Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

A heating element system consists primarily of an electrically resistive material (heating element) that convertselectric energy into heat. In this project, we will develop new designs of heating elements manufactured bydepositing the resistive material as a thin coating/film in intimate thermal contact with the substrate to beheated. The introduction of paper-thin heating elements make it possible to improve the system's thermalefficiency and response time as convection and radiation losses are minimized.The project will be carried out in partnership with ThermoCeramix Corporation, a Canadian technologycompany with expertise in developing heating solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential applicationswith superior energy efficiency, safety, reliability and rapid heating/cooling rates. The proposed projectfocusses on the production of thermal spray coatings of controlled electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity,and superior temperature oxidation resistance and fatigue resistance for manufacturing reliable heatingelements. The project will make it possible to improve the reliability and durability of the heating elements aswell as to advance the technology for heating new substrate materials such as aluminum, glass-ceramics andspecialized stainless steels. The expected outcomes of this project will permit the company to expandsignificantly the range of products offered on the market place in the transportation, home appliance and othermanufacturing industry segments.