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Combined waste heat recovery and compact cooling with Pyroelectric-Oscillating Heat Pipe (POHP) system for low temperature thermal to electrical energy conversion

Objective

This Proof of Concept will exploit pyroelectric harvesting in the emerging market of oscillating heat pipes (OHPs) that can be used for cooling of electronics, lighting, solar panel and batteries. The application areas for oscillating heat pipes include thermal management of microprocessors, mobile computing devices, and LEDs, which all require small heat transfer devices. Larger electronic systems that require cooling include voltage transformers and current rectifiers, since most of the modern electronics require a direct current (DC). Solar panels and batteries benefit from OHP thermal management since an increase in temperature significantly reduces the efficiency and lifetime of the devices. Our proof of concept approach is to combine OHPs with a pyroelectric harvester to provide both thermal management and energy generation. The OHP is used to remove heat from a system to provide cooling and the naturally high temperature fluctuations in the OHP can be simultaneously transformed into useful electricity and fed back into the system to improve battery lifetime for mobile devices or reduce power demand. We will develop an industrial scaled integrated cooling and heat recovery unit utilising the abundantly available heat through an OHP in order to drive a pyroelectric generator and effectively cool heat-concentrated areas without mechanical motion, while also generating electricity locally from the otherwise wasted heat. The project contains technical and commercial activities to demonstrate the feasibility of POHP to provide cooling and harvested power. This involves the development of prototypes to showcase the potential of the technology, undertaking market analysis, end-user identification, marketing/dissemination, competitor analysis and potential business models to provide a bridge between technical development and a market ready solution.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2017-PoC

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Host institution

UNIVERSITY OF BATH
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 149 424,00
Address
CLAVERTON DOWN
BA2 7AY BATH
United Kingdom

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Region
South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 149 424,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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