(September 20, 2010 – Marketwire) — Marlow Industries was awarded a $3.9 million contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the development of new thermoelectric materials and active cooling modules. Unique Colloidal Nanocrystal (ICN) synthesis will enhance the materials’ properties.

The advancements in thermoelectric materials and devices will enable Department of Defense (DOD) thermal management systems to operate at lower temperatures with higher performance and longer lifetime.

The materials in development by Marlow Industries will extend the present state of the art by utilizing a unique Colloidal Nanocrystal (ICN) synthesis to produce high performance nanocomposite thermoelectric materials. When combined with Marlow Industries’ leading thermoelectric modeling and device assembly capabilities, the advancement will enhance thermoelectric cooling and impact commercial and military applications.

The Active Cooling Module program will extend over 24 months culminating in a design to meet or exceed the DARPA program goals. Follow-on contracts are anticipated to apply this technology to specific military applications. Marlow Industries will lead an accomplished team of academic and commercial partners to fulfill the program goals, including: Evident Technologies (Troy NY), the University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

"The program will result in significant advances for thermoelectric material design and device construction that will disrupt the current industry standard and enable improvements across the board," said Barry Nickerson, Marlow Industries general manager.

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