THERMAL MANAGEMENT FILMS CONTAINING PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS
A method is provided for manufacturing a polymeric film with thermal management capabilities. The method comprises mixing at least three compounds, wherein a first compound comprises a polymeric phase change material, a second compound comprises an additive, and a third compound comprises a molecule that, in its liquid form, acts as a solvent of the first and second compounds, and which is curable into a solid form as a polymer. Then, the method comprises applying a mixture of the first, second, and third compounds in a liquid form to a substrate, and curing the mixture into a solid state.
1 . A method of manufacturing a polymeric film with thermal management capabilities,
the method comprising:
mixing at least three compounds, wherein:
a first compound comprises a polymeric phase change material,
a second compound comprises an additive,
a third compound comprises a molecule that, in its liquid form, acts as a solvent of the first and second compounds, and which is curable into a solid form as a polymer,
applying a mixture of the first, second, and third compounds in a liquid form to a substrate, and
curing the mixture into a solid state.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the molecule is a monomer.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a polymeric phase change material
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the polymeric phase change material is a functional polymeric phase change material.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the third compound comprises between one and four radiation-curable compounds.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein each of the radiation-curable compounds comprises at least one free-radically polymerizable group.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the radiation-curable compounds can be reacted to form a polymeric phase change material.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the radiation-curable compounds can be reacted to form a functional polymeric phase change material.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises UV curing.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is adhesive.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises metal.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying is performed by one of casting or coating.
13 . A film with thermal management capabilities, comprising:
at least one polymeric phase change material,
at least one additive,
a solid polymeric matrix formed from a cured liquid monomeric solvent.
14 . The film of claim 13 , further comprising a substrate backing.
15 . The film of claim 14 , wherein the substrate backing is adhesive.
16 . The film of claim 14 , wherein the substrate backing comprises metal.
17 . The film of claim 13 , wherein the solid polymeric matrix comprises at least one other polymeric phase change material.
18 . The film of claim 13 , wherein the at least one additive is one of a fire retardant additive, a waterproofing additive, a corrosion-resistant additive, an energy conductive additive, and an impact resistant additive,
19 . The film of claim 13 , wherein the film is configured to be shrink-wrapped through the application of heat.
20 . The film of claim 13 , further comprising a transdermal medication.
21 . A system for thermal management comprising:
an object that emits heat, and
a film with thermal management capabilities wrapped around the object that emits heat, the film comprising;
at least one polymeric phase change material,
at least one additive,
a solid polymeric matrix formed from a cured liquid monomeric solvent, wherein,
the phase change material has a transition temperature and a latent heat storage range that dissipates heat from the object that emits heat.
22 . The system of claim 21 , further comprising;
a material for protecting the object from ambient cold temperatures.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the material comprises a second phase change material with a transition temperature and latent heat storage range that releases heat onto the object.
24 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the material comprises a reflective insulating layer.
25 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the film is wrapped completely around the object.
26 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the film is wrapped more than once around the object.
27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is a pipe.
28 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is an electrochemical cell.
29 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is a tank for storing liquid or gaseous materials.
30 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is a component of a hydraulic system.
31 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is a component of a vehicle.
32 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is a component of a computer system.
33 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the object is an electrical wire.