DOE will fund the projects which will also provide energy security benefits to America’s armed forces, from its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) unit.

“These cutting-edge projects could transform our energy infrastructure, dramatically reduce our reliance on imported oil and increase American energy security,” says Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

One of two new ARPA-E programmes, Advanced Management and Protection of Energy Storage Devices (AMPED), will support 12 research projects with $30m.