Optical Smart Radiator Device (SRD) for Solar Applications

Application ID: 101111


The "Smart Radiator Device," a multilayer structure, has the capability to control thermal emissivity at different temperatures. This multilayer structure is lightweight thus finds its application in spacecraft mission. The thermochromic vanadium oxide (VO2) material is the heart of this device. This material changes optical properties drastically at the phase transition temperature TC= 340K. When T<TC, VO2 is in an insulating state and transparent to infrared (IR) radiation. When T >TC, the VO2 exhibits metallic properties and becomes IR reflecting.

In this model, the reflection coefficient is observed for SRD structure for 300K and 373K temperatures. Change in thermal emissivity is computed with the help of a mathematical relationship with the reflection coefficient.

This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products: