Thermoacoustic Device with Segmented Carbon Nanotube Pillars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoacoustic devices using carbon nanotube films are prone to damage from external forces due to their small thickness and large area, limiting their durability and sound wave generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A thermoacoustic device design featuring a substrate with patterned grooves and a carbon nanotube sound wave generator, where the carbon nanotube film is suspended over grooves and attached to bulges, providing structural support and reducing the risk of damage, while an insulating layer and electrodes are used to manage heat and electrical signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carbon nanotube film is used as sound wave generator, then sound wave generation efficiency is improved, but durability deteriorates due to small thickness and large area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous carbon nanotube film into multiple discrete carbon nanotube pillars arranged in an array. This segmentation maintains the large effective area for sound wave generation while creating individual protected units that are more durable than a continuous thin film.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional thin film structure to a three-dimensional array of pillars. This dimensional change allows the sound wave generator to maintain large surface area for efficient heat transfer and sound generation while gaining structural robustness through vertical positioning and spacing.
2Productivity
If carbon nanotube film thickness is reduced, then sound wave generation efficiency is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous thin film is segmented into discrete pillars, allowing each pillar to be optimized for strength while collectively providing large surface area. The segmentation enables structural reinforcement without sacrificing the thin-film advantages for heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses carbon nanotubes as the base material for pillars, leveraging their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This composite approach maintains structural strength while enabling thin dimensions for efficient thermal and acoustic performance.
3Volume of moving object
If device size is reduced, then integration capability is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The array of carbon nanotube pillars creates a porous structure with high surface-area-to-volume ratio. This porous configuration enables efficient heat dissipation through increased surface area for heat transfer, even in compact device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning to a three-dimensional pillar array, the patent achieves high heat dissipation efficiency in a compact volume. The vertical arrangement of pillars maximizes surface area within limited horizontal space, maintaining heat dissipation capability while reducing overall device footprint.
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 design enhances the durability and sound pressure level of the thermoacoustic device, allowing for smaller, more integrated devices with improved thermal conductivity and reduced driven voltage, suitable for small-sized applications.
Implementation Method 1
heating is produced in the sound wave generator according to the variations of the signal and/or signal strength
Implementation Method 2
The heating of the medium causes thermal expansion and produces pressure waves in the surrounding medium, resulting in sound wave generation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making thermoacoustic device includes following steps. A substrate having a first surface and second surface is provided. The first surface defines a plurality of grids. Grooves are formed on each of the plurality of grids. A first electrode and a second electrode are formed on each grid. The first electrode is spaced from the second electrode. One of the grooves is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. A number of carbon nanotube wires are applied on the first surface and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. A thermoacoustic device array is formed on the substrate by separating the carbon nanotube wires. A number of thermoacoustic device is formed by cutting the substrate according to the grids.