Compositions, systems, and neural networks for bidirectional energy transfer, and thermally enhanced solar absorbers

Abstract

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermally conductive concrete composition, said composition comprising carbon, one or more metals and/or conductive polymers, aggregate, cement, and optionally water, wherein said carbon is present in said composition at a concentration from about 5 vol % to about 35 vol % on a dry basis, and wherein said one or more metals and/or conductive polymers are present in said composition at a concentration from about 0.5 vol % to about 10 vol % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         2 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon is present in said composition at a concentration from about 10 vol % to about 25 vol % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         3 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more metals and/or conductive polymers are present in said composition at a concentration from about 1 vol % to about 5 vol % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         4 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon includes, or is derived from, coal waste. 
     
     
         5 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon is selected from the group consisting of graphite, graphene, carbon fibers, carbon nanostructures, coal waste, activated carbon, coke, pitch coke, petroleum coke, charcoal, biochar, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more metals and/or conductive polymers include metals contained in, or derived from, metal waste. 
     
     
         7 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more metals and/or conductive polymers include metals selected from the group consisting of iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, aluminum, cadmium, lead, tin, nickel, copper, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon consists of graphite and wherein said one or more metals and/or conductive polymers consist of steel fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said aggregate includes fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cement is Portland Cement. 
     
     
         11 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition includes said water. 
     
     
         12 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is present in cured form. 
     
     
         13 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition contains less than 4 vol % entrained air. 
     
     
         14 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 13 , wherein said composition contains less than 1 vol % entrained air. 
     
     
         15 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon is characterized by an average carbon-particle size from about 1 micron to about 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         16 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 15 , wherein said carbon is characterized by an average carbon-particle size from about 10 microns to about 200 microns. 
     
     
         17 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said thermally conductive concrete is characterized by a bulk average thermal conductivity of about 2 W/m·K or more. 
     
     
         18 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said thermally conductive concrete is characterized by a compressive strength of about 2500 psi or more. 
     
     
         19 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is disposed in thermal communication with a thermal energy-transfer medium. 
     
     
         20 . The thermally conductive concrete composition of  claim 1 , wherein said concrete composition is also electrically conductive, and wherein said concrete composition is disposed in electrical communication with an electricity-conducting network.