Experimental Study of Miniature Flat Plate Pulsating Heat Pipes for Cryogenic Applications

This PhD position at Université Paris-Saclay’s GS Physique department focuses on experimentally studying the thermal performance of miniature flat plate pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) operating with helium (4 K) and neon (27 K). The project involves designing, fabricating, and characterizing these complex cryogenic systems, leveraging both conventional and additive manufacturing techniques. Applicants will conduct localized temperature and pressure measurements to assess thermohydraulic performance under cryogenic conditions, bridging knowledge from room-temperature systems to ultra-low-temperature applications. The work combines thermal design, fluid mechanics, and experimental validation, with a strong emphasis on hands-on research and data acquisition.

• Design and optimize miniature flat plate pulsating heat pipes for cryogenic applications using helium and neon at 4 K and 27 K.
• Conduct in-depth literature reviews to identify key geometric and physical parameters influencing PHP performance.
• Fabricate prototypes using conventional and additive manufacturing techniques, depending on design requirements.
• Perform localized temperature and pressure measurements inside channels without disrupting flow dynamics.
• Characterize thermohydraulic performance of prototypes on a specialized cryogenic test facility.
• Analyze experimental data using programming tools (Python) and data acquisition systems (LabView).
• Assess the applicability of room-temperature knowledge to cryogenic conditions and document findings.