Mainstream Awarded Two Contracts to Develop and Produce Improved Heat Transfer Fluids for NASA

ROCKLEDGE, FL – May 10, 2006 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, leading research, and development company specializing in advanced thermal control and energy conversion, has been awarded two contracts from NASA Johnson Space Center to develop, test, and produce non-toxic, low freezing point heat transfer fluids for space applications.

In the first contract, Mainstream is continuing to develop its QTherm™ line of heat transfer fluids with freezing points from -10 to -35°C and minimal volume expansion upon freezing. Mainstream engineers are also developing water-based fluids with an approximate 0°C freezing point, as well as a proprietary B-Pak™ biocide package for long-term, microbial resistance, and a P-Pak for pH buffering and corrosion control. As part of the contract, the Mainstream engineering team will be performing comprehensive thermal, physical, and safety characterizations.

QTherm™ fluids have space-based applications in EVA suits, ISS secondary cooling loops, and CEV environmental control. Mainstream is already using one coolant from this family of fluids in its QwikChill™ Instant Can Cooler, which is a developmental device for the Naval Surface Warfare Center and Office of Naval Research. The QwikChill™ Instant Can Cooler cools a can of soda from room temperature to refrigerator temperature in 10 seconds.

In the second contract, Mainstream is developing a non-toxic, non-flammable, -80°C phase-change material for NASA ICEPAC applications. ICEPACs are used as solid/liquid phase-change packs for cryogenic transfer in cryodewars.