As energy efficiency becomes an increasingly pressing issue, Professor Ooi Kim Tiow and his team have developed a compressor that could very well be the world’s most efficient.
The team from NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has developed a compressor that could reduce energy loss by 80 percent as compared to its counterparts that are currently in the market.
While typical compressors have a stationary housing, the newly-developed compressor has a rotating housing that moves with the mechanism, thus reducing friction and energy loss.
This will decrease the energy required to run energy-guzzling cooling systems, which are essential for appliances such as refrigerators and air-conditioners.
This revolutionary invention is selected to take part in the World Best Technologies (WBT) Showcase, an annual forum exhibiting undiscovered technologies. Held at Arlington, Texas from March 24th to 25th, it will display close to 100 products this year.
NTU is the only Asian university selected to present its invention among the world’s best, such as the University of Illinois and the University of Waterloo.
Professor Ooi’s invention faces stiff competition from the world’s leading universities, Research and Development laboratories and research institutions.
“We are very proud to have our technology included as one of the world’s best,” said Professor Ooi.
He also mentioned that through this showcase, he hopes to meet parties interested to commercialise the product.
Indeed, the showcase aims to do just that. Mr. Paul Huleatt, CEO of WBT Showcase, explained that besides providing coaching to the teams to enhance their presentations, the showcase also serves as a platform for companies to gather contacts for more marketing opportunities for their products.
Huleatt also said that around one-third of the past presenters have eventually received funding for their projects.
