CAREER: Ambient Thermal Energy Harvesting for Power Production

ECCS-1053729职业生涯：用于发电的环境热能收集研究目标和方法本研究的目标是通过环境热能收集来提高能源效率和可持续性。该方法的重点是利用小型设备捕获和利用太阳能等能源。微制造和系统设计为现实世界的实施提供了出色的指标。该系统以新的热力学工作周期运行，侧重于在与环境热能收集相关的低温下运行。研究成果包括一种新的太阳能集热器、先进的热交换器和一种适用于许多应用的新型膨胀机。智能价值这项研究的重点是利用目前大部分未使用的高可用热能。此外，该方法代表了一种新的依赖于膨胀器的相变和谐振操作的操作周期。这是第一次如此规模的应用和热能来源。先进的制造技术将在以前几乎没有工作的领域带来研究进展。最后，这项研究非常适合应用于其他技术，如先进的热电发电机。广泛的影响这项研究通过K-12外展和大学生融合，吸引了广泛的代表性不足的学生和社区。在这一活动中，代表不足的群体在学生中所占比例很高。一门新的本科生能源课程进一步扩大了影响和影响。研究成果将在领先的期刊、会议和研讨会上发表。这些成果还为外联活动提供了现实世界的例子。这一扩展对能源教育产生了多个层面的重大影响，并鼓励学生参与先进的能源研究。

ECCS - 1053729 CAREER: Ambient Thermal Energy Harvesting for Power ProductionABSTRACTResearch Objectives and ApproachesThe objective of this research is to increase energy efficiency and sustainability through ambient thermal energy harvesting. The approach is focused on the capture and use of energy like solar thermal using small-scale devices. Microfabrication and system design contribute to excellent metrics for real-world implementation. The system operates on a new thermodynamic working cycle, focused on operation at low temperatures associated with ambient thermal energy collection. Research results in a new solar thermal collector, advanced heat exchangers, and a novel expander suitable for operation in many applications.Intellectual MeritThis research focuses on the use of highly available thermal energy sources that are largely unused today. In addition, the approach represents a novel operating cycle dependant on phase change and resonant operation of the expander. This is a first for this scale of application and thermal energy source. Advanced fabrication techniques will result in research progress in areas with little prior work. Finally, the research is well suited for application to other technologies like advanced thermoelectric generators.Broader ImpactsThis research engages a broad spectrum of underrepresented students and community via K-12 outreach and university student integration. Underrepresented groups make up a high percentage of students in this outreach. A new undergraduate energy course furthers outreach and impact. Research results will be published in leading journals, conferences, and workshops. These results also provide real-world examples for outreach activities. This outreach significantly impacts energy education on multiple levels and encourages student involvement in advanced energy research.