Reversible transition between isotropic and anisotropic thermal transport in elastic polyurethane foams

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Elastic composite foams with anisotropic lamellar microstructures were formed by freeze-casting polyurethane dispersions with graphitic additives. This anisotropy resulted in orientation-dependent mechanical and thermal properties. Most importantly, the effective thermal conductivity can be reversibly transitioned between anisotropic and isotropic states by altering the thermal conductivity of the contained atmosphere.