Intelligent Variable Emittance Panels Using New, ?True? Solid Electrolyte, Phase I

This firm has, in ongoing work in collaboration with the Air Force, NASA and JPL, developed a unique Variable Emittance technology based on the electrochromism of unique Conducting Polymers. This comprises thin (< 0.5 mm), flexible, lightweight (0.16 g/cm^2), variable area (0.5 cm^2 to 0.5 m^2), very low cost flat panels. Delta Emittance (DE) of 0.33 in space-qualified devices, and 0.53 in vacuum-durable unsealed devices, has been demonstrated. All space durability tests e.g. thermal vacuum, gamma-radiation and solar wind have been passed. A 90 cm2 panel and Controller are scheduled to fly on NASA?s ST5 microsatellite mission in 2004. A key technical barrier of this technology has however been the need to encapsulate and hermetically seal devices in CsI windows, due to a semi-solid electrolyte that does not function when completely desiccated. This causes the DE of > 0.53 in unsealed devices to fall to < 0.35 in sealed devices. The use of a just-discovered, truly solid, room temperature molten salt electrolyte compatible with our electrochromic system will permit the use of unsealed devices, allowing DE of 0.53. Intelligent design, with embedded sensors reading Emittance directly, and coatings reducing Solar Absorptance to < 0.2, are also planned.

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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