SBIR/STTR Award attributes
The unexpected improvement in thermal conductivity of thermal grease has been further developed and improved upon. The objective of this program is to develop and commercialize a grease that will increase device and equipment performance by better matching grease properties with the application. It was found that the most value can be provided through the development of a thermal grease for avionics equipment Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). Thermal conductivity and CPU test bench data have showed great promise that our novel nano technology will increase avionics performance and lifetime. Carbon and other nanomaterials, when matched to based oils based upon their chemistry can lead to a dramatic performance in many of these applications. A Key objective is to determine at what ratio of nano materials, base fluid, etc. provides the best performance to cost benefit for the Air Force. We will partner with the Air Force to determine their requirements for specific grease applications. Another key objective is to provide a grease that is ready for purchase and use by the Air Force on weapons systems, support equipment, and other DoD platforms as well as commercial customers. The low density of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and high-performance thermal management performance, pave the way to manufacture a grad cost-effective thermal grease that can compete commercially in today’s global market. CNTs grease with high thermal conductivity not only can work as a lubricant that fills the gap between parts to reduce wear and friction. But also, can be used between the solid surface to generate a thermal connection between the heat-generating parts and heat sinks to increase the heat transfer efficacy Novel Nano Grease tribology testing revealed a 30% decrease in friction when compared to conventional greases. Wear testing revealed a performance increase of 60% compared to conventional greases. Novel Nano Grease has been prepared with thermal conductivity enhancements over the base fluid up to 545.9%. In addition, the CNTs used to make the stable grease has decreased from 12 wt% to 3-4wt%, which reflects significantly on the grease manufacturing cost. A commercially available thermal silicone heat transfer compound from MG Chemicals showed thermal conductivity enhancements up to 143.3% with our novel addition of carbon nanomaterials. In applications that benefit from electrical conductivity the chemistry of the grease constituents may be matched in order to achieve the required conductivity.
