Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a fast-switching, MEMS-based thermal metasurface that enables real-time infrared emissivity modulation via high-contrast, broadband radiative control.
Background:
Dynamic emissive thermal devices offer active control over infrared (IR) radiation. Unlike traditional static materials, they address critical gaps in adaptive thermal management, infrared camouflage, and tunable radiative properties. Such capabilities are particularly valuable in aerospace, defense, smart buildings, energy storage, and thermophotovoltaics systems. However, current technologies suffer from reliance on fixed coating or bulky cooling systems which are inherently static and cannot adapt to dynamic thermal environments. This limitation in the state-of-the-art reduces the practical applications of these advanced materials for applications such as radiative cooling, smart windows, and tunable thermal emission control. Advancing technologies in these areas demands a novel, real-time emissivity modulation approach that is rapid, compact, and highly tunable for a wide array of industries.
Innovation:
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel approach to controlling thermal radiation emissions that integrates micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) with infrared metasurface designs. The system achieves a high emissivity contrast, switching between an ON state average emissivity (ɛon) of 0.70 and an OFF state emissivity (ɛoff) of 0.15, with modulation rates above 1kHz. The combination of high contrast and rapid switching is crucial for advanced thermal management, IR signature suppression, and heat dissipation. The MEMS-based meta-pixel architecture enables real-time thermal signature control, greatly improving concealment from infrared sensors. In civil settings, the surface adapts to weather conditions to improve energy efficiency and the associated carbon footprint. Practical applications of this advanced material include smart windows and buildings, next-generation aircraft lighting for improved stealth, and active radiative cooling systems. The proposed MEMS-based dynamic thermal radiation system addresses the limitations of conventional static materials by offering actively tunable thermal emission, fulfilling a critical need for advanced thermal management in responsive environments..
Potential Applications:
● Aerospace & Defense
○ Signature suppression
○ Re-entry/hypersonic thermal control
○ Satellite thermal regulation
○ Stealth enhancement
● Energy & Smart Infrastructure
○ Smart buildings
○ Cooling systems
○ Thermal load balancing
○ Greenhouse gas mitigation
● Energy Storage
○ EVs
○ Batteries
● Thermophotovoltaics
● Wearables
Advantages:
● Real-Time Emissivity Modulation
○ Active thermal control
● High Emissivity Contrast
○ Tunable - thermal insulation and heat rejection possible
● Rapid switching
○ Quick adaptation crucial for aerospace & defense
● Precise control via MEMS meta-pixels
● Compact
● Energy Efficient
Development-To-Date: First successful demonstration of the invention
Related Papers:
Zhou, B., Xu, C., Ji, D., Wang, H., Gao, Y., Zhang, Y., Duan, X., Chen, S., Liu, Z., & Liu, K. (2024). Giant second harmonic generation in bulk monolayer MoS₂ thin films. Matter. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2024.06.006
Zhou, B., Xu, C., Wang, H., Ji, D., Gao, Y., Zhang, Y., Duan, X., Chen, S., Liu, Z., & Liu, K. (2024). A chemical-dedoping strategy to tailor electron density in molecular-intercalated bulk monolayer MoS₂. Nature Synthesis, 3(1), 67–75. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-023-00396-2
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2025-254
Lead Inventor:
Artur Davoyan