| Why Microtechnology? |
Microtechnology greatly increases heat and mass transfer rates. This results in highly efficient devices for chemical and thermal systems. These devices can be mass-produced using PNNL's patented "sheet architecture" [U.S. Patent No. 5,611,214 (Issued March 18, 1997) and U.S. Patent No. 5,811,062 (Issued September 22, 1998)] to produce very efficient, compact, and cost-effective systems. We are making microchannel heat exchangers, heat pumps, gas absorbers, gas adsorbers, liquid-liquid extractors, chemical reactors, combustors, catalytic reactors, enzymatic reactors, and microactuators for pumps, valves and compressors. In addition to our "sheet architecture" we have pioneered microfabrication methods for these microdevices. Our laboratories use state-of-the-art technology in conventional machining (slitting saw), photolithography, non-reactive ion etching and chemical etching, electrodischarge machining (EDM), and photoablation by excimer laser. We make microdevices using copper, aluminum, stainless steel, high-temperature alloys, plastics, and ceramics.
Micro Chemical and Thermal Systems (MICRO-CATS) offer a number of benefits:
Just as rapid advances in microelectronics have revolutionized computers, appliances, communication systems and many other devices, PNNL's efforts in creating MICRO-CATS will revolutionize heat exchangers, heat pumps, combustors, gas absorbers, solvent extractors, fuel processors, and many other devices. These lightweight, compact and high-performance systems will have many important applications in transportation, buildings, military, environmental restoration, space exploration, carbon management, and industrial chemical processing.
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