Climate change is causing a significant raise in the average global temperatures, with increasingly
frequent and intense heat waves. This situation is leading to an escalation in the use of air
conditioning systems, with greater energy consumption and emissions. Therefore, it is urgent to
develop more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions that ensure thermal comfort while
minimizing environmental impact.
In this context, dew-point evaporative coolers represent one of the most promising solutions for
passive, low-impact cooling, as they exploit the principle of evaporation to lower the air temperature,
significantly reducing the energy consumption compared to traditional systems. However, the
efficiency of the dew-point evaporative coolers is strongly affected by geometry and materials of the
heat exchanger included in the system.
The TRANSVERSE project aims to lay the basis for sustainable air conditioning systems by the
development of an innovative cross flow TPMS-based heat exchanger for dew-point evaporative
coolers based on the Maisotsenko cycle. A schematic representation of the innovative exchanger is
reported in Fig. 1.
To address this challenge, TRANSVERSE adopts a strongly trans-disciplinary approach, integrating
skills in digital design, additive manufacturing, materials science and thermo-fluid dynamic
engineering. The project relies on the use of Additive Manufacturing to create innovative exchangers
with complex and optimized geometries, whose production would be unfeasible with conventional
manufacturing techniques. In other words, production by 3D printing can maximize the heat
exchange surface area, improve air and water flow distribution and, consequently, increase the
device overall efficiency.
At the same time, the joint group will focus on the selection and development of advanced materials,
with a particular focus on highly conductive ones, capable of promoting water evaporation. Eco
friendly materials or those derived from renewable sources will also be evaluated to ensure
sustainability of the final product.
The experimental activity will play a fundamental role: the created prototypes will be tested to assess
their thermal performance, energy efficiency and durability over time. The collected data will be used
to validate numerical models and advanced simulation tools, which will allow the research group to
predict and to scale the behavior of the device under real-world operating conditions and support the
optimization in future projects.
Expected results include a significant increase in the efficiency of dew point heat exchangers, a
reduction in the environmental impact of cooling systems and the development of digital know-how
and tools that can be the object of technology transfer from university to industry. Therefore,
TRANSVERSE represents a strategic project able to contribute to the ecological transition in the air
conditioning sector by promoting clean, efficient, and forward-looking technologies.