Systems and method for operating an STS panel comprising: a filler with a thermally resistive/insulating material and a first open area (FOA); first and second layers of thermally conductive material (TCM) that are spaced apart, extend parallel, and sandwich the filler such that FOA extends from the first layer of TCM to the second layer of TCM; and a first thermal connector (FTC) disposed in FOA (a) so as to reside between and be spaced apart from the filler, and (b) so as to reside between and be in contact with the first and second layers of TCM. FTC is switchable between a first position in which a thermal bridge is created to allow heat transfer between the first and second layers of TCM and a second position in which the thermal bridge is broken and a thermal gap is created to prevent the heat transfer.

A passive thermal switch device, for regulating a temperature of a thermal component configured to generate heat, includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is provided on the thermal component. The first plate includes a thermal switch material that switches from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state upon exceeding a state transition temperature. The second plate includes a permanent magnet. The second plate is moveable between a thermal insulator position and a thermal conductor position based on a temperature of the thermal switch material. In the thermal insulator position, the second plate is spaced apart from the first plate. In the thermal conductor position, the second plate is in contact with the first plate.

A passive thermal switch device, for regulating a temperature of a thermal component configured to generate heat, includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is provided on the thermal component. The first plate includes a thermal switch material that switches from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state upon exceeding a state transition temperature. The second plate includes a permanent magnet. The second plate is moveable between a thermal insulator position and a thermal conductor position based on a temperature of the thermal switch material. In the thermal insulator position, the second plate is spaced apart from the first plate. In the thermal conductor position, the second plate is in contact with the first plate.

An actuator includes a first part having a magnetomotive element and configured to absorb heat up to at least a first temperature; a second part arranged so as to face the first part; a temperature-sensitive magnetic body provided between the first part and the second part and configured to move between a first position for contact with the first part and a second position for contact with the second part, the temperature-sensitive magnetic body having a Curie point lower than the first temperature and higher than a temperature of the second part; and a restoring part configured to restore the temperature-sensitive magnetic body from the first position to the second position.

An actuator includes a first part having a magnetomotive element and configured to absorb heat up to at least a first temperature; a second part arranged so as to face the first part; a temperature-sensitive magnetic body provided between the first part and the second part and configured to move between a first position for contact with the first part and a second position for contact with the second part, the temperature-sensitive magnetic body having a Curie point lower than the first temperature and higher than a temperature of the second part; and a restoring part configured to restore the temperature-sensitive magnetic body from the first position to the second position.