Thermal Management

“Cold Tube” Cools Without Air Conditioning

Chilled panels use less energy than conventional A/C and work in open spaces.

Lighter Radiation Shielding for Electronics

This new technique shields electronics from ionizing radiation in applications such as military and space exploration.

Fine-Tuning Alloys for High-Temperature Use

Superalloys that withstand extremely high temperatures could be finely tuned for specific properties such as mechanical strength.

Rolled 2D Heterostructures

The technology potentially enables a new generation of miniaturized electronic and optoelectronic devices.

How to Contain Thermal Runaway

A reader asks our expert how to contain a "thermal runaway" explosion in a lithium-ion battery.

Taking Out the Trash, NASA-Style

A NASA-developed technology for testing heat shields transforms garbage into reusable chemicals.

Pyroelectric Sandwich Thermal Energy Harvester

The technology harvests electrical energy from waste heat sources.

New on the Market: July 2021

Temperature transmitters, robotic tool changers, epoxy adhesives, and more.

System for In-Situ Defect Detection in Composites During Cure

This system enhances processing via real-time, non-destructive defect tracking.

Reduced Heat Leakage Improves Wearable Health Device

North Carolina State University engineers continue to improve the efficiency of a flexible device worn on the wrist that harvests heat energy from the human body to monitor health.

Heated Facemask Filters and Inactivates Coronaviruses

The reusable mask would include a heated copper mesh powered by a battery and surrounded by insulating neoprene.

Hot Water on Demand

With a clever design by NASA, waiting for hot water could be a thing of the past.

Accelerated Degradation of Li-Ion Batteries for High-Rate Discharge Applications

As the vehicle platform size decreases, the pulse power discharge rates of the Energy Storage System (ESS) increase.

Product of the Month: May 2021 Tech Briefs

A smart temperature transmitter delivers measurements via Bluetooth.

Record-Breaking Heat Conduction Material Will Save Computer Chips

In collaboration with groups from China and the United States, a research team from TU Wien set out to find the optimal heat conductor. They finally found what they were...

Q&A: Electricity-Free Cooling

Professor Qiaoqiang Gan of the University at Buffalo (NY) and his team developed a unique two-in-one system that uses solar energy for simultaneously cooling and heating — without electricity.

New on the Market: April 2021

Displacement sensors, metal 3D printers, shielding materials, and more.

Practical Design Solutions to Improve Contactless Current Sensing in Electric Vehicles

With new vehicles, automotive manufacturers will need to closely monitor the current flowing to the motor.

New on the Market: March 2021

Vision software, thermal sensors, ceramic pastes, and more.

Lightweight, Hypersonic, Thermal Protection Material

The material is designed for high-temperature applications in aircraft, building insulation, personal protective clothing, industrial, and automotive.

SAE WCX™ Digital Summit Preview

Live discussions will explore electric vehicles, propulsion, advanced electronics, and more.

A Near-Perfect Blackbody Calibration Target

This rapid and cost-effective technique yields a uniform etched surface with 99.5 percent emissivity.

New on the Market: February 2021

Disconnect terminal blocks, oscillioscope probes, test modules, and more.

Circuit Generates Clean, Limitless Power from Graphene

The chip could provide low-voltage power for small devices or sensors.

Supercool Mini-Thermometer

Applications include monitoring the temperature of processor chips in superconductor-based quantum computers, which must stay cold to work properly.

Solid-State Technology Enables Smaller, Safer Batteries

The technology is inherently safer and more energy-dense than today’s lithium-ion batteries.