PFI:AIR - TT: Super-wicking Material for Efficient Evaporative Technology-based Air Conditioner (SWEET-AC)

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目的重点是将以前NSF发现的超级排汗表面转化为热交换器的生产，热交换器是蒸发冷却器中最关键的部件，随后创造出基于超级排汗高效蒸发技术的空调（sweet - ac）。SWEET-AC概念很重要，因为它将提供一种节能环保的冷却技术。全球平均气温的持续上升、能源价格的上涨、普遍的水资源短缺以及气候变化问题都将导致对更高能效产品的需求。与传统的基于蒸汽压缩机的空调相比，sweet - ac将提高冷却效率，同时产生最小的碳足迹，以满足市场需求和社会需求。该项目解决了以下技术差距，因为它从研究发现转化为商业应用。传统的蒸汽压缩空调系统消耗大量电能，对环境有不利影响。与传统的空调相比，直接和间接蒸发冷却技术可以显著降低能耗。然而，目前的蒸发冷却器远未达到其能源效率的潜力，障碍是缺乏优化的热交换器。该项目将通过开发一种可扩展的高性能蒸发冷却器热交换器材料，直接解决这一关键问题。与传统的蒸发材料相比，所提出的超级吸湿表面不需要水泵不断地湿润热交换器。它们的水接触角为5度，表面饱和度为90%，最小吸湿速度为1厘米/秒，最小单位面积冷却功率为0.2 W/cm2，空气速度为4米/秒，温度为40摄氏度。此外，这个air: TT项目将培养研究生和本科生，以及博士后研究人员，除了他们的研究之外，还具有商业化和创业技能。该项目将邀请空调公司在工业需求和商业化方面指导团队，将这项技术从研究发现转化为商业现实。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating previous NSF discoveries of superwicking surfaces to the production of heat exchangers, the most critical component in evaporative coolers, and subsequently creating Super-Wicking Efficient Evaporative Technology based Air Conditioners (SWEET-ACs). The SWEET-AC concept is important because it will deliver an energy efficient and environmentally friendly cooling technology. Continuous increases in median global temperatures, hikes in energy prices, widespread water shortages, and climate change issues all will lead to a demand for higher energy efficiency products. Compared to conventional vapor compressor-based air conditioners, the SWEET-ACs will have an enhanced cooling efficiency while producing a minimal carbon footprint in order to meet market demands and societal needs. This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application. Conventional vapor compression air-conditioning systems consume a large amount of electrical energy and have a detrimental impact on the environment. Direct and indirect evaporative cooling technologies can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to the conventional ACs. However, current evaporative coolers are far from reaching their potential in energy efficiency and the hurdle is the lack of optimized heat exchangers. This project will directly address this key issue by developing a scalable and high performance heat exchanger material for evaporative coolers. In contrast to conventional evaporation materials, the proposed superwicking surfaces do not require water pump to constantly wet the heat exchangers. They will have a water contact angle of 5 degrees, a surface saturation of 90%, a minimum wicking speed of 1 cm/sec, and a minimum unit area cooling power of 0.2 W/cm2 for an air velocity of 4 m/sec at 40 C. In addition, this AIR: TT project will train graduate and undergraduate students, and postdoctoral researchers with commercialization and entrepreneurship skills in additional to their research. The project will engage air conditioner companies to guide the team in industrial requirements and commercialization aspects in this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality.