{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":33562,"title":"Vapor Chamber with Phase Change Material-Based Wick Structure for Thermal Control of Manned Spacecraft","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10932,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10929,"level":3,"code":"TX14.2.3","title":"Heat Rejection and Storage","definition":"This area includes technologies to more effectively reject heat on a flight. Technologies are needed to make these methods more reliable and standardized and increase the capability for effective ground testing. This area includes technologies that manage system heat primarily through the use of the thermal and/or optical properties of a given material. This area includes in-space and ground applications.","exampleTechnologies":"Radiators, radiator turn-down devices (e.g. louvers, heat switches, variable conductance heat pipes), phase change materials, transpiration cooling, heat sinks, optical coatings, variable coatings, sunshades, molten salts, cryogens, evaporation, boiling, condensation, autonomous radiator maintenance, dust tolerant radiators, high heat load 500 - 500 kW rejection","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":2,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"The proposed PCM vapor chamber can operate as both a thermal capacitor and as a two-phase heat exchanger. For NASA applications that have a need for a thermal capacitor, the PCM vapor chamber can provide mass savings to the system by swapping out the existing thermal capacitor with the PCM vapor chamber. For thermal control systems requiring both a thermal capacitor and a liquid/liquid heat exchanger, the PCM vapor chamber can be used as an all-in-one solution. This approach has the potential to provide significant mass savings.
MDA's Airborne Laser (ABL) program has significant cooling requirements that can only be addressed by mechanical refrigeration systems. These include cooling of the various high powered solid state lasers currently used on the ABL for tracking and ranging as well as standby cooling for the basic hydrogen peroxide (BHP) loops on the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL). To reduce size, weight and power consumption, the PCM vapor chamber could be integrated into the refrigeration system to reduce the temperature lift requirement during peak heat load conditions. By using the PCM vapor chamber as a load leveling device, the power requirement of the compressor can be significantly reduced. ACT is also currently working on several other high energy laser cooling applications with military primes and direct government funding programs. These applications require PCM storage to reduce the mass of the thermal control system.","description":"During a NASA Phase I SBIR program, ACT addressed the need for light-weight, non-venting PCM heat storage devices by successfully demonstrating proof-of-concept of a vapor chamber with a PCM-based wick structure. The principal objective of the Phase II program is to design, fabricate, and test a full-scale PCM vapor chamber. Goals of the Phase II program include establishing thermal and structural design requirements. ACT will also develop a thermal storage model for integration into the heat transport model developed in Phase I. A custom microPCM will be developed and screened with the assistance of subcontractor SwRI to obtain optimum properties for thermal performance. ACT will also design, fabricate and test a sub-scale PCM vapor chamber with relevant form factor and a fraction of the full-scale heat load. Upon successful demonstration of the sub-scale unit, two full-scale PCM vapor chambers will be fabricated and tested. Both full-scale units will undergo extensive thermal performance testing. At the end of the Phase II project, one of the full-scale PCM vapor chambers will be delivered to NASA for further testing, and the other will remain at ACT for extended life testing.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":5,"endYear":2017,"endMonth":5,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":58687,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Calin","lastName":"Tarau","fullName":"Calin Tarau","fullNameInverted":"Tarau, Calin","primaryEmail":"calin.tarau@1-ACT.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3164706,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Brian","lastName":"Oconnor","fullName":"Brian Oconnor","fullNameInverted":"Oconnor, Brian","primaryEmail":"BRIAN.F.OCONNOR@NASA.GOV","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"caption":"Vapor Chamber with Phase Change Material-Based Wick Structure for Thermal Control of Manned Spacecraft Briefing Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":303703,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_H3.01-9785","fileSize":173534,"objectId":300253,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"169.5 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":303703,"fileName":"SBIR_2014_2_BC_H3.01-9785","fileSize":173534,"objectId":300253,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"169.5 KB"}],"id":300253,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"Vapor Chamber with Phase Change Material-Based Wick Structure for Thermal Control of Manned Spacecraft Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":33562,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":64846,"projectId":33562,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2015-05-01","path":"Advanced From","relatedProjectId":18486,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":18486,"title":"Vapor Chamber with Phase Change Material-Based Wick Structure for Thermal Control of Manned Spacecraft","startTrl":1,"currentTrl":3,"endTrl":3,"benefits":"The proposed PCM vapor chamber can operate as both a thermal capacitor and as a two-phase heat exchanger. For NASA applications that have a need for a thermal capacitor, the PCM vapor chamber can provide mass savings to the system by swapping out the existing thermal capacitor with the PCM vapor chamber. For thermal control systems having both a thermal capacitor and a liquid/liquid heat exchanger, the PCM vapor chamber can be used as an all-in-one solution. This approach has the potential to provide significant mass savings.
MDA's Airborne Laser (ABL) program has significant cooling requirements that can only be addressed by mechanical refrigeration systems. These include cooling of the various high powered solid state lasers currently used on the ABL for tracking and ranging as well as standby cooling for the basic hydrogen peroxide (BHP) loops on the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL). To reduce size, weight and power consumption, the PCM vapor chamber could be integrated into the refrigeration system to reduce the temperature lift requirement during peak heat load conditions. By using the PCM vapor chamber as a load-leveling device, the power requirement of the compressor can be significantly reduced.","description":"In response to NASA SBIR solicitation H3.01 \"Thermal Control for Future Human Exploration\", Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) is proposing a novel Phase Change Material (PCM) vapor chamber to ameliorate the temperature fluctuations encountered during planetary (or lunar) orbit. The PCM vapor chamber will consist of a packed bed of micro-encapsulated PCM beads surrounded by a two-phase working fluid. The PCM beads will act as both a highly efficient thermal storage medium, as well as a wick structure for capillary pumping of the two-phase working fluid. The two-phase heat transfer by the working fluid increases the effective thermal conductivity of the PCM by a factor of 1000 or more. This approach eliminates the need for embedding thermally conductive metal fins or carbon foam, which typically consume at least 50% of the system mass in traditional PCM heat exchangers. The PCM vapor chamber not only has the potential to exceed a 2/3 PCM mass ratio using paraffin wax, but also provides several advantages over the state-of-the-art, water-based PCM heat exchangers. The concept proposed by ACT will eliminate the need for metal fins and foams, and significantly reduce the mass of non-PCM materials. In addition, the PCM vapor chamber can serve as either a stand-alone thermal capacitor or a dual thermal capacitor/heat exchanger.","startYear":2014,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2014,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":1129,"endDateString":"Dec 2014","startDateString":"Jun 2014"},"infoText":"Advanced from another project within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Vapor Chamber with Phase Change Material-Based Wick Structure for Thermal Control of Manned Spacecraft)","dateText":"May 2015"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"leadOrganization":{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Lancaster","congressionalDistrict":"Pennsylvania 11","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":2830,"organizationName":"Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc.","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"PA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Pennsylvania","stateTerritoryId":47},"stateTerritoryId":47,"ein":"204260903 ","dunsNumber":"126288336","uei":"Z8KVZV3DR7J4","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"acronym":"MSFC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Huntsville","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4854,"organizationName":"Marshall Space Flight Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"AL","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Alabama","stateTerritoryId":18},"stateTerritoryId":18,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"AL","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Alabama","stateTerritoryId":18},{"abbreviation":"PA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Pennsylvania","stateTerritoryId":47}],"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":354,"endDateString":"May 2017","startDateString":"May 2015"}}