Atomic Sheet Gas Barrier Material for Helium Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymeric materials allow gas permeation, particularly problematic in applications requiring impermeability to small gas molecules like helium, and even gas-impermeable structures are susceptible to leakage at joints or seams containing polymeric materials.
Innovation Solution
A gas barrier material comprising a sheet of material with one or more atomic sheets, such as graphene or carbon nitride, arranged to reduce gas permeability, particularly effective in limiting helium permeation in containers and airships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polymeric materials are used for gas containment, then cost-effectiveness and design flexibility are improved, but gas permeability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polymeric materials with atomic sheets (graphene, carbon nitride) to create a composite barrier material that achieves both cost-effectiveness and gas impermeability. The polymeric substrate provides mechanical strength and flexibility while the atomic sheets provide the gas barrier function, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and gas impermeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The atomic sheets are selectively positioned at critical locations where gas permeation occurs, such as within the polymeric matrix and at seam interfaces. This localized placement optimizes the gas barrier performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using atomic sheets only where needed rather than throughout the entire structure.
2Ease of operation
If polymeric materials are used in joints and seams, then ease of assembly is improved, but gas leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates atomic sheets into polymeric sealants and adhesives used in joints and seams, creating a composite material that maintains the ease of assembly properties of polymers while adding gas impermeability. The atomic sheets within the polymeric matrix prevent gas leakage through the sealed joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The atomic sheets act as an intermediary barrier within the polymeric sealant material, preventing gas molecules from passing through the joint or seam while allowing the polymeric material to maintain its bonding and sealing functions. This resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and gas leakage prevention.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional polymeric barrier materials are used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but gas permeation resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite barrier material combining polymeric substrates with atomic sheets that provides superior gas permeation resistance compared to traditional polymeric barriers alone. The atomic sheets create a tortuous path for gas molecules, significantly reducing permeation while maintaining cost-effectiveness through selective placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The atomic sheets are strategically positioned within the polymeric barrier material at locations where gas permeation is most problematic, providing enhanced resistance where needed while maintaining overall cost-effectiveness. This localized enhancement resolves the contradiction between cost-effectiveness and gas permeation resistance.
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 described gas barrier material significantly enhances the impermeability of polymeric materials, reducing helium leakage and extending the flight duration of airships while being cost-effective and applicable in various gas containment applications.
Implementation Method 1
one or more atomic sheets arranged along the sheet of material so that the gas barrier material has a gas permeability less than the characteristic gas permeability of the sheet of material at locations along the gas barrier material where the one or more atomic sheets are present
Data Source
AI summary
A gas barrier material includes an atomic sheet, such as graphene and/or an analog of graphene. The gas barrier material can be arranged as part of a component, such as a container or other vessel, to limit the flow or permeation of gas through the component. Where the component is a container or part of a container, the gas barrier material may be formulated and arranged to limit or prevent gas ingress or egress with respect to the internal volume of the container. The atomic sheet offers improved gas barrier properties compared to traditional polymeric barrier materials and is particularly useful in applications where it is desired to limit permeation of small gas molecules such as helium, such as airships or other lighter than air vehicles.