jpmichau@ualberta.ca
Graduate
BSc in Mechanical Engineering (2016)
Dynamic Thermal Energy Conversion Laboratory

Research Interests : Alternative Energy, Stirling Engines, Low-Grade Geothermal Energy, Heat Transfer

I designed and built an "Opposed Piston" Alpha Stirling Engine to run off a low-grade temperature source below 100°C. The engine was built using advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, as well as standard components, in order to allow for a rapid design to manufacturing cycle. Areas such as mechanical friction, gas sealing, and heat transfer were important in the design of the engine. Performance testing of the engine will be investigated.
I have also looked into characterizing the performance of radiators in the oscillating flows that occur inside a Stirling engine. Experiments were conducted by measuring the temperature of the gas downstream of the radiators with steady, pulsatile, and oscillating flows conditions at varying frequencies in order to understand the heat transfer performance of the radiators used in the opposed piston alpha Stirling engine.