Latest News
NETL Study Sheds Light on Methane Emissions
A 2-year study by analysts at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), in which they synthesized new methane emission data from a series of ground-based field measurements, shows that 1.7 percent of the methane in the U.S. natural gas supply chain is emitted between extraction and delivery. Identifying the magnitude and sources of methane emissions will allow producers to prioritize opportunities to reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas. Results of the study have been published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
The Power of Plasma: Higher Efficiency without Moving Parts
Inside a new NETL laboratory, researchers are firing up a device that may one day enable unprecedented power generation performance without any moving parts. Jetting out of the nozzle of a high-velocity oxyfuel torch, a stream of plasma glows like a light-saber poised for combat. But this technology is designed to battle the low efficiencies that plague many of today’s energy conversion systems, rather than galactic evil-doers.
Coal Ash Recovery Could Pump the Domestic Rare Earth Metals Supply
Currently REEs are used in catalysts, cell phones, hard drives, hybrid engines, lasers, magnets, medical devices, televisions and other applications.
NETL Researcher Alexandra Hakala To Receive U.S. Government’s Highest Honor for Early Career Research Scientists
Dr. Alexandra Hakala, a geochemist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), has been named as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)—the highest honor the U.S. government can bestow on scientists or engineers in the early stages of their research careers.
Dr. Grace M. Bochenek
Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. King
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time for contemplation and celebration of a man who embodied the ideals of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service.
Spotlight
Morgantown High and Suncrest Middle teams win West Virginia Science Bowl
Morgantown High School and Suncrest Middle School, both of Morgantown, claimed victory at the 26th annual West Virginia Regional Science Bowl held at the West Virginia University (WVU) Mountainlair February 3–4, 2017. Twenty-four teams from high schools and 20 teams from middle schools throughout the state participated in the competition that tested contestants’ knowledge in math and science. The event is co-sponsored by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and WVU, with the winners earning an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will represent West Virginia in DOE’s National Science Bowl® scheduled for April 27–May 1.