固-固相転移材料を活用した高信頼性宇宙機用電源の検討とその低温特性評価

抄録

In this study, we attempted to utilize solid-solid phase change material (PCM) as a new passive thermal control system to realize a low-temperature operable electric power system that can be used for micro/nanosatellites and other space applications. W-doped vanadium dioxide (VWO₂) was employed and its solidification and combination with a lithium-ion cell were considered. According to the charge-discharge operation of the lithium-ion cell embedded in VO₂-based solid-solid PCM (LiB-1450/VWO₂+ER）in a temperature range of 40 to -20°C under vacuum, it was found that the PCM block was effective in holding the suitable temperature around 0°C, resulting stable charging-discharging of LiB-1450/VWO₂+ER with relatively low internal resistance. These results reveal the promising potential of the thermal management using a VO₂-based solid-solid PCM to construct a highly reliable electric power supply for spacecrafts, especially CubeSats, with minimal assistance, such as a heater.