Graphene based crycooler compressor

Important results from the project

APR Technologies develops a miniaturized compressor with no moving parts, powered by thermal energy. Graphene-based film (GBF) is seen as a suitable material for the critical component that will ensure the compressor needs of internally extremely high thermal conductivity. It is really the combination of very high thermal conductivity and the possibility of an adapted permeability to gases that make graphene based films to a unique candidate materials. In the project, we take a great technological leap forward and verifies operation of all included component parts.

Expected long term effects

In the project graphene based films with properties that are better than the commercially available alternatives have been developed. These films have been integrated with other constituent materials and for the first time demonstrated gas compression in an integrated and connected in series, cascade of Knudsenkompressors. The compressor has been iterated and optimized by computer simulation. During the integration work, new methods for processing GBF as well as aerogel composites are developed.

Approach and implementation

APR Technologies has been responsible for project management and system perspective while SHT together with Chalmers has developed appropriate graphene based films. They have also provided the project with a graphene based thermally conductive adhesive. The handling of graphene-based films is difficult because they are fragile, therefore we have developed methods for both precision-cutting, contacting, assembly/lamination and incremental testing. The system integration was more difficult than planned and several problems during system integration has been resolved.