I’ve written in the past that there are a pile of GE products that have thermal challenges, and our research teams have no shortage of ideas for new thermal technologies to solve these problems. Heat pipes are one such example. A heat pipe is a device that, on the outside, looks like a rod or bar of copper, but appears to have a thermal conductivity that is several times higher than that of copper. But the heat pipe is hollow and on the inside it passively creates a fluid recirculation loop. The fluid is evaporated at the hot end of the heat pipe, travels along its length, re-condenses and the cold end, and then the liquid travels back to the hot side to start the process over again. The liquid carries the heat from one end to the other, and can do so much more efficiently than mere conduction through the solid copper walls. Heat pipes are very common in today’s electronics. In fact, practically every laptop has one or more heat pipes to distribute heat from CPU’s and GPU’s to the heat sinks elsewhere in the laptop.

Meanwhile, the cooling needs of electronics continues to escalate, and existing heat pipes have some limits. In response to these trends, DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, put out a request for teams to develop an advanced Thermal Ground Plane, which in essence is a high performance planar heat pipe. GE was one of the teams selected to attempt to develop such a device.

So here’s what we are going to build. First of interest is the form factor. Most heat pipes are literally pipes, say 6 mm in diameter and a few inches long. But DARPA wanted something that looks more like a circuit board in size and scale. So we are attempting to build a heat pipe that is only 1 mm thick, but is up to 20 cm long. This is very thin! Maintaining structural integrity will be very challenging.

The other big requirement is that this device needs to be able to operate at up to 20 g’s. Depending on orientation, the g-forces can impede and even halt the flow of the liquid in a regular heat pipe, thus stopping the operation of the heat pipe and driving the temperature of the electronics through the roof. There are ways to make heat pipes work at high g’s, but then one must severely de-rate the amount of heat the heat pipe can carry. A major innovation was required.

One of the key points of innovation for this project is to leverage some of our recent advancements in nanotechnology. By carefully inventing and constructing special nano-sized features in various regions of the TGP, we believe we are going to set records for heat fluxes at high g’s.

 The other thing that makes this project very daunting, but very fun, is the wide range of disciplines needed to successfully create the TGP device. A great thing about the GE Global Research Center is that we have just about every type of technologist available. So it is true that some of my thermal experts are working on this project, but they constitute only a fraction of the technologists. We’ve got a team of experts on computational heat transfer methodologies building a new suite of models to predict the performance of our TGP devices. We have chemists who are experts at fabricating new material technologies, and engineers who have devoted their research over the last several years to nano-scale multi-phase heat transfer. And we have packaging experts who are extremely knowledgeable at selecting substrate materials, bonding the TGP packages together, even how to interface the electronics to these devices in the future. Plus we have the pleasure of teaming with the University of Cincinnati and the Air Force Research Lab. The result is a diverse, world-class team of scientists who are tackling a truly hard problem. But when we succeed, you will see our TGP in a wide range of GE’s electronics products!

You may have seen the recent announcement that GE has been selected to negotiate an award with the DOE for demonstration of PHEVs (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). Our proposal relies upon an innovative dual-battery energy storage system capable of forty miles accumulated electric driving range. GE is partnering with Chrysler for this project. Together, we will be looking to demonstrate the right combination of energy storage solutions required for a practical PHEV.

More specifically, our role focuses on development of a dual battery energy storage system and ties into our team of electrochemists and controls engineers here at GE Global Research. Chrysler will be responsible for the vehicle integration and field demonstration. This is an exciting opportunity to work with Chrysler and to demonstrate an economically viable, OEM integrated PHEV within the next 3-5 years.

While our technology developments on electrification and energy storage are primarily focused on core GE business activities in industries such as rail, marine, mining, and energy, we have a long history of working with the automotive industry. We believe we can help make advances to accelerate the realization of PHEVs.

We had a lot of excitement in Biosciences this week around a big feature that appeared in this month’s edition of The Scientist Magazine about GE Healthcare’s Life Sciences business. Several of my colleagues were highlighted in the piece, talking about how we drive R&D for the business.You might even see my name mentioned in there as well. My program area, molecular pathology, was written about as part of the story. In particular, the article highlighted an ongoing partnership with Eli Lilly and Company. We are developing molecular in vitro diagnostics tools to help Lilly evaluate two cancer drugs that they have in clinical trial. The hope is that we can identify new biomarkers, or signatures of cancer disease that will help them determine which patients will respond favorably to their therapies. As we have mentioned before on the blog, we’re seeing a growing convergence of diagnostic companies like GE with pharmaceutical companies like Lilly to support drug development.

With the acquisition of Amersham and other key acquisitions, GE Healthcare has really increased its business presence in the Life Sciences space. An important catalyst for helping to pave the way has been the Research Center. The article does a good job speaking to our contributions and impact.

I encourage everyone to check out the article.

Hi folks. One of the questions I am most often asked about OLEDs is the potential product applications. What are they going to look like as a lighting product? Well, if you want a glimpse into the future of OLED lighting, check out this video our Lighting team put together. It’s pretty cool and really shows some of the exciting lighting applications OLEDs could make possible. Enjoy!

As part of my new role in therapy, one application that the GE-GRC team is looking at is optical imaging for surgical procedure guidance. Kathy Bove in her blog has introduced this great new technology. We have developed a NIR-fluorescence imaging system. When used in conjunction with fluorescence contrast agents it allows a surgeon to simultaneously see surgical anatomy and NIR fluorescence in real-time. If you would like to know more, Siavash Yazdanfar recently wrote an article along with our collaborator John Frangioni from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston, MA about this project.

It’s been a while since the last blog entry for we c…green but it doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy! Just a refresher, we c…green is an employee initiated group at GE Global Research that kicked off in May 2007. Our mission is to help employees minimize their ecological footprint at home, at work, and in the community. We’ve organized many high impact events in 2007 such as a trip to Fenner Wind Farm (outside of Syracuse, NY), Alternative Transportation Week, Local Harvest Dinner, and Green Car Show and Hybrid Test drives.

In 2008, we started off the year by inviting a local farmer to talk to us about the benefits of local food and joining a CSA (community supported agriculture). We c…green members (particularly Maria Latorre) also worked to include GRC as a drop-off location for the weekly vegetable deliveries– both for convenience and to eliminate employees having to drive extra miles to pick up their shares.

We’ve also made progress on the recycling front. During a four-month period, more than 2500 bottles were collected by a volunteer task force and prevented from going to landfills. Through our “Green Cafeteria” initiative, we replaced plastic utensils with reusable ones, thereby preventing 336,000 plastic utensils - the estimated 2007 usage on site - from entering the landfill. Additionally, styrofoam plates, which numbered 119,000 in 2007, have been replaced with biodegradable plates. Other efforts included recycling Styrofoam packing materials and plastic bags in which lab coats and other garments are delivered.

For the second consecutive year, the we c…green ecology team spearheaded an Earth Day effort with the Eastern New York Nature Conservancy to help restore the habitat of the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Thirty-five GE Volunteers planted four pounds of lupine seeds, which will grow into the food source for the Karner Blue Butterfly caterpillars.  We c…green members also removed refuse and cleared trails at the 100-acre Indian Kill Preserve for the Schenectady County Nature Preserve the. The Preserve follows the banks and bluffs of the Indian Kill and encompasses a diverse number of habitats including native hardwood forest, conifer plantations, and wetlands.

We just had our second annual GRC-wide event, “we c…greenathon”. For each day of the week of June 23-27^th, we focused on a different initiative, recycling, ecology, transportation, and eco@work. We also had an interactive display of the EPA’s carbon calculator for employees to calculate their household carbon consumption. On recycling day, we gave away reusable shopping bags and information on recycling centers within their county. Ecology day showcased efforts of the “Green Cafeteria” and solicited volunteers for the upcoming GRC employee farmers market. On Eco@work day, our facilities team showed our current energy consumption breakdown and future plan for adopting renewable energy at GRC On transportation day, we show-cased 9 employee’s green cars, including four hybrids and a truck running home-made biodiesel. They also test drove a Saturn Vue, a Toyota Prius, and a Nissan Altima Hybrid. Check out the picture from this year’s green car show.

Just as last year, we had an idea wall where employees could post their thoughts on how to be more eco-friendly. In exchange, the idea generator got a reusable mug, which will get them a discount for drinks at the cafeteria. We had ideas ranging from work 4 ten hours days to harvesting energy from breathing. We also raffled off a compact fluorescent 3-pack, a programmable thermostat, a battery charger with rechargeable batteries, and the book “Green Remodeling” by John D. Wagner. Needless to say, the greenathon was a great success where we generated a lot of interest in the employees and collected potentially high impact ideas that may help the planet now and in the future. At GE Global Research, we not only develop products that help the environment, we also use our imagination to create a more sustainable way of living. We c….green, what do you see?

In the days leading up to the cricket challenge match with GE Energy, I find that the ten-day and hour-by-hour weather forecasts suddenly take on critical importance. With this being the third annual challenge with our GE neighbors in the adjacent town, the planning runs pretty much like clockwork now, with bad weather as the only potential obstacle. The British are famous for constantly talking about the weather, so this event helps me get back to my roots!

 We knew it would be difficult to retain the trophy after losing two of our key players from 2007, one of whom was rubbing salt into our wounds by lining up against us this year. But our hopes of victory were buoyed by the addition of several good new players. I think I like our new hiring strategy.

 The typical crowd for the cricket matches I played in Scotland only very rarely made it into double-figures, so it really adds to the occasion when you arrive at the game to see tents, commentators and enough spectators to warrant the word crowd. And there were even pre-match introductions. Makes you feel like a star… very briefly.

Our match was scheduled for a maximum of 25 overs (comprising of six balls, or pitches) per side, or until all of the batsmen are out. Just as a calibration, last year the game was very close with both teams just crossing the century mark (I know it sounds like a lot when you’re used to baseball).

Energy batted first, but we got off to a good start, restricting them to just 47 runs at the halfway mark, having already dismissed four of their batsmen. What followed was a blur. Our former colleague Rohinton started the onslaught, which was prolonged (and then prolonged) by Energy captain Mofeez for a final score of 185. Cricket is unique in many ways, none more so than that it is generally not clear who is winning until the end. That was certainly not true in this case!

Facing such a large total took the pressure off and allowed us to adopt a free flowing, attacking approach. Or, at least, that’s what we told ourselves! But Energy quickly squashed any excess optimism with a devastating opening spell collecting two early wickets for just four runs. Vikas, visiting from Bangalore, turned the tide with a flurry of sixes to bring cheers from the previously silent GRC section of the crowd. Even when he was out, the momentum carried to the following batsmen. We attacked until the end, but unfortunately fell 12 runs short of our target.

 It was disappointing to lose, especially when it felt like we had gained control of the game towards the end. However, it was a fantastic match and event to be part of and I feel confident that we’ll bounce back. And most importantly, the event was, once again, a tremendous success; I think the best so far in terms of excitement of the games, number of spectators… and of course the weather!

 So, check out our short video highlighting the great action of the day.

Global warming. Carbon footprint. Life cycle assessment. As environmental awareness continues to increase, many businesses are developing proactive environmental initiatives that go well beyond compliance. Here at GE Global Research we are doing our part by building ecoassessment expertise that helps GE product designers develop environmentally-responsible products and services. And we are very excited about it!

The first question that needs to be addressed when designing a new product or service is “What is Green?” How does one go about identifying and prioritizing opportunities for environmentally-responsible product design? Is it energy efficiency? Water efficiency? Recyclability? Renewable materials? All of the above? How does one identify the best designs for a particular product or service that result in the lowest overall environmental impact? One tool that we are using is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a method to systematically evaluate the “cradle-to-grave” environmental impacts of a product or service through all stages of its life cycle, from raw materials extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use, and eventual disposal or recycling. LCA is one of the few tools that can credibly help answer the question “What is Green?”   LCA methodologies have been evolving since the 1990’s and continue to evolve as we speak. Performing an LCA study is technically demanding yet very satisfying, in that the results are not always intuitively obvious! There are lessons to be learned here by digging deep and performing a thorough assessment before drawing conclusions!

Carbon footprint is a related topic that is in the news a lot these days, particularly due to increasing concern about the threat of global warming. What is it? There are many different definitions out there. Here’s a simple definition that I like: Carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout it’s entire life cycle, and is usually expressed as grams (or kilograms) of carbon dioxide equivalents. Sound familiar? It should… carbon footprint is basically an LCA focused on greenhouse gas emissions. Simple in concept, but technically challenging to calculate correctly.

So how do I get to do this cool stuff? I lead the Ecoassessment Center of Excellence here at Global Research. We focus on comprehensive technical expertise encompassing the areas of LCA, carbon footprinting, human health risk assessment, and fate & transport of materials in the environment. We support the GE businesses, our research colleagues, and GE Corporate Environmental Programs as the company continues to develop eco-responsible products, processes and services. These are exciting times, and we are seeing substantial traction with proactive environmental initiatives that go well beyond compliance. The coolest thing here, if I can have a small impact within GE, that can translate to a big impact on the world since GE’s products impact so many aspects of society including energy production, water purification, medical equipment, and aircraft engines, to name just a few!

GE Global Research is working to develop solar energy systems solutions to provide clean renewable energy to the world. To deliver a high quality, optimized solution, intensive testing is needed. At our research facility in Munich, we have set up two test stands: an indoor solar simulator for up to 2m x 2.5m solar modules and an outdoor test stand for fixed mounted solar generators and tracked systems.

The indoor simulator allows us to test and qualify modules under very tightly controlled light conditions up to 1200 W/m². Though the simulator, we can understand the system performance impact over a wide range of light conditions from a full sunny day to diffuse light that could occur from snow or a lake surface or cloud scattering. This test stand allows us to proceed faster with developments and conduct more experiments under precise scientific conditions.

The outdoor simulator gives us the “hard” reality data under real environmental conditions. This allows GE to understand the long-term environmental impact on solar modules.

We recently had the pleasure of meeting with Kevin Hall, a reporter with McClatchy Newspapers, to highlight some of our efforts new battery development.  Click here for the a link to the article.

In his story, Kevin does a great job of conveying the momentum that is growing around the hybridization and electrification of transportation.  As he mentions in the article our scientists are inspired scientifically and motivated by market pull to bring technically feasible and economical viable battery solutions to the table.  It was a real pleasure to have Kevin tour our electrochemistry laboratories, allowing us to show-off the great progress we’ve made.  Here’s a picture of me (on the right) and our sodium-metal-halide battery program leader, Chuck Iacovangelo, in our battery test facility.

Given the historical shortcomings of batteries that are often sited as standing in the way of large-scale commercial introduction and adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, many folks are asking the same vital questions about performance, reliability, safety, and cost.  These questions are the most critical and are exactly the ones our team targets in battery technology research.  We’ve made breakthroughs in advancing sodium-metal-halide battery technology against these criteria and working hard to use this type of energy storage to develop a Hybrid Locomotive.  Stay tuned to hear more about our impact on this and other industries where GE has a strong presence.