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SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY -Space provides new frontier for HIPIMS research
[February 20, 2013]

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY -Space provides new frontier for HIPIMS research


(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 20 February 2013 Release date- 19022013 - Space satellites will be launched on a mission to observe worlds beyond the known solar system thanks to revolutionary new plasma developed in the labs at Sheffield Hallam University.



Experts have developed a new coating for space satellite cryocoolers - the specialist devices that regulate their temperature and enable them to function in space.

The University has been working with the Space Science Technology Department of Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) after finding that the component coatings created by the University team are better at maintaining the optimum temperature of satellite systems on missions to observe the solar system and beyond.


And they are now set to be used in a space observatory to help characterise the physics and chemistry of planetary atmospheres beyond the known solar system.

It means the University can help support the GBP9.1bn space industry, currently experiencing an annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent.

Dr Martin Crook from RAL said: 'Cryocoolers are a key enabling technology for space-based science and astronomy and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are world leaders in this technology.

'For some years we have been aware of the potential for rare-earth coatings to enhance the performance of our coolers but despite numerous attempts were not able to implement a flight-worthy solution.

'Now Sheffield Hallam has developed an excellent coating suitable for a flight qualification programme.

'Directly through that work, our Stirling cycle cryocooler has demonstrated a clear advantage over other technologies at this temperature, and is the first choice for scientists currently entering instrument proposals for forthcoming missions such as EChO, a space-based observatory to characterise the physics and chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres.' Professor Arutiun Ehiasarian and his team at the University's Nanotechnology Centre for Plasma Vapour Deposition has developed a new coating technology called High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) for the deposition of very dense and highly adherent metal and ceramic materials.

The team is a world leader in HIPIMS technology and has developed new applications for space, manufacturing, automotive, semiconductor and photovoltaic sectors.

Professor Ehiasarian said: 'The satellite is going to be in orbit around the Earth and will search for inhabitable planets beyond the known solar system by looking at the atmosphere of planets orbiting other stars.

'Cryocooling of space satellites is crucial due to the low operating temperature of on-board detectors that are used to collect data from distant celestial objects and the Earth.

'Low temperatures ensure higher sensitivity due to reduced thermal noise and better image quality due to reduced thermal vibrations in optics. Additionally, due to the low thermal conductivity of the vacuum operating environment there is a necessity to cool vital systems while they are in space in order to avoid temperature build-up over years of use.

'The increasing complexity of satellites demands improvements in cooling efficiency and Sheffield Hallam is expertly placed to carry out this work.' Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro Vice Chancellor for ACES at Sheffield Hallam, said: 'It is very exciting for us to see that the technology that has been developed in our labs at Sheffield Hallam University has the potential to be used in the Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory (EChO).

'EChO will be the first dedicated mission to investigate the physics and chemistry of Exoplanetary Atmosphere and place our solar system in context by addressing the suitability of planets for life.' [Editorial queries for this story should be sent to [email protected]] ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2013 Electronic News Publishing -

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