Multi-layered material dissipates heat in electronic devices

This is the claim of researchers who have developed a fast and efficient way to make a carbon material that could be used to dissipate heat in electronic devices. The team, from KAUST in Saudi Arabia, claims that the material could have additional uses in applications ranging from gas sensors to solar cells.

Inkjet printing produces ultrathin solar cells

Many electronic devices use graphite films to dissipate heat generated by their electronic components. Although graphite is a naturally occurring form of carbon, heat management of electronics is a demanding application and usually relies on the use of high-quality micrometre-thick manufactured graphite films.

"However, the method used to make these graphite films, using polymer as a source material, is complex and very energy intensive," said Geetanjai Deokar, a postdoc in Pedro Costa's lab, who led the work. The films are made in a multistep process that requires temperatures of up to 3200^oC and which cannot produce films any thinner than a few micrometres.