Ut-battelle, Inc.

Ashok Choudhury

James William Klett

Timothy D Burchell

April D McMillan

Ronald D Ott

A thermally conductive carbon foam is provided, normally having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W/m&#xb7;K. The carbon foam usually has a specific thermal conductivity, defined as the thermal conductivity divided by the density, of at least about 75 W&#xb7;cm/m&#xb7;&#xb0; K&#xb7;gm. The foam also has a high specific surface area, typically at least about 6,000 m/m. The foam is characterized by an x-ray diffraction pattern having 'doublet' 100 and 101 peaks characterized by a relative peak split factor no greater than about 0.470. The foam is graphitic and exhibits substantially isotropic thermal conductivity. The foam comprises substantially ellipsoidal pores and the mean pore diameter of such pores is preferably no greater than about 340 microns. Other materials, such as phase change materials, can be impregnated in the pores in order to impart beneficial thermal properties to the foam. Heat exchange devices and evaporatively cooled heat sinks utilizing the foams are also disclosed.

Pitch-based carbon foam and composites and use thereof

A temperature regulator includes at least one electrically conductive carbon foam element. The foam element includes at least two locations adapted for receiving electrical connectors thereto for heating a fluid, such as engine oil. A combustion engine includes an engine block and at least one carbon foam element, the foam element extending into the engine block or disposed in thermal contact with at least one engine fluid.

Carbon or graphite foam as a heating element and system thereof

A thermally conductive carbon foam is provided, normally having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W/m&middot;K. The carbon foam usually has a specific thermal conductivity, defined as the thermal conductivity divided by the density, of at least about 75 W&middot;cm /m&middot;&deg;K&middot;gm. The foam also has a high specific surface area, typically at least about 6,000 m /m . The foam is characterized by an x-ray diffraction pattern having &ldquo;doublet&rdquo; 100 and 101 peaks characterized by a relative peak split factor no greater than about 0.470. The foam is graphitic and exhibits substantially isotropic thermal conductivity. The foam comprises substantially ellipsoidal pores and the mean pore diameter of such pores is preferably no greater than about 340 microns. Other materials, such as phase change materials, can be impregnated in the pores in order to impart beneficial thermal properties to the foam. Heat exchange devices and evaporatively cooled heat sinks utilizing the foams are also disclosed.

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Oak Ridge, TN, United States of America

Ashok Choudhury