Insulation substrate product and its manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insulating substrate product comprising at least one layer of a substrate comprising metal particles having an average particle size and density selected to block or reflect infrared radiation and aerogel particles having an average pore size and density selected to control conducted and convected thermal energy, which may be manufactured as a woven and / or film coating that is light, thin, adapts to external environmental conditions for good camouflage, and provides improved insulation for energy savings and temperature regulation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to thermal insulation substrate products and methods for making same. [Background technology]

[0002] The infrared (IR) spectrum of light carries a large amount of thermal energy and can be emitted from any surface or object. This IR radiation arises from the vibration of atoms and between atoms and can have photon wavelengths in the range of 0.78 to 1,000 micrometers. This radiation can be classified as near infrared (0.78 to 2.5 micrometers), mid infrared (2.5 to 25 micrometers), and far infrared (25 to 1,000 micrometers). This radiation (heat radiation) causes the loss or absorption of heat and the transfer of energy in addition to other heat transfer methods such as convection and conduction, and can be detected by IR cameras and IR detectors in night vision and night or day surveillance. To improve insulation, comfort, and efficiency in cold environments, it is desirable to suppress this radiation to improve comfort and increase energy savings. This is important in saving energy for insulation of homes, vehicles, jackets, tents, and sleeping bags that should function to conserve heat in cold weather. In hot climates, reflecting IR radiation from the sun helps keep homes, cars, and clothing wearers cooler. As a result, controlled reflection and blocking of IR radiation can be used to keep people warm or cool in a variety of exterior environments.

[0003] Also, with the evolution of IR cameras and IR detectors, reducing IR radiation across various spectral ranges (near infrared, mid infrared, far infrared) from the bodies and vehicles of military and security personnel is important to conceal them from external detection and threats. Therefore, it is desirable for the IR radiation from the body to be reduced and matched with the IR radiation of the surrounding environment to achieve adaptive camouflage that helps hide personnel and vehicles from IR detectors, cameras, and threats in various external environments. For this purpose, it is necessary not only to reduce IR radiation but also to match it with the IR radiation of the surrounding environment. IR (infrared) concealment can also be important in view of privacy concerns caused by the widespread use of IR cameras to monitor people. Therefore, broadband IR shielding materials and technologies are essential to adaptively camouflage and conceal military personnel, equipment, vehicles, and accessories in various environments and to provide heat and energy savings, insulation, and comfort to military personnel, emergency personnel, as well as general consumers.

[0004] Patents describing the prior art of systems for the construction of camouflage, concealment and thermal insulation fabrics and textiles include the following:

[0005] US Patent No. 7,832,018 proposes a camouflage suit using conductive fabric.

[0006] US Pat. No. 8,916,265 presents a multi-spectral selectively reflective structure for reducing IR radiation.

[0007] US Pat. No. 8,918,919 presents a coating material that reflects infrared radiation. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Aspects of the present invention relate to an insulating substrate product that provides multiple functions including advanced and controllable thermal insulation, adaptively matching the thermal properties of the fabric with the surrounding environment, and reducing IR radiation from the covered body for energy savings and adaptive camouflage. Thermal insulation and temperature regulation are provided by nanoporous aerogel particles and phase change materials that control heat conduction, heat convection, and IR radiation in addition to storing thermal energy to adapt to the external environmental temperature. The insulating substrate product also includes IR blocking particles that largely hide and scatter IR radiation. This combination can provide adaptive IR blocking and thermal insulation in a thin, lightweight, and flexible form that can be added as a coating to existing fabrics without adversely affecting the use and function of the existing fabrics. Additionally, the insulating substrate product can include thicker foams or layers to provide spongy cushioning and mechanical support in addition to insulation for puffy jackets, shoes, vehicle and residential insulation, etc. The insulating substrate products may include fibrous substrates formed from spun yarns or threads of various diameters and may be incorporated into woven, knitted, braided or nonwoven structures to provide controllable degrees of adaptive IR blocking, insulating and thermal regulation in a variety of garment configurations.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a thermal insulation substrate product comprising a substrate having at least one layer, the substrate comprising metal particles having an average particle size and density selected to block or reflect infrared radiation, and aerogel particles having an average pore size and density selected to control conducted and convected thermal energy.

[0010] In some embodiments, the substrate can have at least two layers including a first, top layer including the metal particles and a second, bottom layer including the aerogel particles.

[0011] In some embodiments, the substrate may further include at least one third layer comprising a phase change material for absorbing conducted thermal energy.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first layer may further include a phase change material for absorbing conducted thermal energy.

[0013] The aerogel particles may be selected from the group consisting of softwood kraft lignin, nanocellulose, algae, moss, silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, cadmium sulfide, and iron oxide.

[0014] The layer of the aerogel particles has a density of 0.0001 to 900 g / cm 3 and an average pore size from 1 nm to 100,000 nm.

[0015] The phase change material may be polyethylene glycol or encapsulated paraffin.

[0016] The metal particles may be selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, antimony tin oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, zirconium dioxide, indium tin oxide, antimony trioxide, zinc oxide, and zinc antimonide.

[0017] The metal particles may have a density of 0.1% to 90% by weight and an average particle size of 1 nm to 200 nm.

[0018] The first layer may comprise non-woven electrospun nanofibers or wet-spun fibers having the metal particles embedded therein.

[0019] The first layer can have a polymer matrix composed of a biodegradable polymer or copolymer, and the polymer matrix can have a composition that includes a polyethylene glycol-based polyurethane.

[0020] The first layer may further include at least one coloring dye.

[0021] The insulating substrate product may further include a top fabric layer attached to a top surface of the substrate and a bottom fabric layer attached to a bottom surface of the substrate.

[0022] Alternatively, the article may comprise a fabric layer between the first and second layers.

[0023] The substrate may include fluid channels configured to pass a fluid, such as a gas, through the substrate.

[0024] The substrate may include a woven layer formed from yarns having the metal particles embedded therein.

[0025] Additionally, the substrate may include a fabric layer woven from a first set of yarns having the metal particles embedded therein and a second set of yarns having a phase change material embedded therein.

[0026] Alternatively, the substrate can have a fabric layer woven from a first set of yarns having the metal particles embedded therein and a second set of yarns having the aerogel particles embedded therein.

[0027] Alternatively, the substrate can have a woven layer woven from a combination of a first set of yarns having the metal particles embedded therein, a second set of yarns having the aerogel particles embedded therein, and a third set of yarns having the phase change material embedded therein.

[0028] The first layer of the substrate can be a first woven layer woven from yarns having the metal particles embedded therein, and the third layer of the substrate can be a woven layer woven from yarns having the phase change material embedded therein.

[0029] The first and second sets of yarns may be functional weft and warp yarns woven at right angles to one another.

[0030] The first and second sets of yarns may have a weave construction selected from the group consisting of single jersey, inlay knit, rib knit, interlock knit, and braid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1a]Figures 1(a)-(d) are schematic cross-sectional side views of an insulating substrate product according to an embodiment of the present invention: Figure 1(a) shows an insulating substrate having an unpatterned surface layer. [Figure 1b] Figures 1(a)-(d) are schematic cross-sectional side views of insulation substrate products according to embodiments of the present invention: Figure 1(b) shows an insulation substrate product having a patterned surface layer; [Figure 1c] Figures 1(a)-1(d) are schematic cross-sectional side views of insulating substrate products according to embodiments of the present invention: Figure 1(c) shows an insulating substrate attached to an outer fabric layer having a pattern; [Figure 1d] Figures 1(a)-1(d) are schematic cross-sectional side views of insulation substrate products according to embodiments of the present invention, with Figure 1(d) showing an insulation substrate with an integrated fabric layer. [Figure 2a] Figures 2(a)-2(e) are infrared images of square samples of the insulation substrate product in various applications: Figure 2(a) shows a square sample being held in the hand and positioned indoors. [Figure 2b] Figures 2(a)-2(e) are infrared images of square sample insulation substrate products in various applications: Figure 2(b) shows a square sample mounted on a military uniform and superimposed on an optical image, positioned indoors. [Figure 2c] Figures 2(a)-2(e) are infrared images of square sample insulation substrate products in various applications: Figure 2(c) shows a square sample attached to a military uniform and located indoors. [Figure 2d] Figures 2(a)-2(e) are infrared images of square sample insulation substrate products in various applications: Figure 2(d) shows a square sample attached to a military uniform and located indoors. [Figure 2e] Figures 2(a)-2(e) are infrared images of square samples of the insulation substrate product in various applications: Figure 2(e) shows a square sample attached to a painted hot metal plate and located indoors. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an insulating cushion including an insulating substrate product according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an insulating material for an insulating substrate product having a controlled breathability fabric, foam or particle structure including infrared blocking particles, an aerogel material, and a phase change material. [Figure 5a] Figures 5(a)-5(i) are schematics and microscopic images of woven embodiments of an insulating substrate product that include yarns of various configurations: Figure 5(a) shows a single hollow yarn. [Figure 5b] Figures 5(a)-5(i) are schematics and microscopic images of woven embodiments of an insulating substrate product that include woven yarns of various configurations, and Figure 5(b) is a microscopic image of the yarns of Figure 5(a). [Figure 5c] Figures 5(a)-5(i) are schematics and microscopic images of woven embodiments of an insulating substrate product that include yarns of various configurations. Figure 5(c) shows two woven layers of yarns with different insulating properties. [Figure 5d] Figures 5(a)-5(i) are schematics and microscopic images of woven fabric embodiments of insulation substrate products that include yarns of various configurations. Figure 5(d) shows a fabric having two woven layers that encapsulate an aerogel-containing layer, the two woven layers including a top infrared blocking layer and a bottom phase change layer. [Figure 5e-l] Figures 5(a)-5(i) are schematics and microscopic images of woven embodiments of an insulating substrate product that include yarns of various configurations, and Figures 5(e)-5(l) show different weave or knit configurations of the yarns. [Figure 6a] Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulating substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(a) shows an insulating substrate product for use in a helmet; [Figure 6b] Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulation substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(b) shows an insulation substrate product for use in a tent; [Figure 6c]Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulating substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(c) shows an insulating substrate product for use in a base layer garment; [Figure 6d] Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulating substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(d) shows an insulating substrate product for use in gloves; [Figure 6e] Figures 6(a)-6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulation substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(e) shows an insulation substrate product for use in vehicle construction; [Figure 6f] Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulation substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(f) shows an insulation substrate product for use in a sheeting structure; [Figure 6g] Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulating substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(g) shows an insulating substrate product for use in a sleeping bag; [Figure 6h] Figures 6(a)-6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulation substrate products used in various applications; Figure 6(h) shows an insulation substrate product used in a jacket; [Figure 6i] Figures 6(a) to 6(i) are schematic diagrams showing insulating substrate products for use in various applications: Figure 6(i) shows an insulating substrate product for use in socks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments described herein relate to thermal insulation substrate products and methods of making same suitable for applications in reducing heat loss or exposure to external heat or radiation, regulating body temperature, and / or providing thermal camouflage.

[0033] The term "substrate" herein means the substrate on or in which the treatment is performed, including fibers and films. The term "thermal insulation" herein means selectively inhibiting or controlling the passage of thermal energy by one or more of IR radiation, thermal convection, and thermal conduction.

[0034] An embodiment of the thermal insulating substrate product includes a base material including metal (i.e., metal or metal oxide) particles having an average particle size and density selected to reflect and block infrared radiation, and a nanoporous aerogel material having a porosity and density selected to control or block thermally convected and thermally conducted energy. The term "nanoporous" herein refers to a material having open or closed pores with at least one dimension in the nanometer range, typically between 1 and several hundred nm, e.g., between 1 and 200 nm. In some embodiments, the thermal insulating substrate product also includes a phase change material for absorbing thermal energy.

[0035] In some embodiments, the insulating substrate product is a coating and the substrate is a film. The term "film" herein means a thin layer having a nonwoven structure. The film substrate may be composed of nonwoven electrospun nanofibers or wet spun fibers. In some other embodiments, the insulating substrate product is a textile and the substrate comprises woven yarns. The term "textile" herein means a flexible material made by creating an intertwined bundle of woven yarns or threads. The insulating textile may be manufactured as a flexible, light and thin fabric for use in exterior environmental conditions for thermal insulation, energy saving and / or temperature regulation, and thermal camouflage. In some embodiments, the insulating textile may be added to an existing textile without adversely affecting the use and function of the existing textile. In some other embodiments, the insulating textile may comprise one or more foam layers to provide spongy cushioning and mechanical support in addition to insulation for various apparel items such as puffy jackets, shoes, and other applications such as vehicles and buildings. The insulating fabric substrate may be formed from yarns or threads of varying diameters and may be incorporated into woven, knitted, braided or nonwoven structures.

[0036] 1(a), a thermal insulation substrate product 110 is shown covering a heat radiating object 100, such as a human or a vehicle, in an external environment 101 according to a first embodiment. The external environment may be hot or cold, day or night, outdoors or indoors, at high altitude or low altitude, in various weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, wind, storm, in a city, in a desert, in an ice field, in a (certain) terrain, or in a forest. The thermal insulation substrate product 110 comprises multiple layers including a first layer 111 ("aerogel layer") comprising a nanoporous material including aerogel particles 120 and pores 121, a second layer 112 ("phase change layer") comprising a phase change material 140, and a third layer 113 ("IR blocking layer") comprising infrared (IR) blocking particles 130. In some embodiments, the phase change layer 112 and the IR blocking layer 113 can each include a textile-based material. In other embodiments, the aerogel layer 111 and the IR blocking layer 113 can each include a textile-based material. Such embodiments function not only to block heat loss from the body in cold environments, but also to block external infrared radiation from heating the body in hot environments.

[0037] The aerogel layer 111 has a lightweight foam or sponge-like structure that can provide excellent thermal insulation. The feature of aerogel that makes it suitable as an efficient thermal insulator is its nanoporosity, where the pore diameters within the aerogel structure in the nanometer range limit the mean free path of the air molecules. This makes the gas thermal conductivity within the aerogel much lower than that of free air, even at ambient atmospheric pressure. The aerogel layer 111 provides a nanoporous structure that helps create low thermal conductivity and air pockets for reduced thermal convection. The nanoporous aerogel layer 111 can provide thermal insulation properties while being very lightweight and having a thin profile. Aerogel materials can provide other desirable properties such as flame retardancy and protection from heat. Several natural sources of aerogel materials are low cost, renewable, sustainable, have a low carbon footprint, and are disposable and recyclable.

[0038] The aerogel particles 120 of the aerogel layer 111 provide insulation against conductive and convective heat transfer, as well as scattering of IR radiation. Suitable examples of aerogel particles include organic materials such as softwood kraft lignin, nanocellulose, algae and moss, natural materials such as silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, cadmium sulfide (CdS) and iron oxide, as well as carbon allotropes and polymers, known in the art for use in forming aerogels. The aerogel layer 111 can be a film (not shown) made entirely of aerogel particles, or a foamed matrix with embedded aerogel particles 120 and air gaps and bubbles 121 that can form closed or open porosity. If it is desired to control the thermal convection (rather than completely blocking it), the foamed matrix can be formed as an open-pored porous structure (e.g., with interconnected bubbles). The pores can be nanoscale pores with a density and pore size selected to provide the desired convective heat transfer through the aerogel layer 111. Suitable densities are between 0.0001 and 900 g / cm. 3 and suitable pore sizes are in the range of 1 to 100,000 nanometers.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerogel layer 111 is made by creating a gel from softwood kraft lignin, which is then freeze-dried to form a highly porous aerogel material with various pore sizes and pore structures. The aerogel material can then be powdered or granulated and incorporated into a foam matrix as shown in FIG. 1(a). In another exemplary embodiment, aerogel particles 120 or films can be made from algae, including but not limited to Irish moss, by a gel-forming and freeze-drying process or any other aerogel-forming method.

[0040] The phase change layer 112 includes a phase change material 140 that has a very high latent heat resulting from the phase change process at a particular phase change transition temperature, particularly in the range of 100-200 J / g. As a result, the phase change material is very effective at absorbing and potentially releasing conductive thermal energy. Suitable examples of phase change materials include natural materials such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and encapsulated paraffin. The phase change material layer 112 can be coated on the aerogel layer 111 by making a solution of the phase change material and spraying it on the surface of the aerogel layer 111. The phase change material can coat the surface of the aerogel layer 111 and can penetrate into a portion of the subsurface to create an embedded nanocomposite structure. Other deposition methods such as dipping and vacuuming can also be used to integrate the phase change material with the aerogel to form an integrated composite material. The formation of the layers 111 and 112 can be discontinuous and spotted to achieve breathability and thermal insulation, or can be in the form of fibers or fabrics.

[0041] The IR blocking particles 130 of the IR blocking layer 113 provide thermal insulation by reflecting or scattering IR radiation. Suitable IR blocking particles 130 have the following optical properties: for metal particles, an abundance of free electrons and a crystalline structure resulting in high reflectance in various parts of the IR radiation spectrum; for metal oxide particles, a high band gap (typically in the range of 1.9-3.8), high reflectance (typically 1.9), a disordered structure, and / or free electrons (n-type) that cause surface plasmonic resonance. Suitable examples of the IR blocking particles 130 include metal (metal and metal oxide) particles that provide strong IR blocking and reflection due to high surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, such as Ag, Cu, Al, Au, and metal oxides such as magnesium oxide (MgO), silicon dioxide (SiO2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc antimonide (Sb-Zn), or alloys of such metal particles to enhance IR reflection and durability. The metal particles can be nanoparticles having an average size range of 1 to hundreds of nanometers (e.g., 1 to 1,000 nm) or can be microparticles having an average size range of 1 to hundreds of micronometers (e.g., 1 to 500 μm).

[0042] In some embodiments, the IR blocking layer 113 includes a thin film nanostructured base layer including non-woven electrospun nanofibers or wet-spun or melt-spun or melt-blown fibers with a composite of metal particles and polymer as the IR blocking particles 130. The IR blocking metal particles 130 can be embedded in the polymer matrix of the nanofibers or wet-spun or melt-blown fibers to provide excellent adhesion and bonding properties and can be manufactured in one step from a composite ink. Suitable materials for the polymer matrix include polyurethane, polyethylene glycol, or combinations thereof, and thermoplastics such as polypropylene. The density of the IR blocking metal nanoparticles 130 can be selected to achieve the desired level of IR blocking as well as the desired visible color of the IR blocking layer 113. The concentration of the IR blocking particles 130 can range from 0.1% to 90% by weight. A mixture of various IR blocking particles 130 can be used to achieve the desired IR blocking and visible color of the film. The film can be continuous or spotty to achieve a breathable structure or a desired pattern for IR blocking or visible patterns.

[0043] In another embodiment, the polymer matrix of the IR blocking layer 113 can be a biodegradable polymer of copolymers including but not limited to polyethylene glycol (PEG) based polyurethane (PU), which improves temperature regulation and thermal insulation due to the phase change material properties of PEG and keeps the ATO layer bonded and integrated in a stable state. In yet another embodiment, the IR blocking layer 113 can have an electrospun polymer-based layer containing metal IR blocking particles 130 with a rough surface with topographical features in the nanometer or micrometer range, which contribute to IR scattering and reflection. For example, the IR blocking layer has a rough surface due to the fiber structure, polymer (PU), ATO, or metal nanoparticles.

[0044] In another embodiment (not shown), the insulating substrate product 110 may comprise a single layer including both the phase change material and the IR blocking particles 130 .

[0045] 1(b), according to a second embodiment, an insulating substrate product 110 includes an IR blocking layer 113 that includes a mixture of IR blocking particles 130 and color dyes 131, 132 that have a distinct visible color (e.g., dark green or brown, etc.) to create a desired visual print on the top surface of the insulating fabric 110. This can be used to achieve both visual and IR camouflage in the same fabric.

[0046] 1(c), according to a third embodiment, a thermal insulation substrate product 110 comprises a conventional protective fabric 102 covering the outside of an IR blocking layer 113, and may be used for civilian or military jackets, tents or vehicle covers, etc. The protective fabric 102 may have a particular visual print, for example a camouflage print achieved by printing dyes in areas 131, 132. The external environment may be hot or cold, day or night, outdoors or indoors, at high altitude or low altitude, in various weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, wind, storm, in a city, in a desert, in an ice field, in a (certain) terrain, or in a forest. The protective fabric 102 may be used in applications including, but not limited to, nylon / cotton ripstop military clothing fabric with camouflage print, inner or outer jacket layers, base layers, gloves, sleeves, tights, shorts, socks, or other clothing fabrics and layers. In this embodiment, the insulating fabric 110 is coated on the back side of the protective fabric 102 to help maintain the visible appearance, designs and prints of the fabric, including visible camouflage patterns and other design prints. This embodiment of the insulating fabric 110 is specifically intended for thermal storage, insulation, and thermoregulation with the temperature of the surrounding environment, as well as shielding and concealing heat and IR radiation from the body, thus providing adaptive camouflage and insulation. This embodiment may also block exposure to external IR radiation and heating from the sun or other heat sources, thereby keeping the body, home, or other object cooler.

[0047] 1(d), in accordance with a fourth embodiment, a thermal insulation substrate product 110 includes a conventional protective fabric 102 disposed between an IR blocking layer 113 and an aerogel layer 111. In this case, the IR blocking layer 113 has a composition selected to have a desired visual color by controlling the density of IR blocking nanoparticles or embedded colored dyes. The visual color pattern can be designed to include any design and desired visual and IR camouflage properties.

[0048] 2(a)-2(e), a square sample of the insulating substrate product 110 was imaged using an IR camera on a number of surfaces, including the hand (FIG. 2(a)). The resulting thermal images show that the insulating substrate product 110 provides a temperature drop of ~9°C to mask the hand radiation (35.8°C) in an indoor environment of 26.5°C to match the former's temperature. As shown in FIG. 2(b), a square sample of the insulating substrate product 110 was attached to a military uniform to reduce the thermal radiation from the human body (30.2°C) in an indoor environment of 20.3°C. In this image, the overlap of optical images shows the visual camouflage pattern of conventional military uniform fabric. In FIG. 2(c), a square sample of the insulating substrate product 110 was attached to a military uniform placed in an indoor environment of 22°C. In FIG. 2(d), a square sample of the insulating substrate product 110 was attached to a military uniform (29.8°C) worn on the body in an outdoor environment of 8°C. This represents a temperature drop of ~21°C, closely matching the ambient temperature. In FIG. 2(e), a square sample of the insulation substrate product 110 is shown placed on a hot painted metal plate (51.7°C), with the measured temperature dropping to 28°C, matching the indoor exterior environment.

[0049] 3, according to a fifth embodiment, a thermal insulation substrate product 210 comprises multiple layers including an aerogel layer 211, a phase change layer 212, an IR blocking layer 213, a first conventional protective outer outer fabric 202 covering the outside of the IR blocking layer 213, and a second conventional protective inner fabric 203 covering the outside of the phase change layer 212. This embodiment can be used as a jacket, cover or undergarment, tent or accessory, shoe, or vehicle cover for civilian or military uniforms to cover a radiating object 200, which can be a person or a vehicle, in an external environment 201. The external environment can be hot or cold, day or night, outdoors or indoors, high or low, various weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, wind, storm, and can be in a city, a desert, an ice field, a (certain) terrain, or a forest. The protective outer fabric 202 may be used in applications including, but not limited to, ripstop military uniform fabric with a camouflage print, an outer layer of a jacket, an outer layer or cover of a shoe or boot, a backpack cover, a sleeping bag or mat cover, a sleeve, tights, shorts, socks, or other clothing fabric and layers. The protective inner fabric 203 may be an inner layer of military uniform fabric, an inner layer of a jacket, an inner layer or cover of a shoe or boot, a backpack cover, a sleeping bag or mat cover, a sleeve, tights, shorts, socks, or other clothing fabric and layers. In another embodiment, the insulation substrate product 210 may be used as an interior insulation and IR blocking layer for any object or structure, including, but not limited to, a car, a shoe, a home room, a door, or an accessory.

[0050] In this embodiment, the aerogel layer 211, phase change layer 212, and IR blocking layer 213 are disposed and encapsulated between the outer fabric layer 202 and the inner transition layer 203 and function to provide conductive and convective insulation and IR radiation blocking for thermal or IR shielding purposes. These layers may be sewn together. Additionally, the insulating fabric 210 has a highly porous structure, which provides a lightweight, "fluffy or puffy" structure that is highly compressible. More specifically, the aerogel layer 211 is configured to have a higher porosity and thickness than other embodiments to provide a desired structure. Additionally or alternatively, the aerogel layer 211 may be embedded with elastic yarns to provide a desired structure. The insulating fabric 210 is specifically intended for thermal storage, insulation, and temperature regulation according to the temperature of the surrounding environment, as well as shielding and concealing heat and IR radiation from the body, thus providing adaptive camouflage and insulation, mechanical cushioning, and a soft, compressible feel.

[0051] The IR blocking layer 213 may have the same or similar composition and structure as the IR blocking layer 113 of the first to fourth embodiments. The aerogel layer 211 may have the same or similar composition and structure as the aerogel layer 111 of the first to fourth embodiments. The IR blocking layer 213 may have the same or similar composition and structure as the IR blocking layer 113 of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0052] 4, according to a sixth embodiment, a thermal insulation substrate product 310 comprises multiple film layers including a nanoporous aerogel-containing layer 311, a phase change layer 312, and an IR blocking layer 313. The thermal insulation substrate product 310 covers a radiating object 300, which may be a human or a vehicle or an object in an external environment 301. The external environment may be hot or cold, day or night, outdoors or indoors, at high altitude or low altitude, in various weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, wind, storm, in a city, in a desert, in an ice field, in a (certain) terrain, or in a forest.

[0053] Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a), each of the film layers 311, 312, 313 is composed of micro- and nano-structured particles, nanofibers, microfibers of the desired material forming a porous fill layer, with channels 360 allowing the passage of fluid flow (e.g., air, moisture, sweat). These film layers 311, 312, 313 can be deposited from inks containing the desired particles for each layer using a 3D printer or roll-to-roll printer, screen printing or lamination process. These film layers 311, 312, 313 can be electrospun and can be in the form of non-woven nanofibers, the approximate cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 4. The IR blocking layer 313 can be configured to block all IR radiation despite its highly porous structure by layering IR blocking particles 330. A binding fiber or mesh 350 is used within the different layers 311, 312, 313 to hold the particles or nanofibers tightly together while maintaining high porosity. IR blocking particles 330 and colored dye particles 331 are used in IR blocking layer 313 to provide IR blocking and visible printing or camouflage. Aerogel layer 311 is made of particles including aerogel particles 320, voids and bubbles 321, as in other embodiments, but further includes channels 360 to allow fluid flow. Phase change layer 312 includes phase change material 340 as in other embodiments, but further includes channels 360 to allow fluid flow.

[0054] Referring to Figures 5(a)-5(i), according to a seventh embodiment, an insulating substrate product 410 comprises one or more textile layers containing an insulating material. The various textile layers are each formed by spinning material in the form of solid or hollow yarns containing the desired nanoparticles in their shells. For example, as shown in Figure 5(a), the IR blocking layer 413 can be spun from thin hollow fibers ("IR blocking yarns") whose shells contain the desired IR blocking nanoparticles 430, such as ATO, Cu, Ag or other IR blocking materials. This can be done by wet spinning, electrospinning, or other fiber spinning methods used to produce fibers from raw materials. The electrospun material can be in the form of a web with a microstructure made of entangled nanofibers. Figure 5(b) shows an optical microscope image of a wet spun hollow Cu-PET fiber with a diameter of 100 micrometers. Similarly, the phase change layer 412 can be spun from fibers ("phase change yarns") incorporating a phase change material. Similarly, an aerogel layer can be spun from fibers incorporating aerogel particles ("aerogel yarns", not shown). FIG. 5(c) shows an embodiment including an insulating substrate product 410 with a single fiber-based layer interwoven with phase change yarns 412 and IR blocking yarns 413 or aerogel yarns. The insulating substrate product 410 provides both thermal convection and conduction insulation and regulation and IR blocking and concealment due to the presence of both IR blocking yarns 413 and phase change yarns 412 in the woven structure. FIG. 5(d) shows another embodiment of an insulating substrate product 410 with two woven layers 412, 413 that encapsulate an aerogel layer 411. The phase change layer 412 includes a woven fabric of phase change yarns and the IR blocking layer 413 includes a woven fabric of IR blocking yarns. The aerogel layer 411 includes a highly particulate or fibrous structure of aerogel foam.

[0055] Referring to Figures 5(e)-5(k), the woven fabric layers 412, 413 may have functional weft and warp yarns woven at right angles to each other. The woven fabric structure may be in the form of a double cross or triple cross with various variations of the main structure type. The double cross includes self-stitched double cross, center-stitched double cross, thread-swapped double cross (Figure 5(h)), and fabric-swapped double cross. The double cross may include two series of threads / yarns in both the warp and weft directions woven at right angles to form separate face and back fabric layers. The separate face and back fabric layers may be IR blocking yarns 413 and phase change yarns 412 or aerogel yarns. The interconnection / stitching of each of the two separate layers can be achieved in various proportions within the fabric, sometimes by dropping the front warp yarns under the back weft yarns 417 (FIG. 5(e)), lifting the back warp yarns over the front weft yarns 416 (FIG. 5(f)), or using both methods simultaneously (FIG. 5(g)). FIGS. 5(h) and 5(i) show a woven structure formed by lifting (418) the warp yarns 415 of the back fabric layer (412) over the weft yarns 416 of the front fabric layer (413). This is based on, but is not limited to, a 2 / 2 (two above, two below) twill design, which can have a variable number of steps or moves (FIG. 5(j)). The fabric structure can be a knitted fabric with phase change yarns 412 and IR blocking yarns 413 at various stitch densities to achieve the desired thermal insulation and IR blocking properties. The knitted fabric structure may be a structure including, but not limited to, single jersey, inlay knit (FIG. 5(k)), rib knit, interlock knit, and braid. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5(l) may include, but is not limited to, a knitted fabric of functional low surface emissivity yarns and IR blocking yarns. The low surface emissivity yarns may be, but are not limited to, nylon, polyester, or any other synthetic filament, with or without texturing. These yarns may include dopants, including but not limited to, copper, silver, or other low-emission particles. The IR blocking yarns may include, but are not limited to, ATO, Cu, Ag, Al, Au reinforced with polymeric materials.All of the aforementioned functional yarn structures (412, 413 or aerogel yarn) may be produced by, but not limited to, wet spinning, dry spinning, melt spinning, or any other fiber forming method. The cross sections of these filaments may include, but not limited to, hollow, solid, or any other type of geometry. The hollow filament structures may include, but are not limited to, any type of phase change material. The textile structures may be complex three-dimensional knits or jacquard knits to achieve the desired fabric structure, morphology, and the desired thermal insulation and IR blocking properties for various applications including apparel, military accessories, structural components, biomedical applications, implantable parts, etc.

[0056] The phase change yarns 412 and IR blocking yarns 413 may be incorporated into the composition of conventional protective exterior and interior fabrics, such as 102, 202 and 203, as previously described. Integration techniques may include fabric manufacturing methods such as weaving, knitting, braiding, embroidery, etc.

[0057] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6(a)-6(i), a thermal insulation substrate product 510 includes an aerogel layer 511, a phase change layer 512, and an IR blocking layer 513, which can be coated or attached to the surface of an object having various surface finishes, including but not limited to metal, wood, and concrete. For this embodiment of the invention, the aerogel layer 511 has a controllable porosity and thickness to provide a desired thickness. The aerogel layer 511 can be embedded with elastic elastic threads or embedding compositions to provide a resilient mechanical feel and support for weight. The aerogel layer 511 can be embedded with a phase change layer 512 to add extreme thermal capacity to absorb heat and regulate temperature due to the latent heat of the material used. The IR blocking layer 513 includes IR blocking particles with very low IR emissivity, strong IR reflection and scattering.

[0058] The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(a) may be a helmet, military helmet, hat, or any other protective head gear with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern in an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(b) may be a tent, a house (insulation embedded in a wall or below a surface), a room, a roof, a shade, a window screen, a curtain or shutter, an umbrella, or any other temporary or permanent structure or covering with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern in an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(c) may be a uniform including pants, a shirt, a jacket, an undershirt, an underpants, shoes, boots, sandals, a space suit, with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern in an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(d) may be a glove, a protective glove, a gaming glove, a surgical glove, a rehabilitation glove, a work glove, a ski glove, with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern, within an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(e) may be a vehicle, a truck, a motorcycle, a tank, a bus, a helicopter, an airplane, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), an electric car, an electric truck, an electric bus, a ship, a boat, a space shuttle, a satellite, or any other land, air, sea, or space vehicle, with visible insulation and camouflage (camouflage) appropriate for the environment, with another pattern or print or without a pattern, within an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in FIG. 6(f) may be a chair, seat, car seat, camping chair, lounge chair, inflatable chair, or any other seat or lounging chair, with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print, or without a pattern, within an external environment 501.The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(g) may be a sleeping bag, a compactable sleeping bag, an insulating mat, a rug, a spacer, with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern, in an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(h) may be a jacket, a jacket with a hat, a fluffy jacket, a compactable jacket, a pillow, a blanket, a mattress, with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern, in an external environment 501. The object 500 shown in Fig. 6(i) may be a sock, a stocking, a compression stocking, a compression sock, a sleeve, a shoe insole, with visible camouflage or with another pattern or print or without a pattern, in an external environment 501.

[0059] The thermal insulation substrate product 510 is specifically designed for thermal storage, thermal insulation, and temperature regulation according to the temperature of the surrounding environment, as well as shielding and concealing heat and IR radiation from the body, thus providing adaptive camouflage and insulation, mechanical cushioning, and a soft, compressible fabric feel. The thermal insulation substrate product 510 is intended to provide excellent thermal conduction and convection insulation and IR radiation blocking for the purpose of heat storage or IR concealment. The external environment can be hot or cold, day or night, outdoors or indoors, high or low altitude, various weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, wind, storm, and can be in a city, a desert, an ice field, a (certain) terrain, or a forest.

[0060] (Interpretation of terms) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims: "Comprise", "comprising", etc. shall be construed in its inclusive rather than exclusive sense, i.e. "including but not limited to". "Linked," "connected," "coupled," or variations thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements. The coupling or connection between the elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. The words "herein," "above," "below," and similar terms, when used to describe this specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole and not to particular portions of the specification. "Or" when referring to a list of two or more items covers all of the following interpretations: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include any appropriate plural references.

[0061] Terms such as "longitudinal," "lateral," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "inner," "outer," "longitudinal," "lateral," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "lower," "upper," "lower," and the like are used in this specification and the appended claims and are dependent upon the particular orientation of the device as described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Thus, these directional terms are not precisely defined and should not be narrowly interpreted.

[0062] When a component (e.g., a substrate, assembly, device, manifold, etc.) is referred to, unless otherwise indicated, the reference to the component (including the reference to "means") should be interpreted as including any components that perform the function of the described component (i.e., are functionally equivalent) as equivalents of the component. This includes components that are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structures that perform the functions in the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0063] Specific examples of systems, methods, and devices are described herein for illustrative purposes. These are merely examples. The techniques provided herein may be applied to systems other than the exemplary systems described above. Many changes, modifications, additions, omissions, and substitutions are possible in the practice of this disclosure. The present disclosure includes variations of the described embodiments that will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements, and / or acts with equivalent features, elements, and / or acts; mixing and matching features, elements, and / or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements, and / or acts from various embodiments described herein with features, elements, and / or acts of other technologies; and / or omitting features, elements, and / or acts from the foregoing embodiments.

[0064] Although specific elements, embodiments and applications of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the following appended claims and any claims thereafter introduced be interpreted to include all such modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and subcombinations that may reasonably be inferred. The claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments described in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A substrate having at least one layer comprising metal particles having an average particle size and density selected to block or reflect infrared radiation, and aerogel particles having an average pore size and density selected to control conducted and convected thermal energy. Equipped with The substrate has a fabric layer woven from a first set of yarns having the metal particles embedded therein and a second set of yarns having a phase change material embedded therein or having the aerogel particles embedded therein. A heat insulating base material product.

2. The substrate has at least two layers including a first top layer including the metal particles and a second bottom layer including the aerogel particles.

2. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

3. The substrate further includes at least one third layer including a phase change material for absorbing conducted thermal energy.

3. The insulation substrate product of claim 2.

4. The first layer further includes a phase change material for absorbing conducted thermal energy.

3. The insulation substrate product of claim 2.

5. The aerogel particles are selected from the group consisting of softwood kraft lignin, nanocellulose, algae, moss, silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, cadmium sulfide, and iron oxide.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

6. The metal particles are selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, Al, Au, antimony tin oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, zirconium dioxide, indium tin oxide, antimony trioxide, zinc oxide, and zinc antimonide.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

7. The phase change material is polyethylene glycol or encapsulated paraffin.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

8. The first layer comprises non-woven electrospun nanofibers or wet-spun fibers having the metal particles embedded therein.

5. The insulating substrate product of any one of claims 2 to 4.

9. The first layer is a polymer matrix composed of a biodegradable polymer or copolymer.

9. The insulation substrate product of claim 8.

10. The polymer matrix has a composition comprising a polyethylene glycol-based polyurethane.

10. The insulating substrate product of claim 9.

11. The metal particles have a density of 0.1% to 90% by weight and an average particle size of 1 nm to 200 nm.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

12. The aerogel particles have a density of 0.0001 to 900 g / cm 3 and an average pore size of 1 nm to 100,000 nm.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

13. The first top layer further comprises at least one coloring dye.

5. The insulating substrate product of any one of claims 2 to 4.

14. a top fabric layer attached to the top surface of the substrate; 5. The insulation substrate product of claim 1, further comprising:

15. The substrate includes a fabric layer between the first top layer and the second bottom layer.

5. The insulating substrate product of any one of claims 2 to 4.

16. a bottom fabric layer attached to the bottom surface of the substrate; 15. The insulation substrate product of claim 14, further comprising:

17. The substrate includes a fluid flow path configured to pass a fluid through the substrate.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

18. The substrate has a woven layer formed from threads having the metal particles embedded therein.

5. The insulating substrate product of claim 1.

19. the first top layer of the substrate is a first woven layer woven from yarns having the metal particles embedded therein; the third layer of the substrate is a woven layer made of yarns having the phase change material embedded therein; 4. The insulation substrate product of claim 3.

20. The first and second sets of yarns are functional weft and warp yarns woven at right angles to each other.

20. The insulating substrate product of claim 19.

21. The first and second sets of yarns have a weave construction selected from the group consisting of single jersey, inlay knit, rib knit, interlock knit, and braid.

21. The insulating substrate product of claim 20.

22. At least one woven layer comprising: a first set of warp yarns comprising metal particles having a density and average particle size selected to block or reflect infrared radiation; and a second set of warp yarns comprising aerogel particles having a density and average pore size selected to control conducted and convected thermal energy. Equipped with The at least one fabric layer has a porous fabric for allowing fluids, including air and water vapor, to pass therethrough. A heat insulating, breathable textile product.

23. At least a part of the warp yarns is a hollow warp yarn.

23. The textile product of claim 22.

24. a third set of warp yarns including a phase change material for absorbing the conducted thermal energy; 24. The textile product of claim 22 or 23, further comprising:

25. The density and the average particle size of the metal particles are selected such that infrared radiation through the at least one fabric layer is within the range of infrared radiation of the external environment, thereby providing infrared camouflage.

24. A textile product according to claim 22 or 23.

26. The density and the average pore size of the aerogel particles are selected such that a temperature of the exterior surface of the at least one fabric layer is within the temperature range of the exterior environment, thereby providing thermal camouflage.

24. A textile product according to claim 22 or 23.

27. At least a portion of the warp yarns include a coloring dye, thereby providing optical camouflage properties.

24. A textile product according to claim 22 or 23.

28. A heat insulating, breathable, camouflage-resistant substrate product, comprising: (a) a first top layer comprising metal particles having a density and particle size selected to block or reflect infrared radiation, thereby providing thermal insulation and infrared camouflage properties; (b) a second central layer comprising aerogel particles having a density and pore size selected to control conducted and convected thermal energy, thereby providing thermal insulation and thermal camouflage properties; (c) a third bottom layer including a phase change material for absorbing the conducted thermal energy, thereby providing thermal insulation and temperature camouflage; Equipped with The three layers have porosity selected to allow the passage of air and fluids, including water vapor, thereby providing breathability. A heat-insulating, breathable, camouflage-resistant base material product.

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