TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Thermal Management for Aircraft Propulsion Systems (LEW-TOPS-110)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology.  License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use.  NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.THE TECHNOLOGY: Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed a lightweight, reliable thermal management system, for both ambient and cryogenic propulsion systems, that increases overall fuel efficiency from 40 to 60 percent. Conventional aircraft propulsion systems struggle to keep high-powered electric motors and electronics cool without resorting to extra mass and complexity that negate the benefits of electric propulsion in aircraft.  Glenn's thermal management system uses the normally wasted energy from turbofan propulsion to cool electronics and power equipment.  The waste heat produces a high-intensity acoustic wave,

created from the temperature gradient between the hot and cold heat exchangers.  This acoustic wave energy propagates through thermoacoustic power tubes, where it can be used for component cooling or converted to electric power via a linear alternator.  Glenn's system can provide highly efficient electric power to aircraft components while cooling the aircraft's propulsion system without added mass and complexity.To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-110If you have any questions, please contact NASA Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office at grc-techtransfer@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information.  For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities.  No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.