Radiators

Our embedded OHP radiators combine rugged mechanical support with advanced thermal management by integrating Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs) directly into the frame structure. These capillary-driven, passive cooling loops rapidly move heat away from high-flux components—no pumps, fans, or external hardware required. Each frame is engineered to serve as both the mounting surface and the primary thermal pathway, reducing thermal resistance and eliminating the need for bulky cold plates or complex cooling assemblies. Custom-built to integrate with spacecraft and other next higher assemblies, our radiator panels are deployed in mission-critical spaceborne environments to enable the highest payload performance output feasible. 

Lead times can be as short as 4 weeks for recurring hardware. Custom designs and new builds typically range from 4 to 6 months for first unit delivery, depending on complexity.

ThermAvant offers several common form factors to support lab demonstrations and risk reducing efforts but OHPs will typically be designed for the boundary conditions, thermal loading, and heat map of a specific part and application.

OHP microchannels can be integrated into thin panels as small as 1 mm in total thickness using aluminum 6061. Since channels are not always necessary across the entire radiator panel to achieve a highly isothermal surface temperature gradient, residual material between channels can be removed for ultra-lightweighting. OHPs have been shown to reduce the effective density of a standard aluminum panel by more than 50%. With the appropriate selection of working fluid, OHPs can operate across a broad temperature range—from cryogenic conditions to liquid metal temperatures—with transport capacity limited only by the available microchannel area.

In contrast, CCHP-mounted radiators require additional mounting hardware and increased panel thickness to accommodate fasteners attached to a solid aluminum radiator substrate. This adds mass to the system and increases the thermal solution’s space claim. CCHPs also have thermal capacity and flux limits, often requiring more heat pipes and mounting components to function effectively at higher temperatures and power levels. Spaceborne CCHPs rely on grooved wick structures to return fluid to the evaporators, but these wicks are limited in performance when operating against gravity. As a result, CCHP ground testing must be carefully oriented to work as intended.

OHPs, by contrast, do not require wicks. They use high-pressure nucleate boiling to passively circulate the working fluid, enabling effective operation in adverse gravity fields. They also eliminate the need for startup heaters and are capable of smooth startup from cold conditions.

Yes. The OHP is embedded directly into the geometry of the aluminum radiator panel, with no separate components to fail or add bulk. It appears and functions as a solid structural piece but passively moves heat with zero moving parts. Just specify the form factor—ThermAvant builds to match it as a drop in replacement. 

Pulsating Heat Pipes (PHPs) and Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs) refer to the same technology. The terms are used interchangeably in the industry. Regardless of terminology, the focus should be on the efficient heat transfer capabilities and applications of the technology.

OHPs can support coatings, primers, and finishes similarly to solid aluminum panels. From highly emissive black coatings to chemical conversion coatings and low-absorptivity ceramic coatings, a wide range of surface treatments can be effectively applied to OHP hardware. ThermAvant’s supply chain and lab facilities are well-equipped to manage surfacing requests.