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Information: M.Kevin Drost Center for Microtechnology-Based Energy, Chemical and Biological Systems Oregon State Univ. Corvallis, OR 97331-6001 541.737.2575 541.737.2600 (FAX) mecs@engr.orst.edu |
Microtechnology-Based Energy, Chemical and Biological Systems
MECS Technologies
Currently, Oregon State University has active research programs in microtechnology-based energy, chemical and biological systems.
The research volume for the MECS initiative in Fiscal Year 2002 will exceed $4,000,000. Funding sources include the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and commercial clients. Examples of current research and technology development at OSU include:
| Cell-Based Biosensor - | OSU is developing a sensor for
environmental and biological toxins based on the use of immobilized
fish cells. The fish cells respond to toxins by changing shape. OSU
has developed the technology to transport the cells, expose the
cells to environmental samples, optically monitor the cells and
automatically determine if the cells have responded to a toxin. We
envision the cell-based biosensor being used to identify biological
hazards in medical applications (hospitals etc.), buildings and for
the military.
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| Microtechnology-Based Heat Actuated Heat Pumps - |
Working with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), OSU has been funded by the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to develop microtechnology-based heat actuated heat pumps for man portable cooling, vehicle cooling and distributed space conditioning. The key to portable applications of cooling is the development of a compact heat actuated heat pump that does not require electric power or shaft work. This eliminates the need for a portable power source needed by a vapor-compression cycle. Power sources (either batteries or power generators) tend to be heavy relative to the simple combustion equipment using in a heat actuated system. Previous research has shown with the inclusion of thermoelectric generators, the heat-actuated heat pumps can be completely independent of power sources. The key challenge is to develop a compact, orientation independent heat actuated cooling system. While we are developing several alternative systems, they all share the use of microtechnology-base heat and mass transfer enhancements to minimize the size and weight of the cooling systems. |
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| High Temperature Intermetallic Structures - | Intermetallic materials are a
mixture of two or more metals that are processes so that they form a
ceramic-like chemical bond. Consequently, intermetallic materials
have properties similar to ceramics. Typically intermetallics have
strength at high temperature and are chemically inert, allowing
applications with chemically aggressive fluids. However, as with
ceramics, intermetallics are difficult to bond and machine. By using
microlamination of precursor metals followed by the conversion to
intermetallics, OSU and the Albany Research Center of the Department
of Energy have develop and demonstrated approaches for forming
complete microstructures from intermetallic materials. The use of
microlamination avoids the need for machining or bonding of
intermetallics. This development opens new possibilities for high
temperature microchannel heat exchangers and microchannel catalytic
reactors. Currently OSU is developing a high temperature catalytic
micro reactor for environmental remediation applications.
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| Fractal MECS Devices - | It can be shown that a fractal
architecture is the optimum approach to minimize pressure drop when
we are interested in distributing a fluid throughout a volume. Based
on this insight, OSU is developing microchannel heat exchangers, micro
mixers and micro channel catalytic reactors based on a fractal architecture.
In addition to minimizing pressure drop, fractal devices can be designed
to provide extremely uniform thermal and mass flux. Fractal MECS devices
have been fabricated, simulated and tested at OSU.
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| Catalytic Microreactors for Distributed Remediation of Hazardous Waste - | OSU is developing a range of
catalytic microreactors for distributed in-situ processing of
hazardous waste. An example of this class of microreactors is a
small catalytic microreactor for dechorination of p-chorophenal. The
system is capable of destroying PCB contaminated liquid waste. When
integrated with filters and pumps this device could be used to
decontaminate PCB contaminated liquids in-situ, avoiding the need to
recover and transport the contaminated material to a central
facility.
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| Sub Watt Microscale Combustion Systems - | OSU has developed and
demonstrated extremely small-scale combustion systems capable of
producing less then 1 watt of thermal energy. The combustion systems
include catalytic combustion integrated with microscale regenerative
heat exchangers and state-of-the-art thermal insulation. The
combustion system can be used as a heat source for microscale
electric power generation, microscale process heat applications or
propulsion.
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| Thermal Management for High Temperature Microscale Energy and Chemical Systems - | In addition to combustion, there are a number of cases where we would like to operate small energy and chemical systems at high-temperatures (< 600 C). The technical feasibility of these applications, to a great extent, depends on our ability to minimize thermal losses. OSU is developing thermal management technology that includes microchannel heat exchangers, vacuum insulation, and system integration focused on minimizing thermal losses. |
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