HIT cold Jinsong groups: the first time based on-orbit deployment controllable flexible solar cell system smart shape memory polymer composite structure in the international

HIT cold Jinsong professor research group developed a \”smart composite material structure based on shape memory polymers can expand the flexible solar cell systems\”, December 27, 2019 equipped with practical XX satellite developed by China Academy of Space Technology with Wenchang in Hainan Long march V rocket successfully flying. As one of the main tasks of the satellite, the system 2020 January 5 successfully completed testing of key technologies in the world for the first time at the track controlled flexible solar cell polymer composite structure of a shape memory expansion, overall unit said: solved flexible solar cells on the ground curled lock – in orbit controlled expansion – expansion problems after high stiffness that can be carried. As one of the key components of solar spacecraft, often need to experience \”manufacturing floor – folding Shoulong – launched into space – space expansion\” After four steps, to achieve orbit work. The future of the next generation of large or very large spatial structure of the energy system made high demands, flexible solar cells as one of the new trend of solar cells, light weight, good flexibility, storage advantages over, but in the aerospace application process there are also locking Shoulong, rear drive collapsed and expanded low stiffness and other problems. Under the leadership of academician Du Shan-yi, Han Jie was academician of the Institute for Composite Materials our school in the early 1990s in the earlier established the research of Smart Materials and Structures. Under the guidance of its development philosophy of \”Science and Technology to service the aerospace,\” applied research in the fields of aerospace, aviation, biomedical materials and structural mechanics of intelligent cold Jinsong professor in the research group. Since 2006, the research group conducted its study of the shape memory polymer composite structure, independent research and development applicable to many types of aerospace environment, different series of shape memory polymer materials, which can meet the high and low extremes of the space environment, such as different track It needs. And a shape memory alloy (Shape Memory Alloy) different from a shape memory polymer (Shape Memory Polymer) polymeric material is a stimulus-response (see FIG. 1), having a large deformation actively controllable (20% -500%), drive diverse, variable stiffness and other properties, may be designed to set the carrier driving member function integrated, simple structure, high reliability, the next expected portion instead of a complex electromechanical drive system.

The mounting of the \”smart shape memory polymer composite structure deployable flexible solar cell systems\”, a composite material including a shape memory lock release mechanism developed HIT, shape memory polymer composite expand the flexible material film solar cell, and Shanghai Institute of space beam power developed. Composites and structural mechanics based fine design, shape memory polymer composite structure can realize the locking of the flexible solar cells, release and expand, and the expanded high rigidity can carry other functions. In the course of the satellite launch, the shape memory composites locking release mechanism may be provided to achieve high rigidity and locking; orbit after completion in a stable orbit, no impact unlocking; during deployment, by the shape memory polymer composite Expandable controllable beam stretch, expand driving the flexible thin film solar cell (see FIG. 2); expanded, the stiffness of the composite beam structure returns to a shape memory polymer material with a conventional composite structure level corresponding to its expanded state higher fundamental frequency to provide high stiffness bearer function. The mounting deployable flexible solar cell system, the locking by shape memory polymer composite structures, the expanded configuration and release function, there is no traditional pyrotechnic separation means, hinges and other motor driving method, a simple structure, unlock and deployment process almost no impact, deployment time and process control, high stiffness of the expanded structure.

In support of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology Division and communication satellites in orbit on a flexible solar cell system controllable composite structures shape memory polymer with the help of successful in-orbit validation in 2020 January 5 \”flexible solar cell system shape memory polymer smart composite structures based on the\” this is the first time following the 2016 HIT environment at geosynchronous orbit shape memory polymer in the international after in-orbit validation composite material, the first in the world to achieve a controlled expansion based on flexible solar cell system composite structure of a shape memory polymer in orbit, twice successful on-orbit mission, marking China\’s smart materials and Research on the spacecraft structure at the international forefront. Based on the previous accumulation of technology on the basis of the shape memory polymer smart composite structures, it will also apply to China\’s first Mars mission – \”Heaven No. -1.\” Future, relevant technology is also expected to be applied to deep space exploration, space stationSpace lunar exploration, satellites and other spacecraft platform in different deployable structure, the locking release mechanism and a flexible solar cell system (see Figure 3), in the aerospace, aviation, automotive, high-end equipment, intelligent manufacturing, robotics and biomedical and other fields has broad application prospects.