Development of Optimal Bubble-Seeding Microheaters to Study Nucleate Boiling Heat Transfer in Microgravity

Authors

Ryan Martineau, Utah State University
Iggy Matheson, Utah State University
Landon Hillyard, Utah State University

Document Type

Poster

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Utah State University Undergraduate Research Showcase

Publisher

Utah State University

Publication Date

3-29-2011

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Heng Ban, USU Dept. of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Heat management is a critical issue facing engineers of spaceflight systems. Nucleate boiling has high heat transfer rates, but further study is needed to apply this method effectively to a heat transfer system in a microgravity environment. The USU Get Away Special (GAS) team is conducting a series of experiments aboard NASA's "Weightless Wonder" aircraft to further understanding of nucleate boiling activity in microgravity. Two specific focuses of the current experiment are determining optimal surface geometries of microheater arrays designed to induce nucleate boiling and constructing a lighting and video system to spatially and temporally resolve the anticipated jets of fine, high-speed bubbles. As we use these systems to collect and connect data, we expect to gain an increased understanding of the conditions, parameters, and applications of nucleate boiling in microgravity.

Comments

Poster presented at Utah State University Undergraduate Research Showcase. PDF available for download from link above.

Recommended Citation

Martineau, R., Matheson, I., Hillyard, L. (2011, March 29). Development of Optimal Bubble-Seeding Microheaters to Study Nucleate Boiling Heat Transfer in Microgravity. Presented at the Utah State University, Undergraduate Research Showcase, Logan, UT.