Columbia, Mo. research and engineering company Thermavant Technologies was recently awarded a Phase I and Phase II grant – both from NASA.
The Phase II grant, for $749,941, is to develop an oscillating heat pipe for a radiator panel that would be part of a kilowatt class fission power system to be used for a sustained human mission on Mars. This grant builds on work from a prior Phase I and continues the development of thin profile radiator panels to eject waste heat from the reactor system.
The Phase I grant, for $124,990, is for the company to test application of it’s oscillating heat pipe technology into electric propulsion systems being developed for aircraft. Further, they’re researching additive manufacturing technologies to deeply integrate their cooling tech into thin elements, like structural skins, in order to cut weight and improve heat management.
Founded in 2007, Thermavant Technologies is in the ventilation/heating/air-conditioning/refrigeration industry, specializing in materials and mechanical engineering research. According to Dun & Bradstreet the company has 47 employees and generates more than $8M in annual sales. Company representatives declined repeated requests for an interview.
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