Advanced Energy Recovery using Micro

1
Advanced Energy Recovery using Micro Nano
Devices

• Low-temperature Energy Harvesting
• Institute for Micromanufacturing at Louisiana
  Tech
• Leland Weiss, Ph.D.
• November 5, 2009

2
Vision

• The Challenge
• Improve U.S. energy efficiency
• Improve U.S. energy security
• Utilize alternative energy sources
• Single technology developed to address these
  challenges
• Cost effective to drive marketability and
  wide-spread implementation

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Summary

• Wasted Heat A Low Temperature Energy Supply
• Energy rejected as part of larger processes
• Rejected by
• Transportation
• Industry
• Commercial
• Opportunity develop technologies to capture
• Output electrical power
• Output mechanical power

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Low Temperature Sources

• U.S. Energy Consumption
• 101.5 quadrillion BTUs (2007)
• 29 to transportation sector
• 65 energy wasted to low temperature heat in
  automobiles

Source Annual energy review 2007. Technical
report, Energy Information Administration
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Low Temperature Sources

• Solar Heating

Large opportunity to capture and use low
temperature energy
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Research Goals and Objectives

• Low Cost Approach
• Micro-manufacturing techniques -- batch
  fabrication
• Simplicity in design and materials
• Scalable for Multiple Applications
• Transportation
• Power Generation
• Computers and other consumer products
• Solar

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Accomplishments

• Boilers in development
• Micro-channel design
• Rapid production
• .5W of low temperature energy converted to steam
• 60 more effective than previous designs

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Plans for 2009-10

• Solar Initiative
• Harness low-temperature solar energy
• Micro-fabrication for cost and quality
• Advance Boilers
• Utilize micro and nano-scale channels
• Increase efficiency

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Value Driven

• Superiority
• Cost
• Design simplicity
• Market Driven
• Transportation
• Consumer products
• Wide applicability, wide suitability
• Enhancing Security
• Increased efficiency
• Increased energy security