The goal of the Phase Change Material Heat Exchanger (PCM HX) project is to develop and demonstrate viable PCM HXs for use by future exploration vehicles in need of supplemental heat rejection.
In parallel to this effort, the project will focus on developing the next generation of water-based PCM HXs. For the same energy storage requirement, the use of water over wax yields the potential to save a considerable amount of mass/volume of a PCM HX. This is due to water’s relatively high heat of fusion over other PCMs. The project will leverage partnerships with small business, via a SBIR Technology Maturation Plan and the State of Louisiana, to develop water-based PCM HXs. Upon completion of the development effort, the project will demonstration the capability of a water based PCM HX on the ISS. The strength of the project comes from the various partnerships and lean engineering approaches to achieve the overall goal of developing and demonstrating lightweight PCM HXs for future exploration vehicles.
Principal Technologist: | Project Manager |
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Molly Anderson (molly.s.anderson@nasa.gov) | Rubik Sheth (rubik.b.sheth@nasa.gov) |