Apparatus for curing composite materials and method of use thereof

An apparatus comprising:

• a heater mat including one or more electrical components for applying thermal energy to a composite material inside a vacuum chamber at least partially defined by a flexible wall configured to apply a pressing force against the composite material via the heater mat when the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated and as the application of the thermal energy at least partially cures the composite material to a substantially cured state;
• and
• an electrical coupler including male and female connector portions one of which is connected to the heater mat, the connector portion that is connected to the heater mat including a first set of one or more electrical contacts electrically connected to the one or more electrical components of the heater mat, the other of the connector portions including a second set of one or more electrical contacts configured for electrical connection to circuitry disposed outside of the vacuum chamber, wherein the coupler is configured to extend through and hermetically seal a hole in the flexible wall, and to electrically interconnect the first and second sets of one or more electrical contacts when the male and female connector portions are mated for electrical interconnection of the one or more electrical components of the heater mat disposed inside the vacuum chamber with the circuitry disposed outside of the vacuum chamber.