Chen Minghai

Recent developments in the use of carbon nanotube based-composites in thermally managed materials

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provide a technical foundation for the development of multifunctional thermally conductive materials; in particular, CNTs excellent thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties provide the basis for these developments. This paper reviews the state of research investigating the application of CNTs in thermal management, and discusses the state of research and applications with regard to the use of CNTs as thermally conductive fillers, anisotropic thermally conducting membrane materials, and composite thermal interface materials. Finally, we highlight the importance of developing high-density aligned CNT films and large-diameter CNT array composites for solving the heat issues that will likely be encountered in the high-frequency, high-speed, and flexible devices of the future.