Lockheed Martin Corporation

James M Spatcher

Jonathan Wesley Ward

Compressed carbon nanotube aerogel materials can be used in heat management and thermal shielding applications. Methods for heat management and thermal shielding of an object can include placing a compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material between an object and its surrounding environment, and establishing a thermal gradient within the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material by exposing the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material to the object or to the surrounding environment. When the object and the surrounding environment are in thermal communication with one another, the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material can reduce an amount of heat transferred between the object and the surrounding environment. As a result of establishing the thermal gradient within the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material, an electric current may be generated in some instances.

Heat management and thermal shielding techniques using compressed carbon nanotube aerogel materials

A nanoporous network includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the network having a pore size in a range from about 15 nm to about 35 nm. The nanoporous network can be coated, compressed, or any combination of these operations in the manufacture of various articles. A method of making a nanoporous network includes disposing a concentrated aqueous CNT solution in a mold, freezing the concentrated aqueous CNT solution, and subliming the frozen concentrated CNT solution in a vacuum chamber.

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North Kingstown, RI, United States of America

James M Spatcher