This paper presents the properties of the EclipseTECTM transparent conductor. EclipseTECTM is a room temperature
deposited nanostructured thin film coating system comprised of metal-oxide semiconductor elements. The system
possesses metal-like conductivity and glass-like transparency in the visible region. These highly conductive TEC films
exhibit high shielding efficiency (35dB at 1 to 100GHz). EclipseTECTM can be deposited on rigid or flexible substrates.
For example, EclipseTECTM deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is extremely flexible that can be rolled
around a 9mm diameter cylinder with little or no reduction in electrical conductivity and that can assume pre-extension
states after an applied stress is relieved. The TEC is colorless and has been tailored to have high visible transmittance
which matches the eye sensitivity curve and allows the viewing of true background colors through the coating.
EclipseTECTM is flexible, durable and can be tailored at the interface for applications such as electron- or hole-injecting
OLED electrodes as well as electrodes in flexible displays. Tunable work function and optical design flexibility also
make EclipseTECTM well-suited as a candidate for grid electrode replacement in next-generation photovoltaic cells.
There is a need for variable transmission technology for Goggles, Spectacles, and visors for Helmet-Mounted Displays
(HMDs). At present, most HMD's do not allow the pilot to control the transmission level of a flight visor while
transitioning from high to low light levels throughout flight. Sunglasses are often used for non-HMD conditions but
become impractical for HMD use. For individuals moving from high to low brightness levels, momentary blindness is an
issue in both recreational sports and military applications. A
user-controlled or automatically controllable variabletransmittance
lens is a possible solution. The Eclipse Visible Electrochromic Device (EclipseECDTM) is well suited for
these light modulation applications. The EclipseECDTM modulates light intensity by changing the absorption level under
an applied electric field. The optical density may be continuously changed by varying voltage allowing for analog
instead of digital (on/off) light levels. EclipseECDTM is comprised of vacuum deposited layers of a transparent bottom
electrode, an active element, and a transparent top electrode, incorporating an all, solid-state electrolyte. The solid-state
electrolyte eliminates possible complications associated with
gel-based or liquid crystal based technologies including
lamination, and precludes the need for additional visor modifications. This all solid-state ECD system can be deposited
on flexible substrates, eg. PET, PC, etc. The low-temperature deposition process enables direct application to polymer
lenses and HMD flight visors. Additionally, the coating is easily manufactured; can be trimmed, has near spectral
neutrality and fails in the clear (bleached) condition.
The IR-ECDTM (Infra-Red ElectroChromic Device) variable emitance device (VED) is an all-solid-state monolithic
vacuum deposited thin film system with a unique metamaterial IR transparent-electrode system which functions as
an electrically controlled dimmable mirror in the IR region. The maximum reflectance corresponding to the
bleached condition of the system is around 90% (low-e condition, e=0.1). The minimum reflectance reaches nearly
zero in the colored condition of the system (high emittance, e=1). The average emissivity modulation of the IRECDTM
is 0.7 in the 8-12 micron region, and at 9.7 micron (room temperature) it reaches a value of 0.9. Half and
full emissivity modulations occur within 2 and10 minutes respectively.
Because of its light weight (5g/m2), low voltage requirement (+/- 1 Volts), extremely good emissivity control
properties (from 0 to 0.9 at 300K) and highly repeatable deposition process, the IR-ECDTM technology is very
attractive for satellite thermal control applications.
The IR-ECDTM has been under evaluation in a real space environment since March 8, 2007. This paper presents
recent achievements of the IR-ECDTM including space test results.
There is a need for variable transmission technology for Goggles, Spectacles, and visors for Helmet-Mounted Displays
(HMDs). At present, most HMDs do not allow the pilot to control the transmission level of a flight visor while
transitioning from high to low light levels throughout flight. Sunglasses are often used for non-HMD conditions but
become impractical for HMD use. For individuals moving from high to low brightness levels, momentary blindness is an
issue in both recreational sports and military applications. A
user-controlled or automatically controllable variabletransmittance
lens is a possible solution. The Eclipse Visible Electrochromic Device (EclipseECDTM) is well suited for
these light modulation applications. The EclipseECDTM modulates light intensity by changing the absorption level under
an applied electric field. The optical density may be continuously changed by varying voltage allowing for analog
instead of digital (on/off) light levels. EclipseECDTM is comprised of vacuum deposited layers of a transparent bottom
electrode, an active element, and a transparent top electrode, incorporating an all, solid-state electrolyte. The solid-state
electrolyte eliminates possible complications associated with
gel-based or liquid crystal based technologies including
lamination, and precludes the need for additional visor modifications. This all solid-state ECD system can be deposited
on flexible substrates, eg. PET, PC, etc. The low-temperature deposition process enables direct application to polymer
lenses and HMD flight visors. Additionally, the coating is easily manufactured; can be trimmed, has near spectral
neutrality and fails in the clear (bleached) condition.
KEYWORDS: Satellites, Control systems, Space operations, Electrodes, Mirrors, Infrared radiation, Reflectivity, Thin film devices, Modulation, System integration
The performance of mission-critical components and systems within spacecraft and satellites requires the ability to
control the local thermal environment. Under conditions of relatively constant component and system loading, this
would involve radiative dissipation of both internally and externally generated heat loads and altering thermal
balances to provide heating where necessary. As the local thermal load changes with component use, the need arises
to alter the heat transfer rates and dissipation within the spacecraft. It is also desirable to be able to evaluate,
reconfigure or repair space-based thermal control systems using only ground station commands. These needs can be
met using a Plug-and-Play variable-emittance control system where operational analysis and reconfiguration is
accomplished via an improved Universal Serial Bus (USB) or space-wire controlled architecture.
This paper presents a modular, USB/space-wire-driven thermal control system using a solid-state thin-film infrared
variable-emittance device (EclipseVEDTM) from Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc. The paper discusses critical issues
including connectivity, device-control scale-up for the advancement of an integrated variable-emittance system,
comparison of device weight to other variable emittance systems, the capacity to replace or repair devices in-flight,
the survivability of the system in space and the importance of individual device control.
Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMDs) do not allow the pilot to change transmission level of a visor transitioning from high
to low light levels. A variable-transmittance visor (VTV) is a possible solution. The Eclipse Variable Electrochromic
Device (EclipseECDTM) is well suited for these light modulation applications. The EclipseECTM modulates light
intensity by changing the transmission level under an applied electric field. The optical density may be continuously
changed by varying voltage. EclipseECDTM is comprised of vacuum deposited layers of a transparent bottom electrode,
an active element, and a transparent top electrode, incorporating an all, solid-state electrolyte. The solid-state electrolyte
eliminates possible complications associated with gel-based technologies, the need for lamination, and any additional
visor modifications. The low-temperature deposition process enables direct application onto HMD flight visors.
Additionally, the coating is easily manufactured; can be trimmed, has near spectral neutrality and fails in the clear
(bleached) condition. Before introducing VTV technology to the warfighter, there are numerous human factors issues
that must be assessed. Considerations include optical characteristics such as transmissive range, haze, irising, internal
reflections, multiple imaging, user controllability, ease of fit, and field of view. Advanced materials tailoring coupled
with meeting critical criteria will help ensure successful integration of VTV technology.
The Eclipse infrared electro-chromic device (IR-ECD) is an all-solid-state monolithic vacuum deposited
thin film system functioning as an electrically controlled dimmable mirror in the IR region. The maximum
reflectance corresponding to the bleached condition of the system is around 90% (low-e condition, e=0.1).
The minimum reflectance reaches nearly zero in the colored condition of the system (high emmittance,
e=1). It is a variable emittance electro-chromic device (VE-ECD). The average emissivity modulation of
the Eclipse VE-ECD is 0.7 in the 8-12 micron region, and at 9.7 micron (room temperature) it reaches a
value of 0.9. Half and full emissivity modulations occur within 2 and 10 minutes, respectively. Because of
its low mass (5 g/m2), low voltage requirement (±1 V), extremely good emissivity control properties (from
0 to 0.9 at 300 K), and highly repeatable deposition process, the VE-ECD technology is very attractive for
satellite thermal control applications. The Eclipse VE-ECD has been under evaluation in a real space
environment since March 8, 2007. This paper presents recent developments on Eclipse's VE-ECD
including space test results.
Eclipse SteerTechTM transmissive fluid state electrowetting technology has successfully demonstrated the ability to
control the shape and position of a fluid lenslet. In its final form, the technology will incorporate a dual fluid lenslet
approach capable of operating in extremely high acceleration environments. The beam steering system works on the
principle of electro-wetting. A substrate is covered with a closely spaced array of, independently addressable,
transparent, electrically conductive pixels utilizing Eclipse's proprietary EclipseTECTM technology. By activating
and deactivating selected EclipseTECTM pixels in the proper sequence, the shape and position of fluid lenslets or
arrays of lenslets can be dynamically changed at will. The position and shape of individual fluid lenslets may be
accurately controlled on any flat, simply curved, or complex curved, transparent or reflective surface. The smaller
the pixels the better control of the position and shape of the fluid lenslets. Information on the successful testing of
the Eclipse SteerTechTM lenslet and discussion of its use in a de-centered lenslet array will be presented.
This paper presents a new transparent electrode (TE) for flexible displays and energy saving windows. The TE is a room temperature vacuum-deposited multi-layer thin-film system. Both highly transparent rigid materials including glass and ceramics as well as flexible polymeric materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene can serve as substrates for the TE. The TE is deposited as a flexible coating that can be rolled around a 0.5cm diameter cylinder with little or no reduction in electrical conductivity and that can assume pre-extension states after an applied stress is relieved. The TE exhibits high visible transmittance without color. The transmission spectrum of the TE, which matches the eye sensitivity curve, allows the viewing of true background colors through the coating. The photopic transmittance of the TE is 88% and it is a UV inhibiter. The new transparent conductor has 3-5 Ohm/sq of sheet resistance. The environmental stability of the TE was evaluated in a wedeometer with the coating on a PET substrate withstanding 150 hours at 50oC, 95% humidity, and ultraviolet (UV), without changing its original performance. The coating can be patterned using standard etching procedures.. In this paper, the properties of the TE are compared with those of common transparent conductive oxides (TCO) including ITO, ZnO: Al and SnO2:F. In addition to the technical description, the paper analyzes potential markets and applications of the TE with emphasis on the replacing current TCO coatings, specifically ITO for flexible display electrode and energy saving window applications.
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