Gradient nanoparticle-carbon allotrope-polymer composite material
A shock wave attenuating material ( 100 ) includes a substrate layer ( 104 ). A plurality ( 110 ) of shock attenuating layers is disposed on the substrate layer ( 104 ). Each of the plurality ( 110 ) of shock attenuating layers includes a gradient nanoparticle layer ( 114 ) including a plurality of nanoparticles ( 120 ) of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient from smallest diameter to largest diameter and a graphitic layer ( 118 ) disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer. The graphitic layer ( 118 ) includes a plurality of carbon allotrope members ( 128 ) suspended in a matrix ( 124 ).
1. A composition comprising:
a plurality of layers, each one of the plurality of layers including:
(i) a gradient nanoparticle layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles of at least two different diameters that are arranged in a gradient based on nanoparticle diameter; and
(ii) a carbon allotrope layer disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix;
wherein the carbon allotrope layer of at least one of the plurality of layers is a non-transparent carbon allotrope layer.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles within at least one gradient nanoparticle layer are unrestrained.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer excludes carbon nanotubes.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least one of polymers, ceramics and metals.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles include at least one of solid nanoparticles, hollow nanoparticles, core-shell and filled core-shell nanoparticles.
6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the filled core-shell nanoparticles include an indicator for showing that a user has experienced a blast or shock wave sufficient to cause traumatic brain injury.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope members are selected from the group consisting of graphene sheets, functionalized carbon nanotubes, functionalized graphene sheets and functionalized fullerenes.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope members are carbon nanotubes.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope members comprise carbon allotrope-polymer composites.
10. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a substrate.
11. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the substrate layer comprises polycarbonate or carbon fiber composites/laminates.
12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer has a thickness between 5 to 20 micrometers.
13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprises polystyrene.
14. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles comprises silica.
15. The composition of claim 1 , disposed in a helmet.
16. The composition of claim 1 , disposed in a portion of an armor unit, wherein the armor unit further comprises a structural element and an armor plate.
17. The composition of claim 1 , disposed in a portion of a personal body armor unit comprising a ceramic plate, a high mass member disposed adjacent to the ceramic plate, and the plurality of layers disposed on the high mass member.
18. The composition of claim 1 , disposed on a computer or hardware casing.
19. The composition of claim 1 , disposed as an exterior coating, film, intermediate layer or panel to pre-existing equipment.
20. The composition of claim 1 , disposed in a structural component of an aircraft, a nautical vessel or a vehicle panel.