Artificial turf systems and applications thereof

Abstract

In one aspect, artificial turf systems are described herein. In some embodiments, an artificial turf system comprises an artificial turf mat and artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial turf mat comprising at least one energy management material. An energy management material, in some embodiments, is disposed in a backing of the artificial turf mat, a binding agent of the artificial turf mat, and/or an infill material of the artificial turf mat. In addition, in some embodiments, the artificial turf fibers also comprise at least one energy management material.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial turf system comprising:
 an artificial turf mat; and   artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial comprising at least one energy management material,   wherein the at least one energy management material comprises a phase change material.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed in a backing of the artificial turf mat. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed in a binding agent of the artificial turf mat. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed in an infill material of the artificial turf mat. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material has a phase transition enthalpy between 100 kJ/kg and 200 kJ/kg. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material further comprises a zeolite. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material further comprises a thermal insulation material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the thermal insulation material comprises an aerogel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material further comprises an energy reflecting material. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the energy management material is present in the backing in an amount up to 50 weight percent. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the energy management material is present in the infill material in an amount up to 90 weight percent. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial turf mat comprises at least one first energy management material and the artificial turf fibers comprise at least one second energy management material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one second energy management material is disposed on a surface of the artificial turf fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed on a surface of a backing of the artificial turf mat. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed on a surface of an infill material of the artificial turf mat. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed as a laminate coating on the surface of the infill material. 
     
     
         17 . An artificial turf system comprising:
 an artificial turf mat; and   artificial turf fibers disposed on a surface of the artificial turf mat, the artificial turf mat comprising at least one energy management material,   wherein the at least one energy management material is disposed in a binding agent of the artificial turf mat.