Scalable Nanoporous Paints with High Solar Reflectance and Durability in Space Environments

This project aims to advance thermal control coatings critical for NASA, focusing on developing scalable nanoporous paints with high solar reflectance and durability in harsh space environments. Current state-of-the-art thermal control paints, like AZ-93, exhibit robust physical properties, but do not show ultrahigh solar reflectance. On the other hand, existing variable emissivity coatings (VEC) can provide thermal regulation, but do not show high solar reflectance either. In response, this research seeks to innovate coatings with ultrahigh solar reflectance of over 97%, while either emissive or transparent in the infrared (IR). The work will progress through three main tasks. The first task is to develop solar-reflective, IR-emissive paints by pairing high-performance pigments pioneered by my lab such as hexagonal boron nitride and BaSO#, with space-robust inorganic binders like potassium silicate. My lab recently created ultrahigh reflectivity of 98.1% and emissivity of 0.95 for terrestrial cooling paints. I will engineer these paints and coatings to withstand high UV irradiation, atomic oxygen fluence, thermal cycling, and more. The second task focuses on creating a robust solar reflecting topcoat with high IR transparency. By using size-engineered IR-transparent nanoparticles like diamond and BaF2 in high pigment volume concentrations, this topcoat will strongly scatter solar wavelengths while allowing IR emission from a substrate, such as a VEC to pass through, thus enabling dynamic thermal regulation. The third task is to evaluate these coatings in simulated space conditions, including intense UV radiation and thermal cycling tests, to assess durability. This phase will leverage my lab's partnership with NASA JPL and SpaceX, as well as expertise from NASA engineers during the visiting technologist experience to validate and refine the paints for long-term space applications. Ultimately, the project seeks to produce innovative thermal coatings that enhance thermal management through a lightweight, passive solution for radiators, small sats, and more.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.