Molecular-level thermal management materials comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices, processes and materials comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes serve to transport heat to or from a nanometer scale region wherein that heat is generated or dissipated. Because of their small physical size, excellent heat conductivity, and relatively large surface area, single-wall carbon nanotubes are novel in their function as nanometer-scale agents for heat transport. Appropriately configured in association with a source of heat such as the catalyst for an exothermic polymerization reaction, single wall carbon nanotubes can effectively conduct heat away from the reaction site. This thermal management on a molecular level enables a new class of materials and processes in all areas where heat transport is important. Additionally, new materials such as improved polymer compositions are produced by processes that are thermally-managed at the molecular level by the objects of this invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A molecular level thermal management device comprising at least one single wall carbon nanotube, wherein: 
 at least some portion of a single-wall carbon nanotube shares a nanometer-scale region with a heat source,    the single-wall carbon nanotube is in contact with an environment to which it can transfer heat, and    the single-wall carbon nanotube transfers heat from the heat source to said environment.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the single-wall carbon nanotube is in contact with the heat source.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is a chemical reaction.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is an electronic device.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device forms part of a fixed-bed reactor, a micro-reactor, a catalyst support structure, or a semiconductor electronic assembly.  
     
     
         6 . A material comprising at least one device of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . A molecular level thermal management device comprising at least one single wall carbon nanotube, wherein: 
 at least some portion of a single-wall carbon nanotube shares a nanometer-scale region with a heat sink,    the single-wall carbon nanotube is in contact with an environment from which it can receive heat, and    the single-wall carbon nanotube transfers heat from said environment to the heat sink.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the single-wall carbon nanotube is in contact with the heat sink.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the heat sink is a chemical reaction.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the heat sink is an electronic device.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the device forms part of a fixed-bed reactor, a micro-reactor, a catalyst support structure, or a semiconductor electronic assembly.  
     
     
         12 . A material comprising at least one device of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         13 . A polymerization catalyst system comprising a polymerization catalyst and a plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes.  
     
     
         14 . The polymerization catalyst system of  claim 13 , wherein the polymerization catalyst is adapted to catalyze olefin polymerization.  
     
     
         15 . A polymerization process, wherein at least one monomer is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst system that comprises a polymerization catalyst and a plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the polymerization process forms at least one polyolefin.  
     
     
         17 . A polymer produced by polymerization of at least one monomer in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system that comprises a polymerization catalyst and a plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes.  
     
     
         18 . The polymer of  claim 17 , wherein at least one monomer is an olefin and the polymer is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         19 . A high-energy material comprising at least one device according to  claim 1 , and at least one explosive, rocket fuel, incendiary chemical, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A high-energy material comprising at least one device according to  claim 7 , and at least one explosive, rocket fuel, incendiary chemical, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         21 . A fixed-bed polymerization reactor that comprises at least one fixed-bed that comprises at least one polymerization catalyst attached to single-wall carbon nanotubes which are formed into a macroscopic porous structure which allows diffusion of at least one monomer to an active polymerization site on the polymerization catalyst and transport of at least one polymer and heat away from the active site and out of the fixed-bed.