Abstract: Nanostructures provide improved contact to augment heat-exchange surfaces of various devices or structures. In one embodiment, an article of manufacture has a body having a heat-exchanging surface and nanostructures disposed on the heat-exchanging surface. The nanostructures are arranged to enhance thermal transfer between said body and an object distinct from said body and may be arranged to form a substantially continuous film. Examples of suitable nanostructures include carbon and/or boron nitride nanotubes, which may be grown on the heat-exchanging surface.

Abstract: Nanostructures provide increased surface area to augment heat-exchange surfaces of various devices or structures. In one embodiment, an article of manufacture has a body having a heat-exchanging surface and nanostructures disposed on the heat-exchanging surface. The nanostructures are arranged to enhance thermal transfer between the body and a region of fluid and may be spaced apart from each other to permit flow of a fluid between the nanostructures. Examples of suitable nanostructures include carbon and/or boron nitride nanotubes, which may be grown on the heat-exchanging surface.

Abstract: Nano-composite materials with enhanced thermal performance that can be used for thermal management in a wide range of applications, including heat sinks, device packaging, semiconductor device layers, printed circuit boards and other components of electronic, optical and/or mechanical systems. One type of nano-composite material has a base material and nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes) dispersed in the base material. Another type of nano-composite material has layers of a base material with nanotube films disposed thereon.

Abstract: A method for enhancing contact between a nanotube and a first material comprises providing a nanotube, said nanotube having ends and treating at least one of said ends of said nanotube. In one embodiment, the contact is thermal contact. In another embodiment, the treating step includes exposing said nanotube to an oxygen plasma or energetic oxygen. In a specific embodiment, the treating step includes opening at least one of said ends of said nanotube. Additionally, the invention provides a nano-engineered material that includes a base material, a nanostructure coupled to said base material, wherein said nanostructure is treated to enhance thermal contact, and a contact-enhancing material coupled to said nanostructure. In a specific embodiment, the treatment of said nanostructure includes exposing said nanostructure to an oxygen plasma or energetic oxygen.

Abstract: A method for developing a manufacturing process includes measuring, in a first testing environment, a primary property of a nano-engineered material at one or more positions to provide one or more measurements. The method also includes determining whether the one or more measurements satisfy a first tolerance criterion and taking a further action based on whether the one or more measurements satisfy the first tolerance criterion. Additionally, a method of measuring thermal properties of a nano-engineered material includes irradiating a nano-engineered material with laser radiation, wherein the laser radiation impinges on a first surface of the nano-engineered material at one ore more locations, capturing at least one image of the nano-engineered material, and analyzing the at least one image to characterize the thermal properties of the nano-engineered material.