kerry Rippy to partner with NREL on AOI 5.

NREL is building a portfolio of research and testing capabilities that will enable industry to develop more secure electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Using the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) Cyber Range, NREL is developing scalable EV charging infrastructure models for experiments, including for use in testing public key infrastructure architectures against realistic threat scenarios. Additionally, NREL invites electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) manufacturers to engage in pre-competitive research and technology prototyping at our world-class facilities. Researchers also assess the security risks of EV charging mobile applications, evaluate the applicability of cybersecurity standards to EVSE infrastructure, and assist operators and manufacturers with prioritizing security controls. NREL is leading the charge toward secure and trusted EVSE solutions, and we see a need for cybersecurity technology validation beyond light duty vehicles.

Contact Tony Markel to partner with NREL on AOI 6.