SGER: Heat Transfer Study Of Porous Heat Pipes Fabricated from Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

CTS-9731927 D.T. Shaw SUNY Buffalo SUMMARY This research explores the potential use of carbon nanotubes as a medium form porous heat pipes. Carbon nanotubes, 20-100 microns in length and 30-400 angstroms in diameter will be synthesized by thermally dissociating ethylene over an iron catalyst. The carbon nanotubes need to be unblocked for effective and unobstructed fluid flow. This one year project consists of two parts(a) the construction of porous nano heat pipes charged with methanol, and (b) measurement of the heat transfer characteristics of these heat pipes. The exploratory study will provide valuable information regarding the feasibility of using carbon nanotubes to form porous heat pipes, which eventually can be used in the cooling of integrated circuits.