Nanotechnology Enabled Thermal Management Materials

Modern power electronics operate with greater electrical output and smaller package dimensions than ever before. This creates tremendous thermal stress on the individual components and defines stringent requirements for thermal management. Applied Nanotech, Inc. will demonstrate its CarbAl(TM) thermal management composite for power electronic substrate replacements. CarbAl(TM) is a dense composite comprised of 80% carbon and 20% aluminum. This composite material has very low thermal expansion rates, a thermal diffusivity nearly three times that of bulk copper and a density close to aluminum. Through Nanotechnology we have developed this material to provide increased thermal transfer capabilities. These combined properties define a novel nanotechnology enabled composite that can be used to decrease the thermal load and overall package dimensions of power electronics.