Washington, D.C. , Feb. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit]: PARC, a Xerox company, today announced its significant presence at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Innovation Summit being held in Washington, D.C. February 29 through March 2, 2016. Visit PARC in Booth 526 to see the technologies and talk to the researchers developing them.
“We created the PARC Energy Program more than a decade ago out of a strong desire to work on short- and long-term, real-world problems that can be solved through the combination of our deep technical competencies and innovative research staff,” said Scott Elrod, VP, Hardware Systems Lab and head of PARC’s Energy Program. “Our insights and technology developments are playing a key role in bringing radical transformation and energy optimization into a myriad of high-growth fields, from the Internet of Everything, to smart homes and cities, to digital manufacturing, to connected vehicles. We’re thrilled to explore so many new technologies, and ARPA-E has been an ideal partner to catalyze our work towards energy solutions.”
In addition to the technologies being shown, PARC and Xerox will be well represented on the ARPA-E conference stage. Dr. Sophie Vandebroek, Xerox CTO, and President, Xerox Innovation Group, will deliver the opening keynote address, Monday, February 29 at 10:15 a.m. And, Dr. Jennifer Englert, Sr. Cognitive Engineer, Work Practice and Technology Team at PARC, will be on “The Human-Technology Interface: How to Make or Break Tech” panel on Tuesday, March 1 at 4 p.m.
PARC will be showing eight ARPA-E-funded technologies:
Fuel Cell: Under the Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems (REBELS) program, PARC has developed an intermediate-temperature fuel cell that is capable of utilizing a wide variety of carbon-based input fuels. An electrolyte membrane based on ionic liquids is used to transport oxygen, allowing it to react directly with almost any fuel.
Aluminum Alloy Detection: Under the Modern Electro/Thermochemical Advancements for Light-Metal Systems (METALS) program, PARC is developing a low-cost sensing technique to differentiate different metal alloys, allowing aluminum to be recycled cost-effectively in the U.S.
Self-Cooling Metamaterials: Under the Advanced Research in Dry Cooling (ARID) program, PARC is developing transformative cooling technologies to enable high thermal-to-electric energy conversion efficiency in thermal power plants, with zero net water dissipation into the atmosphere.
Printed Methane Sensor: Under the Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR) program, PARC will deliver low-cost printed sensor arrays to quantify and locate methane leaks, using a variety of modified carbon nanotube sensors. The combined response of the sensors will provide information on location and leak rates for methane and other gases.
Improved Battery Performance: Under the Advanced Management and Protection of Energy Storage Devices (AMPED) program, PARC and LG Chem Power are developing SENSOR, a next-generation fiber-optic sensing Battery Management System (BMS). SENSOR can directly sense cell state internally and enable the BMS to safely extract more power and capacity than possible today with electrical sensors. Having demonstrated promising results under AMPED, SENSOR is now undergoing more testing in larger-scale electric vehicle battery modules by General Motors.
Microchiplet Printer: Under the Micro-scale Optimized Solar-cell Arrays with Integrated Concentration (MOSAIC) program, PARC will design and build a prototype micro-PV cell (or microchiplet) printer with the potential to enable economical, high-volume manufacturing of micro-PV cell arrays.
Printing of Thermoelectrics: Based on PARC’s novel Co-Extrusion (CoEx) technology, PARC will demonstrate the fabrication of Large-Area Thermoelectric Generators (LATEGs) through a scalable printing process that is ~10 times cheaper than existing manufacturing methods.
Urban Transportation Optimization: Under Traveler Response Architecture using Novel Signaling for Network Efficiency in Transportation (TRANSNET) program, PARC will develop a mobile system to identify energy-efficient routes most likely to be adopted by a traveler. PARC’s system will use data from navigation tools, public transit, and intelligent transportation systems to simulate the Los Angeles transportation network and energy use.
About PARC
PARC, a Xerox company, is in the Business of Breakthroughs®. Practicing open innovation, we provide custom R&D services, technology, expertise, best practices, and intellectual property to Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, startups, and government agencies and partners. We create new business options, accelerate time to market, augment internal capabilities, and reduce risk for our clients. Since its inception, PARC has pioneered many technology platforms – from the Ethernet and laser printing to the GUI and ubiquitous computing – and has enabled the creation of many industries. Incorporated as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox in 2002, PARC today continues the research that enables breakthroughs for our clients' businesses. To learn more about PARC, visit our website or contact engage@parc.com.