Award: $1,800
Title: COOL – Cryogenic Optimization for Outstanding Liquid Exchange
Engineer: Jouni Huopana
Country: Finland
Link: COOL - Cryogenic Optimization for Outstanding Liquid exchange
Justification: Design was highly rated because it modeled and analyzed a novel recuperator with a triply periodic minimal surface design. TPMS is an innovative concept that is feasible for use with additive manufacturing. High-fidelity models and analyses were included and illustrated the design’s ability to hit operating and performance requirements reasonably well. The concept had a streamlined and compact shape and full engineering drawings were included.

Award: $1,200
Title: SpiderPiGyroid HX
Engineer: Ivo Castellani
Country: Argentina
Link: SpiderPiGyroid HX
Justification: Similar to above, this design employed a triply periodic minimal surface which is innovative and compatible with additive manufacturing processes. The design was modeled and analyzed to a high fidelity which proved an ability to approach operating and performance requirements outlined in the challenge. SpiderPiGyroid possessed similar designs and ratings to the 2nd place entry but, unfortunately, it was slightly bulkier which is undesirable for cryocoolers.

Award: $750
Title: C3LE: Corrugated Copper Crossflow Lattice Exchanger
Engineer: Joseph Gallagher
Country: United States
Link: C3LE: Corrugated Copper Crossflow Lattice Exchanger
Justification: This design earned high ratings for its perforated plate-style design which is novel to cryogenic recuperators and unique to the submissions for the is challenge. Perforated plate designs and compact and modular which is desirable for cryocoolers. The design lends reasonably sell to AM fabrication and modern manufacturing techniques. The CAD design is highly detailed, and some analysis is included which supports performance parameter claims. However, the design is highly complex which calls into question the reliability of print success and performance reliability.

Award: $250
Title: CRISTAL-FHX
Engineer: CryoFlux
Country: United States
Link: CRISTAL- FHX
Justification: CRISTAL-FHX received high marks for its highly innovative concept using staged zones with multiple methods of cooling processes. The CAD models are exceptional and appear to be feasible for additive manufacturing. However, the design is highly complex which could provide issues for AM production and reliability of performance. Additionally, no analysis or report was included in the submission so performance and operating conditions cannot be confirmed.

Title: SpherEx
Engineer: Flaviano Crespi
Country: Italy
Link: SpherEx
Justification: SpherEx received commendable ratings because of its use of a novel spherical shape which is an interesting trade study for cryocoolers. The design is relatively simple and feasible for manufacturing using AM. Unfortunately, the spherical shape incorporation into cryocooler systems could have some difficulties. Additionally, there are some concerns, based on intuition and previous experience, about the design being unable to reach performance and operating parameters. The submission had high fidelity renderings as well as CFD analysis.