Bio-inspired engineered transition zone (BID-ETTZ) energy piles

A pile comprising:

• a structural pile comprising a first end and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the structural pile configured to support a load;
• a thermal pile disposed around the structural pile, the thermal pile comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the thermal pile extends beyond the second end of the structural pile, wherein the pile has enhanced thermal properties compared to the structural pile, the thermal pile comprising:
• an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end of the thermal pile;
• an inner surface spaced apart and radially inward from the outer surface defining a central channel of the thermal pile within which the structural pile is disposed;
• a thermal transition zone extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, the thermal transition zone configured to facilitate heat transfer between the inner surface and the outer surface;
• and
• a conductive conduit extending through at least the thermal transition zone from the first end to the second end of the thermal pile and spiraling around the central channel of the thermal pile with a pitch, the conductive conduit configured to transfer heat into the thermal transition zone.

A method of fabricating a structural and thermal pile system, the method comprising:

• providing a thermal pile comprising:
• an outer surface extending between a first end and a second end of the thermal pile;
• an inner surface spaced apart and radially inward from the outer surface and defining a central channel within which the structural pile is disposed;
• a thermal transition zone extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, the thermal transition zone configured to facilitate heat transfer between the inner surface and the outer surface;
• and
• a conductive conduit extending through at least the thermal transition zone from the first end to the second end of the thermal pile and spiraling around the central channel of the thermal pile with a pitch, the conductive conduit configured to transfer heat into the thermal transition zone;
• installing the thermal pile into a bulk material;
• and
• installing a structural pile into the central channel of the thermal pile, structural pile comprising a first end and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, wherein the second end of the thermal pile extends beyond the second end of the structural pile.