Flexible Mullti-layer Emissivity Control Coatings (F-MECCs) for Spacecraft Thermal Regulation

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (JHU/APL) will develop a flexible multi-layer emissivity control coating (F-MECC) for passive thermal regulation of various spacecraft. The new coatings integrate key functionalities of PSI’s original MECC design (high emissivity contrast and tunable control temperature) with the structural benefits afforded by ultra-thin layers on a polymer support (high flexibility and decreased weight). To this end, PSI will produce a novel variable emissivity control coating for conformal application to spacecraft surfaces that is based on thermochromic VO2 by incorporating a flexible and robust polymer support. The team will refine and scale up an ideal F-MECC design, perform rigorous mechanical and thermal characterization, and coordinate space environmental testing at projected on-orbit conditions. The overall outcome of the proposed STTR program is a space-tested, flexible emissivity control coating for passive thermal regulation near room temperature that is easily retrofitted into existing spacecraft and also opens up possibilities for new architectures. The Phase II effort prepares the F-MECC technology for commercial launch in volume manufacturing and builds upon successful Phase I results that demonstrated feasibility of achieving high-contrast emissivity variation from 0.2 to 0.8 with sharp, room-temperature switching.