An innovated method to monitor the health condition of the thermoelectric cooling system using nanocomposite‐based CNTs

Abstract

Summary Many crucial applications use the thermoelectric coolers (TECs) system because they have some desirable properties, including durability, reliability, simple structure, and quietness. However, the performance of TECs is sensitive to any form of change and needs to be monitored constantly to ensure that they are working at their optimal. This paper proposes a novel approach for condition monitoring. This novel approach, unlike other attempts, does not need additional sensors but is directly carried out through the exploitation of the multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) piezoresistive property. For the suggested approach, a polyurethane (PU) resin was altered using various MWCNTs concentrations with the aim of constructing self‐sensing nanocomposites sensors whose electrical conductivity is high. To investigate the electrical properties and microstructure of the constructed sensor, electrical resistance measurement, and scanning electron microscopy were used. From the results, it can be concluded that as the thickness increased, conductivity exhibited a monotonic increase. The peak electrical conductivity was 2.55 S.cm−1 for the 3.1 mm‐thick MWCNTs sensors. This is approximately 5.1 above that of the 0.6 mm‐thick MWCNTs sensors. Added to this, the MWCNT/PU sensors exhibited a high‐temperature sensitivity with a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The normalised resistance obtained from the sensor with the uppermost MWCNTs concentration is lower in comparison to the sensors with lower concentrations of MWCNTs. Additionally, the TEC cooling temperature influence on the tunnelling distance between MWCNTs was analytically estimated. This study's numerical results indicate that there is a potential correlation between TEC cooling generated temperature and the variations noted in the tunnelling distance between MWCNTs with an explicit impact on the general nanocomposite sensors changes in electric resistance when the TEC system is in service.

An overview of Mechanical properties of Nano-composites

“…However, only a few published models offered a thorough justification for the CNT reinforced MMNCs' strengthening mechanism. To evaluate the elastoplastic behaviour of CNT reinforced MMNCs, Barai and Weng [62] created a two-scale model, taking into account the interface characteristics and CNT aggregation as the two key elements impacting the load transfer. The effect of both the matrix grain size and the filler size on the strengthening process of metal/CNT nanocomposites was incorporated in a dislocation model created by Dong et al [63].…”

Improving the Effectiveness of Heat Pipe solar Connector by using Nano fluid

“…The captured solar energy is transferred from the circulating fluid either directly to the hot water or space conditioning equipment, or to a thermal energy storage tank from which it can be pulled to be used at night or on overcast days. Improved output temperatures and higher collector efficiency in the power cycle result from greater heat transfer to fluid [22]. Therefore, the main issue is how to make this device more effective at converting solar energy into https://doi.org/10.47709/brilliance.v2i3.1716 173 thermal or electrical energy.…”

Use of Nano composites in industries

“…have all been used to characterize the nanocomposites. Nanostructures and crystallite structures in various nanocomposites have recently been quantitatively characterized using simultaneous small angle X ray scattering (SAXS) and X ray diffractometry (XRD) studies [26][27][28]. In a nutshell, single-walled carbon nanotubes have a density that is less than one-sixth that of steel, whereas multi-walled carbon nanotubes have a density that is half that of aluminum.…”