Abstract: A passive thermal switch device, for regulating a temperature of a thermal component configured to generate heat, includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is provided on the thermal component. The first plate includes a thermal switch material that switches from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state upon exceeding a state transition temperature. The second plate includes a permanent magnet. The second plate is moveable between a thermal insulator position and a thermal conductor position based on a temperature of the thermal switch material. In the thermal insulator position, the second plate is spaced apart from the first plate. In the thermal conductor position, the second plate is in contact with the first plate.

Abstract: A transparent radiative cooling film includes an ultraviolet/infrared (UV/IR) cut layer and a radiative cooling layer extending across the UV/IR cut layer. The UV/IR cut layer may be formed by alternating layers of oxide and metal and/or by a color filter layer. The radiative cooling layer includes an oxide. The UV/IR cut layer is transparent to a first range of electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, reflects or absorbs a second range of electromagnetic radiation in the UV spectrum, and reflects a third range of electromagnetic radiation in the IR spectrum. The radiative cooling layer is transparent to the first range of electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and emits a fourth range of electromagnetic radiation in the IR spectrum with wavelengths between about 7.0 micrometers and about 18 micrometers such that the transparent radiative cooling film preserves the color of a surface while passively cooling the surface.

Abstract: A method for tuning the thermal conductivity of a nanolayered material is presented. The method includes a step of intercalating the nanolayered material with cations, based on a correlation between cation loading density and thermal conductivity. A bond coat of a thermal barrier system is also disclosed. The bond coat includes a nanolayered material intercalated with cations at a specified loading density based on a correlation between cation loading density and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A passive thermal switch device, for regulating a temperature of a thermal component configured to generate heat, includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is provided on the thermal component. The first plate includes a thermal switch material that switches from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state upon exceeding a state transition temperature. The second plate includes a permanent magnet. The second plate is moveable between a thermal insulator position and a thermal conductor position based on a temperature of the thermal switch material. In the thermal insulator position, the second plate is spaced apart from the first plate. In the thermal conductor position, the second plate is in contact with the first plate.

Abstract: An adsorption based system is provided for the selective cooling and heating of a vehicle compartment using by-product water collected from a power generating unit of a vehicle. The system may include a fuel cell stack and an exhaust conduit configured to transfer an exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack. A water reservoir stores by-product water collected from the exhaust stream. The system may include a coolant loop configured to circulate a coolant fluid. A detachable adsorption subsystem is in thermal communication with the coolant loop and the exhaust conduit, and may include an evaporator and an adsorbent bed. The adsorption subsystem is configured to: vaporize water from the water reservoir using the evaporator; adsorb the vaporized water, thereby cooling a portion of the coolant fluid; regenerate the adsorbent bed using heat from the exhaust stream to release water vapor; and direct the water vapor into the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: An adsorption based system is provided for the selective cooling and heating of a vehicle compartment using by-product water collected from a power generating unit of a vehicle. The system may include a fuel cell stack and an exhaust conduit configured to transfer an exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack. A water reservoir stores by-product water collected from the exhaust stream. The system may include a coolant loop configured to circulate a coolant fluid. A detachable adsorption subsystem is in thermal communication with the coolant loop and the exhaust conduit, and may include an evaporator and an adsorbent bed. The adsorption subsystem is configured to: vaporize water from the water reservoir using the evaporator; adsorb the vaporized water, thereby cooling a portion of the coolant fluid; regenerate the adsorbent bed using heat from the exhaust stream to release water vapor; and direct the water vapor into the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A method for tuning the thermal conductivity of a nanolayered material is presented. The method includes a step of intercalating the nanolayered material with cations, based on a correlation between cation loading density and thermal conductivity. A bond coat of a thermal barrier system is also disclosed. The bond coat includes a nanolayered material intercalated with cations at a specified loading density based on a correlation between cation loading density and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Processes of forming an irreversibly loose packed structure of particulate material useful as a photonic or phononic crystal are provided. Matrix material is infilled between particles and extends above the particles to form a particulate free matrix layer. Removing the matrix layer causes deformation of or exposes the spacing between the particles. The spaces are infilled by additional matrix material that when cured produces a supported and irreversibly loose packed crystalline structure of particles producing differing bandgaps and transmissive properties relative to the original structure. The processes provided allow for economical tuning of the transmissive properties of photonic or phononic crystals.

Abstract: A phononic device is provided suitable for attenuating mechanical vibration, as well as acoustic vibration that propagate through a medium. Through the periodic inclusion of domains of a material in a matrix that vary in the ratio of the longitudinal speed of sound (CL) and the transverse speed of sound (CT) between the domains and the matrix of equal to or greater than 2.0 and 40, respectively; improved significant attenuation of vibration is achieved.