On 27 November 2023, the ESA Commercialisation Days: Transportation event will take place. Key actors from the transportation and space sectors will come together to develop new synergies. Read the story below from Calyos, one of the start-ups that will pitch during the event.C alyos is associated with the ESA Broker, Belgium.
Background + problem to solve for
In the realm of technological advancements, where power-packed electronics drive progress and innovation, effective thermal management has become a pivotal challenge. Enter Calyos, a trailblazer in passive cooling technologies, with its roots deeply spawning from the space industry as they spun-off from Euro Heat Pipes (EHP) in 2014. The journey of Calyos’ technologies is one that stems from the daunting task of cooling electronic components within satellites, where the absence of air or coolant poses a unique challenge.
Traditionally, engineers often turned to the simplicity of heat sinks to dissipate heat. However, in the space industry, this approach was rendered ineffective due to the lack of air or cooling mediums/fluids. Instead, Calyos embraced the approach of transporting heat away from the source to access a better cold source (or location to dissipate the heat). This approach proved to be the key to effective thermal management in space. Heat loads were transported over extended distances, with remote radiators serving as the vital location to dissipate the heat.
In a world driven by sustainability goals, high-power electronics play a critical role. From cutting-edge computer processors propelling human advancements to power electronic inverters shaping the energy sector. These components are instrumental to our sustainability progression. However, their optimal functioning hinges on efficient cooling mechanisms. Today, the same principles used for cooling electronics in space finds resonance in ground applications. Air cooling through heat sinks, once the go-to solution, has encountered its limits for two reasons. Firstly, the thermal power dissipation of components has surged significantly and isn’t showing any signs of stopping. Secondly, electronic components continue to shrink in size and available packaging room, leaving minimal space for conventional cooling.
Solution
This is precisely where Calyos shines. With a mastery over two-phase (liquid to vapor) passive cooling technologies, such as Loop Heat Pipes, Micro Channel Heat Pipes and Pulsating Heat Pipes, Calyos delivers effective cooling systems for these electronics with the notable benefit of being 100% passive and pump free. Their innovation lies in the ability to harness the latent heat of vaporisation and transport it over considerable distances to tap into superior cold sources or surround components to facilitate the passive dissipation of heat.
A compelling illustration of Calyos’ prowess emerges in their collaboration with a leading American automotive OEM. The focal point of this partnership is the cooling of computer processors used within modern passenger vehicles. Calyos is providing a solution that is currently being tested inside a vehicle at proving grounds in North America. The advancements these cooling systems support will enable the emergence of transformative features like autonomous driving, all while remaining 100% passive and saving valuable energy to extend the range of electric vehicles.
In an era where thermal management commands the spotlight across industries, Calyos has a pioneering approach that stands in contrast to the active (pumped) liquid cooling offer. What was once a breakthrough approach in the space sector, today finds its applications in diverse domains: automotive, renewable energy, e-mobility, and computing.
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