42 USC 18911 - Basic energy sciences program

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 18911.

Basic energy sciences program

(a)

to (c) Omitted

(d)

Foundational nuclear science

(1)

In general

(2)

Activities

As part of the program described in paragraph (1)—

(A)

the Director of the Office of Science shall support basic research to pursue distinct lines of scientific inquiry, including—

(i)

research in nuclear materials science, including the application of advanced computing practices to foundational and emerging research areas in nuclear materials science and discovery, such as—

(I)

the advanced characterization of materials;

(II)

materials synthesis;

(III)

processing;

(IV)

the innovative use of experimental and theoretical data; and

(V)

mechanical behavior in unique environments, including the effects of radiation;

(ii)

electrochemistry research and associated techniques for processing nuclear materials;

(iii)

the development of advanced instrumentation and nuclear data collection to inform the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii); and

(iv)

any other area of research, as determined by the Director of the Office of Science; and

(B)

the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy shall consult with the Director of the Office of Science to support the direction of translational research, development, and validation of physical concepts developed under the program.

(3)

Funding

(e)

Carbon Materials Science Initiative

(1)

Initiative

(A)

In general

(B)

Coordination

(C)

Teams

(i)

In general

(ii)

Goals

(2)

Research program

(A)

In general

(B)

Activities

As part of the program described in subparagraph (A), the Director shall, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, as appropriate, support research to pursue distinct lines of scientific inquiry, including—

(i)

methods of extraction, processing, recycling, and utilization of the materials and valuable minerals contained in raw coal and coal-waste;

(ii)

methods of improving performance, cost, and availability of materials for use in carbon capture systems; and

(iii)

unconventional pathways and materials for conversion of carbon dioxide molecules, minerals, and materials.

(C)

Review

(D)

Coordination with existing programs and centers

In carrying out the program described in subparagraph (A), the Director shall—

(i)

ensure coordination and knowledge sharing with—

(I)

the United States Geological Survey; and

(II)

the programs and the Carbon Utilization Research Center established under section 16298a of this title; and

(ii)

avoid duplication of efforts to the maximum extent practicable.

(3)

Carbon Materials Research Centers

(A)

In general

(i)

be known as a “Carbon Materials Research Center” (referred to in this paragraph as a “Center”); and

(ii)

focus on early stage research and development activities, including—

(I)

developing and advancing methods of extracting, processing, or recycling carbon or other valuable materials or minerals from raw coal, coal-waste, or other solid carbon materials, for the development of new carbon-based materials;

(II)

methods of improving the structural, physical, and chemical properties of carbon-based materials or other valuable materials from raw coal, coal-waste, or other solid carbon materials and their recyclability;

(III)

overcoming the challenges and maximizing the benefits of commercially extracting, producing, or improving coal-derived carbon and resulting products; and

(IV)

identifying novel pathways and materials for carbon storage and conversion into useful products.

(B)

Selection

The Director shall—

(i)

select Centers under subparagraph (A) on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis; and

(ii)

consider applications from the National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, multi-institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities.

(C)

Duration

(D)

Renewal

(E)

Existing facilities

The Director shall—

(i)

ensure that the research activities carried out by the Centers are not duplicative of existing efforts; and

(ii)

if practicable, leverage existing user facilities and other capabilities of the Department of Energy to carry out the research objectives of the Centers.

(f)

Carbon Sequestration Research and Geologic Computational Science Initiative

(1)

Initiative

(A)

In general

(B)

Leveraging

(C)

Teams

(i)

In general

(ii)

Goals

(D)

Additional activities

(2)

Research program

(A)

In general

(B)

Activities

As part of the program described in subparagraph (A), the Director of the Office of Science shall support fundamental research to pursue distinct lines of scientific inquiry, including—

(i)

gathering geologic data for pore space characterization, including improvements to geologic seismic imaging;

(ii)

evaluating pore space quality, including evaluation of geologic samples, to determine appropriate sequestration zones for carbon;

(iii)

testing carbon sequestration;

(iv)

monitoring carbon migration in geologic formations;

(v)

advancements in data analytics, including the analysis of seismic data, and computational science to improve the advanced computing, visualization, and imaging of geologic formations for the sequestration of carbon; and

(vi)

predictive understanding of coupled processes in complex subsurface geologic systems for secure carbon storage.

(C)

Review

(3)

Carbon storage research and geologic computational science centers

(A)

In general

(B)

Selection

(i)

In general

The Secretary shall—

(I)

select Centers under subparagraph (A) on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis; and

(II)

to the maximum extent practicable, locate each Center in a geographically diverse region with established and ongoing geologic carbon sequestration research and demonstration.

(ii)

Applications

(C)

Duration

(i)

New Centers

(ii)

Existing Centers

(iii)

Renewal

(4)

Coordination with existing programs and Centers

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A)

ensure coordination with—

(i)

the United States Geological Survey; and

(ii)

the programs established under section 16293 of this title; and

(B)

avoid duplication of efforts to the maximum extent practicable.

(g)

Funding for Carbon Initiatives

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title I, § 10102, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1409.)

cite as: 42 USC 18911