Method of fabricating rigid radiation reflectors

US10815129B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• Robert C. Youngquist · Cocoa, US
• Tracy L. Gibson · Melbourne, US
• Jan M. Surma · Lawrenceville, US
• Jerry W. Buhrow · Viera, US
• Mark A. Nurge · Oviedo, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 29, 2018
• Grant date: Oct 27, 2020
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/54
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A rigid radiation reflector is fabricated from a powdered material transparent to light in a wavelength band extending from approximately 0.2 micrometers to at least 8 micrometers. The powdered material is dispersed in a liquid wherein the powdered material is at least 95% insoluble in the liquid. The resulting mixture is molded under pressure at room temperature and then sintered to generate a porous solid. The porous solid is cooled to room temperature. A surface of the porous solid is then coated with a light-reflecting metal.