Thermal Conduction Research Articles

Picosecond Femtojoule Resistive Switching in Nanoscale VO2 Memristors.

Beyond-Moore computing technologies are expected to provide a sustainable alternative to the von Neumann approach not only due to their down-scaling potential but also via exploiting device-level functional complexity at the lowest possible energy consumption. The dynamics of the Mott transition in correlated electron oxides, such as vanadium dioxide, has been identified as a rich and reliable source of such functional complexity. However, its full potential in high-speed and low-power operation has been largely unexplored. We fabricated nanoscale VO2 devices embedded in a broadband test circuit to study the speed and energy limitations of their resistive switching operation. Our picosecond time-resolution, real-time resistive switching experiments and numerical simulations demonstrate that tunable low-resistance states can be set by the application of 20 ps long, <1.7 V amplitude voltage pulses at 15 ps incubation times and switching energies starting from a few femtojoule. Moreover, we demonstrate that at nanometer-scale device sizes not only the electric field induced insulator-to-metal transition but also the thermal conduction limited metal-to-insulator transition can take place at time scales of 100s of picoseconds. These orders of magnitude breakthroughs can be utilized to design high-speed and low-power dynamical circuits for a plethora of neuromorphic computing applications from pattern recognition to numerical optimization.

Heterointerface-engineered SnO2@SnO nanoparticle@foamed C composites for prominent microwave absorption and thermal conduction performance

The development of multifunctional materials with wide-band microwave absorption properties (MWAPs), high thermal conductivity (TC), and excellent electrical isolation is rather challenging due to the performance incompatibility. To resolve this challenge, SnO2@SnO nanoparticle(NP)@foamed C composites are synthesized as an electrically insulated filler with low loads, excellent MWAPs, and high TC via a facile salt-template-assisted freeze-drying-annealing route. By controlling the annealing temperature (Ta) and the amount of SnCl2·2H2O (n), their heterointerfaces, textures, and defects were finely modulated. Our results show that the SnO2@SnO NP@foamed C composites have a large TC (3.48 W/(m·K); 1.5 wt% load), a minimal reflection loss (RLmin) of −40.75 dB, and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.88 GHz at a low load of 25 wt%. The composites exhibit an 8.0 % increase in TC, a 9.4 % increase in EAB, and an 11.0 % increase in RLmin compared with pure foamed C. Besides, the mechanism of dielectric loss and thermal transfer at the atomic level was revealed by the calculations of the density of states (DOS) and the phonon density of states (PDOS). The boosted MWAPs could be ascribed to the breakdown of local microstructural symmetry and the formation of extra electric dipoles at the interfaces of SnO/C, SnO/SnO2, and SnO2/C. The improved TC mainly results from the combined effect of the low-energy phonons from SnOx and the high-energy phonons from C. This study provides theoretical guidance for designing integrated materials with effective microwave absorption and thermal conduction in the electronic industry.

Thermal control system of Space Laser Communication Payload

Abstract To ensure the high-quality communication requirements of laser communication payload, the thermal control system is designed. Firstly, the structure and optical system of laser communication payload are introduced. Secondly, the task characteristic is analyzed. Then, the thermal design of laser communication payload is carried out with thermal conduction, thermal insulation, thermal dissipation and heating. Finally, a thermal balance test is performed. The test results show that the temperature of the optical system is 20.9 °C∼22.1 °C, the temperature of the detector is 15.5∼20.7 °C, the temperature of the pointing mechanism is 14.9 ∼ 17.5 °C, the temperature of the star sensor is 9.9 ∼ 18.7 °C, the temperature of the base is 13.9 ∼ 21.8 °C, and the temperature of the electric box is 14.7 ∼ 22.8 °C. The results of the test satisfy the requirements of the temperature indicators, indicating that the thermal design scheme is reasonable and feasible.

Nano-Biochar Prepared from High-Pressure Homogenization Improves Thermal Conductivity of Ethylene Glycol-Based Coolant.

As an environmentally friendly material, biochar is increasingly being utilized in the field of heat transfer and thermal conduction. In this study, nano-biochar was prepared from high-pressure homogenization (HPH) using sesame stalks as the raw material. It was incorporated into ethylene glycol (EG) and its dispersion stability, viscosity, and thermal conductivity were investigated. The nano-biochar was stably dispersed in EG for 28 days. When the concentration of the nano-biochar added to EG was less than 1%, the impact on viscosity was negligible. The addition of 5 wt.% nano-biochar to EG improved the thermal conductivity by 6.72%, which could be attributed to the graphitized structure and Brownian motion of the nano-biochar. Overall, nano-biochar has the potential to be applied in automotive thermal management.

Highly thermally conductive BNNS/PANF dielectric composite boards prepared by a facile compression moulding process

The structural design of an efficient heat conduction channel is critical for heat dissipation in electronic packaging material. The build of oriented boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) network inside polymers has attracted much attention due to its excellent thermal conductivity and dielectric properties. However, to fabricate a BNNS/polymer composite, complex method and low thermal conductive resin for binding BNNS network are commonly involved, which severely restrict its facile production and enhancement in thermal conductivity. Herein, by utilizing para-aramid nanofibers (PANF) as assistance to BNNS to form thermal conduction network, we obtained high performance composite boards with good formability and adjustable sizes via a simple compression moulding of the BNNS/PANF aerogels. The composite boards exhibit a remarkable in-plane thermal conductivity of 10.62 W/m K−1 at 50 wt% BNNS loading, outstanding practical thermal management capability, excellent thermal stability, low dielectric constant and loss, showing great potential for electronic packaging applications. This facile construction strategy provides a feasible way for the large-scale production and application of high-performance thermal management materials in the future.

Asymptotic stability to semi-stationary Boussinesq equations without thermal conduction

Asymptotic stability to semi-stationary Boussinesq equations without thermal conduction

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and heating in oscillating loops perturbed by power-law transverse wave drivers

Context. Instabilities in oscillating loops are believed to be essential for dissipating the wave energy and heating the solar coronal plasma. Aims. Our aim is to study the development of the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability in an oscillating loop that is driven by random footpoint motions. Methods. Using the PLUTO code, we performed 3D simulations of a straight gravitationally stratified flux tube. The loop footpoints are embedded in chromospheric plasma, in the presence of thermal conduction and an artificially broadened transition region. Using drivers with a power-law spectrum, one with a red noise spectrum and one with the low-frequency part subtracted, we excited standing oscillations and the KH instability in our loops, after one-and-a-half periods of the oscillation. Results. We see that our broadband drivers lead to fully deformed, turbulent loop cross-sections over the entire coronal part of the loop due to the spatially extended KH instability. The low RMS velocity of our driver without the low-frequency components supports the working hypothesis that the KH instability can easily manifest in oscillating coronal loops. We report for the first time in driven transverse oscillations of loops the apparent propagation of density perturbations due to the onset of the KH instability, from the apex towards the footpoints. Both drivers input sufficient energy to drive enthalpy and mass flux fluctuations along the loop, while also causing heating near the driven footpoint of the oscillating loop, which becomes more prominent when a low-frequency component is included in the velocity driver. Finally, our power-law driver with the low-frequency component provides a RMS input Poynting flux of the same order as the radiative losses of the quiet-Sun corona, giving us promising prospects for the contribution of decayless oscillations in coronal heating.

Flexible hexagonal boron nitride@liquid metal/polydimethylsiloxane composites with excellent thermal conductivity and superior mechanical properties

AbstractHexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) has a layered lattice structure, high intrinsic thermal conductivity, and good chemical stability, and it has a promising applications in thermal management materials. However, poor interfacial compatibility and dispersion of BN flakes in the polymer matrix cause thermal contact resistance and gaps, directly impairing the performance of the composites and limiting their thermal conduction applications. Herein, the P‐BN@LM/PDMS thermally conductive composites with superior mechanical properties were fabricated by incorporating dopamine and liquid metal (LM) into BN flakes. The dopamine self‐polymerizes to form polydopamine (PDA) on the BN surface, denoted as P‐BN, which effectively improves interface compatibility and dispersion. The LM attaches to the functionalized P‐BN surface by mechanical grinding, acting as a bridge between adjacent BN flakes to enhance the integrity of the thermal conductive network within the composites. The coordination between P‐BN and LM increases interface strength, effectively improving mechanical performance. Hence, the P‐BN@LM/PDMS composites exhibit excellent thermal conductivity (4.0 W/mK) and an enhancement factor of 1373%, which is 2.22 times that of BN/PDMS composites with the same 30 wt% loading. Additionally, the composite shows superior tensile strength (2.11 MPa) and elongation at break (121%), representing 441% and 203% improvements compared with pure polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The P‐BN@LM/PDMS composites, with significant advantages in thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, are promising for future applications as flexible thermal interface materials in thermal management.Highlights The P‐BN@LM/PDMS composites exhibit excellent thermal conductivity (4.0 W/mK) and an enhancement factor of 1373%, making them promising for future applications as flexible thermal interface materials in thermal management. The P‐BN@LM/PDMS composites present a superior tensile strength (2.11 MPa) and elongation at break (121%). PDA formed by the self‐polymerization of dopamine on the BN surface effectively enhances interfacial compatibility and dispersion. LM attaches to the functionalized BN surface through mechanical grinding, acting as a bridge between adjacent BN flakes, thus enhancing the integrity of the thermal conductive network within the composites.

Thermally and electrically anisotropic silicone rubber composites with frequency-selective EMI shielding

The rapid development of highly integrated and multifunctional electronic devices urgently requires polymer composites with anisotropic thermal and electrical conductivities and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. Herein, the precise control of high alignment and alternating distribution of graphite (Gt)-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) via co-extrusion to fabricate alternating multilayered SR composites were reported. Such ordered hierarchical structures not only constructed efficient thermally and electrically conductive networks within the layer but also effectively segregated the electrical and thermal conduction path in the through-plane direction. Simultaneously, owing to the destructive interference of EM waves between the two Gt-CNTs layers, resulting in significant improvements in total shielding effectiveness along with obvious shielding peak shift with decreasing the thickness of the h-BN layer. The 4-layer SR composites exhibited anisotropic thermal and electrical conductivities and frequency-selective EMI Shielding. Specifically, the 4-layer SR composites exhibited in-plane thermal conductivity of 8.71 W/mK, breakdown voltage of 8.0 kV/mm and EMI shielding effectiveness of 31–43.2 dB, when the thickness ratio of the Gt-CNTs layer and the h-BN layer was 4:1. Furthermore, the ordered hierarchical structures of the SR composites could be directionally transformed through stacking-cutting to meet different heat dissipation and electrical conduction application scenarios. This research provides new insights into the simple preparation, rational design and multifunctional integration of polymer composites for advanced electronic devices.

Curvature-ordered biomimetic helical ceramic composite fiber aerogel with shrinkage resistance, thermal insulation properties, and mechanical properties

Ceramic aerogel with high porosity and low thermal conduction was widely used in the field of thermal insulation. However, shrinkage and structural damage were produced by the ceramic precursors during pyrolysis. The shrinkage and mechanical properties of ceramic aerogels required to be improved. Herein, inspired by spiral grass and passionflower, curvature-ordered ceramic fiber aerogels were prepared by electrostatic spinning combined with polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) route. Shrinkage resistance properties, thermal insulation properties, and mechanical properties of ceramic fiber aerogels were investigated. The shrinkage resistance property of aerogels was improved by the tensile deformation of helical fibers during pyrolysis. The path of heat transfer was extended through the helical fibers and heat conduction was reduced. The gas was confined in a porous network formed by helical fibers that lapped over each other, and thermal convection was minimized. Thermal radiation was attenuated due to reflection and scattering at the core-shell interface of the helical fibers. The mechanical properties of the aerogel were enhanced by the helical structure of the fibers and the stress diffusion mechanism. The tensile and compressive properties of the spiral ceramic aerogel were improved through the curvature structure by about 6 MPa and 3 MPa, respectively. The results showed that the helical ceramic composite fiber aerogel with ordered curvature exhibited shrinkage resistance, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties.

Numerical Study of the Influence of Regenerator Structure on the Performance of Hot Blast Stoves

The properties and arrangement of checker bricks in regenerators are crucial for the heat exchange process of hot blast stoves. In this study, a 3D fluid flow heat transfer model is established to analyze the influence of three regenerator layered structures on the combustion and air supply performance of hot blast stoves. The results show that a “silica bricks–high-alumina bricks–clay bricks” three-layer arrangement in regenerators produces a “thermal conduction hindrance effect” at the interface between silica and high-alumina bricks during the 2 h combustion period, which raises the local temperature and improves air supply performance. Compared to the “silica bricks–clay bricks” and “high-alumina bricks–silica bricks–clay bricks” structures, this setup increases the maximum air supply temperature difference to 23 and 64 K, respectively, and extends the effective air supply time by 80 and 320 s, respectively. However, the “thermal conduction hindrance effect” diminishes over longer combustion periods, and by 4 h, the performance across all structures becomes increasingly consistent. Additionally, the study suggests that the temperature level and distribution in the upper part of the regenerator are the key factors determining the air supply performance of hot blast stoves.

Assessing the performance of infrared thermography and PIV methods to identify and characterize the air inlets and outlets in wall assemblies

Building airtightness is crucial for reducing energy demand in the building sector and preventing moisture damage and indoor environment quality issues. Mandatory airtightness tests are now commonly performed in many countries to quantify the total envelope leakage rate of real buildings. For a more precise diagnosis, air leakages are usually identified by infrared thermography or visualized by smoke. However, a finer analysis is also needed to characterize precisely the air flow through specific leaks. Numerical models have been developed for this purpose but experimental data are necessary to validate them. In this paper, two experimental approaches are tested on simple light-wall assembly configurations to address this need: infrared thermography (IRT) and the innovative use of particle image velocimetry (PIV) with a specific experimental set-up and protocol developed. The results are compared with each other as well as with numerical simulations. Results showed that both techniques can be applied for the experimental characterization of the air inlet/outlet of a wall assembly with different advantages and drawbacks. IRT is easy to implement, non-intrusive, possible for in-situ investigations, but the correlation between the thermographs and the air dispersion at the outlet is not straight forward due to thermal inertia and heat conduction issues. PIV gives direct results on the velocity field and enables quantitative analysis of air flow rates for various configurations, with some limitations: a difficult implementation; restrictions on the possible infiltration velocity range and difficulties to visualize the flow exactly at the interface with the wall assembly.

Investigation on Cryogenic Cavitation Characteristics of an Inducer Considering Thermodynamic Effects

An inducer is a key component in a cryogenic pump to improve its cavitation performance. The thermodynamic effects of the cryogenic medium make the cryogenic cavitation flow extremely complicated. For this reason, it is crucial to investigate the cryogenic cavitation flow of the inducer which is equipped upstream of the cryogenic pump. In this paper, the isothermal cavitation model is modified based on the law of heat conduction, and the cryogenic cavitation model of the inducer is developed by considering thermodynamic effects. The turbulence model is also modified to account for the compressibility of cryogenic cavitation flow. The methods of numerical calculations are performed to investigate the influence of thermodynamic effects on cryogenic cavitation of the inducer. The law of the spatio-temporal evolution of cryogen cavitation in the inducer is clarified. The initial position, development and collapse phenomenon of cavitation are obtained. The relationship between the generation and collapse of the cavitation and the work capacity of the inducer’s blade, the relationship between thermodynamic effects and the influence of the inducer’s blade tip leakage vortex and thermodynamic on cryogenic cavitation of the inducer are revealed.

Enhanced intrinsic thermal conductivity of liquid crystalline polyester dispersed films through hydrogen bond interaction

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (MHxFy) films comprising liquid crystal polymer (LCPH and LCPF) were successfully obtained by the method of solution casting & thermal compressing. At a LCPH mass fraction of 67 %, thermal conductivity (λ) value in through-plane (λ⊥) and in-plane (λ∥) direction of MH2F1 films reach up to 0.305 W/(m·K) and 2.879 W/(m·K), respectively. In comparison to pure LCPF, the thermal conductivity of MH2F1 exhibited an increase of 4.42 times, which is 14.4 times than that of conventional thermoplastics. Meanwhile, the crystallinity of MHxFy films around 50 % which is indicate the crystal phase become more integrated and regular. The FTIR spectra reveals a significant blue shift (3432 cm−1 to 3421 cm−1) in the absorption peak of the –OH group in MH2F1, suggesting a robust interaction between LCPF and LCPH. The primary cause of elevated thermal conduction in these films was determined to be the consistent presence of “thermal bridges” and a high degree of crystallinity. Furthermore, the T5%, Tmax and residual carbon at 800 °C of MH2F1 were 347.8 °C, 409.4 °C and 8 %, respectively. This is attributed to the ordered distribution of LCPH in LCPF matrix through hydrogen bonding interaction, forming an interpenetrating network of LCPF-LCPH. The result show that MHxFy films demonstrating superior intrinsic thermal conductivities, thermal stabilities, and mechanical properties.

Combined thermal and particle shape effects on powder spreading in additive manufacturing via discrete element simulations

The thermal and mechanical behaviors of powders are crucial for additive manufacturing. In powder bed fusion, capturing temperature profiles and packing structures before melting is challenging due to diverse heat transfer pathways and powder properties. This study tackles this challenge with a discrete element model simulating non-spherical particles with thermal properties during powder spreading. Thermal conduction and radiation are integrated into a multisphere particle formulation to model heat transfer among irregular-shaped powders with temperature-dependent elastic properties. The model is utilized to simulate the spreading of pre-heated PA12 powder over a hot substrate representing the part under manufacturing. Variances in temperature profiles are observed in the spreading cases based on particle shapes, spreading speed, and temperature-dependent elastic modulus. Particle temperature beneath the spreading blade is influenced by the kinematics of the particle heap and temperature-dependent properties.

The influence of fracture connectivity on heat extraction performance of geothermal doublet systems based on a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model

The fracture connectivity in enhanced geothermal systems plays a vital role in the process of heat extraction. In this paper, a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model with discrete fractures is developed to investigate the influence of fracture connectivity on the heat extraction performance of a geothermal doublet system. The proposed model adopts the assumptions of a one-dimensional fracture element and thin elastic layer. The influences of spacing or connectivity of two discrete fractures on heat extraction efficiency are investigated under varying thermal conductivity and permeability ratios. The evolutions of fracture aperture, production temperature, and heat extraction rate are analyzed. The simulations indicate that the key factors influencing thermal recovery, listed in order of decreasing impact, are the permeability ratio, fracture connectivity, and bedrock thermal conductivity. When the permeability ratio exceeds 10−6, thermal convection becomes the dominant factor, thereby diminishing the impact of fracture connectivity. In contrast, when the bedrock thermal conductivity is greater than 3 W/(m·K), thermal conduction takes precedence, and the efficiency of geothermal heat extraction is enhanced by the preferential flow paths resulting from fracture connectivity. The research results have important guiding significance for the optimization design of production strategy in the heat extraction process of enhanced geothermal reservoirs.

Physics-Informed Fully Convolutional Networks for Forward Prediction of Temperature Field and Inverse Estimation of Thermal Diffusivity

Abstract Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) are a novel approach to solving partial differential equations (PDEs) through deep learning. They offer a unified manner for solving forward and inverse problems, which is beneficial for various engineering problems, including heat transfer analysis. However, traditional PINNs suffer from low accuracy and efficiency due to the fully-connected neural network framework and the method to incorporate physical laws. In this paper, a novel physics-informed learning architecture, named physics-informed fully convolutional networks (PIFCNs), is developed to simultaneously solve forward and inverse problems in thermal conduction. The use of fully convolutional networks (FCNs) significantly reduces the density of connections. Thus, the computational cost is reduced. With the advantage of the nodal-level match between inputs and outputs in FCNs, the output solution can be used directly to formulate discretized PDEs via a finite difference method, which is more accurate and efficient than the traditional approach in PINNs. The results demonstrate that PIFCNs can flexibly implement Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions to predict temperature distribution. Remarkably, PIFCNs can also estimate unknown thermal diffusivity with an accuracy exceeding 99%, even with incomplete boundaries and limited sampling data. The results obtained from PIFCNs outperform those obtained from PINNs.

Thermo-mechanical coupled three-dimensional finite element simulation analysis of drilling thermoplastic braided carbon fiber composite and optimization of process parameters

Optimizing the process parameters of thermoplastic composites during drilling is paramount for mitigating tearing, delamination, and other forms of damage, while simultaneously enhancing the tensile strength and extending the long-term service life of the overall structure. This study focuses on exploring a thermal-mechanical coupling method for predicting dynamic mechanical progressive failure and determining optimal process parameters during the drilling of Braided Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone (BCF/PEEK). Initially, a thermal conduction constitutive model of BCF/PEEK was developed based on the proposed thermal distribution ratio calculation method. Concurrently, a user-defined material subroutine VUMAT and a bilinear cohesive element model, were implemented on the ABAQUS/Explicit platform to simulate the delamination behaviors of drilling BCF/PEEK using a tapered drill-reamer. Subsequently, a comprehensive BCF/PEEK drilling experiment platform was constructed, and the simulation accuracy of the drilling finite element (FE) model was verified through temperature, thrust force, and hole-wall morphology analyses. Finally, response surface regression models were established for process parameters, and the optimal parameters were predicted and validated. The results indicate that minimum thrust force and temperature can be achieved using the tapered drill-reamer with a spindle speed set at 4878.79/3000 r/min and a feed speed of 34.04/30 mm/min, respectively, with a maximum error of only 8.78 %.

The thermodynamic response of heating at coronal null points

ABSTRACT Magnetic null points are an important aspect of the magnetic field structure of the solar corona and can be sites of enhanced dissipation. This paper uses analytical and numerical models to investigate the plasma structure around a heated null. It is shown that the temperature profile not only differs significantly from that in a uniform field, but also that the profile depends significantly on the spatial structure of the heating. Field lines close to the separatrices and the null point have higher temperatures than a uniform field for the same heating input. The dependence of the results near the null on both the ratio of perpendicular to parallel conduction, and numerical resolution is also explored. The comparison between analytic and numerical solutions also provides a useful benchmark to compare MHD codes with anisotropic thermal conduction.

Transient thermal management of laser systems using Plate-Fin phase change heat Exchangers: Experimental and computational study

To mitigate transient thermal shocks in lasers and reduce thermal stresses caused by temperature fluctuations, the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal management systems is a viable solution. This study proposes an innovative two-dimensional transient heat transfer model specifically designed for plate-fin phase change heat exchangers (PFPCHEs). The model meticulously simulates the complex heat transfer phenomena within the heat exchanger, including fluid convection, solid thermal conduction, and the phase change processes of PCM. The convective heat transfer coefficient between fluid and plate is calculated using the Wieting correlation. An advanced pulse-mode experimental test platform was constructed to validate the model, dynamically monitoring and recording outlet temperatures and heat exchange performance for stringent experimental comparison. The research explores the impact of key operating parameters such as initial temperature, flow rate, and inlet temperature of the cooling cycle on the performance of the heat exchanger, providing valuable design and control strategies for transient thermal management of laser systems. The experimental results confirm that the model accurately predicts the dynamic response characteristics and temperature distribution of PFPCHEs under multi-cycle pulse loads, with 96% of the predictions within a 10% error margin. A significant finding is that the initial temperature has negligible influence on the heat transfer characteristics when it is below the solid phase temperature of the PCM. Moreover, by meticulously adjusting the flow rate and inlet temperature of cooling cycle, it is possible to effectively maintain the stability of the outlet temperature throughout the entire pulse cycle. This is crucial for minimizing temperature fluctuations within the thermal management system and extending the service life of electronic components.