Liquid Crystal Elastomer Thermal Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for modulating and controlling thermal conductivity in polymer and liquid crystal elastomer bodies are limited, relying on composite materials that can hinder performance and increase costs, particularly in thermal circuits where efficient heat transfer between heat sources and sinks is necessary.
Innovation Solution
The development of a liquid crystal elastomer composition with a thermal circuit that utilizes specific director orientations to create varying thermal paths, allowing for controlled thermal conductivity by aligning directors parallel or orthogonal to thermal paths, and using methods such as extrusion and cross-linking to create these configurations within the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If composite materials are added to polymer or elastomer matrix to tailor thermal conductivity, then thermal conductivity control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the base polymer or elastomer material itself to achieve desired thermal conductivity. By modifying molecular weight, crystallinity, crosslinking density, and molecular orientation of the base material, the invention tailors thermal properties without adding composite materials, thus avoiding increased device complexity and cost while maintaining effective thermal conductivity control.
2Temperature
If composite materials are added to polymer or elastomer matrix to tailor thermal conductivity, then thermal conductivity control is improved, but overall performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies parameters of the base material (molecular weight, crystallinity, crosslinking) to achieve thermal conductivity control while maintaining the inherent mechanical and chemical properties of the pure polymer or elastomer. This approach avoids the performance degradation that can occur with composite materials, such as reduced flexibility, increased brittleness, or compromised chemical resistance, thereby maintaining overall system reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer or elastomer bodies are used as thermal insulators, then insulation performance is improved, but heat transfer to heat sink deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatial variations in thermal conductivity within the polymer or elastomer body. Different regions of the material have different thermal conductivities - some areas provide insulation while others facilitate heat transfer to the heat sink. This is achieved through localized modifications in molecular orientation, crosslinking density, or crystallinity, allowing the material to simultaneously provide insulation where needed and heat dissipation where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the thermal conduction function by creating distinct thermal pathways within the material structure. By organizing the polymer or elastomer into regions with different thermal properties (through varying molecular orientation or crosslinking), the material provides both insulating barriers and conductive channels, enabling simultaneous insulation and heat sink cooling functions within a single component.
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
This approach enables the creation of thermal circuits with directional anisotropy, allowing for higher conductivity along certain paths while maintaining insulation, thereby optimizing heat transfer between heat sources and sinks while minimizing heat transfer to insulated areas, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal circuit that connects a heat source to a heat sink via a plurality of first thermal paths from the heat source to the heat sink through the liquid crystal elastomer body
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of first thermal paths includes a shortest first thermal path that is configured to be aligned with more than a first majority of directors along the shortest first thermal path
Implementation Method 3
the thermal circuit of the liquid crystal elastomer body is further configured to connect the heat source to an insulated body via a plurality of second thermal paths... the plurality of second thermal paths includes a second thermal path that is configured to be orthogonal to more than a second majority of directors along the shortest second thermal path
Implementation Method 4
extruding a portion of liquid crystal ink through a nozzle. In some embodiment, the extruding thereby applies a shear force to the liquid crystal ink that is: (1) sufficient to align a director orientation of the liquid crystal ink by the shear force; and (2) directed to be orthogonal to the heat sink interface edge
Implementation Method 5
crosslinking the extruded portion of liquid crystal ink into a portion of liquid crystal elastomer with the director orientation via illuminating with an ultraviolet light the extruded portion of liquid crystal ink after it leaves the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are liquid crystal polymers and elastomers configured to include a thermal circuit for creating thermal paths between various nodes of the thermal circuit including a heat source, a heat sink, and an insulated area or insulated body. The liquid crystal elastomers described herein may be configured to include portions of the thermal circuit with modified conductivities that meet specifications for the heat flows along thermal paths and for the temperatures of nodes in the thermal circuit. The liquid crystal elastomers described herein include modifiable thermal conductivities based on a selected alignment of directors of the liquid crystal elastomers. Described herein are methods for designing alignments of directors for several and different portions of the liquid crystal elastomer and methods to create various thermal circuits utilizing liquid crystal elastomers and polymers.