High Conductance Thermal Interface Material for Use in Space Applications

ABSTRACT: In this Phase I Air Force SBIR program, NanoTechLabs (NTL)will develop a space-qualifiable, high-conductance, thermal interface material (TIM) for use in space-based flanged heat-pipe-to-heat-pipe joints or for mounting relatively small area units with stiff baseplates and high power loads. NanoTechLabs will exploit its novel carbon nanotube vertical array material and manufacturing process, and embed vertical nanotube arrays in a compliant low outgassing matrix. BENEFIT: This research would benefit commercial satellite programs requiring thermal management. The high conductivity TIM developed in this program would also have applications in computer processor heat sinks, commercial electronics, and personal/portable electronics.