SMART-FLEX · Project

Self-Regulating Flexible Thermal Coatings That Keep Spacecraft at the Right Temperature

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h2020-smartflex.eu

Imagine wrapping a spacecraft in a smart blanket that automatically adjusts how much heat it radiates depending on whether it's too hot or too cold — like a thermostat built into a sticker. Right now, satellites use either flexible foils that degrade quickly or rigid glass tiles that perform well but are heavy and hard to attach to curved surfaces. SMART-FLEX created an ultra-thin metallic coating on a bendable foil that you can stick onto any spacecraft surface like a decal, and it switches between releasing more or less heat on its own. The result is a lightweight, durable, peel-and-stick thermal control surface for satellites and space hardware.

By the numbers

100 x 100 mm

Largest demonstrator size (NIL fabrication)

30 x 30 mm

High-performance smart metaOSR demonstrator size (EBL)

80 x 80 mm

Functional breadboard size (NIL fabrication)

2 MIL

Target foil thickness

Consortium partners across 4 countries

Total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Satellites and spacecraft need precise thermal control — they must radiate excess heat in sunlight and retain warmth in shadow. Current solutions force a compromise: flexible Silver/Teflon foils are easy to apply but degrade in orbit, while quartz tile reflectors last longer but are rigid, heavy, and expensive to mount. Neither type can automatically adapt its heat-emission properties to changing conditions, leading to over-engineered thermal systems that add weight and cost to every mission.

The solution

What was built

The team built functional demonstrators of metamaterial-coated flexible foils at 100 x 100 mm (using Nano Imprint Lithography) and 30 x 30 mm (using Electron Beam Lithography), plus 80 x 80 mm functional breadboards. These are peel-and-stick thermal control surfaces on 2 MIL foil that combine flexibility, durability, and temperature-variable emissivity in a single product.

Audience

Who needs this

Satellite prime contractors (Airbus Defence & Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB) needing lighter thermal controlSmall-satellite and CubeSat manufacturers looking for easy-to-integrate thermal solutionsThermal subsystem suppliers seeking next-generation radiator panel coatingsNano-imprint lithography companies wanting high-value aerospace applicationsSpace agencies funding thermal technology development programs

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Satellite Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Spacecraft and satellite prime contractors

If you are a satellite manufacturer dealing with the trade-off between thermal performance and ease of integration — this project developed flexible metamaterial-coated foils (demonstrated at 100 x 100 mm) that combine the durability of quartz tile reflectors with the flexibility of traditional foils. They can be applied on curved or flat radiator panels using pressure-sensitive adhesive, cutting assembly complexity.

Space Thermal Components

mid-size

Target: Thermal subsystem and component suppliers

If you are a thermal component supplier struggling to offer products that adapt to varying orbital thermal loads — this project built variable-emissivity demonstrators using metamaterial coatings on 2 MIL flexible foil. These Smart Radiation Devices automatically adjust heat emission without active electronics, potentially replacing multi-layer insulation systems on radiator panels.

Nano-Manufacturing for Aerospace

SME

Target: Nano-imprint lithography and advanced coating companies

If you are a nano-manufacturing company looking for high-value aerospace applications for your coating or lithography capabilities — this project demonstrated that Nano Imprint Lithography can produce functional metamaterial coatings at 100 x 100 mm scale on flexible foil, opening a route to scalable production of smart optical coatings for the growing small-satellite market.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this technology cost compared to current thermal control solutions?

The project data does not include pricing information. However, the use of Nano Imprint Lithography (a scalable manufacturing method) and thin 2 MIL flexible foils suggests the technology was designed with cost-effective mass production in mind, compared to individually bonded quartz tile OSRs.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

The project demonstrated two fabrication routes: Nano Imprint Lithography (NIL) produced coatings at 100 x 100 mm, while Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) achieved 30 x 30 mm. NIL is inherently more scalable, with the project targeting A4-format or larger foils, indicating a clear path toward industrial-scale production.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The coordinator is NIL Technology APS, a Danish SME specializing in nano-imprint lithography. As a commercial company leading a consortium of 7 partners, they likely hold key IP on the manufacturing process. Licensing inquiries should be directed to the coordinator through SciTransfer.

How close is this to a product I can buy?

The project produced functional demonstrators at 100 x 100 mm and breadboards at 80 x 80 mm on flexible foil. These are lab-validated prototypes, not flight-qualified hardware. Based on available project data, further space-environment qualification and scale-up testing would be needed before commercial availability.

Does this meet space industry standards and regulations?

The project falls under the EU Space research topic (SPACE-11-TEC-2018), and the fully inorganic metamaterial coating was designed for direct exposure to the space environment. Based on available project data, formal space qualification testing (e.g., outgassing, radiation, thermal cycling) results are not detailed in the deliverable titles.

How does this integrate with existing satellite designs?

The technology was specifically designed for easy integration — the foil comes with pressure-sensitive conductive adhesive on the back side, so it can be applied directly onto radiator panels or other surfaces. It works on planar, curved, and bendable structures, reducing the need for mechanical mounting hardware.

Who built this and can they support further development?

A consortium of 7 partners across 4 countries (Denmark, Spain, Italy, UK), led by NIL Technology APS, a Danish SME. The team includes 2 industry partners, 2 universities, and 3 research organizations, providing both manufacturing capability and deep materials science expertise for follow-on projects.

Consortium

Who built it

The SMART-FLEX consortium brings together 7 partners from 4 countries (Denmark, Spain, Italy, UK), led by NIL Technology APS — a Danish SME that specializes in nano-imprint lithography, which is the core manufacturing method behind this technology. The mix of 2 industry partners (including 2 SMEs), 2 universities, and 3 research organizations gives the project both manufacturing know-how and materials science depth. At 29% industry participation, the consortium leans toward research, which is typical for a technology at this maturity level. The SME-led coordination signals genuine commercial intent — NIL Technology has direct business interest in turning this into a product line.

NIL TECHNOLOGY APSCoordinator · DK
CONSORZIO CREO-CENTRO RICERCHE ELETTRO OTTICHEparticipant · IT
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELL'AQUILAthirdparty · IT
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEthirdparty · IT
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTONparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

NIL Technology APS (Denmark) — contact available through SciTransfer

Order a report on this consortium See NIL TECHNOLOGY APS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the SMART-FLEX team? SciTransfer can connect you with the coordinator to discuss licensing, partnership, or technology transfer opportunities.

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