Patent ID: 7691452

Claim:
A method for inhibiting the formation of organic residues on the outer surface of a multi-layer thermal insulation blanket attachable on a structure intended for use in vacuum conditions, said method comprising the steps of: coating an outer surface of an outer layer of the multi-layer thermal insulation blanket with a photocatalytic material, wherein the outer surface of the outer layer of the multi-layer thermal insulation blanket faces away from the structure when the multi-layer thermal insulation blanket is attached to the structure; exposing the photocatalytic material coated outer surface of the outer layer of the multi-layer thermal insulation blanket to at least one of ultraviolet radiation and near-ultraviolet radiation to activate the photocatalytic material to catalyze the breakdown of organic residues on the outer surface of the outer layer of the multi-layer thermal insulation blanket; and overlaying the photocatalytic material coated outer surface with an outermost electrically conductive layer.