Aerogel Granule Insulation via Polymer Binder Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerogel materials, with their superior heat-insulating properties, are difficult to handle due to their small particle size, low specific gravity, and high porosity, leading to scattering and pollution issues during production, and they lack mechanical strength, making them challenging to productize effectively.
Innovation Solution
A heat insulation material comprising aerogel granules and a polymer binder, where the polymer binder adheres to the aerogel granules using static electricity, is used, and an adhesive film layer is included to enhance adhesion and prevent dispersion, allowing for the creation of a laminate structure that can be manufactured into various thicknesses and forms, such as blankets or thin plates, through specific processing steps involving temperature and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If aerogel materials are used in the form of powder or blanket, then heat-insulating performance is improved, but handling difficulty and pollution increase due to small particle size and low specific gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines aerogel particles with polymer fibers to create a composite heat insulation material. The polymer fibers act as a matrix that binds the aerogel particles, maintaining the superior heat insulation properties of aerogel while adding mechanical strength and reducing dust generation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the thermal performance benefits of aerogel with the handling advantages of fiber-based materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polymer fibers to encapsulate and bind aerogel particles, creating a flexible composite structure. This fiber-based approach allows the material to be handled more easily compared to loose aerogel powder, while the thin film-like structure maintains effective heat insulation. The polymer matrix acts as a flexible shell that contains the aerogel particles, preventing them from scattering during handling.
2Temperature
If aerogel materials are used in the form of blanket, then heat resistance and heat insulation are improved, but mechanical strength decreases due to very high porosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material where polymer fibers provide the mechanical strength framework while aerogel particles provide the heat resistance. The polymer matrix acts as a structural skeleton that compensates for the weakness of high-porosity aerogel, allowing the material to maintain both thermal performance and mechanical integrity. This composite approach enables the material to withstand handling and installation stresses while retaining superior heat insulation.
3Temperature
If aerogel granules are used, then heat-insulating performance is enhanced, but aerogel dispersion occurs without binder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polymer fibers as an intermediary substance that binds aerogel particles together. The polymer matrix acts as a mediating phase that holds the aerogel granules in place, preventing their dispersion while allowing the aerogel to maintain its heat-insulating properties. This intermediary binder resolves the contradiction by providing structural cohesion to the aerogel particles without significantly compromising their thermal performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances heat-insulating performance, prevents aerogel dispersion, improves working conditions, and allows for flexible manufacturing of the material for various applications, addressing the handling and productization challenges of aerogel materials.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer binder may adhere to the aerogel granules by static electricity.
Data Source
AI summary
The technique set forth in the present specification provides a heat insulation material having functions of enhancing heat-insulating performance and preventing aerogel dispersion by using aerogel granules and a polymer binder. According to an embodiment of the technique set forth in the present specification, the thickness of the heat insulation material is adjustable according to the purpose of the heat insulation material, so that a heat insulation material that can be made into products in various fields is provided.