Innovative Energy Conversion, Thermal Management and Storage Systems: From Material to Prototype Development

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The rapidly declining power usage of modern sensors, electronics, communications, and biomedical devices is opening new possibilities for portable autonomous systems that are powered by low-grade energy, such as waste heat, motion or heat from a person, or sound and vibrations. Waste heat, a key source of low-grade energy, is the consequence of the inherent inefficiencies of numerous fossil fuel driven energy conversion systems. My long-term goal is to exploit the low-grade energy opportunities by developing innovative direct energy conversion and thermal energy storage technologies incorporating emerging nano-materials/composites and use these technologies for developing innovative thermal management solutions for Mobile Electronic, Electric Vehicle, and Energy Efficient Building industries, which combined comprises a 950 billion dollar market [Ref. IBISWorld]. The proposed research program will specifically focus on the thermoelectric and thermoacoustic direct energy conversion and latent-heat thermal energy storage technologies. These technologies will be utilized for developing battery thermal management system (BTMS) for electric and autonomous vehicles. Thermoelectric and thermoacoustic systems are known for their design simplicity, environmental advantages, and high reliability. Both systems can be operated either in power-generation or refrigeration mode and can easily be integrated with thermal energy storage systems or low-grade energy sources. The specific tasks include the development of new materials (e.g., thermoelectric-bulk-nano-composites, magnetic-nanofluids, and bio-based nano-phase-change-materials), topology (e.g., graded-morphology-foam and heterogeneous-stacks), systems (e.g., flexible-thermoelectric system, magnetic-thermoacoustic system, thermal-battery, thermal-capacitor), energy transport models, and reliable experimental data. The proposed program will generate arrays of prototypes as well, e.g., sustainable air-conditioner, food-refrigerator, portable medicine cooler, atmospheric water-harvester, thermoacoustic power generator/refrigerator, encapsulated thermal-battery, and semi-active/passive BTMS. The world's rapid population growth puts tremendous environmental stress and demand on our natural resources. Utilization of abundant low-grade energy, through innovative energy conversion, energy storage, and thermal management technologies, has the potential to address such challenges. The proposed research program will generate scientific/engineering knowledge, integrated processes, and design tools, where emerging nano-materials/composites are employed. It will also provide excellent platforms to train students/fellows, who are in high demand in academia and industry, and will enable spin-off companies to generate revenue and create jobs. Zero greenhouse gas emission thermoelectric and thermoacoustic systems will have less damaging impacts on our environment and will improve the health and safety for Canadians.