Porous Materials for Two-Phase Heat Transfer

Abstract
   Materials engineering for thermal management of electronic devices is essential for successfully implementing highly efficient power electronics technologies. Among the available methods, using porous materials to facilitate capillary-driven liquid-vapor phase change has shown remarkable potential in efficiently dissipating substantial heat fluxes, surpassing 1kW/cm2. In this discussion, we explore using thin, self-supporting porous materials to enable capillary-driven liquid transport. We focus on delivering liquid to porous heat spreaders for high heat flux dissipation including devices made from laser-processed Aluminum Nitride (AlN). To enhance capillary-driven flow within these porous structures, we explore surface design strategies to improve wettability while preserving high fluid permeability and develop methods to characterize permeability over a range of operating conditions. Our investigation also delves into methods for enhancing system efficiency by controlling the distribution of liquid and vapor phases. Furthermore, we evaluate the long-term reliability of AlN as a packaging substrate material in the demanding conditions of extended operation for liquid-vapor phase change electronics cooling. This work stimulates further investigations towards materials engineering and commercialization of practical capillary driven liquid-vapor phase change cooling devices.

Biography
   Muhammad R. Shattique completed his MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Missouri State University and his BS in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka. He is currently a PhD candidate in Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Merced. Prior to graduate school he worked in the consumer electronics manufacturing industry as an R&D engineer for two years.

Faculty Advisor: James W. Palko, jpalko@ucmerced.edu