Heating Simulation of Film Heaters Fabricated by EHD Inkjet Printing for Satellite Applications

Abstract Film heaters have flexible characteristics and are used in various fields, including as important subsystems in satellite thermal control. These film heaters are produced using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) inkjet printing, which is a next‐generation inkjet printing technology. Ink applicable to printing is produced. These inks are composite materials with dispersed Ag and barium titanate (BTO). Because composite material inks have varying material properties depending on the amount added, it is necessary to derive the material property information. The material property information is derived from the heat generation characteristics by printing specific geometries with composite material inks. The derived material property information is applied to the simulation to compare the heat generation performances of the four circuit models. Through simulation, the shape is obtained that generates the best heat generation under the set conditions among the four circuit models. After that, the simulation results are verified by comparing them with the test results of the film heater. This study successfully demonstrates the simulation of various circuits and film heaters produced by EHD inkjet printing are expected to be applied in various fields.