LightPath selected to improve satellite power generation

17 Jun 2002

D-R Technologies (San Diego, CA) has issued a US Department of Defense funded $225,000 subcontract to LightPath Technologies (Albuquerque, NM) to adapt its Gradium axial-gradient-index glass for more efficient solar-power generation on satellites. LightPath will produce a glass solar light conduit to channel and concentrate the light from a solar collector on the satellite to photovoltaic cells, producing electrical power.

Once demonstrated, a lower-cost lightweight acrylic will be used. The Gradium conduit will allow the photovoltaic cells to be fixed within the satellite, separate from the collector, and thus to be shielded from damaging radiation, either natural or man-made for longer life. With the light bending of the gradient-index material, there will also be less need for solar tracking by the collector. Other applications include commercial satellites and ground-based solar-power generation.
Courtesy of Laser Focus World