Project Category: Current Projects

ENIGMATIC Project Overview: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions in Thermoelectric Manufacturing”

In a world grappling with unprecedented climate challenges, European Thermodynamics Limited steps boldly into the future with the Enigmatic project—an ambitious initiative poised to redefine the landscape of thermoelectric manufacturing while addressing critical environmental concerns.

Unveiling ENIGMATIC: A Revolution in Thermoelectric Solutions

The Enigmatic project represents a beacon of innovation in the specialised field of thermoelectric management. Confronting both the climate crisis and supply chain disruptions impacting the industry, seeks to provide a resilient UK-based manufacturing solution.

Sustainability at its Core: Reducing Waste through ENIGMATIC

Central to Enigmatic’s project mission is a commitment to reducing material wastage—a challenge currently affecting traditional manufacturing methods. With over 50% of materials wasted through conventional approaches, this project introduces an industrial-scale net-shape sintering process that significantly minimises material losses, aligning with principles of sustainability and environmental consciousness.

 

European Thermodynamic Limited was founded in 2001, a privately owned company, headquartered in Kibworth, Leicester, which specialises in bespoke thermal management products and solutions. With a team of 25 full and part-time staff, we have achieved an annual turnover of £4.2 million. Our core competency lies in thermal management solutions and production, catering to low and high-volume demands.

The SpaceTEC project is a strategic initiative aimed at advancing our expertise in thermal management technology, specifically targeting space instruments. With a focus on developing a multi-stage thermoelectric device, the project encompasses various activities such as design, modelling, material procurement, and rigorous testing.

 

Publicity and Engagement: 

The project has received recognition and support from key industry players. We are strategically promoting our initiative by actively participating in relevant events and utilising platforms such as the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the UK Space Agency. Additionally, we plan to spotlight the noteworthy achievements of the SpaceTEC project through a dedicated news article on the European Thermodynamic Limited (ETL) website. This article will underscore the project’s significance and establish a seamless link for broader outreach on the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the UK Space Agency platforms.

Future Exploitation and Market Engagement: 

As we project beyond the immediate scope of the current initiative, our strategic focus revolves around active engagement with the space sector. The objective is to generate preliminary data sheets and reliability reports tailored specifically for space instruments. The identification and branding of standard space sector devices under our Adaptive brand, featuring SpaceTEC incorporation, will serve as a pivotal step in solidifying and expanding our presence in the market.

Anticipating the success of our technological advancements, we are poised to scale our technology into low-medium volume markets. Initial validation efforts within burgeoning sectors such as optoelectronics, 5G, and LIDAR will strategically position us for potential high-volume production. This forward-looking approach aligns with our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological evolution.

Contemplating the potential spin-off of our TEC device manufacturing, we have taken proactive steps by pre-registering a dedicated company and securing domain names. This foresighted strategy is driven by our exploration of avenues for securing the necessary capital investment to facilitate the scaling of our production capabilities for high-volume demands.

A meticulous dissemination plan has been outlined to ensure that the outcomes of our project, including data sheets, reports, and valuable lessons learned, reach not only the targeted audience within the space sector but also resonate beyond. This approach is integral to sharing our technological achievements and insights with a wider community.

The purpose of the SYNTECS project is to develop innovative solutions with the potential for future commercialisation. Key objectives include the demonstration of SYNTECS technology for thermal management, exploring applications of SYNTECS technology in heat pipe and vapour chamber systems, and providing guidance on heat pipe features and structure. Additionally, the project aims to support process innovation for manufacturing and explore the use of foil-based heat pipe heat spreaders for small consumer products, such as mobile phones. 

Goals:

• Deliver the Syntecs project to a high standard within the specified timeframe.
• Build brand awareness for SYNTECS technology.
• Establish SYNTECS as an industry leader in thermal management solutions.

European Thermodynamics Limited (ETL) is delighted to announce the recent award of a significant research contract by the European Space Agency (ESA). This project, named “StarTracker,” is dedicated to the development of cutting-edge thermoelectric coolers tailored specifically for Star Tracker applications. StarTracker signifies a critical milestone in ETL’s unwavering commitment to pioneering thermal management solutions at the forefront of innovation. 

Project Description: Star Trackers are essential components in space exploration, serving as the celestial navigation system for spacecraft. They play a pivotal role in accurately determining a spacecraft’s orientation by precisely measuring the positions of stars. ETL’s research contract with ESA is poised to address a crucial aspect of Star Tracker technology in thermal management. 

The purpose of the Hilux project is to develop and integrate solid-state semiconductor thermoelectric generator (TEG) units into the exhaust system of vehicles, specifically targeting the improvement of energy efficiency in the automotive industry. 

The purpose of the Hilux project is to develop and integrate solid-state semiconductor thermoelectric generator (TEG) units into the exhaust system of vehicles, specifically targeting the improvement of energy efficiency in the automotive industry. 

Toyota, in collaboration with European Thermodynamics Limited and other industry leaders, has unveiled a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Hilux pickup. This project represents a significant step towards achieving zero-carbon emissions and sustainable automotive technology. European Thermodynamics Limited, renowned for its expertise in thermal management solutions, is a key partner in this consortium. 

The project aims to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Toyota Hilux, with funding from the UK Government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). This initiative aligns with the trend towards sustainable transportation and underscores Toyota’s commitment to shaping the future of mobility. 

European Thermodynamics Ltd will contribute to the project by exploring reversible fan and multi-fan solutions to enhance the thermal management efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell system, potentially improving the overall performance and viability of the hydrogen-powered Hilux. 

This collaborative effort showcases what can be achieved when industry leaders combine their expertise. The prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hilux stands as a testament to innovation, sustainability, and shared goals. 

Everyone wants to be comfortable in their car. However, the range of an electric vehicle can drop by around 20% when heating and cooling of the occupants is required. At European Thermodynamics Ltd we are developing heating and cooling technology directly integrated into seats. This reduces the power requirements, increasing the range, by focusing the heating and cooling on where it is most needed for comfort – the people. This technology works by using our novel flexible thermoelectric technology, allowing more efficient cooling and heating than alternative air movement systems. This approach has additional advantages, allowing more rapid temperature changes, including even before starting the car, and different seats can be set to different temperatures, simplifying the central HVAC system. 

In the pursuit of comfortable electric vehicle (EV) travel, one significant challenge has been the impact of heating and cooling systems on the vehicle’s range. The need to maintain a comfortable temperature for occupants can reduce an EV’s range by up to 20%. European Thermodynamics Ltd (ETL) is addressing this challenge with an innovative solution known as Flexitec. 

Key Innovations: Flexitec leverages ETL’s cutting-edge flexible thermoelectric technology, setting it apart from conventional air-based climate control systems.

Flexitec is a game-changer in the world of EVs. By addressing the challenge of climate control more efficiently and effectively, it directly contributes to extending the range of electric vehicles. This breakthrough technology promises a more comfortable and customisable in-car experience while promoting sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of EV travel. 

Purpose: The ATLAS project, funded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s APC21 round, aims to advance vehicle propulsion technology. Building on the success of a previous project involving a 132kW tractor powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), the project seeks to develop a larger, high-energy-density fuel storage system. This system utilizes cryogenic liquid methane and innovative vaporization techniques to fuel a 199kW engine efficiently.

Deliverables: ETL, a specialist in solid-state semiconductor thermoelectric generator units, will contribute to the project by integrating these units into the exhaust system to enhance the vehicle’s energy efficiency.

Story: ETL’s thermoelectric devices have the potential for various high-temperature cooling applications, including medical and oil and gas sectors. They can control sensitive instruments in extreme environments, such as logging instruments, and enable energy harvesting from pipelines and downhole sensors. This project serves as an initial application, with the potential to scale production in the UK. Success in industrial waste heat and energy harvesting applications is expected to drive up production volume, reduce costs, and broaden access. 

The project has links with the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), which can assist with communications and marketing. It’s part of APC’s commitment to promoting projects and companies in the field of advanced propulsion.  

The Albatross project is a collaborative effort that brings together 21 organizations from 10 different countries. 

ETL is an SME specialising in solid-state semiconductor thermoelectric generator units and aims to improve vehicle energy efficiency by integrating these units into the exhaust system. The primary purpose is to achieve several key deliverables: 

1. Sales of a unique, optimised TEG energy recovery system.
2. Validation of TEGs in a harsh off-road environment to assess vibration resilience and obtain resulting intellectual property (IP).
   
3. Collection of data from validation activities conducted on benches and in the field.
4. Enhancement of production processes to ensure thermo-electric device supply security through UK manufacturing.
5. Establishment of a UK supply chain by developing local suppliers and forming partnerships with companies like Kennametal, South Wales, for hot press and spark plasma sintering. 

European Thermodynamic Limited’s Involvement

ETL focuses on embedded thermal component parametric analysis, loop heat pipe cooling systems, and the optimisation of combined thermal systems.

The objectives involve advancing baseline cooling solutions with various technologies, including thermal interface materials, heat spreaders, vapour chambers, heat pipes, and loop heat pipes.

The Spitfire project aims to develop an affordable, low-emission biomass-pellet burning clean cookstove for institutional use in Sub-Saharan Africa. This cookstove will generate surplus electricity and improve access to clean energy for social institutions. 

Spitfire will revolutionize access to clean energy for social institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa by delivering an affordable, low-emission, IoT-integrated biomass-pellet-burning cookstove. This sector currently relies heavily on charcoal stoves, which are both environmentally damaging and costly. Spitfire will introduce a breakthrough innovation as the first biomass-burning stove with a TEG-powered fan designed for everyday institutional use. 

The primary objective is to create clean energy that is:

• Affordable: Financing models will allow low-income institutions to spread upfront costs over monthly installments using savings from switching to cost-effective biomass pellets.
• Reliable: The SPITFIRE stove can operate without an external electricity supply and generate surplus power for lighting and appliance charging, as well as providing heated water.
• Low-carbon: Each SPITFIRE stove, using sustainably-produced biomass pellets instead of charcoal, can mitigate 18 tonnes of CO2 per year, with the potential for significant impact (1.5Mt/year, 80,000 stoves)