SILVER SILVER-OXIDE COMPOSITE COATING FOR INTRINSICALLY ADAPTIVE THERMAL REGULATION/

A concept for an automatic thermal regulation system using the changes in surface properties associated with the oxidation of silver and the reduction of silver oxide at a critical temperature has been evaluate d. The change in thermal transfer properties between silver and silver oxide are favorable for thermal regulation if the incident radiation is in the infrared range. However, while the reduction of silver oxide occurs rapidly, the oxidation of silver occurs slowly, so a silver/si lver-oxide composite coating will not likely produce reversible adapti ve thermal regulation. However, thermal regulation at higher temperatu res, where the oxidation End reduction reactions are more rapid, may b e possible using other materials. The criteria for selection of potent ial metal/metal-oxide composite coatings for adaptive thermal regulati on are discussed. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.