Integrated Heat and Mass Transport Within Sintered Metal Microfibrous Networks

Auburn University, Auburn AL

Investigators

Abstract

This project investigates the transport mechanism and behavior of a new class of microfibrous porous solids. These materials possess heretofore-unavailable combinations of void volume and "active sites" which permit optimization between the intrinsic kinetics of the process and the intraparticle/intrabed heat and mass transport required to feed these "sites." If broadly successful, new classes of materials may result which can sustain selected chemical reactions and associated physical processes at rates per unit volume as much as one- to two- orders-of-magnitude greater than currently available. The broad-based and fundamental impact of these new materials will allow investigation of their application across five normally diverse areas. These include: (1) thermal management systems using microfibrous heat pipe wicks; (2) microfibrous entrapped catalysts and sorbents; (3) microfibrous entrapped electro-catalyst and Faradaic materials, (4) microfibrous metallic filters, and (5) microfibrous entrapped biosupports. Inaugural research activities will focus on: assembling key personnel and training staff; building microfibrous materials; mechanical testing of materials; and studying the structure/property behavior and resulting transport phenomena toward each of the five core scientific areas.