Appendix A to Part 605 - The Energy Research Program Office Descriptions
10:4.0.1.3.13.0.59.21.13 : Appendix A
Appendix A to Part 605 - The Energy Research Program Office
Descriptions 1. Basic Energy Sciences
This program supports basic science research efforts in a
variety of disciplines to broaden the energy supply and
technological base knowledge. The major science division and its
objectives are as follows:
(a) Energy Biosciences
The primary objective of this program is to generate a basis of
understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms in the areas of
botanical and microbiological sciences that will support
biotechnology development related to energy. The research serves as
the basic information foundation with respect to renewable resource
productivity for fuels and chemicals, microbial conversions or
renewable materials and biological systems for the conservation of
energy. This office has special requirements on the submission of
preapplications, when to submit, and the length of the
preapplication/application; applicants are encouraged to contact
the office regarding these requirements.
(b) Chemical Sciences
This program sponsors experimental and theoretical research on
liquids, gases, plasmas, and solids. The focus is on their chemical
properties and the interactions of their component molecules,
atoms, ions, and electrons. The subprogram objective is to expand,
through support of basic research, our knowledge in the various
areas of chemistry; the long-term goal is to contribute to new or
improved processes for developing and using domestic energy
resources in an efficient and environmentally sound manner.
Disciplinary areas covered include physical, organic, and inorganic
chemistry; chemical physics; atomic physics; photochemistry;
radiation chemistry; thermodynamics; thermophysics; separations
science; analytical chemistry; and actinide chemistry.
(c) Geosciences
The goal of this program is to develop a quantitative and
predictive understanding of the energy-related aspects of processes
within the earth and at the solar-terrestrial interface. The
emphasis is on the upper levels of the earth's crust and the focus
is on geophysics and geochemistry of rock-fluid systems and
interactions. Specific topical areas receiving emphasis include:
High resolution geophysical imaging; fundamental properties of
rocks, minerals, and fluids; scientific drilling; and sedimentary
basin systems. The resulting improved understanding and knowledge
base are needed to assist efforts in the utilization of the
Nation's energy resources in an environmentally acceptable
fashion.
(d) Engineering Research
This program's objectives are: (1) To extend the body of
knowledge underlying current engineering practice in order to open
new ways for enhancing energy savings and production, prolonging
useful equipment life, and reducing costs while maintaining output
and performance quality; and (2) to broaden the technical and
conceptual base for solving future engineering problems in the
energy technologies. Long-term research topics of current interest
include: foundations of bioprocessing of fuels and energy related
wastes, fracture mechanics, experimental and theoretical studies of
multiphase flows, intelligent machines, and diagnostics and control
for plasma processing of materials.
(e) Materials Sciences
The objective of this program is to increase the understanding
of phenomena and properties important to materials behavior that
will contribute to meeting the needs of present and future energy
technologies. It is comprised of the subfields metallurgy,
ceramics, solid state physics, materials chemistry, and related
disciplines where the emphasis is on the science of materials.
(f) Advanced Energy Projects
The objective of this program is to support exploratory research
on novel concepts related to energy. The concepts may be in any
field related to energy but must not fall into an area of
programmatic responsibility of an existing ER technical program.
The research is usually aimed at establishing the scientific
feasibility of a concept and, where appropriate, at estimating its
economic viability.
2. Field Operations Management
This office administers special purpose support programs that
cut across DOE program areas. In conjunction with this activity, it
supports related conferences, research, and training initiatives
that further these areas of interest.
(a) Laboratory Technology Transfer Program
The SC Laboratory Technology Transfer (LTT) Program has
dedicated funding which fulfills the legislative mandate to more
effectively transfer research and technology from Science
laboratories to industry. By design, this program provides only
partial funding for technology research projects and personnel
exchanges with industry and universities. Mandatory cost-sharing by
industry and other partners ensures that cooperative projects will
focus on those that generate real interest in the private sector
and facilitate the transfer of technology. The program supports
laboratory-industry personnel exchanges; comprehensive program
evaluation; and cost-shared technology research, especially CRADAs
to advance precompetitive research projects to a point where they
can be evaluated for commercial applications. Other activities of
the SC Laboratory Technology Transfer Program include coordinating
technology transfer operations throughout the SC laboratory system;
coordinating technology transfer elements of the institutional
planning process; contributing to Departmental technology transfer
policy development; and implementing appropriate outreach
activities.
3. Fusion Energy
The magnetic fusion energy program is an applied research and
development program whose goal is to develop the scientific and
technological information required to design and construct magnetic
fusion energy systems. This goal is pursued by three divisions,
whose major functions are listed below.
(a) Applied Plasma Physics (APP)
This Division seeks to develop that body of physics knowledge
which permits advancement of the fusion program on a sound basis.
APP research programs provide: (1) The theoretical understanding of
fusion plasmas necessary for interpreting results from present
experiments, and the planning and design of future confinement
devices; (2) the data on plasma properties, atomic physics and new
diagnostic techniques for operational support of confinement
experiments; research and development of Heavy Ion Fusion
Accelerator (HIFAR) and reactor studies in support of the
development of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE).
(b) Confinement Systems
This Division has as its primary objective the conduct of
research efforts to investigate and resolve basic physics issues
associated with medium- to large-scale confinement devices. These
devices are used to experimentally explore the limits of specific
confinement concepts as well as to study associated physical
phenomena. Specific areas of interest include: the production of
increased plasma densities and temperatures; the understanding of
the physical laws governing plasma energy transport and confinement
scaling; equilibrium and stability of high plasma pressure; the
investigation of plasma interaction with radio-frequency waves; and
the study and control of particle transport in the plasma.
(c) Development and Technology
This Division supports research and development of the
technology necessary for fabrication and operation of present and
future plasma and fusion devices. The program also pursues R&D
and system studies pertaining to critical feasibility issues of
fusion technology and development.
4. Health and Environmental Research
The goals of this research program are as follows: (1) To
provide, through basic and applied research, the scientific
information required to identify, understand and anticipate the
long-term health and environmental consequences of energy use and
development; and (2) to utilize the Department's unique resources
to solve major scientific problems in medicine, biology and the
environment. The goals of the program are accomplished through the
effort of its divisions, which are:
(a) Health Effects and Life Sciences Research
This is a broad program of basic and applied biological
research. The objectives are: (1) To develop experimental
information from biological systems for estimating or predicting
risks of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and delayed toxicological
effects associated with low level human exposures to energy-related
radiations and chemicals; (2) to define mechanisms involved in the
induction of biological damage following exposure to low levels of
energy-related agents; (3) to develop new technologies for
detecting and quantifying latent health effects associated with
such agents; (4) to support fundamental research in structural
biology user facilities at DOE laboratories; and (5) to create and
apply new technologies and resources for characterizing the
molecular nature of the human genome.
Increasing emphasis will be placed on: Understanding of
mechanisms by which low level exposures to radiation and/or
energy-related chemicals produce long-term health impacts;
development of new technologies for estimating human health risks
from low level exposures; development and application of
technologies and approaches for cost-effective characterization of
the human genome.
(b) Medical Applications and Biophysical Research
The objectives of this program comprise several areas: (1) To
develop new concepts and techniques for detecting and measuring
hazardous physical and chemical agents related to energy
production; (2) to evaluate chemical and radiation exposures and
dosimetry for health protection application; (3) to determine the
physical and chemical mechanisms of radiation action in biological
systems; and (4) to develop new instrumentation and technology for
biological and biomedical research. In addition, Medical
Application research is aimed at enhancing the beneficial
applications of radiation, and radionuclides, in the diagnosis,
study, and treatment of human diseases. This includes the
development of new techniques for radioactive isotope production,
labeled pharmaceuticals, imaging devices, and radiation beam
applications for the improved diagnosis and therapy of human
diseases or the study of human physiological processes. A new area
of interest involves the integration of Nuclear Medicine and
Molecular Biology. This includes development of radioisotopes and
new molecular radiopharmaceutical probes specific to
disease-associated targets for improved diagnosis and therapy.
(c) Environmental Sciences
The objectives of the program relate to environmental processes
affected by energy production and use. For example, the program
develops information on the physical, chemical and biological
processes that cycle and transport energy related material and
nutrients through the atmosphere, and the ocean margin. Specific
emphasis is placed on hydrological transport, mobility and
degradation of energy-related contaminants by microorganisms in
subsurface systems.
This program also addresses global environmental change from
increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
The scope of the global change program encompasses the carbon
cycle, climate modeling and diagnostics, ecosystem responses, the
role of the ocean in global change and experiments to quantify the
links between greenhouse gas increases and climate change. A new
dimension of this program addresses the role of molecular biology
in understanding the ecosystem response to global change.
5. High Energy and Nuclear Physics
This program supports 90 percent of the U.S. efforts in high
energy and nuclear physics. The objectives of these programs are
indicated below:
(a) Nuclear Physics (Including Nuclear Data Program)
The primary objectives of this program are an understanding of
the interactions and structures of atomic nuclei and nuclear matter
at the most elementary level possible, and an understanding of the
fundamental forces of nature as manifested in nuclear matter.
(b) High Energy Physics
The primary objectives of this program are to understand the
nature and relationships among fundamental forces of nature and to
understand the ultimate structure of matter in terms of the
properties and interrelations of its basic constituents.
6. Scientific Computing Staff
The goal of this program is to advance the understanding of the
fundamental concepts of mathematics, statistics, and computer
science underlying the complex mathematical models of the key
physical processes involved in the research and development
programs of DOE. Broad emphasis is given in three major categories:
analytical and numerical methods, information analysis techniques,
and advanced concepts.
7. Superconducting Super Collider (SSC)
The goals of the Superconducting Super Collider are to build a
proton-proton collider with an energy of 20 TeV per proton, to
construct and operate experimental systems to study the
interactions of these protons, to establish the premier
international laboratory for high energy physics reasearch, and to
create a major resource for science education. The Office of the
Superconducting Super Collider administers research grants
associated with the SSC Laboratory's physics, accelerator, and
associated technology research and development programs.
8. University and Science Education
The Office of University and Science Education supports a
variety of science, mathematics and engineering education
precollege through postgraduate programs aimed at strengthening the
Nation's science education and research infrastructure. DOE's
education mission has been expanded to include increasing emphasis
on the precollege and general public literacy areas. Much of the
support involves the use of the unique resources (scientists,
facilities and equipment) at DOE's national laboratories and
research facilities, and includes research and/or other “hands-on”
opportunities for precollege and postsecondary students, teachers,
and faculty members. In addition to programs centered in DOE
facilities, a number of other educational activities are supported,
including:
(a) Pre-Freshman Enrichment Program (PREP)
PREP supports projects at colleges and universities aimed at
seeking out gindividuals, typically under-represented in
science-based careers, during junior high school and early high
school years (sixth through tenth grades) and providing these
individuals with pre-freshman enrichment activities to identify,
motivate and prepare them for science-based careers. Projects must
include concentrated, integrated activities that enhance the
student's understanding of science and mathematics, must have a
summer component at least four weeks in length, and may also
include a pre-summer or post-summer component.
(b) Museum Science Education Program
This program funds museum projects that support the development
of the media of informal energy-related science education. The
media of informal science education include, but are not limited
to: Interactive exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on activities,
teacher-student curriculum and film/video/software productions.
Examples of energy-related subjects include, but are not limited
to: high energy and nuclear physics, nuclear science and
technologies, global warming, waste management, energy efficiency,
new materials development, fossil energy resources, renewable
technologies, risk assessment, energy/environment and other timely
topics. The purpose of the program is the development and use of
creative informal science education media which focus on
energy-related science and technology.
(c) University Research Instrumentation Program
The University Research Instrumentation Program has been
developed as part of an interagency effort under the coordination
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to help alleviate
the overall shortage of sophisticated state-of-the-art instruments
required for advanced scientific and technical research at
universities. The overall program objective is to assist university
and college scientists in strengthening their capabilities to
conduct long-range experimental/scientific research in specific
energy areas of direct interest to DOE through the acquisition of
large scientific/technical pieces of equipment. Only those colleges
and universities that currently have DOE funded research projects,
which require the requested equipment, totalling at least $150,000
in the specific area will be selected (more complete eligibility
guidelines and principal research areas of particular DOE interest
in any given year are available from the program office). Smaller
research instruments (less than $100,000 each) are not eligible for
consideration in this program. No specific fraction of cost sharing
is required but the level of non-Federal funds to be provided will
be considered in final selection of awards under the program.
(d) Experimental Program To Stimulate Competitive Research
The purpose of the DOE Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research is to enhance the capabilities of the eligible
designated States to develop science and engineering manpower in
energy-related areas and to conduct nationally competitive
energy-related research. Planning committees within eligible States
may apply for planning, implementation and/or training efforts
(list of eligible States and activities to be supported in any
given year as well as cost-sharing requirements are available from
the program office). Separate applications for
planning/implementation and graduate traineeships are required.
Planning/implementation applications must contain information that
details development of a State-wide improvement plan for
energy-related research and human resources, while training grant
applications must detail the need for energy-related specific and
technical educational disciplines.
(e) Nuclear Engineering Research
The objective of this program is to support research efforts
aimed at strengthening University-based nuclear engineering
programs. Specific areas of basic and applied research of interest
include, but are not limited to: (1) Material behavior in a
radiation environment typical of advanced nuclear power plants; (2)
real-time instrumentation that identifies and applies innovative
measurements technologies in nuclear-related fields; (3) advanced
nuclear reactor concepts; (4) applied nuclear sciences that address
improvements in the applications of radiation and the understanding
of the interaction of radiation with matter; (5) engineering
science research applicable to advanced nuclear reactor concepts,
industry safety and reliability concerns; (6) neutronics that
address improvements in reactor computational methodologies and
knowledge of the basic fission processes; and (7) nuclear thermal
hydraulics that address improvements of models and analysis of
thermal hydraulic behavior in an advanced nuclear reactor
system.
(f) Used Energy-Related Laboratory Equipment (ERIE) Program
In accordance with DOE's responsibility to encourage research
and development in the energy area, grants of used energy-related
laboratory equipment for use in energy-oriented educational
programs in the life, physical and environmental sciences, and
engineering are available to universities, colleges and other
non-profit educational institutions of higher learning in the
United States. An institution is not required to have a current DOE
grant or contract in order to participate in this program. The
program office should be contacted for specific information on how
to access the list of eligible equipment under this program. The
cost of care and handling incident to the grant must be borne by
the institution.
9. Program Analysis
The Office of Program Analysis conducts assessments to identify
research opportunities in specific areas of interest to DOE
programs.
[57 FR 40583, Sept. 3, 1992, as amended at 79 FR 76047, Dec. 19,
2014]