January 2023 - Physical Sciences Inc.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the U.S. Air Force to develop a flexible multi-layer emissivity control coating (F-MECC) for passive thermal regulation of various spacecraft.

PSI’s new coatings integrate key functionalities of its MECC design (high emissivity contrast and tunable control temperature) with the structural benefits afforded by a polymer support (high flexibility and strength per unit weight). The overall outcome of this program is a flexible emissivity control coating for passive thermal regulation near room temperature that is easily integrated into existing spacecraft and opens up possibilities for new architectures.

PSI’s F-MECC devices will provide the Air Force / Space Force with scalable and cost-appropriate flexible thermal control films for both terrestrial and space-based applications. The F-MECC technology will provide passive thermal regulation for curved and irregularly shaped surfaces of satellites and other spacecraft, as well as targeted applications such as the Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA). The simple and low-cost retrofitting to surfaces also applies to both DOD and commercial terrestrial applications where passive thermal regulation promotes power savings (temperature-controlled vehicles) and improved device efficiency (solar farm arrays).

For more information, contact:

Dr. Joel Hensley
Vice President, Photonics
hensley@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop a compact checkpoint sensor for the non-contact detection and identification of hazardous chemicals in containers.

The sensor is based on PSI’s existing spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) based Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 Raman sensor that has demonstrated performance for non-contact bulk explosive detection. The SHS can achieve two times higher signal-to-noise-ratios than conventional slit-based systems resulting in up to four times improvement in detection limits. An on-board machine learning based detection algorithm (developed by PSI for Raman sensors) provides a threat decision and chemical ID. The sensor will provide versatile, rapid and sensitive detection of chemical hazards in liquid, gel or powder matrices through the opening of a container or directly through clear or translucent container walls. The sensor is non-contact and requires no physical sampling, ensuring safety of operating personnel, and fills a critical need in chemical detection.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Julia Dupuis
Vice President, Tactical Systems
jdupuis@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop a combination of advanced, high-sensitivity diagnostics for direct measurements of plasma electron density and electron energy distribution function (EEDF), using the complementary techniques of microwave interferometry and Stark broadening.

Diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPAL) offer the potential for scaling to high output powers required for directed energy weapons systems. As power-scaling studies have progressed, increasing concern has emerged about uncertainty in the roles of higher-lying states and the degree of ionization, and their effects on device performance. Ionization by multi-photon absorption and collisional energy pooling may result in a plasma that reduces optical efficiency, increases gas heating, and diminishes beam quality. To address these concerns, PSI is developing advanced diagnostic concepts for measurements of the key plasma parameters, electron density and EEDF, in optically pumped Rb/He mixtures representative of high-power DPAL systems.

High power lasers are broadly employed for numerous scientific, industrial, and military applications, including materials processing, laser machining and directed energy weapons. DPAL are high-power lasers that hold potential for high average power, high energy efficiency and good beam quality suitable for both military and industrial applications. The availability of new technology to characterize the effects of plasma formation will provide a means to guide advanced power scaling and designs to benefit DoD implementation and industrial development.

For more information, contact:

Mr. William Kessler
Vice President, Applied Optics
kessler@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the U.S. Air Force to develop a launch hardened docking mechanism that can provide on-orbit servicing and refueling while dually operating as a restraint interface that can survive launch loads.

With the development of spacecraft capable of performing on-orbit servicing and refueling, a dual use docking mechanism and launch restraint mechanism offers significant weight, volume, and cost savings. PSI is developing the Toothed Cup-cone Launch-hardened Androgynous Docking (T-CLAD) mechanism, an androgynous and launch-hardened docking mechanism capable of providing self-alignment docking capabilities to provide fuel, data, and power transfer. The androgynous design allows one interface design to be used on both docking structures. Additional to fuel and electrical ports, the system allows for docking in four rotational positions, enabling servicing capabilities between the satellites or structures.

The implementation of PSI’s T-CLAD mechanism as a dual-use launch restrain system and docking mechanism would expand the U.S. Space Force’s capabilities in on-orbit servicing. Designed primarily for ESPA class small satellites, The T-CLAD mechanism offers benefits to apply these class satellites as refueling tanks or as other on-orbit logistical service platforms. A docking mechanism that can additionally survive the extreme launch environment is beneficial saving weight and volume. This launch-hardened docking mechanism could be sized accordingly to various satellites, expanding on-orbit servicing applications to a wide variety of satellites. Smaller interfaces can be developed for CubeSat class satellites and multiple interfaces can be used for medium to large class satellites.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sean Torrez
Area Manager, Deployable Technologies
storrez@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003