The Thermal Transport Processes program is part of the Transport Phenomena cluster, which includes also 1) Combustion and Fire Systems; 2) Fluid Dynamics; and 3) Particulate and Multiphase Processes.

The Thermal Transport Processes (TTP) program supports engineering research projects that lay

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the foundation for new discoveries in thermal transport phenomena.

These projects should either develop new fundamental knowledge or combine existing knowledge in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer to probe new areas of innovation.

The program seeks transformative projects with the potential for improving our basic understanding, predictability and application of thermal transport processes.

Projects should articulate the contribution(s) to the fundamental knowledge supporting thermal transport processes and state clearly the potential application(s) impact when appropriate.Projects that combine analytical, experimental and numerical efforts, geared toward understanding, modeling and predicting thermal phenomena, are of great interest.Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals for which the main contribution is in thermal transport processes fundamentals are also encouraged.

Emphasis is placed on research that demonstrates how thermal transport phenomena affect the existence, behavior and dynamics of components and systems.

Some specific areas of interest include:

• Convection/Diffusion/Radiation:
  heat and mass transport in geometricallycomplex surfaces and structures;development of form-functionrelationships in thermal processes; constructal thermal design; radiationamplification, controlling, and extinction; interfacial gas-solid andliquid-solid thermal and species driven phenomena.
• Thermodynamics:
  thermal-electric energy conversion; batteryrelated thermal issues; power generation and propulsion (proposalsincluding chemical kinetics should be submitted to the Combustion and FireSystems program, CBET 1407); phase-change and supercritical energy cycles;non-equilibriumthermal processes.
• Bio-Heatand Mass Transport:
  biomimicry;intra- andextra-cellular thermal transport; freeze resistancemechanisms;thermotherapy and thermoregulation; organ conservation(freezing and thawing).
• Nano-,Micro-and Meso-thermics:
  scaling upnano heat or coupled nano heat-mass transport processes; utilization ofnew multi-functional, meta- and graded-materials in thermal transport;nano-texturingand phase-change; multi-scale thermal transport in aprocess.

Priority is given to insightful investigations of fundamental problems with clearly defined economic, environmental and societal impacts.

NOTE:
Proposals dealing mainly with materials synthesis, processing and characterization should be directed to the Materials Engineering and Processing (MEP) program in ENG/CMMI or the Division of Materials Research (DMR) in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate.

Proposals at the interface of computational/mathematical sciences and thermal transport are encouraged, but should be submitted to theComputational and Data-Enabled Science & Engineering (CDS&E) Program.

Innovative proposals outside of these specific interest areas may be considered.However, prior to submission, it is recommended that the PI contact the Program Director to avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review.

The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years.

The typical award size for a single PI proposal is approximately $110,000 per year.

Proposals requesting a substantially higher amount than this, without prior consultation and approval from the Program Director, may be returned without review.

Small equipment proposals up to $30,000 will also be considered and may be submitted during the annual proposal submission window.

INFORMATION COMMON TO MOST CBET PROGRAMS Proposals should address the novelty and/orpotentially transformative natureof the proposed work compared to previous work in the field.Also, it is important to address why the proposed work is important in terms of engineering science, as well as to project the potential impact on society and/or industry if the research is successful.The novelty or potentially transformative nature of the research should be included, at a minimum, in the Project Summary of each proposal.

Faculty Early Career Development(CAREER)program proposals are strongly encouraged.Award duration is five years.The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year.

Please see the CAREER URLherefor more information.

Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements:
PIs are strongly encouraged to discuss their requests with the Program Director before submission of the proposal.

Grants forRapid Response Research(RAPID)andEArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research(EAGER)are also considered when appropriate.Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission.Further details are available in theProposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide(PAPPG)download foundhere.Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)proposals that integrate fundamental research with translational results and are consistent with the application areas of interest to each program are also encouraged.Please note that GOALI proposals must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window for each program.

More information on GOALI can be foundhere.

COMPLIANCE:
Proposals which are not compliant with theProposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG)will be returned without review.

Unsolicited proposals received outside of the Announced Proposal Window dates will be returned without review.