Modified Polymer Aerogel Composite for Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal insulation materials, such as phase change fiber-based flocs, suffer from poor air permeability, softness, and the issue of phase change microcapsules easily falling off, which limits their intelligent temperature regulation function and wearer comfort.
Innovation Solution
A modified polymer aerogel composite material with a polyamide/NBR blended elastomer microcellular foaming structure, incorporating phase change microcapsules and aerogels, is developed, featuring a bimodal cell size distribution and a topological closed-cell foaming structure to enhance thermal insulation and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If phase change fiber-based flocs are used for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but air permeability and softness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining phase change microcapsules with aerogel particles within a porous polymer matrix. This composite structure achieves both excellent thermal insulation (thanks to aerogel's low thermal conductivity and phase change microcapsules' latent heat storage) and maintains air permeability and softness (due to the porous polymer matrix structure), thereby resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation performance and wearer comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous polymer matrix as the base material, which inherently provides good air permeability and softness. The porous structure allows air circulation while maintaining flexibility, and when combined with thermal insulation fillers, it achieves both comfort and thermal insulation performance without the bloated appearance associated with traditional fluffy materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If phase change microcapsules are incorporated into thermal insulation materials, then intelligent temperature regulation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to microcapsule detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system where phase change microcapsules are embedded within a porous polymer matrix combined with aerogel particles. This composite structure provides mechanical support and anchoring for the microcapsules, preventing detachment while maintaining their intelligent temperature regulation function through phase change processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous polymer matrix acts as an intermediary that bonds phase change microcapsules and aerogel particles together, providing mechanical support and preventing microcapsule detachment. This intermediary structure ensures the reliability of the thermal insulation material while preserving the intelligent temperature regulation capability of the microcapsules.
3Temperature
If traditional fluffy thermal insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but device complexity increases leading to bloated appearance and inconvenient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous polymer matrix materials that provide excellent thermal insulation performance through their porous structure, which traps air and reduces heat transfer. Unlike traditional fluffy materials that require large thickness, the porous structure achieves high insulation efficiency in a compact form, avoiding bloated appearance and maintaining flexibility for convenient movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials combining porous polymer matrix with aerogel particles and phase change microcapsules. This composite approach achieves superior thermal insulation performance with reduced material thickness and simplified structure compared to traditional fluffy materials, eliminating the need for excessive layering while maintaining flexibility and comfort.
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 material achieves excellent thermal insulation, flexibility, and intelligent temperature adjustment while preventing phase change microcapsule detachment, offering improved comfort and performance in clothing and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
an element with enhanced thermal insulation and low thermal conductivity which is embedded in the bubble wall of the thermal insulation matrix
Implementation Method 2
phase change microcapsules are located in closed cells of the heat insulation matrix
Implementation Method 3
The stored or released energy is also called 'latent heat of phase change' during the two phase changes of an object from solid to liquid
Implementation Method 4
Convective heat conduction is caused by the relatively low density of hot gas or liquid and the relative flow of hot and cold liquid under the action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight, thermal insulation and temperature-adjusting modified polymer aerogel composite material and a preparation method thereof are provided. The composite material includes a heat insulation matrix with a topological and closed-cell foaming structure; And an enhanced thermal insulation low thermal conductivity element embedded in the bubble wall of the thermal insulation matrix, i.e. the non-porous part. Due to the special foaming process, the aerogel phase change thermal insulation composite material has a tiny closed-cell structure similar to that of aerogel materials, and aerogel particles and phase change microcapsules are added, so that the internal cell structure and porosity are further improved, and the aerogel phase change thermal insulation composite material has a certain phase change temperature regulation function and excellent thermal insulation performance.