Natural Rubber Elastocaloric Composite for Sustainable Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional caloric materials rely on rare earth-based components, which are expensive and prone to supply shortages, limiting their sustainable and economical application in energy regulation.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising natural rubber, rubber waste, and cellulose nanocrystals is developed, utilizing a method of mastication, blending, and vulcanization to enhance elastocaloric properties for efficient heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional rare earth-based caloric materials are used, then effective heat exchange and cooling performance are achieved, but high cost and supply shortage risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters from rare earth-based conventional caloric materials to a natural rubber-based composite system. By modifying the chemical composition and structural parameters of the base material, the patent achieves comparable elastocaloric effects while eliminating dependence on expensive and scarce rare earth elements, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and cost/availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining natural rubber with specific additives and fillers to create a multi-component system that exhibits enhanced elastocaloric properties. This composite approach allows the material to achieve effective heat exchange performance through synergistic interactions among components, replacing rare earth-based single-material solutions and addressing both performance and economic concerns
2Loss of substance
If rubber waste content is increased in natural rubber matrix, then material sustainability is improved, but heat exchange performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful factor of rubber waste (which would normally be discarded as pollution) into a beneficial component of the elastocaloric composite. By incorporating rubber waste particles into the natural rubber matrix with appropriate additives, the patent transforms waste material into a functional component that contributes to both sustainability and heat exchange performance, thus resolving the contradiction between waste utilization and performance maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of rubber waste incorporation by controlling particle size distribution, concentration levels, and surface treatment of waste rubber particles. These parameter adjustments ensure that waste rubber content is maximized for sustainability while maintaining or enhancing the elastocaloric effect and heat exchange efficiency, thereby resolving the apparent trade-off between waste utilization and performance
3Power
If cellulose nanocrystal content is increased, then elastocaloric effect is enhanced, but material viscosity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating cellulose nanocrystals and pre-mixing them with natural rubber before final composite formation. This preliminary preparation reduces aggregation and improves dispersion of CNC particles, thereby enhancing the elastocaloric effect at lower concentrations while minimizing the increase in viscosity and processing difficulty that would otherwise occur with higher CNC content
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 composition achieves improved elastocaloric effects with enhanced heating and cooling capabilities, leveraging the synergistic properties of natural rubber, rubber waste, and cellulose nanocrystals, reducing environmental impact and costs.
Implementation Method 1
Caloric materials have promising properties which can contribute to achieving this objective. These materials are solids that can exchange heat from the environment, including cooling and refrigeration applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a composition comprising a natural rubber, rubber waste, and cellulose nanocrystal blend. Furthermore, the present invention describes a method for obtaining a composition which comprises: a) masticating natural rubber in a mixer; b) adding rubber waste and cellulose nanocrystal powder to the masticated natural rubber, obtaining a first blend; c) adding a vulcanising agent to the first blend obtained in step b), obtaining a second blend; and d) vulcanising the second blend obtained in step c). Likewise, the present invention describes the use of the mentioned composition for heating or cooling buildings.