Abstract:
Methods of making vacuum insulation products are provided. One method includes providing an insulative mixture comprising an insulative material, such as silica, with a radiation absorbent material, such as carbon black, and applying electromagnetic radiation such as microwave radiation to the insulative mixture to dry the insulative mixture. The insulative mixture can then be placed into an enclosure and sealed within the enclosure. The enclosure can be evacuated before sealing to reduce the pressure within the enclosure to below atmospheric pressure. The use of radiation such as microwave radiation to dry the insulative mixture advantageously reduces the time required to fabricate the vacuum insulation product and can reduce the pressure that is obtained in the vacuum insulation product, thereby increasing thermal performance of the product.
Abstract:
A personal cooling device using a sorption cooling system to provide cooled fluid to a garment and methods relating to the same are provided. The sorption cooling system generally includes a lightweight, compact evaporator and adsorbent bed for providing the cooled fluid to the garment.
Abstract:
There is described novel bonding and interconnecting techniques for use with semiconductor die for the creation of thermally efficient, physically compliant Ultra High Vacuum Tubes and the novel tube resulting therefrom.
Abstract:
Food preferences for a particular customer are retrieved from a personal storage device, wherein the personal storage device is proffered from the particular customer. The food preferences for the particular customer are compared with multiple previously stored food menu items. A food menu is selected wherein the food menu items that satisfy the food preferences for the particular customer are distinguished, such that an electronic food menu is specified for a particular customer.
Abstract:
An evacuated sorbent driven cooling device which may be added to a beverage or food container and which may also be affixed to, or integrated within, a panel of a beverage container.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an insulation panel comprising an air-impermeable container and disposed therein a gas and an adsorbent material that has a surface area of at least about 200 m.sup.2 /g and that adsorbs more of the gas at a temperature below about 0.degree. C. than at 22.degree. C., wherein the pressure in the container at -34.degree. C. is not more than about 80% of the pressure in the container at 22.degree. C. The present invention also provides a method of insulating a surface from environmental thermal effects comprising placing the insulation panel of the present invention over the surface to be insulated.
Abstract:
There is described-novel bonding and interconnecting techniques for use with semiconductor die for the creation of thermally efficient, physically compliant Ultra High Vacuum Tubes and the novel tube resulting therefrom.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a vacuum insulation panel is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, a plurality of metal oxide-containing compacts, each of which contains less water than the amount of water contained therein at atmospheric equilibrium, are enclosed in a film that retards the passage of moisture therethrough. The film is breached and the metal oxide-containing compacts are positioned in an air-impermeable container at atmospheric pressure. The pressure is reduced in the air-impermeable container, and the air-impermeable container is sealed to form the vacuum insulation panel. Also disclosed is a vacuum insulation panel comprising a plurality of metal oxide-containing compacts disposed in an air-impermeable container, wherein the metal oxide-containing compacts contain less water than the amount of water contained therein at atmospheric equilibrium.
Abstract:
A method of compacting a fumed metal oxide-containing composition is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, the fumed metal oxide-containing composition is treated with vapor comprising water such that the vapor is adsorbed into the fumed metal oxide so as to produce a vapor-treated fumed metal oxide-containing composition. Pressure is applied to the vapor-treated fumed metal oxide-containing composition to reduce the volume of the metal oxide-containing composition so as to produce a compacted metal oxide-containing composition, which is characterized by a volume springback that is less than the volume springback of the same compacted metal oxide-containing composition prepared in the absence of said vapor treatment.
Abstract:
An electrolytic device and method for generating a disinfecting solution that utilizes a brine generator, an electrical circuit with an on-board solar panel and rechargeable storage battery. The electrical circuit preferably conditions the power received from a variety of power sources to charge the storage battery and conditions the power stored in the storage battery to provide the appropriate power to maximize the disinfection efficacy of the disinfecting solution. The on-board solar panel and/or rechargeable battery can be utilized as the power source to recharge or operate other devices such as cell phones, PDAs, flashlights, GPS systems, or other such devices. The device can incorporate a touch screen display and electronics that is an electronic “water finder” application for locating sources of water that can be made potable. The device can incorporate a biocidal agent and foul resistant water filter that can be folded up to provide a compact configuration for storage.