Microcapillary films containing phase change materials

Abstract

The instant invention provides microcapillary films containing phase change materials. The microcapillary film containing phase change materials according to the present invention has a first end and a second end, and comprises: (a) a matrix comprising a thermoplastic material, (b) at least one or more channels disposed in parallel in said matrix from the first end to the second end of said microcapillary film, wherein said one or more channels are at least 5 μm apart from each other, wherein said one or more channels have a diameter of at least 5 μm; and (c) at least one or more phase change materials disposed in said one or more channels; wherein said microcapillary film has a thickness in the range of from 10 μm to 2000 μm.

1 . A film having a first end and a second end, wherein said film comprises:
 (a) a matrix comprising a thermoplastic material,   (b) at least one or more channels disposed in parallel in said matrix from the first end to the second end of said film, wherein said one or more channels are at least 5 μm apart from each other, wherein each said one or more channels have a diameter in the range of at least 5 μm; and   (c) at least one or more phase change materials disposed in said one or more channels;   wherein said film has a thickness in the range of from 10 μm to 2000 μm.   
     
     
         2 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin; polyamide; polyvinylidene chloride; polyvinylidene fluoride; polycarbonate; polystyrene; polyethylene vinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         3 . The film of  claim 2 , wherein said polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         4 . The film of  claim 2 , wherein said polyamide is nylon  6 . 
     
     
         5 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more channels have a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular, rectangular, oval, star, diamond, triangular, square, the like, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The film of  claim 1 , where said one or more phase change materials are selected from the group consisting of gas, liquid, solid or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more phase change materials have a viscosity less than the viscosity of said thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         8 . A multilayer structure comprising the film of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . An article comprising the film of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . An insulation system comprising the film of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A heating system comprising the film of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A cooling system comprising the film of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 ,
 wherein said system is used for pipe or flooring applications.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said system is used for pipe or flooring applications. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said system is used for pipe or flooring applications.