Choosing Thermally Conductive Insulators
As electronic devices become increasingly complex, thermal management becomes a key factor for the success of the product. Inefficient thermal management leads to heat generation within the device, which can damage or shorten its lifespan and impact other components in the same circuit. Ultimately, this wastes energy and negatively impacts the environment.
The Power of Thermally Conductive Insulators management into the design process helps to eliminate this problem, and ensures that your device functions properly. In the case of 3D Integrated circuit technologies, where multiple conventional device layers/chips are stacked vertically and electrically interconnected, thermal isolation is vital. The increased density of the device layer inevitably generates more heat, which must be dissipated. Failure to do so can cause permanent damage or even shorten the life of the device.
To avoid this issue, it is important to choose the best thermally conductive insulator for your application. Top performing insulators will offer a high level of conductivity while still offering high levels of insulation, allowing for the maximum amount of heat transfer to be dissipated. The specific characteristics of a thermally conductive insulator will depend on the materials used, as well as their temperature and pressure response.
Graphene-based insulators are an excellent choice for applications that require both high electrical conductivity and good thermal performance. These materials are incredibly thin, but can withstand extremely high temperatures and are capable of withstanding a large amount of pressure. Additionally, they can be molded to fit the contours of an assembly. This makes them a suitable choice for a variety of applications, including EVs, mobile phones and laptops.
The thermal properties of a material are characterized by its specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and its thermal resistance. The higher the specific heat capacity of a material, the more heat it can hold. A high thermal conductivity indicates a material that is highly efficient at transmitting heat. Finally, a high thermal resistance means that the material is effective at preventing heat from escaping.
A new development in carbon-ceramic materials offers a solution to the challenges of managing heat flow. The new materials retain both high conductivity and low thermal resistance, a combination that has been difficult to achieve with traditional materials. The researchers hope to apply these materials to sustainable solutions for the electrification of energy sources and other high-power electrical applications that require thermal isolation.
While many of the top thermally conductive insulators have impressive properties, it is essential to consider their overall cost and scalability. For example, diamond-based insulators can be extremely effective in electrical applications, but they are also expensive and have a large carbon footprint due to the mining and refining processes required for their production. As a result, they may only be suitable for applications where the benefits outweigh these drawbacks. Fortunately, other thermally conductive insulators have similar properties while being more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. These options are a good option for companies seeking high-performance materials that can be produced on a larger scale.