Oscillating Flow in Stirling Microrefrigerators: Empirical Verification of Analytical Results

与目前的技术相比，所需的冰箱必须更紧凑、更可靠，不需要维护或操作技能，实现更长的运行寿命，并泵送高达几瓦的热量，但成本仅为电子系统其余部分的一小部分。由于常规设计、材料和制造过程中固有的机械、热和流体流动不可逆性，这些目标在实践中无法实现。通过硅微机械加工，可以从根本上消除损耗的机械部件，开发特殊的材料性能，同时可以控制热和流体流动对熵产生的贡献。在目前NSF SGER的资助下，P.I.设计了一个实验装置。该装置的建造是第一阶段的目标。成功的结果将为斯特林微型制冷机的工程提供基础，这将扩大其在冷电子设备中的应用范围。斯特林微型制冷器将提高计算机处理器和存储器的速度；减少无线电和微波探测器、放大器和过滤器中的噪声；减少红外探测和成像系统的体积；促进了高温超导电子器件的商业化。

Compared to current technology, the required refrigerators must be more compact and reliable, require no maintenance or skill to operate, achieve much longer operating lifetimes, and pump up to several watts of heat, yet cost only a fraction of the rest of the electronic system. These objectives are not achieved in practice due to mechanical, thermal, and fluid flow irreversibilities which are inherent in conventional design, materials, and manufacturing processes. Through silicon micromachining, fundamentally lossy mechanical components can be eliminated and special materials properties can be exploited, while thermal and fluid flow contributions to entropy generation can be controlled. Under current NSF SGER funding the P.I. designed an experimental apparatus. The construction of this apparatus is the goal for Phase I. Successful results will provide a foundation for the engineering of Stirling microrefrigerators, that will expand its range of applications for cold electronics. Stirling microfrigerators would increase the speed of computer processors and memories; and reduce noise in radio and microwave detectors, amplifiers, and filters; reduce the bulk of infra-red detection and imaging systems; and facilitate the commercialization of high Tc superconducting electronics.