Printed Heat Exchanger

Researchers from the Chair of Electrical Energy Conversion Systems and Drives at Chemnitz University of Technology present printed heat exchangers with a ceramic inner structure for the first time.

Johannes Rudolph and Fabian Lorenz from Chemnitz University of Technology will present the latest advances in 3D multi-material printing: Using highly viscous pastes, which are shaped in layers by an extrusion process and then sintered, the researchers succeeded for the first time in printing special heat exchangers with a ceramic inner structure. "This ensures electrical and chemical insulation of the cooling medium, which opens up new possibilities for cooling power electronic components and in the chemical process industry," explains Johannes Rudolph.

The printed components can withstand temperatures of over 300 °C. Due to the broad interest in 3D multi-material printing, the Chemnitz researchers have already been able to win several industrial partners for cooperation. "The main focus of our work was on the further development of the printing process, which increased process reliability and the quality of the components," says Fabian Lorenz. This brought the two developers of the process one step closer to their goal of industrial applicability.