Abstract: A thermal solution for a portable electronic device, which is positioned between a heat source and another component of the electronic device, where the thermal solution facilitates heat dissipation from the heat source while shielding the second component from the heat generated by the heat source.

Abstract: A heat spreader (10) for a display device, such as a plasma display panel, a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display, comprising at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a surface area greater than the surface area of that part of the back surface of the display device where a localized region of higher temperature is generated.

Abstract: A composite heat sink apparatus includes a metal base which has a thermal conductivity of at least about 150 W/m°K. The metal base is preferably constructed either of copper of aluminum. The heat sink apparatus further includes a plurality of fins attached to the base, the fins being constructed of anisotropic graphite material having a direction of relatively high thermal conductivity perpendicular to the base.

Abstract: A process for preparing a gas permeable flexible graphite sheet is presented. The process includes providing graphite flakes; admixing the graphite flakes with a sacrificial additive to form a graphite mixture; compressing the graphite mixture into a sheet having sacrificial additive dispersed therethrough; and treating the sheet to at least partially remove the sacrificial additive to form a permeable flexible graphite sheet.

Abstract: An improved method enables preparation of articles for a variety of applications, including embossing or otherwise shaping to form a variety of articles. A plurality of thin, preferably resin-impregnated, flexible graphite sheets are arranged to form zones in a composite material having a graded density or other characteristic. Variation of properties between zones in the stock material formed is useful for achieving a desired set of properties in the formation of articles such as those useful in electrochemical fuel cells and double-layer capacitors.

Abstract: Composite electrode/current collectors for capacitors, e.g., a flow-through capacitor or electric double layer capacitor are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making a composite electrode/current collectors and capacitors having at least one composite electrode/current collector.

Abstract: An improved method enables preparation of articles for a variety of applications, including embossing or otherwise shaping to form a variety of articles. A plurality of thin, preferably resin-impregnated, flexible graphite sheets are arranged to form zones in a composite material having a graded density or other characteristic. Variation of properties between zones in the stock material formed is useful for achieving a desired set of properties in the formation of articles such as those useful in electrochemical fuel cells and double-layer capacitors.

Abstract: Processes are provided for formation of complex shapes by embossing of a sheet of flexible graphite material. In one approach, a sheet (26) of material is provided with a variable resin concentration across a selected dimension of the sheet, and the position of the variable which will result in thinner areas in the embossed articles. In a second approach, recesses are provided in the embossing rollers (30 and/or 32) to accomodate material flow during embossing. These recesses result in protrusions formed on the articles, which protrusions must then be removed in a machining operation.

Abstract: An isolated thermal interface is presented. The inventive interface includes a flexible graphite sheet having two major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces coated with a protective coating sufficient to inhibit flaking of the particles of graphite.

Abstract: A thermal solution for equipment containing a heat-generating component, which is positioned between the heat-generating component and an external surface of the equipment, where the thermal solution facilitates heat dissipation from the heat-generating component while shielding the external surface from the heat generated by the heat-generating component.

Abstract: A heat spreader for an emissive display device, such as a plasma display panel or a light emitting diode, comprising at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a surface area greater than the surface area of that part of a discharge cell facing the back surface of the device.

Abstract: A heat spreader for an emissive display device, such as a plasma display panel or a light emitting diode, comprising at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a surface area greater than the surface area of that part of a discharge cell facing the back surface of the device.

Abstract: The invention presented is a method for applying heat spreaders to a plurality of plasma display panels, including (a) providing a plurality of heat spreader composites, each of which comprises a heat spreader material having an adhesive thereon and a release material positioned such that the adhesive is sandwiched between the heat spreader material and the release material; (b) removing the release material from a plurality of the composites; and (c) applying at least one of the composites to each of the plurality of plasma display panels each such that the adhesive adheres the heat spreader material to the plasma display panel.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet material having improved molding characteristics is provided by effecting resin impregnation such that the resin profile across one of the dimensions of the sheet is non-uniform.

Abstract: An optimized design for a composite heat sink is provided utilizing a high thermal conducting base and low thermal conducting fins. The base preferably is constructed from anisotropic graphite material, and the fins are preferably constructed from a thermally conductive plastic material. In the case of a low profile heat sink having a fin height of no greater than about 3 times that of the base, the composite construction provides superior cooling yet lighter weight as compared to a conventional all-aluminum heat sink of the same dimensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to expanded graphite and methods of making the graphite and products that can be made from the graphite made from the inventive process. The invention includes the step of introducing a fluid into at least one of a plurality of interstices of graphite flake, wherein the fluid comprises at least one of a sub-critical point fluid, a near critical point fluid, or a supercritical fluid. The graphite flake is also intercalated with an intercalant and optionally an oxidizing agent. The invention may further include novel techniques of exfoliating the graphite. The invention may be practiced to make nano-sized graphite particles and also graphite composites. Preferred composites which may be made in accordance with the invention include conductive polymeric composites (thermally or electrically), paint composites, battery composites, capacitor composites, and pollution abatement catalyst support composites.

Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing bipolar graphite articles. First and second components are formed from flexible graphite material. The first component has a protrusion formed thereon, and the second component has a recess formed therein which is complementary to the protrusion of the first component. The first and second components are assembled so that the protrusion of the first component is received in the recess of the second component. Preferably, the components are made from uncured resin impregnated graphite material. The assembled components are then pressed together and heated to cure the resin so as to bond the components together.

Abstract: A thermal solution for an electronic device, which is positioned between a heat source and an external surface of the electronic device and/or another component of the electronic device, where the thermal solution facilitates heat dissipation from the heat source while shielding the external surface and/or second component from the heat generated by the heat source.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular fuel cells and methods of making such fuel cells. The inventive fuel cells include at least one fluid permeable structure having a plurality of perforations or channels. The perforations allow fluids, e.g., hydrogen or oxygen, to flow through the structure. The inventive methods include forming at least one perforated structure and forming the perforated structure into a tubular fuel cell or at least a potential component of a tubular fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention may be practiced to make graphite composites. Preferred composites which may be made in accordance with the invention include conductive polymeric composites (thermally or electrically), paint composites, battery composites, capacitor composites, and pollution abatement catalyst support composites. One method of making the graphite aforementioned composites includes introducing an intercalant into at least one interstice of at least one flake of natural graphite. The method also includes introducing a fluid into the at least one interstices of the flake. Preferably, the fluid comprises at least one of a sub-critical fluid, near critical point fluid, or a supercritical fluid. Furthermore the method includes blending the flake with a polymer, thereby forming a graphite-polymeric composite.