Multi-layer insulation composite material having at least one thermally-reflective layer with through openings, storage container using same, and related methods

Abstract

In an embodiment, a multi-layer insulation (MLI) composite material includes a first thermally-reflective layer and a second thermally-reflective layer spaced from the first thermally-reflective layer. At least one of the first or second thermally-reflective layers includes a plurality of through openings configured to at least partially obstruct transmission therethrough of infrared electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than a threshold wavelength. A region between the first and second thermally-reflective layers impedes heat conduction between the first and second thermally-reflective layers. Other embodiments include a storage container including a container structure that may be at least partially formed from such MLI composite materials, and methods of using such MLI composite materials.

1 .- 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A method, comprising:
 at least partially enclosing an object with multi-layer insulation (MLI) composite material to insulate the object from a surrounding environment, the MLI composite material including at least one thermally-reflective layer having a plurality of through openings configured to at least partially obstruct transmission therethrough of infrared electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than a threshold wavelength.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising maintaining the object at a temperature greater than that of a temperature of the surrounding environment for a period of time. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising maintaining the object at a temperature less than that of a temperature of the surrounding environment for a period of time. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least partially enclosing an object with MLI composite material includes wrapping the MLI composite material around at least a portion of the object. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least partially enclosing an object with MLI composite material includes assembling sections made from the MLI composite material. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least partially enclosing an object with MLI composite material includes enclosing the object in a container structure that is at least partially formed from the MLI composite material. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least partially enclosing an object with MLI composite material includes placing the MLI composite material between incident electromagnetic radiation and the object. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings are arranged in a substantially periodic pattern. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings are arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of through openings and a second plurality of through openings;   the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first thermally-reflective layer having the first plurality of through openings, and a second thermally-reflective layer having the second plurality of through openings which are not positioned in substantial registry with the first plurality of through openings.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of through openings and a second plurality of through openings;   the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first thermally-reflective layer having the first plurality of through openings, and a second thermally-reflective layer having the second plurality of through openings positioned in substantial registry with the first plurality of through openings.   
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the threshold wavelength is related to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the threshold wavelength is proportional to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the threshold wavelength is about twice an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission therethrough of visible electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission therethrough of visible electromagnetic radiation over substantially the entire visible electromagnetic radiation spectrum. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission therethrough of visible electromagnetic radiation over only part of the visible electromagnetic radiation spectrum. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the threshold wavelength is from about 1 μm to about 15 μm. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the threshold wavelength is from about 8 μm to about 12 μm. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least a portion of the through openings are slots. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially obstruct transmission of the infrared electromagnetic radiation therethrough having a selected polarization direction. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots; and   the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first thermally-reflective layer having the first plurality of elongated through slots, and a second thermally-reflective layer having the second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in substantially the same directional orientation as the first plurality of elongated through slots.   
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots; and   the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first thermally-reflective layer having the first plurality of elongated through slots, and a second thermally-reflective layer having the second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in a substantially different directional orientation than that of the first plurality of elongated through slots.   
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings include:
 a first plurality of elongated through slots; and   a second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in substantially the same directional orientation as the first plurality of elongated through slots.   
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the plurality of through openings include:
 a first plurality of elongated through slots; and   a second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in a substantially different directional orientation than that of the first plurality of elongated through slots.