Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- Wright Research Site, Det 1 AFRL/PK, Bldg 167, Area B, 2310 8th Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7801

A -- STATIC THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SOL PRDA-00-02-PRK DUE 041301 POC Robin Bartley, Contract Negotiator, Phone (937) 656-9766, Fax (937) 255-4434, Email Robin.Bartley@ws.wpafb.af.mil -- Ann Marie Telepak, Contracting Officer, Phone (937) 656-9035, Fax (937) 255-4434, Email WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=PRDA-00-0 2-PRK&LocID=904. E-MAIL: Robin Bartley, Robin.Bartley@ws.wpafb.af.mil. Air Force Research Laboratory, Propulsion Directorate (AFRL/PRPE) solicits research proposals on Static Thermal Energy Conversion. (a) This effort will demonstrate static thermal energy converters for mid level (10 kW to 100 kW) space power applications and low level (100 W) ground power applications. This range is generally viewed as the gap between the upper economical power level (10 kW) for solar arrays up to the lower (100 kW) economical power level for nuclear and non-nuclear (hydrogen-oxygen) turbo-generators. Static thermal-energy converters offer the option of non-consumables mid level power sources for satellites with solar concentrators. Remote ground applications use high-maintenance diesel generators or expensive radioisotope generators, so a no maintenance power source using common hydrocarbon fuels is needed. (b) This effort will define which energy conversion options best meet the criteria for these medium-level power applications. Static converters traditionally operate at low efficiencies, voltages, and power densities. This causes the thermal management and heat rejection system to be large and impractical for space applications. The focus will be on raising the efficiency levels, output voltage, and power densities. These factors will reduce the thermal-management system weight, DC-DC electronic power converter weight, and reduce the energy conversion area in the solar-concentrator power source. The low voltage output of these converters requires voltage converters to raise the final output voltage to maintain reasonable system efficiency. In addition, the energy converters operate in high temperature environments, so the development of high-temperature semiconductor materials will be an integral part of this work. Thermal management should be an integral part of this effort. Interested offerors may view and/or download the full PRDA solicitation by accessing the Electronic Posting System (EPS) homepage at http://www.eps.gov/. Direct questions to the Contracting point of contact identified in the announcement. Posted 04/14/00 (D-SN445026). (0105)

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