SBIR-STTR Award

Due to the inefficiencies associated with Directed Energy (DE) weapons, a large amount of waste heat is generated that must be removed quickly to maintain a constant temperature operation. To remove such a high heat flux, an efficient heat transfer device/mechanism and a designer thermo-fluid are necessary. Nanofluids and Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have been developed to increase the thermophysical properties of a base thermo-fluid but the gain is not enough for extremely high heat flux (1000 Watts/cm2) operations. Advanced Fluid Technologies, Inc. dba Dynalene Heat Transfer Fluids (Dynalene) proposes to develop an advanced thermo-fluid using hybrid nanoparticles that will increase the heat capacity as well as the thermal conductivity of the base heat transfer fluid. Heat energy will be converted to chemical energy and vice versa inside the nanoparticles. In the Phase I of the project, we will identify the key ingredients and develop the processes to make the hybrid nanoparticles. Laboratory experiments will be conducted to determine the feasibility and efficiency of converting heat energy into chemical energy through simple chemical reactions. A cost analysis will also be carried out in Phase I to determine the economic feasibility of this concept.

Keywords:
HIGH HEAT FLUX, THERMO-FLUID, NANOFLUID, HEAT TRANSFER FLUID, ELECTRONIC COOLING

The high degree of heat removal from directed energy (DE) weapons requires a next-generation leap in the performance of the heat transfer device/mechanism and also requires a novel thermo-fluid. Neither is available at this time. Nanofluids and Phase Change Materials (PCM) have been developed to increase the thermophysical properties of a base fluid, but the gain is not enough for the extremely high heat flux (1000 W/cm2) applications needed for DOD applications. This multiphase SBIR project is focused on developing and commercializing a proprietary advanced thermo-fluid utilizing hybrid nanoparticles that will increase the thermal conductivity as well as the specific heat capacity of a base fluid. Heat energy will be converted to chemical energy and vice versa inside the nanoparticles. In Phase I, several key ingredients and processes were developed to synthesize the nanoparticles. Feasibility was demonstrated by utilizing a reversible chemical reaction, determining the kinetics and the heat of reaction, developing the nanoparticles, and demonstrating the economic feasibility. In Phase II, all the materials developed in Phase I will be perfected and packaged together to develop an optimum hybrid nanoparticle, which will be utilized and validated in a thermo-fluid medium with short-term and long-term tests.

Keywords:
High Heat Flux, Thermo-Fluid, Nanoparticle, Nanofluid, Coolant, Heat Transfer Fluid, Electronics Cooling