Energy Systems

Energy Systems research and development in the Department of Mechanical Engineering involves faculty from our materials science, thermal fluid sciences, and design groups. These individuals are exploring a rich array of topics, including energy conversion for power generation and cooling; thermal management in high power dissipation systems; novel functional ceramics for energy conversion; modeling and optimization of heat-activated cooling systems; simulation-based design of oxy-fuel combustion chambers; and wind power. 

Energy Systems projects are funded by a variety of agencies including DARPA, Office of Naval Research, NASA, Department of the Army, DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), NREL, Oregon Office of Energy, and Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnology Institute (ONAMI), as well as by corporate sponsors.

ME faculty working in Energy Systems have authored over 50 refereed articles in journals such as Journal of Power and Energy, Journal of Heat Transfer, Journal of Materials Research, Superconductor Science and Technology, Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Sensors and Actuators, Journal of Microscale Thermophysical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Research and Design, and Journal of Automotive Technology.

ME Energy Systems faculty are also active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Material Research Society, American Ceramic Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).

Associated Faculty

Current Projects

• Computational Analysis of Two-Phase Reacting Flows in Oxy-Fuel Combustors
• Energy Systems Prototype Development
• Expander Development for Small-Scale Power Systems
• Fractal Desorber
• Heat-Activated Heat Pump Systems
• High Heat Flux Thermal Management
• Materials and Characterization Techniques for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
• Microchannel Reactor Development for Biodiesel Production
• Micro Engine Development
• Pyroelectric and Electrocaloric Effects in Active Ceramic Materials
• Robust Design of Portable Cooling Systems
• Wind Energy Database Management

Capabilities

• Ammonia/water and LiBr/water absorption and desorption loops
• Energy systems integration and testing
• Energy systems proof-of-principle demonstration
• Energy systems prototype development
• Microchannel heat transfer device fabrication and testing
• Performance testing of small-scale power systems
• Robust design methodology and implementation techniques
• Second Law analysis
• Single- and two-phase branching microchannel heat sinks and heat exchangers