Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Technology Category/Market
Chemical Engineering- Condenser, heat pipes
Electronics– Cooling system for Processors inbuilt in tablets and mobiles
Industry- Testing Equipment i.e., Condenser used in Space applications, cooling devices used in Tablets, Mobiles
Applications–Horizontal or inverted oriented Condenser, Condenser for Space applications for Humidity and Thermal Management, Environmental Control Applications, a two-phase cooling device, a spray cooling system for thermal management, and Cooling System for Processors inbuilt in tablets, mobiles.
Market–The global thermal management market was valued at USD 10.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 19.3 billion by 2028, a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period.
Targeted Industries
Watermarking IP design,
Electronic circuits
Image Gallery
Problem Statement
- The concept of liquid removal from a horizontal surface and the harness of liquid are important factor in space application to maintain the perfect operation.
- In the existing condenser, the condensates had removed by external force or gravity and such a mode of removal was impossible for horizontal orientation surface under micro gravity conditions.
- In space application, maintenance of humidity and temperature of the international space station or space shuttle is necessary and important.
- Further, the increase in humidity was causing water accumulation on electronic devices, inside the space shuttle which further leads to short circuit and the possibility of igniting a fire.
- Furthermore, warm and high humidity conditions can lead to the growth of micro-organisms within the space station, and human gets sick after inhaling those microorganisms.
- Therefore, there is a need for a device and method to address above issues.
Technology
- The present invention relates to a platform and method for thermal and humidity management in condensation application.
- The claimed platform (or a device) and method are used for removing the liquids without any external force or gravity.
- The device comprises a substrate and a wicking reservoir for displacing liquids and removing the liquids.
- The substrate comprising a wettability patterned surface which comprises of one super hydrophobic region and the liquid displacement occurs due to surface forces resulting from the wettability patterned surface.
- The wicking reservoir is placed around the surface in such a manner that the liquid displaced to outer edges of substrate is absorbed by wicking reservoir.
- Further a method for designing and fabrication of said platform is claimed in the invention. FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b): Illustrates a platform or device to remove liquid without any external force.
Key Features/Value Proposition
- The present invention is achieved a complete passive displacement of liquids on the platform.
- The platform can be displaced and removed liquids continuously from the platform surface without flooding the liquid in the horizontally oriented surface or a surface.
- The effective exchanged of heat can be accomplished with the surrounding fluid media in the surface.
- The surface comprises super hydrophilic patterns laid on a super hydrophobic or hydrophobic background.
- The platform and method are used for removing the liquids without any external force or zero-gravity condition.
- Important element i.e. the wicking material is placed surrounding the substrate in order to absorb the accumulated liquid from the side edges of the surface.
- The absorbed liquid from the wicking material can be displaced or stored to other locations and the displaced liquid can be recycled for different purpose.
- Excellent features are discussed on thermal and humidity management for condensation application, applicable in space application like space shuttle.
- The condensation experimental test results are shown to provide more clarity.
- FIG: 2A and 2B Illustrates time lapse images of condensation test on the substrate for pattern P1 and pattern P2.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research lab
Prof. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Property
IDF Ref: 2308
IN 202241019050
Technology Readiness Level
TRL- 3/4
Proof of Concept Ready & tested and validated in Laboratory stage.