You are here

Construct and Field Test a High Productivity Whole Tree Harvester For Biomass Production

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG03-01ER83278
Agency Tracking Number: 65797S01-I
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2001
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
7960 South Kolb Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jared Sommer
 Senior Research Scientist
 (520) 574-1980
 mercorp@mercorp.com
Business Contact
 James Withers
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (520) 574-1980
Email: jcwithers@mercorp.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

65797 Metal nanoparticles incorporated in heat-transfer fluids at very low solid volume fractions (<1%) have been shown to be effective in substantially increasing the fluid thermal conductivity. However, the testing and utilization of these nanofluids have been hampered by the availability of the nanoparticles themselves. This project will develop a process for producing large quantities of metallic nanoparticles, both spherical and elongated, for use in nanofluids. The process will demonstrate that nanoparticles can be synthesized with diameters below 10nm using a modified electrospinning technique and can be successfully dispersed within the heat transfer fluid. Due to low equipment costs, the process can be scaled up to produce commercial quantities of the nanofluid. Spherical and elongated metallic nanoparticles will be synthesized in Phase I. Testing will be performed to confirm the improved thermal conductivity of the nanofluid. Scale-up of the process will also be investigated. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: High conductivity heat transfer fluids will have a major impact in commercial industries, particularly in the electronics, automotive, and manufacturing sectors of the economy. The nanoparticles and nanofibers can also be used as catalysts, microfilters, insulation, composite reinforcement, and microsensors

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government