5 January 2007
folder [featCategs]
Nanotechnology could halve hvac energy use
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A company developing nanotechnology which, it is claimed, could make hvacr equipment at least 50% more efficient, is set to establish its headquarters in Cambridge.
The company, Airnatech, was set up following investment by the US Bridgehead Group in UK company Airnacon and Danish company NIL Technology.
The nano copper technology is the brainchild of Dr J H Lee, an ex-NASA scientist that helped develop the powerless cooling technology for the US space shuttle. Dr Lee developed the copper that goes into the heat exchangers, while NIL technology will provide the nano structures that go inside the copper.
This copper, the company claims, is around 40 times more effective in transferring heat than materials conventionally used, cutting the amount of electrical power needed and therefore reducing the total amount of energy consumed by air conditioners worldwide.