Microvascular hybrid composites for thermal energy collection

We investigated the internal thermal transport properties of 8-ply, autoclave-cured, IM-7/977-2 carbon-fiber epoxy, quasi-isotropic laminates with metallic-lined microchannels as means for thermal energy collection. In cases where widespread incorporation of thermal harvesting devices is prohibited by cost, design or processing complexity; the overall amount and efficiency of thermal energy conversion may be enhanced with an embedded thermal energy collection system. For a single 103 ID /203 μm OD channel with a length of 15.2 cm, it was observed that ∼1.4 and 2.7 W could be collected for a temperature difference of 26°C and 46 °C, respectively, between the outer surfaces in still air and the initial fluid temperature at the mid-plane. Using a developed analytical thermal model and thermography, it was determined that the total internal thermal resistance was dominated by the composite "fin" resistance and that arrays of collection channels could significant enhance thermal energy harvesting as well as internally cool the panel.