The IsoTherm concept was inspired by the circulatory system of biological organisms, which is highly efficient and provides multiple functions within one system, including thermal regulation, oxygen flow, and constituents for self-healing. By adapting this multi-functional architecture to the structural panels of a satellite bus, impressive performance improvements may be realized. While several studies have been conducted showing that electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps can operate effectively in two-phase applications, all were conducted in 1g environments. It is well known that the behavior of two-phase flows is quite different in microgravity, and this will affect the performance of the EHD pump. A thorough characterization of IsoTherm is necessary for optimization of the current system and to design future generations of two-phase multifunctional structures.

The anticipated outcome of the experiment is a better understanding of how microgravity will affect the performance of IsoTherm. This includes the effects on the power required for an EHD pump to deliver a desired flow rate and pressure head, the change in heat transfer coefficient between the IsoTherm channels and an electronic component that needs to be cooled, the maximum heat flux IsoTherm is capable of dissipating, and the power required to operate IsoTherm as a function of applied heat loa

IsoTherm is an adaptable, cross-cutting technology that can be applied to all high-power spacecraft, cutting weight and increasing power capabilities for nearly all future missions.

The experiment requires near-zero gravity conditions. Three minutes of microgravity are necessary to achieve the test objectives, requiring approximately 10 parabolas. Three people are required for the experiment: one to operate the panel, one to collect data on pump performance, and the third to collect data regarding the panel performance.