Development and evaluation of cable-less heating mats utilizing low-power carbon nanotube planar heaters

Abstract

We aimed to develop a low-power heating mat based on a carbon nanotube (CNT) planar heater and verify its performance by utilizing the heating element. The cell samples were manufactured, and their electrical and thermal properties were evaluated to conduct heating tests. The developed CNT planar heater was tested in four ways, namely heating one cell individually and heating two/three/four cells simultaneously. When operating multiple cells, the resistance decreased, and the power increased. The temperature averaged 37°C even when multiple cells were operating, and the power consumption per unit area was at a similar level. In addition, a prototype heating vest was fabricated using the cells, and a performance comparison was conducted with a third-party heating vest product. The heating efficiency was more than twice as high as that of the third-party product, and the heating area was more than twice as large. Prototype heating pads were made using the cells and compared with two other third-party samples that are heated by thermal wires, and the developed prototype was found to have a heating efficiency more than 20% higher than the other samples, with the lowest temperature deviation. The CNT planar heater developed in this study can be realized in various shapes without wires and can be used safely. It is economical because it can be set to the appropriate temperature in the desired area with a controller, and it is eco-friendly because it prevents mold growth by emitting far-infrared radiation.