Patent — available for licensing
Non-Magnetic Absorptive Material for Microwave to Far-Infrared Applications
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Researchers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center have developed a non-magnetic absorptive media that optimizes the dielectric function of the mixture, delivering superior optical, thermal, and mechanical properties for space-based instrumentation. Conductively loaded dielectric mixtures are widely used for electromagnetic interference control, anti-reflection, and in-band optical scattering reduction, but existing commercial coatings come with significant trade-offs. Many are magnetic, making them incompatible with superconducting electronics and sensors, while others rely on high-index ceramic fillers, magnetic materials, or conductive particles that increase area density—resulting in higher reflectance, excess bulk, and added heat capacity. These drawbacks drive up mass, volume, and costs for cryogenic space instruments. By addressing these limitations, this high-emissivity, non-magnetic coating provides a lightweight, high-absorptance solution that is structurally durable, thermally compatible, and optimized for the demanding conditions of far-infrared space applications.