Several potential commercialization schemes may be possible for non-NASA applications. One potential commercial application is in the area of creating an adaptive, conformal array antenna. By adjusting individual louvers, a potentially steer-able or even phase adjustable antenna could be realized. By placing the thin flexible membrane (without radiator) within the panes of a double pane high efficiency window, a variable emissivity reflector could be realized. If the insulating membrane is transparent, and the metal coating is thin enough, the flexible louver system can be made virtually transparent to visible light. By closing the electrostatic louver flaps during summer months, the incident solar radiation could be blocked from entering a dwelling. Likewise, during winter months, the electrostatic louvers could be opened to allow the lower winter sunlight into the dwelling. Connecticut Analytical has a long record (20+ years) of converting research into viable commercial products.
Given more stringent requirements being placed upon new satellite and human inhabited spacecraft, thermal control systems are a major consideration and must be designed in such a way so as not to place a heavy burden upon available spacecraft resources. Due to the unique flexible metalized insulating material conceived of for this NASA research, the manufacturing requirements will be greatly simplified compared to that of manufacturing traditional MEMs based devices. Because of the simplicity of the design, it is not beyond the scope of CAC's capability to manufacture hundreds of such flexible louver systems per month. The flexible conformal louver system consists of a simple metalized thin insulating sheet, with either stamped or laser cut flaps. CAC currently has produced far more complex oxygen monitors for GE Medical used in MRI's and has manufactured over 12,000 units used worldwide over a 15 year timeframe.
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