The
Energy Laboratory at the Mechanical Engineering Department
started its
research and educational activities on advanced energy systems and
heat transfer applications in 1993 through a joint project on metal
hydride energy systems between UNM and Thermal Electric Devices, Inc.
of Albuquerque. The Energy Laboratory provides research and development
of new systems along with components for industry and government.
Also, through an educational training program, the Energy laboratory
produces well-trained and creative engineering professionals.
Research
in the field of energy is concentrated in two general areas
of heat transfer applications and energy system analysis and utilization.
- Heat Transfer
The research activities
are concentrated in the areas radiation transport calculations, radiation
and conduction heat transfer calculations, and heat and mass transfer
in solid/gas reacting systems. The results of the research have contributed
to advancement of knowledge in diverse fields of nuclear engineering,
heat transfer enhancement, design of heat exchangers, combustion and
metal hydride energy systems. Some specific research topics are:
- Heat and
mass transfer in metal hydride refrigeration and heat pump systems
- Heat transfer
enhancement
- Microelectronic
cooling
- Heat Exchangers
- Ignition
and combustion of energetic materials.
- Energy Systems and
Utilization
Research activities in the area of energy is concentrated in energy
system design and optimization. Energy system design is usually based
on the criteria of power, efficiency, economics, and environmental
considerations. The proper definition of efficiency is based on the
second law of thermodynamics and energy systems must be optimized
with the objective of minimum entropy production. Research activities
also include advanced energy systems, energy utilization and environmental
considerations.
Some specific research topics are:
- Second-law
analysis of energy systems
- Energy systems
design and optimization
- Metal hydride
energy systems
- Heat recovery
systems
- Thermal energy
storage
- Solar energy
- Solid polymer
fuel cells.
Research/Educational
Sponsors/Collaborators have been:
- Department of Energy,
National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL)
- National Science Foundation
(NSF)/ HySorb Technology, Inc.
- National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA)/PURSUE Program
- National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA)/NMSGC Program
- Thermal Electric Devices,
Inc.
- Department of Energy (DOE)/Sandia
National Laboratories
- Department of Energy (DOE)/
Los Alamos National Laboratory
- U.S. Air Force Research
Laboratory
- MaxStor, Inc.
- Artificial Muscles Research
Institute of the University of New Mexico
- The Public Service Company
of New Mexico (PNM)
- Norwegian University of
Science and Technology (NUST).
Publications
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