ADVANCED THERMAL DEVICES S.L.

Their core work

Advanced Thermal Devices is a Spanish technology SME specializing in thermionic emitter materials and their application to space electric propulsion systems. Their core technical work centers on C12A7 electride — a novel conducting ceramic — as a replacement for conventional thermionic emitters inside ion and Hall-effect thrusters, aiming to reduce propulsion costs and extend device lifetimes. Beyond propellant-based propulsion, they also work on passive deorbit solutions using electrodynamic tethers, which interact with Earth's magnetic field to drag defunct satellites back into the atmosphere without consuming propellant. In practice, this means they provide both material-level know-how (synthesis, coating, characterization of thermionic films) and system-level insight into how those materials change the performance profile of real space propulsion hardware.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Both H2020 projects began in 2019, so the evolution visible here reflects a thematic progression across overlapping work rather than a multi-year strategic shift. In their earlier framing (E.T.PACK), the focus was broad: electrodynamic tethers, space debris, coatings, and electric propulsion were treated as a connected cluster of problems. Their more recent, self-led project (NEMESIS) narrowed sharply onto one specific solution — using C12A7 electride to improve thermionic emission in propulsion devices — suggesting a deliberate move from broad space-systems participation toward owning a specific material technology. If this trend continues, they are positioning as the go-to European SME for electride-based thermionic components rather than a generalist space hardware partner.

They are narrowing from broad space-systems participation toward deep material specialization in electride-based thermionic emitters, which suggests future collaboration potential with satellite manufacturers, thruster OEMs, and space-materials research groups.

How they like to work

Advanced Thermal Devices is comfortable in both roles — they participated in E.T.PACK as a specialist partner and led NEMESIS as coordinator, which is notable for a 2-project SME. Their consortia are small: 10 unique partners across two projects in 5 countries, averaging 5 partners per project. This points to tight, technically focused teams rather than large political consortia, making them a practical partner who carries genuine technical weight rather than a headcount placeholder.

They have collaborated with 10 unique partners across 5 countries, which for a 2-project SME indicates a geographically diverse but compact network likely spanning Spanish, and broader European space research institutions. No repeated-partner concentration is detectable from this data, suggesting they build fresh consortia around each project topic.

What sets them apart

Very few European SMEs specialize at the intersection of advanced ceramic materials (specifically electride compounds) and space propulsion hardware — most actors in this space are either large primes or academic labs. Advanced Thermal Devices occupies the rare position of a small, agile company with hands-on material synthesis capability and a direct line to propulsion system validation through EU-funded projects. For a consortium builder, they offer the combination of coordinator-track record and niche material expertise that is difficult to find elsewhere at SME scale and cost.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NEMESIS
  Their largest project (€347k) and the one they coordinated — built entirely around the C12A7 electride concept, showing both technical leadership and project management capability within a single SME.
• E.T.PACK
  Addresses the growing space debris problem with a propellant-free passive deorbit mechanism, placing Advanced Thermal Devices inside a commercially relevant sustainability conversation for the satellite industry.