| POLYMERS Vol.62 No.10 |
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COVER STORY
Light and Thermal Control Materials for Energy Management |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Hybrid Materials of Liquid Crystal and Polymer Phases for Solar-Ray Control Windowpanes | Hiroshi KAKIUCHIDA, Kazuki YOSHIMURA, Akifumi OGIWARA |
| <Abstract> Nowadays, energy-saving windowpanes, which show good performance in thermal insulation or/and shielding, have become widespread for the reduction of the heat flow occurring between inside and outside of buildings. However, their fixed thermal properties could become a negative issue against further promoting the energy-saving performance both in summer and winter seasons. Solar-ray control windowpanes are a solution to this issue and are proposed in various types, in which optical and thermal properties can change adaptively in such severely changing seasons. The meso-scale phase separation structure of liquid crystal and polymer matrix, called polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), is a candidate for thermo-responsive solar-ray controllers. This paper describes the concept of solar-ray control windowpanes and mainly introduces holographic types of PDLCs and their use in the windowpanes. Keywords: Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal / Phase Separation / Orientational Order / Thermotropic / Bragg Diffraction / Coupled-Wave Theory / Solar Transmittance / Luminous Transmittance |
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| High Solar Reflectant Paint | Katsuo MIKI |
| <Abstract> We designed a high reflectivity coating material that is reflecting the energy Earth receives from the sun, which is used to reflecting the near infrared light that heats the surface. The role of paint is to provide a protective, beautiful sight and function, but they are granted the ability to reflect it. Our material can be used for energy conservation purposes. The reflectivity coating materials have been applied to factory roof surface, building outer wall surface, road pavement, tank, vehicle, vessel, aircraft and so on. Keywords: High Reflective Paint |
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| Novel Solar-Light Absorption Material Characterized by Structures of Bagasse Char | Yoshikazu KONDO |
| <Abstract> Bagasse, the fibrous residue in waste from sugar mills, is the most superior biomass which has no disadvantages like other biomasses. The typical feature of bagasse is the special hierarchy of the pore structure with a pore volume higher than 90 vol%, which contributes to improve properties like low-weight, anti-vibration, sound-insulation and heat-insulation. It can easily be carbonized at the temperature higher than 500℃ in non-oxygen atmosphere. The special feature of bagasse-char is the excellent solar-light absorption ability in a wide range of wave lengths. This novel property of bagasse char can be applicable to solar-light absorption materials, heat-insulator materials, and desalination materials from sea-water. Keywords: Bagasse / Biomass / Solar / Pore / Absorption / Desalination / Carbonization / Charcoal |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Phase Change Material for Cooling Application Loaded Microcapsule for Thermal Storage System | Masahiro YOSHIDA, Takayuki TAKEI |
| <Abstract> In the present study, we attempted to prepare phase change material (PCM)-loaded microcapsules of several hundred micrometers in diameter via surface polymerization. An oil phase with two types of isocyanate monomers (2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and phenyl isocyanates (PI)) and fatty acids as PCM was dispersed in an aqueous phase. The polyurea shell of microcapsules was formed by reaction of the isocyanate monomers with the amine groups derived from hydrolyzed isocyanate monomers. Adjusted agitation rate made it possible to prepare the microcapsules of several hundred micrometers in diameter. Increased molar ratio of TDI to PI in oil phase resulted in improvement of microcapsule morphology. Increased weight ratio of fatty acids to the two isocyanate monomers (TDI and PI) leaded to increase in the content of the PCM in the microcapsules, which is preferable for practical application. An examination using differential scanning calorimetry analyzer demonstrated that polyurea shell of the microcapsules scarcely influenced thermal properties of encapsulated fatty acids. Keywords: Microencapsulation / Phase Change Material / Fatty Acid / Polyurea Shell / Thermal Storage System / Surface Polymerization |
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| Heat Shield Technology with Nano Silver Pavement | Takeharu TANI |
| <Abstract> We made a wavelength selective reflection film with nano silver pavement. Simulation results show that closely packed silver nano-disks sispersed in a monolayer can reflect near infrared light. The fabricated film is transparent for visible light. This film can be used for heat shield film on a window glass. Keywords: Heat Shield / Silver / Plasmon / FDTD / Metasurface |
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| Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composites Having High Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Insulation | Kenzo FUKUMORI |
| <Abstract> With their excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently attracted attention as nanofillers that may efficiently improve the physical properties of polymers. In practice, CNTs have not yet been incorporated into polymer matrices in order to enhance the thermal conductivity of electrically insulating polymer components because even a few CNTs impart a high electrical conductivity to the polymers. We design and propose a novel morphological model for CNT/polymer composites with high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. In the proposed morphology, the CNT/polymer composites are composed of a matrix polymer and a CNT-localizing domain polymer encapsulated by a shell-forming component, which contributes to the selective localization of the CNTs into the dispersed domains. In engineering applications of the proposed model, the CNT/polymer composites used as the polymer matrix are expected to efficiently provide outstanding thermal conductivity and high electrical insulation at lower loadings of thermally conductive inorganic fillers. Keywords: Carbon Nanotube / Polymer Blend / Composite / Morphology / Thermal Conductivity / Electrical Insulation / Inorganic Filler |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account | Yukari ODA |
| <Abstract> Dreaming of doing “creative work” in the future, I have just taken the first step in my education and research career. Although it is a long and tough road to become an innovative researcher, I would like to pursue creativity in my research little by little. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Polymer Foams - State of the Art | Masahiro OHSHIMA |
| <Abstract> The state of the art of polymer foaming technology is described. This review focuses especially on the reduction of cell size to nanoscale to prepare “nanocellular foam”. Keywords: Polymer Foam / Nanocellular Foam / Microcellular Foam / Nanocapsule / Nanofibril / Open Cell / Closed Cell |
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