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

Informations projet

RePowerSiC

N° de convention de subvention: 101160868

DOI

10.3030/101160868

Date de signature de la CE 7 Novembre 2024

Date de début 1 Octobre 2024

Date de fin 30 Septembre 2028

Financé au titre de

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Coût total

€ 4 545 385,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 4 519 611,00

Coordonné par

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Spain

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

Période du rapport: 2024-10-01 au 2025-09-30

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

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.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

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

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

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.