1. Micromanufacturing for Energy Efficiency
70% reduction in hard disk’s dimension leads to 75% reduction in energy required to operate it. [Seagate]
200 µm wide channels
Array Microchannel
(107 microchannels)
3’x3’x24”
300 µm thickness
Example: Micro-channel heat exchangers have demonstrated heat fluxes 3 to 5 times higher than conventional heat exchangers [Paul 2005]
Energy efficiency
Energy generation
Energy storage
IMPACT

2. Specific challenge
Energy efficiency, energy storage and energy generation
Idea for meeting the challenge
Attack the problem at the micro-level while the accumulated effect is at the macro-level
Approach
Innovative micro-manufacturing technologies for high volume production
What is the manufacturing challenge?
Fabricate millions of thin stocks with thousands of microchannels or micro-features within a few microns accuracy
Perfect bounding of those thin stocks
High temperature and high pressure applications