Ultra-dense Multistage Thin Film Thermoelectric Cooler enabled by Massive Filo-Layer Technology (MFT), Phase I

Future instruments and platforms for NASA's Earth Science Enterprises will require increasingly sophisticated thermal control technology. Temperature control for microelectronic and optoelectronic components is often accomplished with thermoelectric (TE) coolers. Because of the performance limit of thermoelectric (TE) materials, a commercial one-stage TE cooler can provide about, at most, 70 K maximum temperature difference, when its hot end remains at room temperature. Therefore, multistage thermoelectric coolers should be applied to obtain larger temperature differences at better coefficient of performance (COP). In the proposed SBIR program, Reveo will develop and commercialize a revolutionary manufacturing technology, which can package an enormous amount of thermal couplers into a miniaturized volume, thereby significantly improving the cooling capability of multistage thermoelectric devices. This enabling process technology is known as Massive Filo-layer Technology (MFT). Compared to current technology, Reveo?s approach enjoys numerous advantages: ? Extremely compact. MEMS level miniaturization. ? Exceptionally high cooling capability (150K and below) ? Manufacturing process can be integrated into industrial thin film device process. ? Great cost saving by consuming less thermoelectric material. ? Highly scalable and upgradeable. ? Enabling much more flexible multistage thermoelectric device configuration.

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.

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