Vapor Compressor Driven Hybrid Two-Phase Loop, Phase I

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will demonstrate a vapor compressor driven hybrid two-phase loop technology. The hybrid two-phase loop technology incorporates an advanced evaporator design that is capable of passive separation of liquid and vapor phases at high heat flux conditions. Combining the hybrid two-phase loop technology with a vapor compressor increases the technology's operating range. The integral phase separation feature in the evaporator greatly improves the vapor compressor performance and reliability by preventing two-phase flows in the compressor. The proposed technology is particularly suited for the lunar surface systems where the cooling system size, mass, reliability and operation under widely varying environmental conditions are critically important.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.