Emissive composite materials and methods for use thereof

A cooling system comprising:

• an emissive composite material in thermal communication with a part subject to operational heating;
• wherein the emissive composite material comprises a refractory metal matrix and a ceramic electride material in the refractory metal matrix;
• a collector configured to receive electrons emitted across an open space by the ceramic electride material upon heating of the part and the emissive composite material;
• and
• a return conductive pathway configured to establish electrical communication between the emissive composite material and the collector.

A method comprising:

• providing an emissive composite material in thermal communication with a part subject to operational heating;
• wherein the emissive composite material comprises a refractory metal matrix and a ceramic electride material in the refractory metal matrix;
• heating the part and the emissive composite material at or above a temperature at which a work function threshold of the ceramic electride material is exceeded and electrons are emitted therefrom;
• wherein emission of the electrons from the emissive composite material dissipates heat from the part;
• and
• receiving the electrons across an open space at a collector, the collector being in electrical communication with the emissive composite material via a return conductive pathway.