The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to the Ames Laboratory.

Two Environmental Technology Partnership grants were awarded to the lab to develop more energy efficient and environmentally sound industrial processes.

The grants will be distributed over the next three years between two major projects.

Mark Bowman, public information specialist for the lab, said the grant application process is lengthy and extremely competitive.

He said because the Ames lab is relatively small compared to some of the other research labs across the country, it is difficult to compete for grants.

However, according to researcher Chris Schilling, the Ames Lab has a unique advantage, with ISU next door.

The first project, headed by materials scientists Schilling and Robert Bellman, and soil chemist Ljerka Ukrainczyk, will look to create a less energy-intensive, less toxic and more environmentally sound method of forming non-clay ceramic materials into complex shapes.

“This project links such a range of talents with the lab, the College of Engineering, and the College of Agriculture,” Schilling said.

Schilling said he is very excited about this project, which he calls “science with practice.”

The team will also look for ways to use renewable agricultural products, such as those from corn and soybeans, to make water-based plasticizers.

Petroleum-based plasticizers are now being mixed with ceramic powders, which require high amounts of energy and produce harmful byproducts.

The second project will be conducted by a team of Ames Lab researchers led by Karl Gschneidner, Jr., senior metallurgist and an ISU distinguished professor.

The project will aim to develop novel magnetic alloys that have the ability to absorb and transfer heat when exposed to a changing magnetic field. These alloys will replace conventional freon-based refrigeration systems.

The researchers hope this development will help save energy and reduce the emissions of ozone depleting compounds.

The Department of Energy facilitates partnerships between government and industry to chart the research needed to attain industry goals.

The partnerships offer potential funding sources and help further the research by developing its use in the industrial world.

“If the company’s need matches up with our expertise, they can match up a partnership,” Bowman said.

The Ames Lab, operated for the Department of Energy by ISU, conducts research in areas such as energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental clean-up and restoration.

The lab also focuses on the study, design and synthesis of new materials and materials processing technologies.