Title: Thermal management of micro hotspots in electric components with carbon nanotubes

Authors: Geza Toth; Niina Halonen; Jani Maklin; Jarmo Kukkola; Krisztian Kordas

Addresses: Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, EMPART Research Group of Infotech Oulu, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, Finland. ' Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, EMPART Research Group of Infotech Oulu, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, Finland. ' Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, EMPART Research Group of Infotech Oulu, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, Finland. ' Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, EMPART Research Group of Infotech Oulu, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, Finland. ' Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, EMPART Research Group of Infotech Oulu, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FIN-90014, Finland; Technical Chemistry, Chemical-Biological Center, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden

Abstract: The excellent thermal and electrical conductivity as well as the remarkable mechanical properties of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) all point towards an unbeatable and facile route towards replacing traditional thermal management materials, like copper, in the electronics industry. In spite of that, the technology is still suffering from considerable challenges. In order to realise an actual electronics, which uses CNTs for thermal management, inevitable trade-offs have to be made. Our work is focusing on proposing novel ideas and manufacturing techniques which show a reasonable potential and could justify the practicality of this technology. The paper is reporting on the recent results in hotspot removal by using tailored multi-layer chips and CNTs grown directly on the heat affected zone.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; electronics cooling; thermal management; micro hotspots; electronic components; CNTs; nanotechnology; multi-layer chips.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2013.050881

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2013 Vol.10 No.1/2, pp.57 - 62

Published online: 07 Dec 2012 *

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