Energy research teams achieved sustainability, efficiency, and resource utilization goals. Bioalgal researchers determined the best algae strains to use for wastewater treatment in hot, arid climates, achieving 90% removal of effluent from wastewater. The team deployed and field-tested an algal-based wastewater treatment system in Las Cruces, New Mexico--the first plant to treat primary effluent to federal discharge standards for biological oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Researchers successfully encapsulated algae in silica gels and alginate to significantly increase algae productivity.

Geothermal researchers used magnetotelluric surveys and modeling to understand geologic and tectonic controls on the plumbing and longevity of underground geothermal systems. The team created a geothermal database for New Mexico and discovered and mapped new hydrothermal systems, using new techniques to estimate geothermal reservoir temperatures at various depths belowground.

The osmotic power team designed and field-tested new pressure retarded osmosis systems based on hollow-fiber membranes that use dissolved solids (up to 10%) in oil and gas wastewater to generate clean energy. A geothermal membrane distillation system was designed and tested at a large commercial greenhouse facility in southern New Mexico.

The solar research team designed more efficient organic solar photovoltaic cells and experimentally tested new nanoparticles and nanocomposites as catalysts to convert carbon dioxide to methanol and hydrogen fuel through solar-driven water oxidation. The difficulty of cost-effectively converting CO₂ into formate--a key intermediate step toward the methane economy--has hindered scientific progress in the past, but can now be mitigated using materials that are easily found, low in toxins, and relatively inexpensive.

Uranium research generated new understanding of how uranium reacts and interacts with the environment as well as the biogeochemistry and mobility of uranium molecules--a breakthrough useful for determining where contamination may be harmful for ecosystem and human health. Team members filed a patent application for an innovative filter that efficiently and inexpensively removes uranium for mining reclamation and domestic water uses. Researchers worked with Native American communities to map uranium contamination in the Navajo Nation and on the Pueblo of Laguna, leading to approaches that can be used to track contamination sites across the country.

Social and natural science nexus researchers developed a comprehensive statewide water budget and a new systems dynamics model to evaluate energy development in light of water, environment, and socioeconomic considerations. The models are being utilized by state decision makers in water and energy planning.

The cyberinfrastructure team provided data management training to graduate students and streamlined access to datasets, services, and educational resources.

The education and workforce development team's STEM Advancement Program provided summer research experiences to primarily female and underrepresented minority students from New Mexico undergraduate institutions, most of whom transferred to 4-year universities, graduated, or entered graduate school or the workforce. Infrastructure Seed Grants to non-PhD granting institutions provided real-world sustainable energy research experiences to undergraduates and the Externship Program enabled graduate students to spend a summer or semester doing cutting-edge research at partnering universities, National Laboratories, and businesses.

The Growing Up Thinking Computationally Program used teacher professional development programs and after-school clubs to engage K-12 students in using computational models for scientific inquiry and research, increasing the number and diversity of middle and high school teachers successfully incorporating computer science concepts into their classes and producing students that are better prepared to enter into computer science pathways in college. Elementary and middle school teachers attending the week-long Energize New Mexico Teacher Professional Development Institute merged informal science education with standards-based classroom education to teach and learn about energy; this model will be sustained by the NM Public Education Department, supporting up to 600 teachers per year.

New energy exhibits at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Explora Science Center and Children's Museum, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History reached over 250,000 people. The Informal Science Education Network provided training and tools to improve the practice of informal science educators. "Natives in STEM" created and shared positive stories of Native STEM professionals nationwide. Creative Startups Accelerator provided dozens of entrepreneurs, primarily from women- and minority-owned startups, with skills needed to lead and finance new ventures, create marketing plans, and deal with legal issues. A two-day Town Hall addressed challenges related to streamlining the state's energy workforce training pipeline.

Post-doctoral scholars gained skills and expertise in communicating science, writing proposals, entrepreneurship, and teaching and mentoring. The Faculty Leadership and Professional Development Institute taught STEM faculty from community and Tribal colleges and non-research universities how to translate research into practice through active- and scenario-based learning. Interdisciplinary Innovation Working Groups developed and tested new ideas and theories, and investigated social issues related to energy development and its impact on water and the environment.

Last Modified: 02/28/2019
Modified by: Anne C Jakle