4968

Iowa State University researchers have developed a material where a liquid metal is embedded into an elastomer. The liquid metal particles can be annealed after stretching providing directionality to a high degree of thermal conductivity. ISURF #04968 describes a material similar to ISURF #04969 but is electrically insulative. 

Material needs to be optimized before production. 

Incorporation of liquid metal particles into an elastomer creates a soft material with incredible high thermal conductivity. Straining and annealing the material locks the particles in place, increasing thermal conductivity and introducing a degree of directionality to it. The thermal conductivity increases with strain and is one of the highest known for a soft material. Combined with being electrically insulating, this makes ISURF #04968 particularly interesting as a heat sink material. 

• Thermal conductivity increases with strain

• Electrically insulative

• Thermal conductivity able to have degree of directionality due to the strain field applied to the material

• Better thermal performance

Combination of electrical insulation and high thermal conductivity make this material useful for wiring applications in high heat environments 

Patent(s) applied for