Dynamic insulation

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for providing temperature control and/or regulation are provided. In some embodiments, the systems and/or methods include at least one endothermic reactant, which can be activated to control a local temperature. In some embodiments, the systems and/or methods include at least one gas producing material, which can allow for the production of gas, which can be trapped for the provision of an insulating volume.

1 . An insulating system comprising:
 at least one solvent; and   at least one endothermic reactant, wherein the at least one endothermic reactant is separated from the at least one solvent in a temperature dependent manner such that an increase in temperature results in the at least one solvent solvating the endothermic reactant.   
     
     
         2 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one endothermic reactant is separated from the at least one solvent by the at least one solvent being contained in a solid or gel form. 
     
     
         3 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one endothermic reactant is separated from the at least one solvent by a solvent impermeable layer or seal. 
     
     
         4 . The insulating system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one solvent impermeable layer is fracturable or rupturable upon freezing of the at least one solvent such that subsequent thawing of the at least one solvent allows the solvent to solvate the endothermic reactant. 
     
     
         5 . The insulating system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one solvent impermeable layer comprises a brittle polymer or a rupturable mechanical seal. 
     
     
         6 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one endothermic reactant is separated from the solvent by a temperature dependent material that comprises at least one of a wax, a polymer of desired transition point, or a shape memory polymer. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one endothermic reactant is separated from the solvent by a temperature dependent material that encapsulates the at least one endothermic reactant in a temperature dependent coating. 
     
     
         12 . The insulating system of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature dependent coating is suspended in the at least one solvent. 
     
     
         13 . The insulating system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one solvent is in a liquid state. 
     
     
         14 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solvent and the at least one endothermic reactant are contained within a sealed chamber. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The insulating system of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber further comprises a pressure valve configured to release gas from inside of the chamber to an exterior volume of gas. 
     
     
         17 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein solvation of the endothermic reactant produces at least one gas. 
     
     
         18 . The insulating system of  claim 17 , further comprising an expandable layer. 
     
     
         19 . The insulating system of  claim 18 , wherein the expandable layer is configured to expand by production of the at least one gas. 
     
     
         20 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein the solvent and the at least one endothermic reactant are positioned between the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         21 . The insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein the first wall faces an internal volume configured to retain an object to be kept cool. 
     
     
         22 . The insulating system of  claim 21 , wherein the second wall faces an external environment. 
     
     
         23 . The insulating system of  claim 22 , wherein the second wall is deformable by a gas that is generated by the solvation of the endothermic reactant and the solvent. 
     
     
         24 . The insulating system of  claim 23 , wherein the second wall is curved. 
     
     
         25 . The insulating system of  claim 23 , wherein a shape of the second wall is defined by an outward pressure, wherein the outward pressure is generated between the first wall and second wall. 
     
     
         26 . The insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein the second wall is not deformable under pressure generated by solvation of the at least one endothermic reactant by the solvent. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein the second wall is made of a heat conducting material to allow heat to pass through it to the at least one solvent and the at least one endothermic reactant. 
     
     
         29 . The insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein the first wall is made of an insulating material. 
     
     
         30 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating system is part of a container, wherein the at least one endothermic reactant and the at least one solvent are located between an outer wall of the container and an inner wall of the container, and wherein the inner wall defines at least part of an inner volume of the container. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating system is part of a cold pack, a film, or an insulating barrier layer. 
     
     
         34 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one endothermic reactant comprises at least one of carbonate, urea, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, or a bicarbonate. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solvent comprises at least one of: water, an acid, citric acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid, succinic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid or tartaric acid. 
     
     
         37 . The insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solvent comprises water, and wherein the at least one endothermic reactant comprises dry powered acid and dry powered carbonate. 
     
     
         38 . The insulating system of  claim 37 , wherein the water is frozen. 
     
     
         39 . A gas retaining enclosure comprising:
 at least one solvent; and   at least one gas producing reactant, wherein the at least one gas producing reactant is separated from the at least one solvent in a temperature dependent manner, wherein an increase in temperature results in the at least one solvent solvating the at least one gas producing reactant.   
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The gas retaining enclosure of  claim 39 , wherein the temperature dependent manner comprises a barrier that changes its phase from solid to liquid at a desired temperature. 
     
     
         42 . The gas retaining enclosure of  claim 41 , wherein the barrier comprises a wax. 
     
     
         43 . The gas retaining enclosure of  claim 39 , wherein the temperature dependent manner comprises an arrangement in which the at least one solvent is in a solid state below a temperature threshold, and wherein the at least one solvent is in a liquid state above the temperature threshold. 
     
     
         44 . A method for regulating a temperature of a desired environment, the method comprising:
 providing at least one solvent;   providing at least one endothermic reactant, wherein the at least one solvent is separated from the at least one endothermic reactant; and   solvating the at least one endothermic reactant by changing a state of at least one of:
 a) the at least one solvent, 
 b) a barrier separating the at least one solvent from the at least one endothermic reactant, or 
 c) both a) and b), 
 to allow an endothermic reaction to occur, wherein the change in state occurs in response to an increase in temperature and thereby regulate a temperature of a desired environment. 
   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one solvent is provided in a solid state, and wherein the at least one solvent at least partially transitions to a liquid state to solvate the at least one endothermic reactant. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the barrier separates the at least one solvent from the at least one endothermic reactant when the barrier is in a solid state, and wherein the barrier at least partially transitions to a liquid state to allow the at least one solvent to solvate the at least one endothermic reactant. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the barrier comprises a wax. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising providing a layer between the at least one solvent and the at least one endothermic reactant. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising fracturing the layer by freezing the at least one solvent to form a fractured layer. 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising forming a gas upon solvation of the at least one endothermic reactant and trapping at least some of the gas to inflate a flexible layer. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising forming a gas upon solvation of the at least one endothermic reactant and wherein the gas forms a foam of a combination of the solvent and the at least one endothermic reactant. 
     
     
         54 - 58 . (canceled)