Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Stirling Cycle Research Group

Stirling Cycle machines are among the most efficient practical heat engines ever built.

The Stirling Cycle Research Group believes that Stirling machinery is a superior replacement for the existing technology currently used in many situations, for example: remote area power supply, small-scale domestic co-generation schemes, most heat-pump applications, and some refrigeration applications.

It is the intention of this group to do fundamental research into Stirling-cycle thermodynamics, but also to use the results of our research to develop practical machinery at a prototype level, with a view to commercial use in the real world.

We are happy to undertake Stirling R&D projects (including full machine prototype development) for commercial clients, as long as it does not conflict with our obligations to existing customers or research partners.

The Group

Dr Alan Tucker Energy aspects of buildings, including passive solar heating.

Associated Staff

Dr Michael Gschwendtner Stirling cycle technology (email at TS-dot Engineering Ltd)
Alan Caughley Cryocooler design and performance (Industrial Research Ltd)
Nick Emery Cryocooler design and performance (Industrial Research Ltd)
Don Clucas Stirling-based MCHP (micro combined heat and power). (Technical Director, WhisperGen Ltd)

Technical Assistance

Eric Cox Technical Officer
Ken Brown Technical Officer

 

Current and Recent Research

  • Cryocooler development (associated with work at IRL)
  • Utilisation of geothermal heat for power-producing technologies, including Stirling cycle
  • Alternative regenerator materials research
  • Stirling cycle modelling and analysis

 

The "Stirling Student"Test Tube Stirling Engine

The Stirling-cycle Research Group was commissioned by Professor David Painter to design a Stirling-cycle engine for his ENGR110 course that could be built by Year 1 students, and would cost less than US$1.00 per engine. The result was a variation on the common "Test-tube Stirling" design and is constructed from cardboard, paperclips, marbles, a test-tube, a balloon, and a lot of duct-tape. Detailed instructions on how to build one yourself can be found here

Laboratory Facilities

Research Opportunities

Postgraduate Research Projects Available.

If you are interested in working Stirling-Cycle research and you have an excellent Honours, Masters, or Doctorate degree, then please contact Alan Tucker to discuss possible research opportunities.