Mr. Raul E. Zimmerman Profile

Raul E. Zimmerman

at Univ of New South Wales

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Proceedings Article | 11 January 2008 Paper

A micro solar heater for portable energy generation

Raúl Zimmerman, Graham Morrison, Owen The, Gary Rosengarten

Proceedings Volume 6800, 68001A (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.759263

KEYWORDS: Solar energy, Glasses, Hydrogen, Microfabrication, Sun, Heat flux, Coating, Thermoelectric materials, Photoresist materials, Solar radiation

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This study presents a new concept that combines microtechnology with solar thermal energy to provide a free portable energy source. A water-methanol mixture flows through an array of parallel microchannels which are fabricated into a silicon matrix using conventional micro-fabrication techniques. A vacuum layer is interposed between the channels and the external surface to thermally insulate the channels from the ambient temperature. A selective coating is deposited on one of the vacuum walls to absorb the short wavelength incoming radiation and reduce the long wavelength radiation, hence reducing the heat losses. A geometry and material optimization is still being developed in order to obtain the highest possible efficiency for the micro-heater, while keeping a low pressure drop in the micro-channels. The methanol outlet temperature is predicted to be higher than 250°C. This temperature is required for hydrogen production in a methanol reforming micro-reactor. Therefore, it is envisaged that the micro-solar heater will supply the thermal energy needed for hydrogen generation, that can later be used as fuel for microfuel cells. Both technologies can be integrated in a portable device.

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