Ceramic Micro-Burner
Case ID:
TEC2016-0085
Web Published:
6/9/2025
Ceramic Micro-Burner

Figure 1: Design of micro-burner Figure 2: Sequence of fabrication process
Executive Summary
Microchemical systems (µCSs) are compact chemical and biological process units offering enhanced mixing, excellent heat transfer, and enabling highly exothermic reactions with high yield and specificity. Unfortunately, current materials for making µCSs - such as polymers, glass, silicon and metals – are often constrained by limitations in operational temperature, pressure and chemical resistance due to material degradation. Researchers at Michigan State University have recently developed an innovative fabrication process for ceramic micro-burners that overcomes these limitations. This new method of manufacturing is not only faster and more cost effective but also produces ceramic micro-burners with higher channel accuracy/smoothness compared to conventional ceramic processes.
Description of the Technology
The technology utilizes a process that embeds powered metal oxides with a fugitive phase of graphite. The powered material is compressed into a puck and partially sintered, causing the graphite to vaporize and create empty channels. The puck can be machined and drilled to form connecting holes, after which it undergoes complete sintering to achieve its full ceramic properties. The resulting micro-burner has been tested by burning an oxygen/hydrogen mixture, demonstrating reliable performance over long times and under cyclic operation.
Benefits
- Powder use allows easy flow and confirmation to complex channels
- High temperature, pressure and corrosion resistant materials
- Higher channel accuracy/smoothness and reduced manufacturing time over conventional ceramic process
- No toxic gases formed during the ceramic processes
- Near full density ceramic structures
Applications
- Micro-burners
- Flame ionization detector
- Fuel and biomass reforming
- Chemical sensors
Patent Status
Licensing Rights
Full licensing rights available
References
“Fabrication of Power-based Ceramic Micro-Burners”, Procedia Manufacturing, 2016
‘Fully-Enclosed Ceramic Micro-burners Using Fugitive Phase and Powder-based Processing", Nature Scientific Reports, 2016
Inventors
Dr. Patrick Kwon, Dr. Junghoon Yeom
TECH ID
TEC2016-0085
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For Information, Contact:
Jon Debling
Technology Manager
Michigan State University
deblingj@msu.edu