An Interview with Ben Alexander
Director of Product Development at
ThermAvant Technologies
Q: Hey Ben! Great to have you here. Can you share a bit about your background and how you ended up at ThermAvant Technologies (TAT)?
"My background is in mechanical engineering, and I’ve been in the industry since 2011. For the first eight years of my career, I primarily focused on appliance manufacturing design. While I enjoyed that work, I found myself seeking to push the technology envelope more than those products allowed.
Recognizing the widespread challenges in thermal management, I was thrilled to join ThermAvant. It was a perfect match — not only did I get to work on various thermal applications and challenges, but it also allowed me to settle in the Midwest (a place I love).
The Oscillating Heat Pipe (OHP) technology we’re developing at ThermAvant isn’t just neat tech, it addresses the crucial aspect of cooling in the face of relentless innovation in adjacent spaces. No matter how small, fast, or powerful a device can be made, without effective cooling, it won't see the light of day.
While innovation in electronics, optics, and other fields often gets the spotlight, the reality is that without proper cooling solutions, these innovations remain in the shadows."
Q: Since being at TAT, tell us about your career path and what you do day to day?
"When I first joined ThermAvant, I worked with the technology development team, focusing on government-funded research efforts. Later, I transitioned to the product development team, collaborating with commercial customers to bring our creations to life.
At this point, I’ve touched all of the aspects of the standard product development role, and now oversee the technical progress of the program and the activities of the product development team in general. This entails efficiently managing communication between the team and the client, covering everything from project scope to regular updates.
In my current role as the Director of the Product Development team, I'm continuing the principal investigator work, but also steering the team's overall direction, driving new product development efforts, and ensuring our team fulfills the commitments we've made."
Q: What are the two or three technical requirements your past customers have had that the Oscillating Heat Pipe technology was uniquely able to satisfy?
"Often, our customers are dealing with systems that their current thermal solutions can't handle, and they're in a bit of a bind — they want to crank up the power, but their product can't get heavier or bigger. Their goal is often to shed weight, and here's where our OHP technology comes into play. We craft OHP solutions that not only lighten the product but also serve as a structural element. This often makes the OHP heat sinks both structurally and thermally efficient, addressing the challenge of increasing power without increasing size and weight.
Additionally, the OHPs we develop enable operation in a broader range of environmental conditions. For instance, if we can reduce the temperature rise within the thermal management system by 10 degrees, this allows the system to operate at higher ambient conditions without the need for shutdowns.
Another critical requirement is often the specific stiffness of the device. Customers are seeking to reduce weight, yet keep stiffness. Structurally integrated OHPs typically deliver a mass reduction of ~30% with a stiffness loss of less than 5%. This not only achieves the weight reduction goal and also improves shock and vibration performance, making our OHP an ideal solution for their needs."
Q: What are two or three future products (or industries) that you see being most impacted by the OHP technology?
"We're witnessing substantial development in telecommunication systems, particularly in antenna systems for both space and terrestrial applications. These systems have specific heat-related challenges, with a strong emphasis on making them smaller, and more densely packed. OHP technology emerges as a stellar fit, proving exceptionally effective in satellite and radar applications. Notably, the widespread adoption of phased array antennas showcases the versatility and impact of Oscillating Heat Pipes’ ability to be tightly integrated.
Another frontier is in computer and fan-cooled systems. Often constrained to basic aluminum fin structures, air-cooled systems face limitations in available surface area for effective cooling. OHP technology is making strides in advancing the capabilities of these systems by enhancing the 2- and 3-D spreading within fin arrays. By significantly enhancing the fin efficiency of these systems, it provides a viable solution, particularly in cases where alternative active cooling options are limited, allowing seamless integration with existing architectures for current and future generations of development."
Q: What advice do you give product developers interested in using the OHP technology to meet their requirements?
"When diving into OHP technology, my first piece of advice is to scope out your project early. Get a solid understanding of what OHPs can offer in terms of basic capabilities. Familiarize yourself with the trade-offs they require and, just as importantly, the ones they don't.
We're fortunate to have an exceptional sales team comprised of engineers ready to guide and help you grasp how OHPs can add significant value to your project.
Consider a Concept of Design Review as a great starting point. Whether an OHP is the right tool for your particular problem or not, we're always excited to help scope it out and steer you in the right direction.
Clearly defining your objectives allows us to tailor our solution to bring maximum value to your project. Ultimately, our goal is to provide the guidance and support needed to ensure our OHP technology aligns seamlessly with your development goals."
Your Next Career Move Starts Here
ThermAvant Technologies has grown staffing from four employees in 2014 to 70+ in 2023.
We are continuously seeking to add capable, high-character team members to our Columbia, MO headquarters.
Ben Alexander | Director of Product Development
Ben Alexander is a lead director at ThermAvant. He focuses on the development of OHP and cold plate solutions for batteries and optical systems, as well as for space radiator and other applications. Ben has led and supported multiple programs in these areas since 2018. His work continues to advance the OHP state of the art, opening up new commercialization opportunities with both government and commercial customers. Prior to joining ThermAvant in 2018, Ben spent over seven years in the technology group of a major U.S. appliance manufacturer, contributing to over 10 granted patents in his time there. Ben completed his undergraduate and master's studies in mechanical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis in 2011. He currently lives in Columbia, Mo. with his wife and three children, and he enjoys cycling and exploring the area's extensive mountain bike and multi-use trails in his freetime.