Functional Materials

Projects on the Program are directed to the development of the materials of construction, including processing and fabrication methods, and functional materials necessary for advanced power-generation systems.

Materials requirements for all fossil energy systems are addressed, including materials for coal fuels technologies and for advanced power-generation technologies, such as coal gasification, heat engines, combustion systems, and fuel cells.

The Program is aligned with the development of those technologies that are potential elements of the Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy Vision 21 concept, which has the goal to address environmental issues, thereby removing such issues as constraints to coal's continued status as a strategic resource.

DOE administration of the Program is through the National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Advanced Research Product Team.

The Advanced Research Materials Program is part of the Materials Research and Development activities of the ORNL Fossil Energy Program.

Projects on the Advanced Research Materials Program are directed toward

• development of advanced ceramic composites and ceramic coatings
  
  
• corrosion and protection of materials to address degradation of materials in fossil energy environments
  
  
• development of new alloys that offer improved corrosion and erosion resistance and have unique mechanical properties
  
  
• ultrahigh performance materials, particularly alloys, that can perform reliably at temperatures much greater than 1000° C
  
  
• functional materials, particularly gas separation materials such as activated carbons and inorganic membranes, both porous and ion-transport types.