Carbon Nanotube Heat Sink with Segmented Arrays for Convection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing carbon nanotube heat sinks are inefficient and costly, as they can only produce one heat sink at a time and face challenges in heat convection due to high carbon nanotube density.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus involving a board with grooves of varying heights for growing carbon nanotubes, where the carbon nanotubes are embedded in a substrate to create a heat sink with enhanced heat convection, allowing for multiple heat sinks to be produced efficiently and at a lower cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If carbon nanotubes are densely packed in the heat sink to maximize heat conduction, then thermal conductivity is improved, but heat convection to air deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidheat convection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink is segmented into multiple carbon nanotube array blocks with gaps between them, allowing heat to convect to air through the gaps while maintaining high thermal conductivity within each block

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the heat sink have different structures: dense carbon nanotube arrays for heat conduction near the base, and spaced-apart blocks for heat convection at the top, optimizing both thermal conductivity and convection efficiency in different locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional methods are used to manufacture carbon nanotube heat sinks, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but productivity is low and cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple carbon nanotube array blocks are grown simultaneously on a single substrate in a matrix arrangement, allowing multiple heat sinks to be produced in one manufacturing cycle, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate serves multiple functions: it supports the growth of multiple carbon nanotube arrays simultaneously, provides a common base for all heat sinks, and enables batch production, making the manufacturing process more efficient and cost-effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enables the production of multiple carbon nanotube heat sinks with improved heat convection efficiency, reducing manufacturing costs and increasing productivity.

Implementation Method 1

Carbon nanotubes have superior thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat accumulated at the carbon nanotubes does not convect well to the air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8900541B2Apparatus for manufacturing carbon nanotube heat sink

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for manufacturing a carbon nanotube heat sink includes a board, and a number of first and second carbon nanotubes formed on the board. The first carbon nanotubes and the second nanotubes are grown along a substantially same direction from the board. A height difference exists between a common free end of the first carbon nanotubes and a common free end of the second carbon nanotubes.