Carbon Nanomaterial Composite Sheet for EMI Shielding and Lightning Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace vehicles with composite components face challenges in weight increase and production costs due to the need for additional materials for lightning strike protection and electromagnetic interference shielding, which existing composite materials fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional carbon nanomaterial composite sheet is developed, comprising a carbon nanomaterial structure bonded to a porous carrier material with a metallic coating, which is then impregnated with an elastomer to create a composite structure that provides both shielding and structural integrity, eliminating the need for additional materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If additional materials are applied for lightning strike protection and electromagnetic interference shielding, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (structural support, lightning protection, and EMI shielding) into a single composite material layer. The carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer matrix integrates the structural and protective functions that previously required separate materials, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system consisting of carbon nanotubes dispersed in a polymer matrix. This composite structure provides both mechanical strength and electromagnetic interference shielding properties, eliminating the need for additional separate shielding layers and reducing total vehicle weight.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional materials are applied for lightning strike protection and electromagnetic interference shielding, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges lightning protection and EMI shielding functions into the primary structural composite layer, eliminating the need for separate protective layers. This integration reduces material costs, simplifies manufacturing processes, and decreases production time while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composite serves multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, lightning strike protection, and electromagnetic interference shielding. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of materials and layers required, thereby lowering production costs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional materials are applied for lightning strike protection and electromagnetic interference shielding, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple protective functions into a single integrated composite layer. Instead of stacking separate layers for structural support, lightning protection, and EMI shielding, the invention uses one multi-functional carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composite, thereby reducing structural complexity.
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 composite sheet effectively shields against electromagnetic interference and lightning strikes, reducing the weight and production costs of aerospace vehicles while maintaining structural integrity, through its broadband EMI shielding effectiveness and lightning protection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a carrier layer that includes a porous material and a metallic coating applied to the porous material
Implementation Method 2
a layer of a carbon nanomaterial structure applied to the carrier layer, the carbon nanomaterial structure including carbon nanomaterials
Data Source
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AI summary
A carbon nanomaterial composite sheet and a method for making a carbon nanomaterial composite sheet may include a layer of a carbon nanomaterial structure (504) being bonded to a carrier layer (502), the carrier layer (502) being fabricated from a porous metalized nonwoven material. (Fig. 13)