Integrated high-performance insulators

Fujisaki, Y. Inoue, Y. Sato, H. Kurita, T. Tokito, S. and Fujikake, H. (2003) Organic TFT-driven Liquid Crystal Cell with Anodic-oxidised Gate Insulator and Double Protection Layer. IDW Digest, 291-294. Gelinck, G.H. Geuns, T.C.T. and de Leeuw, D.M. (2000) High-performance all-polymer integrated circuits. Appl. Phys. Lett., 77, 1487-1489. 

A solid propellant rocket motor is quite simple in concept, although in practice a complete motor is more complex. As shown in Fig. 37.15, the rocket propellant is contained within a case, which may be metal or a reinforced high-performance composite. Frequently, the case is internally shielded by a bonded layer of insulation. The insulation is coated with a liner that bonds the propellant to the insulation. The integrity of the propellant-to-liner bond is of utmost importance failure at this interface during a motor firing can result in a sudden increase in the area of propellant surface exposed to combustion, with potentially catastrophic results. 

The low-pressure encapsulation compounds, which exhibit the same high-performance characteristics as the high-pressure compounds, have become the primary insulating medium for the encapsulation of components such as integrated circuits, resistors, coils, diodes, capacitors, relays, and bobbins. 

Aerogel materials can be employed in consumer products to take advantage of the materials many high performance features. The consumer markets currently contain numerous products that need and utilize a variety of insulating materials. Due to the advanced thermal insulating performance of aerogel, it seems likely that this material will be integrated into many consumer products that now use various low performance insulation materials. One of the vast opportunities in the consumer market is within the apparel and footwear industry. These are multibillion dollar a year markets. 

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