Nanotube-Based Insulators
AssigneeNanocomp Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid S. Lashmore, Diana Lewis
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims19
A process for making a carbon nanotube insulator, the process comprising:
- generating, from a cloud of nanotubes, a plurality of nanotube sheets having;
- processing the nanotube sheets to substantially align the nanotubes within the sheet, so as to maintain in-plane thermal conductivity while minimizing normal-to-plane thermal conductivity;
- and
- positioning a spacer between adjacent nanotube sheets, so as to create additional spacing between the sheets to further minimize normal-to-plane thermal conductivity.
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 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
A method for thermal insulation, the method comprising:
- placing, between a heat source and an area to which heat transfer is not desired, an insulator having 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;
- allowing heat from the heat source to contact the insulator;
- and
- minimizing heat transfer through the insulator in a direction normal-to-plane of the insulator in order to insulate the area from the heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.