Available Technologies

Technology

Thermal management is key to many systems, including industrial, space, information, and power generation and distribution. In traditional systems, various insulating means are used to control heat transfer. However, these insulation methods are designed to primarily control thermal flow, with little or no regard to other physical characteristics such as weight, rigidity, or strength. Generally, insulation is “added on” to the structure and offers little in terms of strength or stiffness.

Researchers at UAH have developed an integrated thermal management system that utilizes proprietary panels with insulation values rivaling and even exceeding the best commercial insulations available today. These panels are constructed from a special material whose shape makes them not only insulate well, but also provides far greater stiffness and strength versus existing insulating panels. The added strength provides protection to enclosed components against damage due to blast waves, temperature extremes, or ballistic impact. This integrated structure is significantly lighter than insulation “added on” to the structure and offers additional benefits, including ballistic protection and acoustic attenuation.