University of Arizona Launches World’s Largest Thermal Vacuum Chamber within Collegiate Research

The University of Arizona recently unveiled the Applied Research Building’s Thermal Vacuum Chamber, the world’s largest of its kind housed within a collegiate research facility. Weighing 40 tons and extending 30 feet, the TV Chamber is designed for testing nanosatellites under replicated atmospheric temperature and pressure conditions found within the space and near-space environment. The TV Chamber provides incredible accuracy in simulation, ensuring the greatest confidence in materials testing.

This technology represents one of the primary features within the ARB. With the complexity of the TV Chamber, the Design-Build partnership between SmithGroup and general contractor McCarthy Building Companies Inc., sequenced the building’s construction around the chamber, bringing in KFI Engineers as the mechanical and electrical engineering partner and controls integrator to ensure successful installation and commissioning.

With testing capacity for objects as large as a pickup truck, the TV Chamber can perform tests ranging from one day to two weeks in duration. Its capabilities mimic deep space with fluctuating pressure and the ability to cool to the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-315 F).

The chamber arrived onsite with minimal detailed drawings, adding to the challenge of planning and execution. McCarthy’s in-house virtual design and construction team employed Building Information Modeling to laser scan the chamber and develop a 3D model for use in coordinating its installation.

Depicting the chamber’s base isolators, as-built conditions and the various MEP scopes needed to tie-in and support the chamber, the virtual model allowed for enhanced collaboration during ARB’s design phase, which occurred remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with structural engineering support, the model also ensured thorough planning for installation and building sequencing.

To ensure the smoothest installation, the team hired Stafford Crane and Rigging to increase stability and mitigate risk. With careful planning, the major installation was executed in a matter of hours with zero complications.

The $85-million three-story, 89,000-square-foot ARB is the new home of applied physical sciences and engineering, connecting faculty across four colleges and eight departments — College of Engineering (Aerospace & Mechanical, Electrical & Computer, Material Science & Engineering and Systems & Industrial); College of Science (Astronomy, Lunar & Planetary Lab); College of Optical Sciences and the College of Medicine — enabling space science and exploration, advanced manufacturing and imaging technology research essential to storied missions like the Giant Magellan Telescope and Mars Exploration Rover.

ARB has been recognized by the Design Build Institute of America as the 2024 Project of the Year for the Western Pacific Region, and has received a DBIA National Award of Merit among Educational Facilities, qualifying the facility for the National Award of Excellence.

Photos courtesy of McCarthy Building Companies