Epscor crest phase I: center for energy technologies

Montana Technological University received a $7.5 million EPSCOR CREST (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research—Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology) Phase I award from the National Science Foundation under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2030. The award establishes the Center for Energy Technologies to develop integrated research and educational initiatives addressing the conversion of forest biomass waste from wildfires into economically viable energy products and storage solutions. The center's primary deliverables include: (1) a mobile reactor system to transform forest biomass into value-added products with machine learning-optimized processing; (2) solid oxide fuel cells for electricity generation from wood-debris syngas; (3) nanostructured carbon web electrodes for bio-oil upgrading and supercapacitor applications; and (4) radical organic battery prototypes optimized for cold-weather performance. Research methods employ electrospinning for electrode fabrication, in-situ electrochemical and optical analysis, and machine learning process control technologies.

In addition to technology development, the award supports workforce development through dedicated student cohorts trained to address regional energy challenges. The University of Montana participates as a sub-grantee, contributing to the collaborative research efforts. Expected outcomes include scalable biomass conversion methodologies, advanced materials for electricity conversion and storage applications, and improved process control technologies that position Montana Tech and its academic partners to deliver solutions to local energy infrastructure needs while training a new generation of STEM professionals in emerging energy technologies.

Abstract

With support from the centers of research excellence in science and technology (CREST), this project aims to begin a center at montana technological university. The center?S mission is to repurpose the thousands of acres of dead forest debris consumed annually in wildfires by developing technologies that use this resource for electricity generation and storage applications. While the need is acute, progress is currently limited by 1) lack of accessible and reliable energy conversion approaches, and 2) challenges with cold weather electricity storage. The center?S goals include producing inexpensive, efficient fuels from biomass, generating electricity from these fuels, and making cold-weather batteries from new materials produced from biomass along with student cohorts studying these specific issues and making their own new solutions. This project aims to 1) develop a mobile reactor to transform forest biomass into economic products and through machine learning process optimization, 2) develop solid oxide fuel cells to generate electricity from wood-debris syngas, 3) create nanostructured carbon web electrodes for BIO-oil upgrading and supercapacitors, and 4) develop radical organic batteries optimized for cold weather. Methods include electrospinning for web fabrication, in-situ electrochemical/optical analysis, and machine learning. Expected results include scalable methods for biomass conversion to value-added products, materials development for electricity conversion and storage from these products, and improved process control technologies. A new workforce will be developed through the student cohorts capable of producing solutions to local energy needs. The centers of research excellence in science and technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of institutions through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.