Samsung Electronics said on the 15th that its research on next-generation clothing drying technology has been selected as an officially supported project by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
For this research on a "next-generation desiccant dryer with a heat recovery system," Samsung Electronics will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the largest national laboratory in the United States, and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina.
The three parties will receive $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy over the next two years and contribute an additional $1.2 million, conducting the research with a total budget of $2.4 million. The project aims to apply "desiccant," a high-efficiency dehumidifying material, to clothing dryers to cut electricity use during drying to 35% of that of a "vented dryer," while achieving comparable drying performance.
Vented dryers, which are in high demand in the North American market, have short drying times but relatively low efficiency, making them difficult to use with the U.S. 120-volt (V) power environment. Therefore, they require separate 240V electrical work and ductwork that vents air to the outside, which is a limitation.
If Samsung Electronics' next-generation clothing drying technology is commercialized, it is expected to be usable in a 120V power environment without additional construction, allowing dryers to be used in various residential settings such as multiunit housing and small apartments.
Samsung Electronics plans to apply the results of this drying solution research to a range of product lines, including dryers and all-in-one washer-dryers.