Thermoplastic–Carbon Fiber Composites Could Aid Solar-Based Power Generation: Possible Support System for Solar Power Satellites
Source abstract
Abstract
Solar power has merit as a renewable source of energy; it is the largest asset available for consumption on Earth and is limitless. There have been many ideas proposed to beam solar power to Earth; all have been dependent upon the provision of a backing frame to support solar panels, photovoltaic cells, and transmission. This paper suggests one type of rigid deployable skeletal structure and its material of manufacture to form the backing frame of solar panel systems; the structure takes the form of a skeletal double-layer tetrahedral system. The composite material is polyethersulphone thermoplastic polymer reinforced with carbon fiber (CF). This paper also discusses the hostile environment of space in relation to the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material, with special reference to the thermal response. Finally, it suggests the alternate possibility of using a rigidized inflatable flexible skeletal structure and, as far as is possible, compares (a) the relative cost of transferring the two structures to low Earth orbit from Earth, and (b) the cost of solar energy relative to other forms of energy.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Polymer composites and self-healing · Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Advanced Materials and Mechanics
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Surrey.
References (45)
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