Thermal switches based on coplanar EWOD for satellite thermal control

Author

Gong, Jian ; Cha, Gilhwan ; Ju, Y. Sungtaek ; Kim, Chang-Jin

Author_Institution

Univ. of California, Los Angeles

fYear

2008

fDate

13-17 Jan. 2008

Firstpage

848

Lastpage

851

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate a novel liquid-droplet-based thermal switch aimed for satellite thermal control by using coplanar electro-wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) configuration. By fabricating and testing the proof-of-concept devices, we confirm the mechanism of droplet detaching and attaching for the thermal switches. Thermal tests have shown the reasonable thermal performance with water and glycerin. Further development with novel liquid with low vapor pressure and high thermal conductivity is expected to improve the performance.

Keywords

artificial satellites; microswitches; space vehicle electronics; thermal conductivity; thermal variables control; wetting; coplanar EWOD; coplanar electro-wetting-on-dielectric configuration; droplet detaching mechanism; liquid-droplet-based thermal switches; proof-of-concept devices; satellite thermal control; thermal tests; Contacts; Electrodes; Heat transfer; Satellites; Solids; Space heating; Switches; Temperature control; Thermal management; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, 2008. MEMS 2008. IEEE 21st International Conference on

Conference_Location

Tucson, AZ

ISSN

1084-6999

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-1792-6

Electronic_ISBN

1084-6999

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/MEMSYS.2008.4443789

Filename

4443789