Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing hybrid anodes for batteries. In one example, a battery anode includes a current collector having a continuous particulate matrix and an open pore structure and an anode material disposed at least within pores of the current collector. In another example, a method of forming the anode includes forming a slurry of current collector particles, a binder, and a solvent, casting the slurry into a film, de-binding the slurry to remove the binder and solvent, sintering the particles to form a current collector, and infiltrating the current collector with an anode material.

Abstract: A system for thermal management and structural containment includes an enclosure, a heat source disposed within the enclosure; and a wick encompassing at least a portion of an outer surface of the heat source.

Abstract: A thermo-optical ground plane includes a plate configured to mount a diode laser device defining a first surface area, an evaporation chamber in thermal communication with the plate, and a channel defined in thermal communication with the evaporation chamber. The channel is configured to receive and circulate a coolant fluid at a predetermined flowrate. The evaporation chamber is configured to receive a working fluid. The inner walls of the evaporation chamber define a second surface area that is greater than the first surface area of the diode laser device. The plate comprises beam shaping and folding optics for collimating and focusing the light from the diode laser device on an optical fiber. Light from a plurality of thermo-optical ground planes is combined on a single optical fiber. The structure enables cooling with exceptionally low coolant flowrate while also maintaining small specific volume and small specific weight.

Abstract: A system for thermal management and structural containment includes a first battery cell having first and second terminal ends, and a first capillary void matrix disposed about an outer casing of the first battery cell.

Abstract: A system for thermal management and structural containment includes a first battery cell having first and second terminal ends, and a first capillary void matrix formed in an outer casing of the first battery cell.

Abstract: A heat sink for use with a heat generating component such as an electronic power module comprises a first substrate having a serpentine slot, a second substrate secured to a first side of the first substrate to form a combined substrate, surfaces of the first and second substrates at least partially forming a serpentine passageway within the combined substrate for containing a fluid. The serpentine passageway has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Cookware and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The method comprises forming a fluid conduit defining a volume in a base of the cookware, the base comprising a heating zone configured for thermal communication with the fluid conduit. A working fluid is introduced to the fluid conduit via an open end of the fluid conduit. A liquid phase of the working fluid occupies less than the volume of the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is Sized and configured to form vapor segments and liquid segments interspersed throughout the fluid conduit from the working fluid. The open end of the fluid conduit is sealed to define a closed fluid system.

Abstract: A thermal interface material system includes a thermally conductive porous matrix, the thermally conductive porous matrix having a plurality of interstitial voids, and a thermally conductive colloidal suspension disposed on each side of the thermally conductive porous matrix to inhibit thermal pump-out of the thermally conductive colloidal suspension so that the thermally conductive porous matrix and thermally conductive colloidal suspension collectively form a thermally conductive porous pad.

Abstract: A thermal-interface-material (TIM)-free thermal management apparatus includes a thermally-conductive unitary structure having an integrated circuit (IC) side and cooling system side, the thermally-conductive unitary structure including a plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars or porous structures extending from the IC side and a cooling system extending from the cooling system side. The cooling system may be selected from the group consisting of: a vapor chamber, micro-channel cooler, jet-impingement chamber, and air-cooled heat sink. The cooling system and the plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars form part of the same homogenous and thermally-conductive unitary structure.

Abstract: A thermal-interface-material (TIM)-free thermal management apparatus includes a thermally-conductive unitary structure having an integrated circuit (IC) side and cooling system side, the thermally-conductive unitary structure including a plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars or porous structures extending from the IC side and a cooling system extending from the cooling system side. The cooling system may be selected from the group consisting of: a vapor chamber, micro-channel cooler, jet-impingement chamber, and air-cooled heat sink. The cooling system and the plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars form part of the same homogenous and thermally-conductive unitary structure.

Abstract: A heat sink for use with a heat generating component such as an electronic power module comprises a first substrate having a serpentine slot, a second substrate secured to a first side of the first substrate to form a combined substrate, surfaces of the first and second substrates at least partially forming a serpentine passageway within the combined substrate for containing a fluid. The serpentine passageway has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An osmotic transport apparatus includes a heat conducting chamber having an inner wall, a heat absorption end and a heat dissipation end, an osmotic membrane extending substantially longitudinally along an inner wall of the heat conducting chamber from the heat absorption end to the heat dissipation end, a liquid salt solution disposed in the osmotic membrane, and an inner vapor cavity so that when heat is applied to the heat absorption end, vapor is expelled from the osmotic membrane at the heat absorption end, is condensed on the osmotic membrane at the heat dissipation end, and is drawn into the osmotic membrane at the heat dissipation end for passive pumping transport back to the heat absorption end as more condensate is drawn through the osmotic membrane.

Abstract: A FET employing a micro-scale device array structure comprises a substrate on which an epitaxial active channel area has been grown, with a plurality of micro-cells uniformly distributed over the active channel area. Each micro-cell comprises a source electrode, a drain electrode, and at least one gate electrode, with a first metal layer interconnecting either the drain or the source electrodes, a second metal layer interconnecting the gate electrodes, and a third metal layer interconnecting the other of the drain or source electrodes. Each micro-cell preferably comprises a source or drain electrode at the center of the micro-cell, with the corresponding drain or source electrode surrounding the center electrode. The number and width of the gate electrodes in each micro-cell may be selected to achieve a desired power density and/or heat distribution, and/or to minimize the FET's junction temperature. The FET structure may be used to form, for example, HEMTs or MESFETs.

Abstract: A thermal-interface-material (TIM)-free thermal management apparatus includes a thermally-conductive unitary structure having an integrated circuit (IC) side and cooling system side, the thermally-conductive unitary structure including a plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars or porous structures extending from the IC side and a cooling system extending from the cooling system side. The cooling system may be selected from the group consisting of: a vapor chamber, micro-channel cooler, jet-impingement chamber, and air-cooled heat sink. The cooling system and the plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars form part of the same homogenous and thermally-conductive unitary structure.

Abstract: A FET employing a micro-scale device array structure comprises a substrate on which an epitaxial active channel area has been grown, with a plurality of micro-cells uniformly distributed over the active channel area. Each micro-cell comprises a source electrode, a drain electrode, and at least one gate electrode, with a first metal layer interconnecting either the drain or the source electrodes, a second metal layer interconnecting the gate electrodes, and a third metal layer interconnecting the other of the drain or source electrodes. Each micro-cell preferably comprises a source or drain electrode at the center of the micro-cell, with the corresponding drain or source electrode surrounding the center electrode. The number and width of the gate electrodes in each micro-cell may be selected to achieve a desired power density and/or heat distribution, and/or to minimize the FET's junction temperature. The FET structure may be used to form, for example, HEMTs or MESFETs.

Abstract: A cooling system that includes a substrate having a metallic face, at least one microporous wick formation in thermal communication with the metallic face, and a liquid delivery head positioned in complementary opposition to the metallic face, the liquid delivery head having at least one nozzle for directing a liquid towards the metallic face.

Abstract: A thermal-interface-material (TIM)-free thermal management apparatus includes a thermally-conductive unitary structure having an integrated circuit (IC) side and cooling system side, the thermally-conductive unitary structure including a plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars or porous structures extending from the IC side and a cooling system extending from the cooling system side. The cooling system may be selected from the group consisting of: a vapor chamber, micro-channel cooler, jet-impingement chamber, and air-cooled heat sink. The cooling system and the plurality of high aspect ratio micro-pillars form part of the same homogenous and thermally-conductive unitary structure.

Abstract: An osmotic transport apparatus includes a heat conducting chamber having an inner wall, a heat absorption end and a heat dissipation end, an osmotic membrane extending substantially longitudinally along an inner wall of the heat conducting chamber from the heat absorption end to the heat dissipation end, a liquid salt solution disposed in the osmotic membrane, and an inner vapor cavity so that when heat is applied to the heat absorption end, vapor is expelled from the osmotic membrane at the heat absorption end, is condensed on the osmotic membrane at the heat dissipation end, and is drawn into the osmotic membrane at the heat dissipation end for passive pumping transport back to the heat absorption end as more condensate is drawn through the osmotic membrane.

Abstract: Cookware such as griddles and pots are formed with an oscillation mini-channel that winds back-and-forth between direct and indirect heating regions. An operating fluid that occupies 30-90 percent of the volume of the oscillation mini-channel is placed under vacuum. The mini-channel is dimensioned to produce capillary forces that create vapor bubbles and liquid slugs interspersed throughout the oscillation mini-channel. Heating of the direct heating region creates oscillatory movements of the vapor bubbles and liquid slugs that transfers heat from the direct heating region to the indirect heating region to maintain a more uniform temperature across the food-heating zone. The cookware may exhibit an effective thermal conductivity of at least 1,000 W/m·K.

Abstract: A system for thermal management and structural containment includes a first battery cell having first and second terminal ends, and a first capillary void matrix formed in an outer casing of the first battery cell.