A Review of Novel Heat Transfer Materials and Fluids for Aerospace Applications
Glauco Nobrega,
Beatriz Cardoso,
Reinaldo Souza,
José Pereira,
Pedro Pontes,
Susana O. Catarino,
Diana Pinho,
Rui Lima,
Ana Moita
Affiliations
Glauco Nobrega
Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Beatriz Cardoso
Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Reinaldo Souza
Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
José Pereira
IN+, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Pedro Pontes
IN+, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Susana O. Catarino
Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Diana Pinho
Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Rui Lima
Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Ana Moita
IN+, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
The issue of thermal control for space missions has been critical since the early space missions in the late 1950s. The demands in such environments are heightened, characterized by significant temperature variations and the need to manage substantial densities of heat. The current work offers a comprehensive survey of the innovative materials and thermal fluids employed in the aerospace technological area. In this scope, the materials should exhibit enhanced reliability for facing maintenance and raw materials scarcity. The improved thermophysical properties of the nanofluids increase the efficiency of the systems, allowing the mass/volume reduction in satellites, rovers, and spacecraft. Herein are summarized the main findings from a literature review of more than one hundred works on aerospace thermal management. In this sense, relevant issues in aerospace convection cooling were reported and discussed, using heat pipes and heat exchangers, and with heat transfer ability at high velocity, low pressure, and microgravity. Among the main findings, it could be highlighted the fact that these novel materials and fluids provide enhanced thermal conductivity, stability, and insulation, enhancing the heat transfer capability and preventing the malfunctioning, overheating, and degradation over time of the systems. The resulting indicators will contribute to strategic mapping knowledge and further competence. Also, this work will identify the main scientific and technological gaps and possible challenges for integrating the materials and fluids into existing systems and for maturation and large-scale feasibility for aerospace valorization and technology transfer enhancement.
