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Microtechnologies for Air-Cooled Exchangers (MACE)
Program Manager and PoC: Dr. Thomas Kenny
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : The airflow direction is not clearly specified in the MACE BAA. Can you provide some more information?
A : Sure. We are intentionally keeping this flexible. There are some situations where airflow in the plane of the heat sink is preferred and others where bringing it in from the top makes the most sense. Please select an airflow geometry that makes the most sense for you. Please include ducting as needed to guide the flow from your blower into the heatsink.
Q : What is the location and size of the 1 kW heat source?
A : This program has an assumption going in that the TGP program will provide very high-performance spreaders for thermal management applications, and so it is not necessary for the MACE program to also provide spreading. Please assume that the 1 kW is evenly distributed across the base of the 4”x4” heatsink you’re designing.
Q : We have a lot of questions about the 50% cost-sharing requirement for the second phase, customer-specific effort. Is there any new information here?
A : DARPA intends to amend the BAA to change this requirement. Please check the amendment when it appears. Our expectation is that the requirement will be changed from “50%” to “some”; this is intended to provide much greater flexibility in the arrangements that teams must make in order to participate.
Q : How detailed should the technical information and the teaming arrangements be in the Proposal Abstract?
A : The proposal abstract is intended as an opportunity for mutual information exchange. The more you can tell us about the interesting, risky, or complicated parts of your ideas or teaming arrangements, the more useful feedback you’ll obtain on those topics. The PM will call each team that submits a proposal abstract for a feedback discussion, and this discussion can cover any issues that arise in the evaluation of your proposal abstract. So, our best advice is to submit one, and to include any details that you think you’d like feedback on.