This technology exploits enhanced heat transfer resulting from structurally constraining streams to flow in microchannels, which reduces resistance to transferring heat. Fluid flowing through the channels on a plate evaporates or condenses, and heat is transferred. Micro heat exchangers have been demonstrated with high convective heat transfer coefficients (10,000 to 35,000 watts/m2-°C, or about one order of magnitude higher than typically seen in conventional heat exchanger hardware) with low pressure drops (typically 1 to 2 psi). This technology has a high potential for mass production, and can be used anywhere heat exchange would be beneficial, such as in automobiles, commercial and residential heating/cooling, manufacturing, and cooling electronics.
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