{"projectId":91481,"project":{"projectId":91481,"title":"Flow Boiling and Condensation in Microgravity","startDate":"2015-08-01","startYear":2015,"startMonth":8,"endDate":"2019-07-31","endYear":2019,"endMonth":7,"programId":69,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"STRG","isActive":true,"description":"<p> \tThe Space Technology Research Grants Program will accelerate the development of &quot;push&quot; technologies to support the future space science and exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies and the commercial space sector. Innovative efforts with high risk and high payoff will be encouraged. The program is composed of two competitively awarded components.</p> ","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":69,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36658,"title":"Space Technology Research Grants","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"STRG"},"description":"Due to its potential to improve system performance while reducing mass, space programs worldwide are considering the implementation of two-phase thermal management systems. By capitalizing on a fluid's latent heat as well as sensible, two-phase systems can offer vast improvements in both heat acquisition and rejection compared to their traditional single-phase counterparts.  Before these systems can be implemented, however, an increase in both the quantity and quality of available design tools is necessary. These tools are critical for determining heat transfer coefficients, pressure drop, and critical heat flux (CHF) in flow boiling, all of which are integral to the design of thermal control systems. In particular, the impact of the different gravitational fields commonly seen in spaceflight on these defining characteristics isn't well understood. Many existing models show poor results when applied in microgravity, displaying the need for new predictive tools that can accurately capture system behavior in a broad range of gravitational environments.  The proposed study will utilize the Purdue University Boiling and Two-Phase Flow Lab's (PU-BTPFL's) flow boiling and condensation rig, which can be operated both on the ground and in parabolic flight. By controlling the angle of descent, parabolic flights can be used to simulate a range of gravitational fields, including microgravity, Lunar gravity, and Martian gravity. In addition to gathering heat transfer data, flow visualization techniques will be employed to help capture and classify the different flow regimes encountered. These regimes have been shown to depend greatly on flow orientation for boiling and condensation, as well as heater orientation for flow boiling. These factors are again expected to play an important role in microgravity. The data gathered in different gravitational fields will be used to develop mechanistic models and advanced computational methods. These tools can then be applied to the design of advanced thermal management systems for space systems, helping to make the next generation of spacecraft both lighter and capable of handling devices with higher energy density than is currently possible.  The technology developed by this study will primarily benefit NASA Technical Area (TA) 14, Thermal Management Systems. Specifically, TA-14.2, Thermal Control Systems, will see the greatest impact from this work. Because thermal control systems are integral components of so many different technologies, however, the work will also impact the development of more than half of the other specified technical areas (as shown in fig. 6 of NASA TA-14 document). Because of this potential to greatly influence the design of a broad range of technologies, the work done in this study towards the development of two-phase thermal control systems will have a significant impact on all future space missions.","benefits":"The technology developed by this study will primarily benefit NASA Technical Area (TA) 14, Thermal Management Systems. Specifically, TA-14.2, Thermal Control Systems, will see the greatest impact from this work. Because thermal control systems are integral components of so many different technologies, however, the work will also impact the development of more than half of the other specified technical areas (as shown in fig. 6 of NASA TA-14 document). Because of this potential to greatly influence the design of a broad range of technologies, the work done in this study towards the development of two-phase thermal control systems will have a significant impact on all future space missions.","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","viewCount":599,"destinationType":["Moon_and_Cislunar","Earth"],"trlBegin":2,"trlCurrent":3,"trlEnd":3,"lastUpdated":"12/18/25","favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"projectContacts":[{"contactId":4386037,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Mohammad","lastName":"Hasan","fullName":"Mohammad M Hasan","fullNameInverted":"Hasan, Mohammad M","middleInitial":"M","email":"mohammad.m.hasan@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Project_Manager","projectContactId":560511,"projectId":91481,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Project Manager"},{"contactId":187187,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Issam","lastName":"Mudawar","fullName":"Issam Mudawar","fullNameInverted":"Mudawar, Issam","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Principal_Investigator","projectContactId":560512,"projectId":91481,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Principal Investigator"},{"contactId":298771,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Lucas","lastName":"O'Neill","fullName":"Lucas O'neill","fullNameInverted":"O'Neill, Lucas","email":"lucas.o'neill@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Co_Investigator","projectContactId":560510,"projectId":91481,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Co-Investigator"}],"programContacts":[{"contactId":321177,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Matthew","lastName":"Deans","fullName":"Matthew C Deans","fullNameInverted":"Deans, Matthew C","middleInitial":"C","email":"matthew.c.deans-1@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":603,"programId":69,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":183514,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Hung","lastName":"Nguyen","fullName":"Hung D Nguyen","fullNameInverted":"Nguyen, Hung D","middleInitial":"D","email":"hung.d.nguyen@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":604,"programId":69,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"leadOrganization":{"organizationId":2582,"organizationName":"Purdue University-Main Campus","organizationType":"Academia","city":"West Lafayette","stateTerritoryId":37,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"IN","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Indiana","stateTerritoryId":37,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"47906-1385","murepUnitId":243780,"academicDegreeType":"Public_4_year","projectId":91481,"projectOrganizationId":586488,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Academia"},"otherOrganizations":[{"organizationId":2582,"organizationName":"Purdue University-Main Campus","organizationType":"Academia","city":"West Lafayette","stateTerritoryId":37,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"IN","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Indiana","stateTerritoryId":37,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"47906-1385","murepUnitId":243780,"academicDegreeType":"Public_4_year","projectId":91481,"projectOrganizationId":586488,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Academia"},{"organizationId":4860,"organizationName":"Glenn Research Center","acronym":"GRC","organizationType":"NASA_Center","city":"Cleveland","stateTerritoryId":23,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"OH","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Ohio","stateTerritoryId":23,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"44135","projectId":91481,"projectOrganizationId":586487,"organizationRole":"Supporting_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Supporting Organization","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"}],"primaryTx":{"taxonomyNodeId":11429,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11424,"code":"TX14.2.5","title":"Thermal Control Analysis","description":"Thermal control analysis software is used to analyze the full thermal performance of a system, including orbital analysis, radiation analysis, thermal and fluid solvers, and optimization of design parameters through simulation. Technologies can include methods to more effectively link these functions, allow the analysis to be faster and more automated, perform uncertainty analysis, and decrease the time needed for thermal model development.","exampleTechnologies":"Thermal solvers, orbit analysis, radiation analysis, optimization, fluid flow analysis, layered composite insulation systems, coupled, multi-physics simulations for temperature induced phenomena affecting system performance, structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analysis, detailed thermal network analysis to evaluate the thermal performance of a given system","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":false,"isPrimary":true,"hasInteriorContent":true},"primaryTxTree":[[{"taxonomyNodeId":11417,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"code":"TX14","title":"Thermal Management Systems","level":1,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11424,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11417,"code":"TX14.2","title":"Thermal Control Components and Systems","description":"Thermal control components and systems provide capabilities that enable an element to maintain operational temperature limits. An element uses various components to achieve the primary functions of waste energy acquisition; transport; rejection, storage, and reclamation; and temperature control within hardware limits through various mission environments. These functions are enabled through core capabilities of analysis, performance monitoring via sensors, and V&V to ensure mission success.","exampleTechnologies":"","level":2,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11429,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11424,"code":"TX14.2.5","title":"Thermal Control Analysis","description":"Thermal control analysis software is used to analyze the full thermal performance of a system, including orbital analysis, radiation analysis, thermal and fluid solvers, and optimization of design parameters through simulation. Technologies can include methods to more effectively link these functions, allow the analysis to be faster and more automated, perform uncertainty analysis, and decrease the time needed for thermal model development.","exampleTechnologies":"Thermal solvers, orbit analysis, radiation analysis, optimization, fluid flow analysis, layered composite insulation systems, coupled, multi-physics simulations for temperature induced phenomena affecting system performance, structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analysis, detailed thermal network analysis to evaluate the thermal performance of a given system","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":true,"hasInteriorContent":true}]],"technologyOutcomes":[{"technologyOutcomeId":96560,"projectId":91481,"project":{"projectId":91481,"title":"Flow Boiling and Condensation in Microgravity","startDate":"2015-08-01","startYear":2015,"startMonth":8,"endDate":"2019-07-31","endYear":2019,"endMonth":7,"programId":69,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"STRG","isActive":true,"description":"<p> \tThe Space Technology Research Grants Program will accelerate the development of &quot;push&quot; technologies to support the future space science and exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies and the commercial space sector. Innovative efforts with high risk and high payoff will be encouraged. The program is composed of two competitively awarded components.</p> ","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":69,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36658,"title":"Space Technology Research Grants","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"STRG"},"description":"Due to its potential to improve system performance while reducing mass, space programs worldwide are considering the implementation of two-phase thermal management systems. By capitalizing on a fluid's latent heat as well as sensible, two-phase systems can offer vast improvements in both heat acquisition and rejection compared to their traditional single-phase counterparts.  Before these systems can be implemented, however, an increase in both the quantity and quality of available design tools is necessary. These tools are critical for determining heat transfer coefficients, pressure drop, and critical heat flux (CHF) in flow boiling, all of which are integral to the design of thermal control systems. In particular, the impact of the different gravitational fields commonly seen in spaceflight on these defining characteristics isn't well understood. Many existing models show poor results when applied in microgravity, displaying the need for new predictive tools that can accurately capture system behavior in a broad range of gravitational environments.  The proposed study will utilize the Purdue University Boiling and Two-Phase Flow Lab's (PU-BTPFL's) flow boiling and condensation rig, which can be operated both on the ground and in parabolic flight. By controlling the angle of descent, parabolic flights can be used to simulate a range of gravitational fields, including microgravity, Lunar gravity, and Martian gravity. In addition to gathering heat transfer data, flow visualization techniques will be employed to help capture and classify the different flow regimes encountered. These regimes have been shown to depend greatly on flow orientation for boiling and condensation, as well as heater orientation for flow boiling. These factors are again expected to play an important role in microgravity. The data gathered in different gravitational fields will be used to develop mechanistic models and advanced computational methods. These tools can then be applied to the design of advanced thermal management systems for space systems, helping to make the next generation of spacecraft both lighter and capable of handling devices with higher energy density than is currently possible.  The technology developed by this study will primarily benefit NASA Technical Area (TA) 14, Thermal Management Systems. Specifically, TA-14.2, Thermal Control Systems, will see the greatest impact from this work. Because thermal control systems are integral components of so many different technologies, however, the work will also impact the development of more than half of the other specified technical areas (as shown in fig. 6 of NASA TA-14 document). Because of this potential to greatly influence the design of a broad range of technologies, the work done in this study towards the development of two-phase thermal control systems will have a significant impact on all future space missions.","benefits":"The technology developed by this study will primarily benefit NASA Technical Area (TA) 14, Thermal Management Systems. Specifically, TA-14.2, Thermal Control Systems, will see the greatest impact from this work. Because thermal control systems are integral components of so many different technologies, however, the work will also impact the development of more than half of the other specified technical areas (as shown in fig. 6 of NASA TA-14 document). Because of this potential to greatly influence the design of a broad range of technologies, the work done in this study towards the development of two-phase thermal control systems will have a significant impact on all future space missions.","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Moon_and_Cislunar","Earth"],"trlBegin":2,"trlCurrent":3,"trlEnd":3,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":183514,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Hung","lastName":"Nguyen","fullName":"Hung D Nguyen","fullNameInverted":"Nguyen, Hung D","middleInitial":"D","email":"hung.d.nguyen@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":604,"programId":69,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":321177,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Matthew","lastName":"Deans","fullName":"Matthew C Deans","fullNameInverted":"Deans, Matthew C","middleInitial":"C","email":"matthew.c.deans-1@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":603,"programId":69,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"endDateString":"Jul 2019","startDateString":"Aug 2015"},"technologyOutcomeDate":"2019-07-31","technologyOutcomePath":"Closed_Out","details":"To push beyond present limitations on space exploration, researchers must develop long-lasting, lightweight, and efficient energy sources to support long-term missions and in situ studies. Thermophotovoltaic devices (TPVs), which use the photovoltaic effect to convert infrared radiation into electricity, could be useful for small spacecraft applications. Employed in radioisotope power systems (RPS), TPVs have the potential to provide high specific power without moving parts that could reduce system reliability. In coordination with RPS, TPVs can provide continuous power, independent of distance and orientation from the sun. TPV devices have theoretical efficiencies that exceed the maximums of many proposed heat to electricity conversion techniques, and recently have reached experimental efficiencies higher than 20% [1]. This makes TPVs attractive for new thermal power technologies, especially in modularized applications and small systems that require low power.","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"Project closed out","isIndirect":false,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":false,"technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"July 2019","technologyOutcomeDateString":"Jul 2019","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Closed Out","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""}],"libraryItems":[{"files":[],"libraryItemId":364006,"title":"Project Website","libraryItemType":"Link","url":"https://www.nasa.gov/strg#.VQb6T0jJzyE","projectId":91481,"internalOnly":false,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"01/22/25 01:10 AM","libraryItemTypePretty":"Link","modifiedDateString":"10/25/24 02:23 PM"}],"states":[{"abbreviation":"IN","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Indiana","stateTerritoryId":37,"isTerritory":false}],"endDateString":"Jul 2019","startDateString":"Aug 2015"}}