WO2009075875A1

WO2009075875A1 - Insulation composite material having at least one thermally-reflective layer

Info

Publication number: WO2009075875A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/013642
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde; Muriel Y. Ishikawa; Jordin T. Kare; Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
Original assignee: Searete Llc
Priority date: 2007-12-11
Filing date: 2008-12-11
Publication date: 2009-06-18
Also published as: CN101896103B; CN101896103A

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 greaterτ 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

Description

INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL HAVING AT LEAST ONE THERMALLY-REFLECTIVE LAYER

lnventor(s): Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/152,467 entitled MULTI-LAYER INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL INCLUDING BANDGAP MATERIAL, STORAGE CONTAINER USING SAME, AND RELATED METHODS, naming Jeffrey A. Bowers, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas J. Nugent Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, and Lowell L. Wood Jr. as inventors, filed on May 13, 2008, and incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/152,465 entitled STORAGE CONTAINER INCLUDING MULTI-LAYER INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL HAVING BANDGAP MATERIAL AND RELATED METHODS, naming Jeffrey A. Bowers, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas J. Nugent Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, and Lowell L. Wood Jr. as inventors, filed on May 13, 2008, and incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/001,757 entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE CONTAINERS, naming Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene. William H. Gates, III, Charles Whitmer, and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed on December 1 1 , 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety. The piesent application is related to U S Patent Application No 12/008,695 entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR MEDICINALS, naming Roderick A Hyde, Edward K Y Jung, Nathan P Mynivold, Clarence T Tegieene, William H. Gates, EH, Chailes Whitmer, and Lowell L Wood, Ti as inventors, filed on January 10, 2008, and incorporated heiein by this iefeience in its entirety

The piesent application is related to U S Patent Application No 12/006,089 entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE SYSTEMS, naming Roderick A Hyde, Edwaid K Y Jung, Nathan P. Myhivold, Clarence T Tegieene, William H Gates, JJI, Chailes Whitmei, and Lowell L Wood, Ji as inventors, filed on December 27, 2007, and incorporated heiein by this reference in its entirety

The piesent application is ielated to U S Patent Application No 12/006,088 entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH DIRECTED ACCESS, naming Roderick A Hyde, Edwaid K Y Tung, Nathan P Myhivold, Clarence T Tegreene, William H Gates, JH, Chailes Whitmei, and Lowell L Wood, Tr as inventors, filed on December 27, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety

The present application is related to U S Patent Application No 12/012,490 entitled METHODS OF MANUFACTURING TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED STORAGE CONTAINERS, naming Roderick A Hyde, Edwaid K Y Tung, Nathan P Myhivold, Clarence T Tegieene, William H Gates, III, Charles Whitraer, and Lowell L Wood, Jr as inventors, filed on January 31, 2008, and incorpoiated heiein by this reference in its entirety

The present application is ielated to U S. Patent Application No 12/077,322 entitled TEMPERATURE-STABILIZED MEDICINAL STORAGE SYSTEMS, naming Roderick A Hyde, Edward K Y Tung, Nathan P Myhivold, Clarence T Tegieene, William Gates, Charles Whitmei, and Lowell L Wood, Jr as inventors, filed on March 17, 2008, and incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a raulti-layei insulation (MLI) composite material includes a first theimally-reflective layei and a second thermally-reflective layer spaced ftom the first thermally-reflective layei At least one of the fiist oi second theimally-reflective layers includes a plurality of through openings configured to at least partially obstruct transmission therethrough of infrared electromagnetic radiation (EMR) having a wavelength greater than a threshold wavelength A region between the first and second thermally-reflective layers substantially impedes heat conduction between the first and second thermally-reflective layers

In an embodiment, a storage container includes a container structure defining at least one storage chamber The container structure includes MLI composite material having at least one thermally-reflective layer including 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

In an embodiment, a method includes at least partially enclosing an object with MLI composite material to insulate the object from an external environment MLI composite material includes 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

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently, the reader will appreciate that the summaiy is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting Other asp :ts, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent after reading the teachings set forth herein

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FTG. l is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an MLI composite material, which includes at least one thermally-reflective layer having a plurality of through openings configured to reflect infrared EMR FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fust thermally-i effective layei of the MLI composite mateiial shown in FlG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the MLI composite mateiial shown in FIG. 1, with a region between the fiist and second thermally-reflective layeis including aeiogel paiticles, according to an embodiment

FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the MLI composite mateiial shown in FIG. 1, with a region between the first and second thermally-ieflective layeis including a mass of fibers, according to an embodiment

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an MLI composite material including two or more of the MLI composite materials shown in FIG. 1 stacked together

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the MLI composite material shown in FIG. 1 in which the first thermally-reflective layer includes a substrate on which a first layer having through openings is disposed and the second theimally-reflective layer includes a substrate on which a second layer having through openings is disposed according to an embodiment

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an MLI composite material including a first thermally-reflective layer having a first plurality of through openings and a second thermally-reflective layer having a second plurality of through openings that are not in substantial registry with the first plurality of through openings

FIG.. 7A is a top plan view of an embodiment of an MLI composite mateiial including a first thermally-reflective layer having a first plurality of elongated through slots and a second theimally-reflective layer having a second plurality of elongated through slots that are oriented in a different direction than the first plurality of elongated through slots

FIG,. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the MLI composite material shown in FIG. 7A taken along line 7B - 7B

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of storage container including a container structure formed at least partially from MLI composite material FIG. 9 is a partial side elevation view of a structure in the piocess of being wrapped with MLI composite material according to an embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify srmilar components, unless context dictates otherwise The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an MLI composite material 100, which includes at least one thermally-reflective layer having a plurality of through openings configured to reflect infrared EMR- The MLI composite material 100 includes a first thermally-reflective layer 102 spaced from a second thermally-reflective layer 104 A region 106 is located between the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104, and impedes heat conduction between the first and second thermally- reflective layers 102 and 104 As discussed in further detail below, the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 have relatively low emissivities in oider to inhibit radiative heat transfer, and the region 106 functions to inhibit conductive and convective heat transfer between the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 so that the MLI composite material 100 is thermally insulating

The first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 may be spaced from each other using, for example, low thermal conductivity spacers that join the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 together, electro-static repulsion, or magnetic repulsion For example, electrical potentials may be applied to the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 via electrical circuitry and maintained to provide a controlled electro-static repulsive force, oi the first and second thermally- reflective layers 102 and 104 may each include one or more magnetic or electromagnetic elements embedded therein or otherwise associated therewith to provide a magnetic repulsive force The fiist thermally-ieflective layei 102, second thermally-reflective layer 104, or both may include a plurality of through openings configured to at least partially obstruct infrared EJvIR having a wavelength greater than a threshold wavelength For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first thermally-reflective layer 102 includes a first plurality of through openings 108 that extend completely through a thickness of the first thermally-ieflective layer 102, and the second thermally-reflective layer 104 also includes a second plurality of through openings 110 that extend completely through a thickness of the second thermally-reflective layer 104 and in substantial registry with the first plurality of openings 108 Respective through openings 108 and 1 10 may have a lateral opening dimension d (eg , a diameter) proportional to a selected threshold wavelength Infrared EMR having a wavelength greater than the threshold wavelength may be at least partially obstructed by the fust and second plurality of through openings 108 and 110 Thus, the lateral opening dimension d defines, in part, the threshold wavelength, and infrared EJV-R having a wavelength greater than that of the threshold wavelength may be reflected from the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 The threshold wavelength is a function of the lateral opening dimension d and may be proportional to the lateral opening dimension d For example, the threshold wavelength may be equal to n d, where n is a constant that may be approximately two

The lateral opening dimension d may exhibit a magnitude falling within the thermal infrared EMR spectrum, which is of most interest to be reflected by the MLI material 100 to provide an efficient insulation material For example, the lateral opening dimension d may be about 1 μm to about 15 μm (eg , about 8 μm to about 12 μm) so that transmission of infrared EMR through the MLI composite material 100 having a wavelength greater than about 1 μm to about 15 μm (e g , about 8 μm to about 12 μm) may be at least partially obstructed Although respective through openings 108 and 110 are illustrated as being cylindrical in configuration, other configurations may be used, such as a rectangular geometry. Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment, the through openings 108 and 1 10 are substantially in registry, in other embodiments, the through openings 108 and 110 may be at least partially out of registry

In addition to the MLI composite material 100 being configured to at least partially obstruct infrared EMR having a wavelength greater than the threshold wavelength, the magnitude of the lateial dimension d is sufficiently laige to allow visible EMR (e g , about 400 nm to about 700 nm) to be transmitted theiethiough oveτ at least part of oi substantially all of the visible EMR spectrum Thus, the first and second plurality of through openings 108 and 110 may be configured to allow transmission of visible EMR therethough so that the MLI composite material 100 is at least partially transparent Accordingly, when the MLI composite material 100 is disposed in front of an object, the object may be at least partially visible through the various layers of the MLI composite material 100

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second plurality of through openings 108 and 1 10 may be arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern to minimize diffraction effects of EMR incident on the first and second theimally-ieflective layers 102 and 104 In other embodiments, the first and second plurality of through openings 108 and 110 may be arranged in a substantially periodic pattern

The first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 may be formed from a variety of different materials, such as an electrically conductive metallic material, an electrically conductive doped semiconductor material, a dielectric material, or an infrared-reflective coating (e g , an infrared-reflective paint) In an embodiment, the first or second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 may be formed from an electrically conductive metallic layer or a doped semiconductor material that is patterned using photolithography oi election-beam lithography and etched to form the through openings

108 or 1 10 therein In another embodiment, the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 or 104 may be formed from dielectric layer that is patterned using a photolithography process or an electron-beam lithography process and etched to define the through openings 108 and 110 therethrough For example, the dielectric layer may comprise a dielectric material that is substantially transparent to visible EMR, such as a silica-based glass

As discussed above, the region 106 impedes heat conduction between the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 In some embodiments, the region 106 may be at least partially or substantially filled with at least one low-thermal conductivity material Referring to FIG. 3A, in an embodiment, the region 106 may include a mass 300 of aerogel particles or other type of material that at least partially or substantially fills the region 106 For example, the aerogel particles may comprise silica aeiogel particles having a density of about 0 05 to about 0 15 grams per cm³, organic aerogel particles, or other suitable types of aerogel particles Referring to FIG. 3B, in an embodiment, the region 106 may include a mass 302 of fibers that at least partially or substantially fills the region 106 For example, the mass 302 of fibers or foam may comprise a mass of alumina fibers, a mass of silica fibers, or any other suitable mass of fibers

In an embodiment, instead of filling the region 106 between the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104 with a low thermal conductivity material, the region 106 may be at least partially evacuated to reduce heat conduction and convection between the first and second thermally-reflective layers 102 and 104.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to an embodiment, an MLI composite material 400 may be formed from two or more sections of the MLI composite material 100 to enhance insulation performance For example, the MLI composite material 400 includes a section 402 made from the MLI composite material 100 assembled with a section 404 that is also made from the MLI composite material 100 Although only two sections of the MLI composite material 100 are shown, other embodiments may include three or more sections of the MLI composite material 100 Typical embodiments of the MLI composite material 400 may include, for example, twenty or more sections of the MLI composite material 100, with insulation efficiency increasing with an increased number of such sections

Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the first and second thermally- reflective layers 102 and 104 may include respective layers having a plurality of through openings therein configured to at least partially reflect infrared EMR FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the MLI composite material 100 shown in FIG. 1 in which the first thermally-reflective layer 102 includes a substrate 500 on which a first layer of material 502 having a first plurality of through openings 504 is disposed and the second thermally-reflective layer 104 includes a substrate 506 on which a second layer of material 508 having a second plurality of through openings 510 is disposed The substrates 500 and 506 may each comprise a rigid inorganic substrate (e g , a silicon substrate) or a flexible, polymeric substrate {e g , made from Teflon®, Mylar®, Kapton®, etc ) Forming the substrates 500 and 506 from a flexible, polymeric material and forming the first and second layeis of material 502 and 508 sufficiently thin enables the MLI composite materia] 100 to be sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around a structure as insulation

In the illustrated embodiment, the substrates 500 and 506 may be formed from a material that is substantially transparent to visible EMR. In othei embodiments, the substrates 500 and 506 may each include thiough openings (not shown) that have about the same lateral dimension as the thiough openings 504 and 510 and generally in registry with the thiough openings 504 and 510

The first and second layeis of materials 502 and 508 may be selected fiom any of the previously described materials, such as a metallic material, a doped semiconductor material, a dielectric material, oi an infrared-reflective coating Foi example, in one embodiment, the first thermally-reflective layei 102 may be formed by depositing the fϊist layer of material 502 onto the substrate 500 using a deposition technique (e g , chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), or another suitable technique) followed by defining the fiist plurality of thiough holes using a suitable material removal technique For example, the fust plurality of thiough openings 504 may be formed using photolithography and etching, electron beam lithography and etching, nanoimpiint lithography and etching, focused ion beam milling, oi another suitable technique with a sufficient resolution to define feature sizes of about 1 μm to about 15 μm The second thermally-reflective layer 508 and second plurality of thiough openings

510 may be formed using the same or similar technique as the first thermally-reflective layer 102

In some embodiments, the first plurality of through openings 504 may be configured to reflect infrared EMR greater than a first threshold wavelength and the second plurality of through openings 510 may be configured to reflect infrared EMR greater than a second threshold wavelength In such an embodiment, the MLI composite material 100 may be configured to block infrared EMR over a range of wavelengths that would be difficult to block using a single type of bandgap material

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an MLI composite material 600 according to an embodiment The MLI composite material 600 includes a first thermally-reflective layer 602 spaced from a second thermally-reflective layer 606, with a region 606 therebetween The first theimally-reflective layer 602 includes a first plurality of through openings 604 configured to at least partially obstruct infrared EMR and the second thermally-ieflective layer 606 includes a second plurality of through openings 608 configured to at least paitially obstruct infrared EMR The second plurality of through openings 608 aie illustrated as being completely out of registry with the first plurality of through openings 604 However, in some embodiments, the first plurality of through openings 604 may be partially in registry with the second plurality of through openings 608 to still allow the MLI composite material 600 to be at least partially transparent to visible EMR

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top plan and cioss-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of an MLI composite material 700 including one or more sets of elongated through slots configured to block infrared EMR having one or more selected polarization directions The MLI composite material 700 includes a fust thermally-reflective layer 702 having a first plurality of elongated through slots 704 defined by a iespective width 706 and length 708. The MLI composite material 700 also includes a second thermally- reflective layer 710 (FIG 7B) spaced from the first thermally-reflective layer 702 and having a second plurality of elongated through slots 710 with a width 712 and length 714 The second plurality of elongated through slots 710 may be overlapped by the first plurality of elongated through slots 704 Respective lengths 708 of the elongated through slots 704 are oriented in a different direction than respective lengths 714 of the elongated through slots 710 In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated through slots 704 are oriented generally perpendicular {i e , a substantially different directional orientation) to the elongated through slots 710 However, in othei embodiments, the elongated through slots 704 and elongated through slots 710 may be oriented at any other selected directional orientation including, but not limited to, the elongated through slots 704 and elongated through slots 710 being oriented in geneially the same direction Fabrication of the MLI composite material 700 may be relatively easier than, for example, the MLI composite material 100 due to employing one-dimensional-like elongated through slots as opposed to two-dimensional-type through openings such as circular holes

Infrared EMR having a polarization direction generally perpendicular to the respective lengths 708 and 714 of the corresponding elongated through slots 704 and 710 and a wavelength greatei than a threshold wavelength that is a function of the respective widths 706 and 712 is at least partially obstructed so that transmission thiough the elongated thiough slots 704 and 710 is reduced and, in some embodiments, substantially prevented Infrared EMR having a polarization direction generally parallel to the respective lengths 708 and 714 of the coπesponding elongated thiough slots 704 and 710 may be transmitted thiough the elongated thiough slots 704 and 710 regardless of the wavelength of the infrared EMR. Accordingly, infiaied EMR having a polarization direction that allows tiansmission thiough the elongated thiough slots 704 may be at least partially obstructed by the elongated thiough slots 710 so that such infiaied EMR is not transmitted completely thiough the MLI composite material 700

In some embodiments, one oi more theimally-ieflective layeis of a MLI composite material may include sets of elongated thiough slots, with the elongated through slots of each set oriented in diffeient selected orientations For example, at least one of the first thermally-reflective layer 702 or second thermally-reflective layer 710 may include the elongated thiough slots 704 and 710

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate some applications of the above-described MLI composite materials for maintaining an object for a period of time at a tempeiatuie different than the object's suπounding environment For example, in applications (e g , cryogenic applications or storing temperature-sensitive medicines), an object may be maintained at a temperature below that of the object's suiroundings In other applications (e g , reducing heat-loss in piping, etc ), an object may be maintained at a temperature above that of the object's suiioundings foi a period of time

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of storage container 800 that employs at least one of the described MLI composite material embodiments The stoiage container 800 includes a container structure 802, which may include a receptacle 804 and a lid 806 removably attached to the receptacle 804 that, together, forms a storage chamber 808 At least a portion of the receptacle 804 or lid 806 may comprise any of the described MLI composite material embodiments Forming the container structure 802 at least partially or completely fiom the described MLI composite material embodiments provide a thermally- insulative structure for insulating an object 810 stored in the storage chamber 808 and enclosed by the containei structure 802 fiom incident infiaied EMR received fiom the storage container's 800 surrounding environment, while still allowing the object 810 to be at least partially visible through the section of the container structure 802 made fiom the MLI composite material In some embodiments, the container structure 802 may be fabricated by assembling sections of MLI composite material together

In some embodiments, the container structure 802 may include one or more interlocks configured to provide controllable ingress of the object 810 into the storage chambei 808 or egress of the object 810 stored in the storage chambei 808 fiom the container structure 802 The one or more interlocks may enable inserting the object 810 into the storage chamber 808 or removing the object 810 from the storage chamber 808 without allowing the temperature of the storage chamber 808 to significantly change In some embodiments, the container structure 802 may include two or more storage chambers, and the one or more interlocks enable removal an object fiom one storage chamber without disturbing the contents in another chamber Similarly, the one or more interlocks may enable insertion of an object into one storage chamber without disturbing the contents of another storage chamber For example, the one or more interlocks may allow ingress oi egress of an object through a network of passageways of the container structure 802, with the one or more interlocks being manually or automatically actuated

FIG. 9 is a partial side elevation view of a structure 900 in the process of being wrapped with flexible MLI composite material 902 according to an embodiment For example, the flexible MLI composite material 902 may employ a flexible, polymeric substrate on which one or more layers of material is disposed, such as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 The structure 900 may be configured as a pipe having a passageway 904 therethrough, a cryogenic tank, a container, or any other structure desired to be insulated The structure 900 may be at least partially or completely enclosed by wrapping the flexible, MLI composite material 902 manually or using an automated, mechanized process to insulate the structure 900 fiom the surrounding environment, while still allowing the structure 900 to be at least partially visible through the MLI composite material 902

In a general sense, the various embodiments described herein can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systems having a wide iange of electrical components such as hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical force oi motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, and electro-magnetically actuated devices, or virtually any combination thereof Consequently, as used herein "electro-mechanical system" includes, but is not Limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (eg , an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, etc ), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e g , a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e g , forms of random access memory), electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e g , a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment), and any non-electrical analog thereto, such as optica] or otheτ analogs Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and communication/computing systems Those skilled in the art will recognize that electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise

In a general sense, the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of "electrical circuitry " Consequently, as used herein "electrical circuitry" includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e g , a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a micioprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/oi devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e g, forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e g , a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment) The subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof

The herein described components (eg, steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (eg , steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, the reader can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedia] components Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable," to each other to achieve the desired functionality Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/oi physically interacting components and/oi wirelessly inteiactable and/or wiielessly inteiacting components and/oi logically interacting anαVoi logically inteiactable components

In some instances, one oi moie components may be refeπed to herein as "configured to " The reader will recognize that "configured to" can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/oi standby- state components, etc unless context requires otherwise

In some instances, one or more components may be refeπed to herein as "configured to " The reader will recognize that "configured to" can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as aie within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (eg , bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e g , the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.) It will be further understood by those within the ait that if a specific numbei of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one oi more" to introduce claim recitations However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" oτ "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" oi "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" oi "an" (e g , "a" and/oi "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e g , the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations) Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc-" is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense the convention (e g , "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc ) In those instances wheie a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc " is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense the convention (e g , "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc ) Virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative teims, whether in the desciiption, claims, oi drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms For example, the phiase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" oτ "B" or "A and B "

With respect to the appended claims, the recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise With respect to context, even terms like "responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, the various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims

Claims

1 A multi-layer insulation (TVILI) composite material, comprising: a first thermally-reflective layer; a second thermally-reflective layer spaced from the first thermally-reflective layer; wherein 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; and a iegion between the first and second thermally-reflective layers that impedes heat conduction between the first and second thermally-reflective layers-

2 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through openings are aπanged in a substantially periodic pattern

3 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through openings are arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern

4 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of through openings and a second plurality through openings;

the first thermally-reflective layer includes the first plurality of through openings; and

the second thermally-reflective layer includes the second plurality of through openings that are not positioned in substantial registry with the first plurality of through openings

5 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein:

the first thermally-reflective layer includes the fiist plurality of through openings; and

the second thermally-reflective layer includes the second plurality of through openings positioned in substantial registiy with the first plurality of through openings

6 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the threshold wavelength is related to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings

7 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the threshold wavelength is proportional to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings

8 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the threshold wavelength is about twice an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings

9 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission therethrough of visible electromagnetic radiation.

10 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission therethrough of the visible electromagnetic radiation over substantially the entire visible electromagnetic radiation spectrum

11 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission of visible electromagnetic radiation ovei only part of the visible electromagnetic radiation spectrum

12 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein the threshold wavelength is fiom about 1 μm to about 15 μm

13 The MLI composite material of claim 12, wheiein the threshold wavelength is fiom about 8 μm to about 12 μrn

14 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein the fust and second theimally- leflective layeis are spaced fiom each othei by an electrostatic iepulsive foice

15 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein the first and second thermally- reflective layeis are spaced from each othei by a magnetic repulsive force

16. The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein the first and second thermally- leflective layeis are spaced from each other by spacer elements

17 The MLI composite material of claim 1 , wherein the region is at least partially evacuated

18 The MLI composite material of claim I₁ wheiein the region includes at least one low-thermal conductivity material selected from the gioup consisting of an aeiogel, a foam, and a mass of fibeis

19 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wheiein at least one of the fϊist oi second theimally-reflective layers includes a substrate on which at least one Iayei is disposed

20 The MLI composite material of claim 19, wheiein the substrate comprises an inoiganic substrate

21 Ihe MLI composite material of claim 19, wherein the substrate comprises a flexible, polymeric substrate

22 The MLI composite material of claim 19, wherein the at least one layer includes a metallic layer, a doped semiconductoi layei, a photonic ciystal Iayei, or an infrared- reflective coating 23 The MLl composite of claim 1, wheiein the at least one of the fust oi second thermally-ieflective layeis is electrically conductive

24 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein at least a poition of the through openings aie slots

25 The MLI composite mateiial of claim 1, wheiein at least a portion of the pluiality , of thiough openings aie configured to at least partially obstruct transmission of the infiaied electromagnetic radiation therethrough having a selected polarization direction.

26 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of thiough openings include a first plurality of elongated through slots and a second plurality of elongated through slots;

the first thermally-reflective layer includes the first plurality of elongated thiough slots; and

the second thermally-reflective layer includes the second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in substantially the same directional orientation as the first plurality of elongated thiough slots

27 The MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of through openings include a fust plurality of elongated through slots and a second plurality of elongated through slots;

the first thermally-reflective layer includes the first plurality of elongated through slots; and

the second thermally-reflective layer includes the second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in a substantially different directional orientation than that of the first plurality of elongated through slots 28 The MLl composite material of claim 1, wheiein the pluiality of through openings include'

a fiist 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

29 Ihe MLI composite material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through openings include'

a first pluiality of elongated through slots; and

a second pluiality of elongated through slots oriented in a substantially different directional orientation than that of the first plurality of elongated through slots

30 A storage container, comprising: a container structure defining at least one storage chamber, the container structure including multi-layer insulation (MLI) composite material having at least one thermally-reflective layer including 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

31 The storage container of claim 30, wheiein the plurality of through openings are arranged in a substantially periodic pattern

32 The storage container of claim 30, wheiein the plurality of through openings aiε aiianged in a substantially non-periodic pattern

33 The storage containei of claim 30, wheiein:

the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of through openings and a second plurality of through openings; and

the at least one theimally-ieflective layei includes a first theimally-i effective layer having the fust 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

34 The storage container of claim 30, wherein:

the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first thermally-reflective layer having the first plurality of through openings, and a second thermally-i effective layer having the second plurality of through openings which are positioned in substantial registry with the first plurality of through openings

35 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the threshold wavelength is related to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings

36 Ihe storage container of claim 30, wherein the threshold wavelength is proportional to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings

37 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the threshold wavelength is about twice an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of through openings

38 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the plurality of through openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission therethrough of visible electromagnetic radiation 39 The storage containei of claim 30, wheiein 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

40 The storage container of claim 30, 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.

41 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the threshold wavelength is from about 1 μm to about 15 μm

42 The storage container of claim 41, wherein the threshold wavelength is fiorn about 8 μm to about 12 μm

43 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes first and second thermally-reflective layers spaced from each othei by an electrostatic repulsive force

44 Ihe storage container of claim 30, wherein the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes first and second thermally-reflective layers spaced from each other by a magnetic repulsive force.

45 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes first and second thermally-reflective layers spaced from each other by spacer elements

46 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the at least one thermally-ieflective layei includes:

a first thermally-ieflective layei;

a second thermally-reflective layer spaced fiom the first theimally-reflective layer; and

a region between the first and second thermally-ieflective layers that impedes heat conduction therebetween

47 The storage container of claim 46, wherein the region includes at least one low- theτmal conductivity mateiial selected from the gioup consisting of an aerogel, a foam, and a mass of fibers

48 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a substrate on which at least one layer is disposed

49 The storage container of claim 48, wherein the substrate comprises an inorganic substrate

50 The storage container of claim 48, wherein the substrate comprises a flexible, polymeric substrate

51 The storage container of claim 48, wherein the at least one layer of the MLI composite material includes a metallic layer, a doped semiconductor layer, a photonic crystal layer, or an infrared-reflective coating

52 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the at least one thermally-reflective layer is electrically conductive.

53 The storage container of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of the through openings are slots 54 The storage container of claim 30, wheiein 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

55 The storage container of claim 30, wherein:

the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of elongated through slots and a second plurality of elongated through slots; and

the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first thermally-ieflective 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

56 The storage container of claim 30, wherein:

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

57 The storage container of claim 30, 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 58 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the plurality of thiough openings include:

a first plurality of elongated thiough slots; and

a second plurality of elongated thiough slots oiiented in a substantially different directional orientation than that of the first plurality of elongated thiough slots

59 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the MLI composite material includes at least another thermally-reflective layer that is reflective to electiomagnetic radiation that can damage a biological substance positioned within the at least one storage chamber

60 The storage container of claim 30, wheiein the MLI composite material forms at least part of a window in the container structure for viewing an object positioned in the at least one storage chamber

61 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the MLI composite material forms substantially all of the container structure

62 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the container structure includes-

a receptacle; and

a lid configured to be attached to the receptacle

63 The storage container of claim 30, wherein the container structure is configured to provide controllable egress of an object stored in the at least one storage chamber

64 A method, comprising: at least partially enclosing an object with multi-layei insulation (MLI) composite material to insulate the object δom a suπounding enviionment, the MLI composite material including at least one thermally-reflective layei having a plurality of through openings configuied 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 suπounding 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 suπounding 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, wheiein the plurality of through openings aie aπanged 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 thiough 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 thiough openings include a first plurality of thiough openings and a second plurality of thiough openings;

the at least one thermally-reflective layer includes a first theimally-reflective layer having the first plurality of thiough openings, and a second thermally-reflective layer having the second plurality of thiough openings positioned in substantial registry with the first plurality of thiough openings

75 The method of claim 64, wheiein the threshold wavelength is related to an opening dimension of at least a portion of the plurality of thiough 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 thiough openings

78 The method of claim 64, wherein the plurality of thiough openings are configured to at least partially allow transmission theiethiough of visible electromagnetic radiation 79 The method of claim 64, wherein the pluiality of thiough openings aie configuied to at least partially allow transmission theiethrough of visible electromagnetic radiation ovei substantially the entire visible electromagnetic radiation spectπim

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 thiough 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 thiough 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 thiough slots, and a second thermally-reflective layer having the second plurality of elongated thiough slots oriented in substantially the same directional orientation as the first plurality of elongated through slots

86 The method of claim 64, wheiein:

the plurality of through openings include a first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots; and

the at least one theimally-ieflective 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

88 The method of claim 64, wherein the plur ality of through openings include:

a first plurality of elongated through slots; and

a second plurality of elongated through slots oriented in a substantially different diiectional orientation than that of the first plurality of elongated through slots