Infrared transparent foam composite for deep subambient cooling of virtually any surface

Abstract

A cooling system having an IR transparent foam or aerogel, made from an IR transparent material, and an optomechanical frame that serves to concentrate emitted radiation to the most transparent part sky to improve the net cooling power and serve as a mechanical support to the foam or aerogel.

1 . An apparatus for cooling, comprising:
 a composite that is   infrared transparent in the 8-13 m wavelength range,   that is optically reflective to reduce heating from sunlight, and   that is thermally insulating to avoid heating from surrounding air.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel, wherein said IR transparent foam or aerogel produces emitted radiation, and wherein said frame is positioned to concentrate said emitted radiation to the most transparent part sky to improve cooling. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and wherein said frame is an optomechanical frame. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and wherein said IR transparent foam or aerogel is IR transparent NaCl or other IR transparent salts. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and wherein said IR transparent foam or aerogel is IR transparent foam. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and wherein said IR transparent foam or aerogel is IR transparent aerogel powder. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and wherein said IR transparent foam or aerogel is IR transparent NaCl or other salt aerogel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and wherein said IR transparent foam or aerogel is IR transparent aerogel monoliths. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising a covering for said IR transparent foam and said frame. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising a covering including a water vapor transmission barrier for said IR transparent foam and said frame. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising a covering with a water vapor transmission barrier covering for said IR transparent foam and said frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising an IR transparent plastic film covering with a water vapor transmission barrier for said IR transparent foam and said frame. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising a UV-stabilized, IR transparent plastic film covering with a water vapor transmission barrier for said IR transparent foam and said frame. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising a vacuum sealed UV-stabilized, IR transparent plastic film covering with a water vapor transmission barrier for said IR transparent foam and said frame. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 1  wherein said composite comprises an IR transparent foam or aerogel and a frame that holds said IR transparent foam or aerogel and further comprising a vacuum sealed UV-stabilized, IR transparent plastic film covering for said IR transparent foam and said frame and a desiccant within said vacuum sealed UV-stabilized, IR transparent plastic film covering with a water vapor transmission barrier. 
     
     
         18 . A method of cooling, comprising the steps of:
 creating IR transparent powder, and   securing said IR transparent powder into a frame to provide a material composite, and   using said material composite to cool virtually any surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of cooling of  claim 18  wherein said step of creating IR transparent powder comprises creating an IR transparent foam. 
     
     
         20 . The method of cooling of  claim 18  wherein said step of creating IR transparent powder comprises creating an IR transparent aerogel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of cooling of  claim 18  wherein said step of creating IR transparent powder comprises flash freezing aerosolized solutions in liquid nitrogen via liquid nitrogen or other methods and freeze-drying said aerosolized solutions. 
     
     
         22 . The method of cooling of  claim 18  wherein said IR transparent powder is made of NaCl, KCl, CsI, Ge, ZnSe, ZnS, or BaF2 infrared transparent material. 
     
     
         23 . The method of cooling of  claim 18  wherein said IR transparent powder is made of NaCl transparent material. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 18  wherein said IR transparent powder has a particle size where it is effective at scattering optical light but not scattering longer IR wavelength between 8-13 um (<1 um particle size, lambda/10). 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus for cooling of  claim 18  wherein said IR transparent powder produces emitted radiation and wherein said frame is positioned to concentrate said emitted radiation to the most transparent part sky to improve cooling.