Multifunctional materials for thermal control of sensors and electronics

A thermal energy storage composite, containing immobilized paraffin phase change material (PCM), graphtic foam, and carbon/graphite fabric is investigated. An immobilized PCM containing block copolymer/paraffin is developed. This composite allows the solid-liquid PCM to maintain solid behavior during phase transition. Atomic force microscope and optical microscopy are used to investigate the microstructure of the composites. A model of graphite foam is investigated to calculate the ratio of surface area per volume of the graphite foam unit cell. Microspheres are used to accommodate the paraffin volume expansion when it is used as the PCM. The polymeric microspheres are flexible enough to withstand high pressures and are able to recover their shape. Solid-solid PCM-pentaglycerine and neopentaglycol are investigated. Experimental methods for developing PG/NPG binary solid solutions are investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...