Missouri S&T received a $1.45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to develop more efficient heat exchangers for energy production. Heat exchangers are devices used to transfer heat between two or more fluids and are commonly used in systems such as chemical plants, petroleum refineries, and refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Researchers at S&T will use advanced manufacturing processes to construct compact heat exchangers from ceramic materials that can operate in the extreme environments of next-generation power cycles.

Dr. David W. Lipke, assistant professor of ceramic engineering, serves as principal investigator on the project.

Working with Lipke on the project are:

• Gregory E. Hilmas, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of ceramic engineering and chair of materials science and engineering
• William G. Fahrenholtz, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of ceramic engineering and director of Missouri S&T’s Materials Research Center
• Ming C. Leu, Keith and Pat Bailey Professor of Integrated Product Manufacturing and director of Missouri S&T’s Intelligent Systems Center
• Jeremy Watts, research assistant professor of materials science and engineering.

The Missouri S&T team will work with researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Echogen Power Systems to develop marketable technologies based on the outcomes of this project. Read more.