Thermal management system for cell-biology experimental setup studying calcium signalling in microgravity

Abstract

Abstract A novel hardware featuring specific LED arrays shall be developed to investigate free calcium in biological cells exposed to microgravity conditions. The temperature-sensitive samples require a precise and reliable temperature control system that can operate without electricity. In this paper, we assess the effectiveness of a passive temperature control system based on phase change material. Two extreme operation scenarios are investigated simulatively with the software COMSOL 6.1 for correct dimensioning and material selection. The simulation results of the first operation scenario show that the required temperature range for mammalian cells can be maintained during a power interruption of two hours. The simulation results of the second operation scenario show that excess heat generated by the LED arrays is effectively evacuated with a phase change material-based thermal management system. The physics software modules “heat transfer in solids and fluids” and “surface-to-surface radiation” were required to simulate illuminating LEDs adequately.