Enhanced Performance Coolant for Military Radar Cooling Systems

Advanced weapons systems such as the B2 Stealth Bomber and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) rely upon high power density radar systems, and specifically their high power transmitters, which generate high amounts of heat. Heat dissipation from these systems is necessary to prevent equipment damage and erratic current operation. Coolanol 25R is currently used in many military radar cooling systems. While it meets current specifications for many weapons systems, its cost (~$500/gal) and hydrolytic instability have led to interests in replacing it with cheaper, better performing materials such as polyalphaolefin (PAO). Although PAO meets current requirements, advanced weapons systems will require coolants exhibiting higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity, as well as improved thermal and hydrolytic stability. In this Phase I SBIR program, Infoscitex proposes the development of an enhanced performance coolant for military radar cooling systems that will meet future performance requirements and be of reasonable cost. The Phase I program will involve the use of computational molecular modeling techniques to identify candidate compounds, and laboratory evaluation of the best candidates.