High Turndown Ratio, High Delta-Emittance, Variable Emissivity Electrochromics

Among thermal control methods, variable-emittance materials remain the most promising for addressing deficiencies of current systems (mechanical louvers, loop heat pipes, MEMS, electrostatics, phase change materials, others), especially, e.g., for missions in extreme light/dark environments, planetary platforms. This firm's unique, patented variable-emittance skin technology, based on conducting polymers, microporous membranes and ionic liquids, with proven, space-environment performance, remains at the world forefront, with highest known Delta-emittance, good Turn-Down Ratio (TDR), very low power, low cost. Phase I work demonstrated separate emittance variation from 0.065 to 0.816, Delta-emittance > 0.48, and long-term space durability, with one "breakthrough" innovation, two very significant innovations. A clear, specific pathway was demonstrated for combining low/high emittance in single devices to achieve TDR of 7.1, possibly 10.0. Phase II work will use this as basis to increase the TDR to > 7.1, possibly > 10.0, keeping the dark-state emittance ca. >/= 0.80. Surface Solar Absorptance will be further reduced from present ca. 0.31 to as low as possible (objective 0.09 to 0.24). Other Phase II tasks, following completion of TDR optimization, will address Controller, further space-qualification testing, manufacture, space-flights, commercialization pathway, other issues. Two identified commercial partners will assist in marketing.

If successful, this variable-emittance technology may displace extant, alternative technologies (e.g. those listed in the Abstract) on manned and unmanned space platforms and spacecraft, including planetary and interplanetary platforms and small (micro-, 50%) portion for NASA. One example of an immediate future application is the Solar Probe Plus mission to Mercury, with expected launch in 2017-2018.

The commercial space industry, including future micro- and nano-spacecraft, near-space tourism, very high altitude balloons, large satellites, and possible future manned and unmanned space platforms, could all transition to this variable-emittance technology, displacing extant technologies. It would also give rise to much greater engineering design flexibility in space platforms as well as spacecraft. This may potentially open doors to profound new applications, e.g. in micro-satellites such as the CubeSats which currently have no thermal control means. This would ¿democratize¿ space, allowing small and medium businesses to launch their own, dedicated satellites. Other potential applications of this technology include terrestrial, military IR camouflage/stealth which this firm has been pursuing elsewhere, with an estimated market size about 3 X the space market, and building or shelter cover materials for desert climates with high night/day temperature variations, in both commercial and military applications.

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — 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.