Researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering at the Wrocław University of Technology are implementing the project ‘µCOFfEe – Microgravity Capillary Oscillating Flow Experiment’. They are conducting their research in the discharge tower of the Space Technology and Microgravity Center of the University of Bremen (Germany).
The research concerns the phenomenon of capillary flow in pulsating heat tubes in microgravity – at almost zero gravitational acceleration, in conditions similar to outer space. The project is implemented thanks to funding from the European Space Agency under the CORA (Continuously Open Research Announcement) program.
Pulsating heat pipes are used for receiving heat from areas with higher temperature, i.e. for cooling it. A small temperature difference is enough for the tube to transport significant amounts of heat. Tubes have over 150 times better conductivity than pure copper.
