Phase change on demand integrated pressure pump and power plant

David P. Fries, Chad Lembke

Research output: Other contribution

Abstract

Activation of a propellant in a constant volume container causes a phase change material to rapidly expand so that the pressure in the container increases. Programmability and sequential actuation are enabled by patterning the phase change material into the integrated device. The pressure generated may be used to activate an energy transducer such as a high pressure turbine, a piezoelectric material, and an elastic strain material. This provides a hybrid actuation system of electrical energy, pneumatic and hydraulic power. The pressure change in a constant volume container is also harnessed to provide a microbattery.

Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - Mar 1 2011

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