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A Spanish SME in the space sector has developed a technology for THermally Enhanced Additively Manufactured Structures (THEAMS) and is looking for partners to test and implement THEAMS in satellites

Summary

Profile Type
Technology offer
POD Reference
TOES20240913015
Term of Validity
13 September 2024 - 13 September 2025
Company's Country
Spain
Type of partnership
Commercial agreement with technical assistanceResearch and development cooperation agreementInvestment agreement
Targeted Countries
All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A Spanish SME in the space sector has developed a technology to manufacture topologically optimized aluminum structures, balancing mechanical properties and mass. These structures integrate thermal devices, achieving dual optimization of thermal and mechanical performance.

The SME is looking for technical partners or pioneers customers for their THEAMS (THermally Enhanced Additively Manufactured Structures) to test and implement it in real life environments.
Full Description
There is a clear trend towards compactness in satellites and other high added value devices.

This trend, combined with a more demanding scenario where high data processing rates are required, translates into a situation where the electronic components onboard the abovementioned devices are thermally stressed and therefore not delivering their full potential.

Current solutions are relying on traditional machining techniques which are not capable of dealing with the upcoming demands in terms of heat dissipation.

The technology developed by this Spanish SME addresses that high temperature problem by means of combining additive manufacturing and two-phase devices into single structures.

The company has a team of thermo-mechanical experts which have worked on some of the most relevant ESA missions over the past 10 years.

They are now looking for technological partners willing to test and implement their technology into the missions of the former (pioneer customers that can take advantages of the final developments stages of the technology to adequate them to their needs).
Advantages and Innovations
• Mass reduction, thanks to topology optimization and the use of additive manufacturing: typically, 30% improvement or above.

• Assembly, Integration and Testing effort reduction: no need to integrate the thermal solution on top of the original structure, but the hardware is delivered in a turnkey fashion.

• Purely passive solution: no need to supply any power to make it work.

• Enhanced cooling capabilities compared to those of the traditional structures: 20°C to 30°C decrease measured/calculated in typical space applications.

• Economic benefits, which are linked to the temperature decrease that can be achieved thanks to the enhanced cooling capability: due to the link between the added value provided by a satellite – unit of data provided by a satellite – data processing capabilities of the satellite – power dissipated by the satellite – temperature reached on the electronic components of a satellite, a temperature reduction translates into a value increase. For a particular business case studied (telecommunications geostationary satellite), a 50% increase of value provided over its entire lifespan is expected if this technology is implemented.
Stage of Development
Available for demonstration
Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The profile of partners that is sought is in line with pioneer customers. These should provide:
• Requirements specifications
• Testing facilities
• Specific missions to perform IOD/IOV
Type and Size of Partner
SME 50 - 249Big company
Type of partnership
Commercial agreement with technical assistanceResearch and development cooperation agreementInvestment agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
02009012 - Automotive engineering02011001 - Aeronautical technology / Avionics02011008 - Thermal insulation for space applications
Market keywords
06003001 - Solar/thermal energy01006001 - Defence communications01005004 - Microwave and satellite components
Sector Groups Involved
Aerospace and Defence
Targeted countries
All countries