UAF awarded grant to commercialize prototype heat exchanger

October 8, 2019

University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher David Denkenberger has been awarded a grant to help commercialize a new patented heat exchanger design.

Heat exchangers transfer heat between liquids and gases and are used in many applications, including power plants, cars and air conditioners. Denkenberger, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, created a prototype of his new exchanger using laser welding and plastic garbage bags. The grant will be used to improve, mass produce and commercialize the design.

Denkenberger was awarded a $60,000 grant in September from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Support from the Alaska Regional Collaboration for Technology Innovation and Commercialization program, an Office of Naval Research initiative, will provide matching funds for the effort.

Moses Lee, the Murdock Trust senior director of scientific research and enrichment programs, said the design is an excellent candidate to pivot from research to commercial applications. In Alaska, such technology may allow coastal communities to use waste heat from diesel generators to power large cooling systems at seafood processing plants.

“Successful implementation of the heat exchanger technology will not only impact refrigeration needs in Alaska, but also worldwide,” Lee said.