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The development of devices that improve thermal energy management requires thermal regulation with efficiency comparable to the ratios R ∼ 105 in electric regu- lation. Unfortunately, current materials and devices in thermal regulators have only been reported to achieve R ∼ 10. We use atomistic simulations to demonstrate that Ferrocenyl (Fc) molecules under applied external electric fields can alter charge states and achieve high thermal switch ratios R = Gq/G0, where Gq and G0 are the high and low limiting conductances. When an electric field is applied, Fc molecules are positively charged and the SAM-Au interfacial interaction is strong, leading to high heat conductance Gq. On the other hand, with no electric field, the Fc molecules are charge neutral and the SAM-Au interfacial interaction is weak, leading to low heat conductance G0. We optimized various design parameters for the device performance, including the Au-to-Au gap distance L, the system operation temperature T, the net charge on Fc molecules q, the Au surface charge number Z, and the SAM number N. We find that Gq can be very large and increases with increasing q, Z, or N, while G0 is near 0 at L > 3.0 nm. As a result, R > 100 was achieved for selected parameter ranges reported here.
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Autonomous Thermal Modulator Based on Gold Film‐Coated Liquid Crystal Elastsomer
Abstract Radiative cooling has been recently intensively explored for thermal management and enhancing energy efficiency. Yet, traditional materials with singular emissivity fall short in dynamic thermal management, highlighting the need for materials that can adjust their thermal radiation in real time. Active modulation methods, requiring external stimuli such as mechanical stretch, electric potential, or humidity change, offer adaptability but can increase energy use and complexity. Passive approaches, using materials' inherent thermal‐responsive properties, face manufacturing and scalability challenges. Here, a scalable yet effective passive approach is introduced for adaptive thermal modulation based on gold (Au) and liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with a reversible response to environmental temperature changes. This modulator enables a “low thermal resistance” state through actuation‐induced microcracks that expose a high‐emissivity polymer substrate, and a “high thermal resistance” state by closing these microcracks and forming a high thermal resistance air gap between the modulator and the target object. The flexible design and fixed external dimensions of the Au‐LCE thermal modulator make it adaptable to various surface geometries. Furthermore, by adjusting the LCE's chemical composition, the modulator's transition temperature can be tailored, broadening its applications from enhancing building energy efficiency to improving clothing thermal comfort.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2005181
- PAR ID:
- 10520278
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Materials Technologies
- Volume:
- 9
- Issue:
- 20
- ISSN:
- 2365-709X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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