Graphene foam assists in building a “thermal switch” that dynamically moderates heat of electronic devices

lithium ion batteries used in extreme heat or cold can be prone to malfunctions and low performance. Purdue University engineers have developed a solution: a “thermal switch” made of compressible graphene foam, that dynamically adjusts to temperatures both inside and outside the device to maintain consistent thermal management.

“As electronic devices get smaller and more powerful, managing heat becomes a more crucial issue,” said Xiulin Ruan, professor of mechanical engineering, who studies nanoscale heat transfer and sustainable energy. “Most devices use passive thermal management, such as conduction and convection, to move excess heat. But this system isn’t tunable or adjustable, and doesn’t help at all in cold conditions.”