Advanced Thermo-Fluid Using Hybrid Nanoparticles

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.