Two-Phase Microfeature Heat Transfer for Rapid Thermoelectric Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for high heat flux applications, such as semiconductor devices and medical/aesthetic treatments, face challenges in accurately controlling temperature, particularly in varying tissue types and depths, with slow response times and bulkiness, limiting their effectiveness and practicality.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system incorporating thermoelectric components (TECs) and a two-phase heat transfer unit with microfeatures and a condenser, allowing precise and rapid temperature control at the surface and depth of a target material through a working fluid phase change, using a low-profile design adaptable to non-planar surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional two-phase heat transfer systems are used for high heat flux applications, then high heat transfer rates are achieved, but the systems become too large and cumbersome for practical use with semiconductor devices and medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer system is segmented into discrete microfeatures (protrusions, channels, or pores) distributed across the heat transfer element surface. Each microfeature acts as an independent two-phase heat transfer unit, allowing the system to achieve high total heat transfer capacity through parallel operation of multiple small units rather than requiring a single large system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer element is designed as a thin film or flexible structure with microfeatures on its surface, replacing bulky conventional heat exchangers. This thin-film approach maintains high heat transfer efficiency while dramatically reducing system volume and enabling conformal contact with irregular surfaces such as electronic components or human tissue.
2Power
If conventional thermal management systems are used for tissue treatment, then heat transfer capability is sufficient, but response time is slow and temperature control precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition (evaporation/condensation) of working fluid within the microfeatures to achieve rapid heat transfer. The phase change process occurs quickly at the micro-scale, enabling fast thermal response times that are insufficient in conventional single-phase or large-scale two-phase systems. This allows precise temporal control of heating and cooling cycles for tissue treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system operates in periodic cycles of heating and cooling, controlled by regulating the phase transition of the working fluid. This periodic operation enables precise temperature modulation at the target site, allowing the system to rapidly switch between thermal states to achieve desired treatment outcomes while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissues.
3Power
If conventional heat transfer devices are used for medical applications, then thermal management capability is adequate, but the devices are bulky and uncomfortable for patient use and impractical for treating certain body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer element is designed as a thin, flexible film that can conform to irregular body surfaces and be comfortably worn or applied to patients. This flexible thin-film structure replaces rigid, bulky conventional heat transfer devices, enabling treatment of difficult-to-reach body parts while maintaining patient comfort and ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management function is distributed across multiple discrete microfeatures on the flexible element, allowing the device to maintain adequate thermal management capability through parallel operation of many small units. This segmentation enables the device to be thin and flexible while still providing sufficient heat transfer performance for medical applications.
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
Enables rapid and precise temperature regulation of target materials, achieving temperature changes within seconds with high precision and low thermal inertia, suitable for diverse applications including tissue treatments and electronic devices, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermoelectric component operatively connected to the contact member for heating or cooling the target material surface
Implementation Method 2
a two-phase heat transfer unit thermally coupled to the thermoelectric component... in which a working fluid transitions from liquid phase to vapor phase to extract heat from the target material
Implementation Method 3
high heat transfer rates can be obtained because of the latent heat of evaporation of the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
the heat transfer unit... thermally coupled to the thermoelectric component for transferring heat between the thermoelectric component and a working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal management systems comprising a thermoelectric component, a heat transfer unit, and a controller. The heat transfer unit has a chamber and microfeatures in the chamber that are positioned to receive a working fluid. The controller is configured to operate the thermoelectric component and the heat transfer unit such that the heat transfer unit cools one side of the thermoelectric component to a first temperature and the thermoelectric component changes the temperature of a target material on its other side to a second temperature of +/−60° C. of the first temperature within 0.5-20 seconds.