Applications of cold hibernated elastic memory (CHEM) structures

Experiments and analyses have confirmed the feasibility of an innovative, new class of very simple, reliable, low mass, low packaging volume, and low-cost self-deployable structures for space and commercial applications. The material technology called "cold hibernated elastic memory" (CHEM) utilizes shape memory polymers in open cellular (foam) structures. The CHEM foams are self-deployable and are using the foam's elastic recovery plus their shape memory to erect structures. These structures are under development by the NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Currently, the CHEM structure concept is well formulated, with clear space and commercial applications. The CHEM structures are described here and their major advantages are identified over other expandable/deployable structures. Previous experimental results were very encouraging and indicated that the CHEM foam technology can perform robustly in the Earth environment as well as in space. Some potential space applications were studied under various programs at JPL with promising results. Although the space community will be the major beneficiary, a lot of potential commercial applications are also foreseen for the "Earth environment" and described in this paper as well.