Microscale enabled advanced flow and heat transfer technologies featuring high performance and low power consumption; Acronym: Micro-FloTec
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
With the emergence of Industry 4.0, electronic and digital devices are incorporated into almost all high tech applications. There has also been a notable shift towards compact electronic devices, which requires more intense operating powers - leading to enormous heat dissipation. Thus, whilst devices are increasingly becoming portable and powerful, thermal management techniques are arguably not catching up at the same rate. Hence, continuous improvement and innovative approaches are needed. In this regard, microchannel-based techniques present innovative possibilities to tackle thermal management and cooling issues in modern appliances across various industries, aligning with the trend to adopt more sustainable approaches and the EU 2016 legislation for heating and cooling. Consequently, our 'Micro-FloTec' project adapts an international, multidisciplinary, and collaborative approach
to exchange expertise from 17 research institutions and two industrial partners to trigger significant advancements and agile development for heat transfer and thermal management solutions. The consortium shares robust experience and skills related to heat transfer enhancement, large-scale electrical energy storage via thermal processes, new generation materials science, multi-phase flow, flow and heat transfer of high-temperature rotating parts, design and modelling for energy-efficient control systems, marketing and entrepreneurship skills, amongst others. Based on the appraisal of the current state-of-the-art literature and technologies, we aim to tackle problems within morphological optimization of multiphase heat transfer performance and flow resistance reduction, surface modification techniques, and application of multi-phase physics for performance prompting. Our project will hopefully achieve cost-effective and sustainable solutions, initiate future advancements and investigations, and contribute towards the EU's 2050 long-term strategy for climate and energy saving goals.
to exchange expertise from 17 research institutions and two industrial partners to trigger significant advancements and agile development for heat transfer and thermal management solutions. The consortium shares robust experience and skills related to heat transfer enhancement, large-scale electrical energy storage via thermal processes, new generation materials science, multi-phase flow, flow and heat transfer of high-temperature rotating parts, design and modelling for energy-efficient control systems, marketing and entrepreneurship skills, amongst others. Based on the appraisal of the current state-of-the-art literature and technologies, we aim to tackle problems within morphological optimization of multiphase heat transfer performance and flow resistance reduction, surface modification techniques, and application of multi-phase physics for performance prompting. Our project will hopefully achieve cost-effective and sustainable solutions, initiate future advancements and investigations, and contribute towards the EU's 2050 long-term strategy for climate and energy saving goals.
| Description | The research performed during this MSCA Staff Exchange grant has led to two key research achievements, namely: (i) development of a hybrid multi-generation photovoltaic leaf, which employs a biomimetic transpiration structure made of eco-friendly, low-cost and widely available materials for passive thermal management and multi-generation; and (ii) the advancement of effective heat dissipation techniques for high-power-density electronic components using flow boiling in miniaturised and microchannels. |
| Exploitation Route | The rapid increase in the thermal power dissipated in modern electronic devices along with a continued miniaturisation trend slow down the development of next-generation computing tools and hinder the emergence of green technologies. The effective thermal management of high-power-density electronic components is key to building a clean energy future. |
| Sectors | Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Energy Environment |
| Description | Integrated Latent Thermal Energy Storage (ILTES) |
| Organisation | University of Padova |
| Department | Department of Industrial Engineering |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Ongoing discussions/online meeting to share research insights and advance development of a radically new direct ink-based 3D printing technology for the next generation of Integrated Latent Thermal Energy Storage (ILTES) systems to unlock their potential to the fullest by maximizing energy density while outstandingly reducing environmental impact. In partiular, our team possesses a rich history of utilizing sophisticated measurement methods for various fluid-flow systems, notably in small and mini-channels, employing microscopy techniques. Additionally, our team is adept in dealing with non-Newtonian fluids and phase change systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The research team at University of Padova (UNIPD) is one of the most outstanding research groups on metals and ceramics extrusion-based 3D printing technologies as they master most advanced experimental technologies for multi materials 3D printing. They have large experience in inks formulation and characterization, materials microstructural, mechanical and thermal characterization. |
| Impact | Together with the UNIPD team, we submitted a proposal to the HORIZON EIC-2024 Pathfinder for a project led by UNIPD and we are currently discussing placements/secondments within the Micro Flo-Tec framework. |
| Start Year | 2023 |