Mainstream Engineering Awarded Contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for a Stirling Cryocooler

ROCKLEDGE, FL – August 26th, 2014 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, a 28-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 Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) to improve the power density of existing Stirling cryocoolers.

Cooling to cryogenic temperatures improves the efficiency and operating life of many electronic systems, including high-speed computers, IR detectors, solid-state lasers, and wireless communication transceivers. Stirling cryocoolers are common in these applications because of their high efficiency and long, maintenance-free operating life. However, existing Stirling cryocoolers do not meet the size and weight requirements of many applications.

Mainstream has identified a method to make a significant improvement to the power density of Stirling cryocoolers, particularly in aerospace applications, and is developing an advanced prototype that will allow cryogenic cooling to be applied to systems where previously the size and weight of the cryocooler were prohibitive.

About Mainstream Engineering
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing small business 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. Founded in 1986, Mainstream’s 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 QwikProducts™ 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.