Nanotube-based insulators
AssigneeNanocomp Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid S. Lashmore, Diana Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nanotube-based insulator is provided having thermal insulating properties. The insulator can include a plurality of nanotube sheets stacked on top of one another. Each nanotube sheet can be defined by a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The plurality of carbon nanotubes can be configured so as to decrease normal-to-plane thermal conductivity while permitting in-plane thermal conductivity. A plurality of spacers can be situated between adjacent nanotube sheets so as to reduce interlayer contact between the nanotubes in each sheet. The plurality of spacers can be ceramic or alumina dots or provided by texturing the nanotube sheets.
Claims13
A method for thermal insulation, the method comprising:
- using a carbon nanotube insulator in connection with another structure as a thermal insulator possessing multifunctional properties including one or more of EMI shielding, EMP protection, ESD shielding, electrical conduction, impact resistance, corrosion resistance,
- wherein the carbon nanotube insulator has a plurality of nanotube sheets positioned on top of one another, and a plurality of spacers situated between adjacent nanotube sheets in order to reduce intersheet contact, so as to minimize normal-to-plane thermal conductivity, and wherein each nanotube sheet comprises multiple distinct layers having a plurality of nanotubes in each distinct layer, the nanotubes being substantially contained within each distinct layer as to minimize normal-to-plane thermal conductivity between distinct layers.
A method for thermal insulation, the method comprising:
- placing an insulator between a heat source and an area to which heat transfer is not desired, wherein the insulator comprises a plurality of nanotube sheets positioned on top of one another, and a plurality of spacers situated between adjacent nanotube sheets in order to reduce intersheet contact, so as to minimize normal-to-plane thermal conductivity, and wherein each nanotube sheet comprises multiple distinct layers having a plurality of nanotubes in each distinct layer, the nanotubes being substantially contained within each distinct layer as to further minimize normal-to-plane thermal conductivity between distinct layers;
- and
- allowing heat from the heat source to contact the insulator, whereby the insulator minimizes heat transfer in a direction normal-to-plane of the insulator so as to insulate the area to which heat transfer is not desired from the heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.