Manufacturing Thermal Interfaces
![Randall Erb](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_600,h_400/https://coe.northeastern.edu/wp-content/uploads/news/mie/erb-r-rect.png)
MIE Associate Professor Randall Erb was awarded a patent for developing “Methods for the manufacture of thermal interfaces, thermal interfaces, and articles comprising the same”.
Abstract Source: USPTO
In an embodiment, a process for making a thermal interface article comprises shaping a flowable composite comprising a flowable matrix composition, a plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles having an average length greater than a thickness or diameter, wherein the plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles have magnetic or superparamagnetic nanoparticles attached thereto, to provide the flowable composite in a shape comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and having a Z-axis perpendicular to the first surface and the opposing second surface; subjecting the flowable composite to a rotating magnetic field and to a vibrational force in an amount and for a time effective to align the average length of the plurality of magnetic, thermally conductive particles along the Z-axis; and solidifying the flowable matrix composition to provide the thermal interface, wherein the thermal interface has a Z-direction thermal conductivity of at least 1.0 W/mK.