NASA requires next-generation spacecraft technologies, including efficient and compact thermal and water management systems, to extend human presence in space. NASA has employed liquid-vapor,…

NASA has awarded a $750,000.00 cooperative agreement to Wichita State University to establish research infrastructure and address challenges in thermal and water management systems for spacecraft, as well as related applications in sustainable energy, environmental, and industrial systems on Earth. The research will be conducted by a team of five assistant professors at Wichita State University, Kansas State University, and the University of Kansas, working in collaboration with partners at two NASA centers, two Kansas industries, and educational outreach centers. The goal is to develop lightweight, high-performance thermal and water management technologies that can enable more compact and efficient spacecraft designs, as well as address similar challenges in terrestrial systems. This research infrastructure in Kansas is intended to stimulate activities and develop a future STEM workforce to support NASA's long-term needs.

NASA requires next-generation spacecraft technologies, including efficient and compact thermal and water management systems, to extend human presence in space. NASA has employed liquid-vapor, phase-change-based thermal and water management systems, but limited performance per surface area (i.e., low heat flux) requires bulky systems and additional control systems. This results in complex and expensive spacecraft, cubesat, spacesuit, and habitat designs. Improving evaporator and condenser performance using capillary forces would create lightweight thermal and water management systems that would function in space. Similar scientific and engineering challenges occur in sustainable energy, environmental, and industrial systems on earth, including efficient electricity production, water boilers, water desalination, smart buildings, electronics packing, and food production. To solve these compelling research problems and address societal needs, research infrastructure will be established by five assistant professors with joint expertise at three kansas (KS) research universities [wichita state university (WSU), kansas state university (KSU), and university of kansas (KU)], along partners at two NASA centers [jet propulsion lab (JPL), glenn research center (GRC)], two KS industries (wireco, and cargill, INC.), and education centers (cosmosphere, a NASA science museum in KS, and outreach centers at WSU/KSU/ KU). This new research infrastructure in KS will stimulate research activities and empower a future science, technology, engineering, mathematics (stem) workforce to solve research challenges for NASA over the next 30 years.