European company Carbodeon have been granted a US patent for their technology that allows detonation-synthesised diamond particles (nanodiamonds) to be combined with polymers to be used in LED lighting, personal electronics, and other applications. Diamonds are one of the most thermally conductive materials, so when nanodiamonds are mixed with thermoplastic polymers in controlled amounts it results in plastic materials that are highly wear-resistant and can conduct heat at controllable rates. Such materials can deliver heat-conducting benefits for products including LED lighting. They can also be used in the aerospace and automotive sectors for longer product life in hard-wear environments.
Carbodeon received US patent № 9085723 on their developed nanodiamond containing thermoplastic thermal composites. The patent was filed after company’s own developments during 2012-13, wherein they discovered the thermal conductivity of thermoplastics can be enhanced significantly by adding nanodiamonds, usually in small quantities. Carbodeon continue to invest research into the technology, as well as developing the range of commercial applications for it.
Carbodeon CTO Vesa Myllymaki says the patent covers “the most important part of our nanodiamond composite material portfolio. The combined coverage of our filed and granted patents will certainly secure company’s as well as customers’ position in several nanodiamond applications such as polymers for thermal management applications, wear and corrosion resistant nanodiamond metal finishing, and wear resistant/ low friction nanodiamond fluoropolymer coatings.”
