Team IL2

Next generation solar collectors

Project Description

The instructional lab 2 (IL2) Engineering Service Learning team focuses on the design and construction of a next-generation, high-efficiency solar-collector to be used in multiple engineering-heat-transfer instructional labs as well as in UC Merced research projects.  The high-efficiency collector projects efficiencies of 40 percent compared to existing solar collectors currently in use today. The high-efficiency solar collector will utilize significant technical engineering, communication, planning and operational skill sets.

Faculty Advisor: Professor Gerardo Diaz Interests: Energy conversion systems Dynamic simulation and control of thermal systems Adaptive thermal networks Absorption chillers and heat pumps Vapor compression systems with alternate refrigerants Microchannel heat exchangers Artificial neural networks and genetic algorithm for optimization of thermal components

Community Partner: UC Merced Engineering Instructional Lab

Team Biographies