Abstract: In order to provide a thermally conductive polymer-based resin that may be molded using a range of thermoplastic manufacturing techniques, a composition includes a thermoplastic polymer and/or elastomer, a polymer fiber, a binding agent, and a thermally conductive filler. The composition includes from 40 to 80 volume percentage of a thermoplastic polymer and/or a thermoplastic elastomer, from 5 to 30 volume percentage of a polymer fiber, from 0.1 to 20 volume percentage of a binding agent, and from 10 to 40 volume percentage of a thermally conductive filler. The polymer fibers and thermally conductive fillers are combined to create a hybrid thermally conductive particle for better feeding in standard plastic processing methods. The polymer fiber has an aspect ratio greater than 10. The filler has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 10 W/m-K. The composition is characterized by a thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/m-K.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests or sheets coated and/or bonded at room temperature with one or more coatings were measured to produce thermal resistances that are on par with conventional metallic solders. These results were achieved by reducing the high contact resistance at CNT tips and/or sidewalls, which has encumbered the development of high-performance thermal interface materials based on CNTs. Resistances as low as 4.9±0.3 mm2-K/W were achieved for the entire polymer-coated CNT interface structure.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests or sheets coated and/or bonded at room temperature with one or more coatings were measured to produce thermal resistances that are on par with conventional metallic solders. These results were achieved by reducing the high contact resistance at CNT tips and/or sidewalls, which has encumbered the development of high-performance thermal interface materials based on CNTs. Resistances as low as 4.9±0.3 mm2-K/W were achieved for the entire polymer-coated CNT interface structure.

Abstract: Nano structured surfaces and bulk composite materials which exhibit tunable surface morphology, wettability, thermal conductivity, and total thermal resistance properties, and methods of fabrication and uses thereof are described herein. Arrays of vertically-aligned nanostructures produced via a template assisted fabrication approach using nanoporous templates, or alternatively, via an electropolymerization process are described. As a result, control over the surface morphology and wettability can be achieved using the selective template etching process. The composite materials also demonstrate tunable thermal and electrical properties based on the methods of their fabrication. The arrays of polymeric nanostructures are chemically, mechanically, and thermally robust and can serve as soft substrates with heat dissipation capability for use in the fabrication of thermal management materials, tunable wetting for microfluidic applications, and for use in heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: In order to provide a thermally conductive polymer-based resin that may be molded using a range of thermoplastic manufacturing techniques, a composition includes a thermoplastic polymer and/or elastomer, a polymer fiber, a binding agent, and a thermally conductive filler. The composition includes from 40 to 80 volume percentage of a thermoplastic polymer and/or a thermoplastic elastomer, from 5 to 30 volume percentage of a polymer fiber, from 0.1 to 20 volume percentage of a binding agent, and from 10 to 40 volume percentage of a thermally conductive filler. The polymer fibers and thermally conductive fillers are combined to create a hybrid thermally conductive particle for better feeding in standard plastic processing methods. The polymer fiber has an aspect ratio greater than 10. The filler has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 10 W/m-K. The composition is characterized by a thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/m-K.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests or sheets coated and/or bonded at room temperature with one or more coatings were measured to produce thermal resistances that are on par with conventional metallic solders. These results were achieved by reducing the high contact resistance at CNT tips and/or sidewalls, which has encumbered the development of high-performance thermal interface materials based on CNTs. Resistances as low as 4.9±0.3 mm2?K/W were achieved for the entire polymer-coated CNT interface structure.

Abstract: Nano structured surfaces and bulk composite materials which exhibit tunable surface morphology, wettability, thermal conductivity, and total thermal resistance properties, and methods of fabrication and uses thereof are described herein. Arrays of vertically-aligned nanostructures produced via a template assisted fabrication approach using nanoporous templates, or alternatively, via an electropolymerization process are described. As a result, control over the surface morphology and wettability can be achieved using the selective template etching process. The composite materials also demonstrate tunable thermal and electrical properties based on the methods of their fabrication. The arrays of polymeric nanostructures are chemically, mechanically, and thermally robust and can serve as soft substrates with heat dissipation capability for use in the fabrication of thermal management materials, tunable wetting for microfluidic applications, and for use in heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests or sheets coated and/or bonded at room temperature with one or more coatings were measured to produce thermal resistances that are on par with conventional metallic solders. These results were achieved by reducing the high contact resistance at CNT tips and/or sidewalls, which has encumbered the development of high-performance thermal interface materials based on CNTs. Resistances as low as 4.9±0.3 mm2-K/W were achieved for the entire polymer-coated CNT interface structure.

Abstract: Optical parametric oscillators (OPO) and systems are provided. The OPO has a non-linear optical material located between two optical elements where the product of the reflection coefficients of the optical elements are higher at the output wavelength than at either the pump or idler wavelength. The OPO output may be amplified using an additional optical parametric amplifier (OPA) stage.