Mainstream Engineering Awarded Contract from the Navy for Integrated Thermal Energy Storage in a Power Conductor for Electromagnetic Railguns

ROCKLEDGE, FL – June 24th, 2011 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, a 25-year-old Brevard County manufacturer with a history of leading-edge research and development that has resulted in advanced, lean-manufacturing, cost-competitive products, which are all Made in the USA, has been awarded a contract from the Navy to develop a power conductor for electromagnetic railguns with integrated thermal energy storage.

The United States Navy is seeking a compact, flexible power conductor capable of handling the high magnitude; high transient pulsed loading required by a naval electromagnetic railgun. Very high current levels (up to 6 mega-amps) repeatedly carried over a compact cross-sectional area will result in significant heating. Mainstream has proposed a solution that minimizes complexity, requires minimal volume, and uses no external power to provide cooling. Mainstream’s innovative conductor reduces weight and cost and increases flexibility compared to a standard conductor.

While many employers in Brevard County are discussing reductions in force, Mainstream has seen its staff increase by 14% in the last year alone. This new Navy contract allows Mainstream to create additional engineering and production positions.

“Given the state of the economy and the anticipated job losses at Kennedy Space Center, we are excited about the possibility of being able to employ displaced aerospace workers from the local community. This new Navy contract award is one small step in a series of ongoing job-creating programs that are developing at both Mainstream and our spin-off companies, to create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment. Our products have always been proudly “Made in the USA,” stated Dr. Robert Scaringe, President of Mainstream.

About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing small business founded in 1986. Our primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage, and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally-safe green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers, and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, turbomachinery, chemical technology, and materials science.