This is a project, which is defined by Thales Alenia Space company as a part of “Agoria’s Design & Engineering Challenge” to solve real business issues with additive manufacturing technology.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Reduction of mass of the PVA is necessary, as well as the improvement of the thermal performances.
SUPPORT STATEMENT:
Design a basic mini-structure to support a solar cell, typically 10 cm long by 5 cm wide, which would allow mechanical and electrical interconnection of each cell to each other and thus create a complete panel by combining them in series and parallel. Mechanically, in the closed position, the assembly should be able to roll up and in the deployed position, the back of the cells should be open to space for better thermal exchange.