Abstract: A cold plate for use in a thermal management system and a method of thermal management which comprises an inlet channel having coolant fluid disposed therein at a substantially uniform pressure throughout the inlet channel and an outlet channel having coolant fluid disposed therein at a substantially uniform pressure lower than the pressure in the inlet channel throughout the outlet channel. The cold plate includes a highly thermally-conductive metallic porous matrix filling the fluid passage, preferably of aluminum. The porous matrix is preferably from about two percent to about 15 percent percent solid.