ThermAvant Technologies Partners with NASA on Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Thermal Management

ThermAvant Technologies, known for its innovations in oscillating heat pipe (OHP) based thermal management systems (TMS), has announced a collaboration with NASA on a Phase II project. The project, "Additively Manufactured, Structurally-Integrated, Passive Two-Phase Heat Sink for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Systems," aims to advance thermal management in electrified aircraft propulsion. This NASA 2020-I SBIR A1.04 Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) initiative seeks to address the challenge of managing the temperature of critical components in electric aircraft, amidst increasing heat loads and stringent size and mass constraints.

During Phase I, ThermAvant Technologies demonstrated an innovative thermal management solution featuring an additively manufactured oscillating heat pipe (AM-OHP) heat sink. This technology has shown various advantages, including a 50% mass reduction compared to traditional solid metal heat sinks, thrice shorter lead times, and enhanced thermal performance unaffected by gravity. The Principal Investigator, Patrick Margavio, highlighted the potential of AM-OHP technology to improve aircraft fuel/energy economy and reduce emissions, aligning with the growing market for electric aircraft projected to reach $27.7 Billion by 2030.

Through its partnership with NASA, ThermAvant Technologies aspires to propel advancements in thermal management solutions across different sectors, including Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) and small electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Their ongoing development of AM-OHPs across various applications emphasizes the technology's versatility and efficiency in addressing complex mechanical challenges.