Left: MPB's Radiator Tiles installed on a honeycomb panel. Right: In cold temperatures, the coating helps the housing maintain heat. In hot temperatures, the coating expels heat.

Smart Thermal Radiator

The presence and absence of solar energy has the potential to respectively raise and lower the internal temperature of any structure. Heating and cooling beyond the atmosphere happens even faster over a more extreme range - from minus 150°C to plus 150°C in a matter of minutes.

It is preferable that the internal temperature of a satellite be between -10°C to +30° to ensure effective operation of communication and control electronics. MPB’s Variable Emittance Thermochromic Material adjusts its properties in accordance with the ambient environment. Used in the exterior structure of a satellite housing, the coating will maintain the optimal temperature of the satellite interior.

Although there are known variable emittance coatings in existence, they differ from MPB's in that they need to be electrically manipulated to react. The material MPB has developed responds passively, which eliminates any additional electronics and reduces the possibility of failure.

The same invention is applicable for a number of terrestrial applications that require internal temperature regulation - for example, a structure, housing, or vehicle.

MPB hopes to demonstrate its Variable Emittance Thermochromic Material in space within the next few years.

US Patent Application No.: 11/530,086 (September 8, 2006)
United States Patent #:7,761,053 B2 issued July 20th, 2010