DURIP High Sensitivity Multi-Modal Calorimeter for Advanced Research and Education on Tunable Thermal Energy Storage Materials
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT (ABSTRACT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE)Dr. Mark Spector, Office of Naval ResearchDivision 331: Advanced Naval PlatformsOBJECTIVE: Funding is requested for the acquisition of a high sensitivity multi-modal calorimetry system for dynamically tunable thermal energy storage materials. This system is envisioned to 1) accelerate development of new tunable phase change materials for defense thermal management applications, and 2) to enable characterization under different external conditions (pressure, relative humidity, reactive gas), which enable dynamic tuning of the thermal energy storage properties. This system will be utilized to enhanceexisting research funded by ONR and complementary research programs supported by other DoD communities, and will introduce new capabilities for novel control schemes using tunable thermal materials.APPROACH: The system is based on a cylindrical Calvet calorimeterfor unparalleled sensitivity and can measure heat flow across a broad rangeof temperature (-120 to 830 °C), which spans a wide range of defense applications - sensors and detectors at cryogenic temperatures; electronic and optical components at near room temperature; high temperature structural components and sensor aperture materials. Critically, to measure thermodynamic equilibria and reaction rate kinetics in dynamically controllable TES materials, a system must be capable of changing environmental conditions. The proposed system can complete measurements 1) under controllable ambient pressures (to 400 bar), 2) under different relative humidity (to90% relative humidity at 70 °C), and 3) under different carrier gases, including reactive species (Air, He, N2, H2, CO2, or mixtures thereof). Finally, the system can quantify either isothermal transformation processes and rates (e.g., heat of isothermal adsorption under different gas concentrations), or scanning experiments over a broad range of heating and cooling rates (0.01 to 30 °C/min).This system will be coupled with other materials characterization facilities existing at Texas A&M to allow for unprecedented interrogation of thermal properties and phase transformation characteristics in thermal materials relevant to DoD applications.OUTCOMES: The PI and collaborators have active and previous ONR-supported research in tunable thermal energy storage materials (N00014-22-1-2050: Chemical Control of Plastic Crystals for Tunable Thermal Energy Storage; N00014-17-1-2802: Heat Transfer and Storage in Architectured Composite Heatsinks). Furthermore, the PI and Co-PI and listed collaborators have a rich history of related efforts in phase transforming materials and related materials (shape memory alloys and polymers, etc.) supported by other DoD funding agencies including DoD S&T, US Army DEVCOM Army Research Labs, Army Futures Command, and AFOSR, as well as industry-supported R&D (Northrop Grumman,Raytheon). The PIs and collaborators are experienced in materials chemistry and design and characterization of novel materials, as well as design of different heat transfer and thermal management systems and controls. This system will be available to faculty and students of materials science and engineering and related fields at TAMU, and through collaborations, to external users, enhancing the effective integration of research outcomes with related educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412128
Entities
People
- Patrick Shamberger
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- United States Navy