KULR Technology has developed and flown light weight composite phase change material (PCM) heatsinks to provide fast, efficient thermal capacity for many aerospace applications.  PCM heatsinks utilize the latent heat of the working fluid to absorb or provide heat. Heat capacity in phase change occurs at a specific temperature, making PCM particularly well suited to storing heat over a tight temperature band. One gram of a typical PCM has melting energy about the same as heating 1g of aluminum ~280°C.  

The potential value of PCM in thermal management was recognized many years ago but adoption was hindered by issues with low thermal conductivity, containment, stability, and lack of heritage.  KULR has overcome these problems through careful material selection, development of specialized core materials, and years of experience in a range of missions.  KULR uses carbon fiber in combination with other materials to produce composite cores with finely-dispersed thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer to the PCM.  Our methods for controlling PCM distribution within the heatsinks allow for lightweight package designs, reducing overall mass and volume.  

KULR’s heatsinks commonly have PCM volume fractions above 80%, even under the reliability demands of space use.  The PCM may be attached directly to a component, or via heat strap, heat pipe, or through a circulating fluid via heat exchanger.  In many cases efficiency can be enhanced by integrating PCM within a structural component.  KULR PCM heatsinks have flown on the space shuttle (CryTSU on STS-95), MESSENGER (to Mercury), ISS (NICER PCM structural decks), CubeSats (IceCube, pending Lunar Flashlight), and on the 2020 Mars Rover (SHERLOC Instrument).