2020 Galleries

The Spark Gallery pages are one of our most popular design destinations, with thousands of visitors each year. Check out some of the latest Spark entries, in the galleries below.

Galleries // 2020 Spark:Fall/Winter Student // The Thermodynamic Radiator

The Thermodynamic Radiator

Finalist

Competition: Spark:Fall/Winter Student
Designer: Diane Harvey-White
Design Type:
Company / Organization / School: The Open University
Team Members: Diane Harvey-White

Designed to combat the heating requirements of the heritage environment when fossil fuels are phased out (the UK seeks to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050) the Thermodynamic radiator captures air movement and uses it as fuel. The air absorption panel cools the air, it is compressed in the control panel to create heat, which is stored in the radiator panel providing ambient room heating. The thermodynamic radiator requires electrical supply but the heat exchange cycle is continuous and low demand. The unit requires no additional pipework and is non-invasive to sensitive buildings. It has no external components so meets heritage regulations and has a wider application for the entire existing built environment - all of whom will be required to comply with carbon neutral requirements in 2050. This unit takes existing technology and modifies it to provide a real solution for renewable energy heating across all ages of building stock - including new build.