HIGH-EFFICIENCY HIGH-POWER LASER BEAMING IN-SPACE SYSTEMS BASED ON SIC

Información del proyecto

RePowerSiC

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 101160868

DOI

10.3030/101160868

Fecha de la firma de la CE 7 Noviembre 2024

Fecha de inicio 1 Octubre 2024

Fecha de finalización 30 Septiembre 2028

Financiado con arreglo a

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Coste total

€ 4 545 385,00

Aportación de la UE

€ 4 519 611,00

Coordinado por

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RePowerSiC (HIGH-EFFICIENCY HIGH-POWER LASER BEAMING IN-SPACE SYSTEMS BASED ON SIC)

Período documentado: 2024-10-01 hasta 2025-09-30

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

The devices we use in space (eg. satellites, probes, or exploration robots) need energy, among other things, to operate, interact with their surroundings, send data, and move. Normally, they obtain this energy from solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity and, in some cases, store it in batteries or other storage systems. This works very well when there is enough sunlight, but not in places where little or no light reaches, such as areas that are always in darkness, like the far side of the Moon.

RepowerSiC proposes another way to deliver energy in space using photovoltaic converters. The idea is to transmit power wirelessly through a laser beam that goes from a source, such as a satellite equipped with solar panels, to a receiver located on the spacecraft or device that needs power. This receiver directly converts the laser light into electricity. This new technology could pave the way for new types of exploration that are currently impossible, such as missions on the far side of the Moon or in deep space.

RePowerSiC supports the Pathfinder Challenge goal of creating efficient, wireless, and secure power transmission in space. It focuses on developing a new laser power converter using silicon carbide (SiC) and innovative device designs. This technology can transfer high power (up to kW/cm²) with excellent efficiency over long distances, while making the receiver smaller and lighter. RePowerSiC is also eco-friendly and cost-effective, using sustainable, non-toxic materials. It enables reliable power for remote space systems, increases payload capacity, reduces the need for batteries, and helps make future deep-space missions possible.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

The activities performed combine:
1. multiphysics modelling, to comprehensively analyze the SiC-based laser power carbide system,
2. machine learning, to predict the optimum device configurations, saving time and effort
3. material growth, to fabricate the 3C-, 4H and 6H SiC material stacks. In this project, three different polytypes are investigated to maximize the chance of success of the technology
4. device fabrication, to fabricate the SiC LPC devices following the recommendations obtained in stages 1 and 2, and using the material stacks grown in stage 3
5. device characterisation, to optically, thermally, and electrically characterize the previously fabricated LPCs under a wide range of conditions
6. final validation of the technology in conditions similar to those of outer space, to demonstrate the viability of the technology

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

We have identified four main groups that could benefit from this project:
1. the scientific community,
2.space exploration companies and public agencies,
3. companies working in robotics, sensing, telemetry, and wireless devices, and
4. the general public.

The expected results beyond the state of the art include the development of a SiC LPC able to endure the harsh space conditions, with performances higher than 70% even at high input power densities (>100W/cm2). Nowadays, the current state of the art is based on GaAs LPCs that are not suited for space applications, have a maximum performance lower than 70% and the maximum input power that can handle, without a deterioration in the efficency, is around 10W/cm2.