US 11,988,853 B2
High-performance optical absorber comprising functionalized, non-woven, CNT sheet and texturized polymer film or texturized polymer coating and manufacturing method thereof
John A. Starkovich, Redondo Beach, CA (US); and Edward M. Silverman, Redondo Beach, CA (US)
Assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on Oct. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/379,365.
Application 18/379,365 is a division of application No. 18/125,204, filed on Mar. 23, 2023, granted, now 11,835,740.
Application 18/125,204 is a division of application No. 17/947,375, filed on Sep. 19, 2022, granted, now 11,650,356, issued on May 16, 2023.
Application 17/947,375 is a continuation of application No. 17/583,446, filed on Jan. 25, 2022, granted, now 11,555,949, issued on Jan. 17, 2023.
Application 17/583,446 is a continuation of application No. 17/412,381, filed on Aug. 26, 2021, granted, now 11,307,331, issued on Apr. 19, 2022.
Application 17/412,381 is a continuation of application No. 17/136,703, filed on Dec. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,175,437, issued on Nov. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0045119 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29D 11/00 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); G02B 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 5/003 (2013.01) [B29D 11/0074 (2013.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); G02B 2207/101 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method using capillary force lamination (CFL) for manufacturing a high-performance optical absorber, comprising:
texturizing a base layer of the high-performance optical absorber, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating;
joining a surface layer of the high-performance optical absorber to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet;
wetting the joined surface layer and base layer with a solvent;
allowing surface tension forces of the solvent to draw the non-woven CNT sheet into the base layer, thereby texturizing the surface layer;
drying the joined surface layer and base layer; and
treating the resulting base layer with plasma, creating the high-performance optical absorber.