PLASMa: Precision ionic Liquids for Advanced Spacecraft thermal Management (PLASMa)

In this project, we aim to architect novel ionic liquids with specific thermal properties beyond the limits of known heat transfer fluids, thus pushing the boundaries of performance for state-of-the-art thermal control subsystems. Early investigations of thermophysical properties of known ionic liquids show tremendous promise for their application to active thermal control technologies, although an optimized combination of ionic species has yet to be discovered. Here, we will leverage machine learning to enable the discovery of ionic liquids for spacecraft thermal control in the extreme thermal environments encountered beyond the Earth’s orbit, such as those of the lunar surface and deep space

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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