Objetivo
Thermal management in "Information Society Technologies" (IST) remains a major problem to be solved, especially in novel electronic devices such as increasingly miniaturised microchips, hard disks and interfaces between biological structures (e.g. nerve cells) and semiconductor micro and nanostructures. In this project we wish to exploit a new highly efficient magnetic mode of thermal conduction for use in thermal management. This magnetic heat transport was discovered in Europe by members of this consortium and occurs in novel quasi-one-dimensional insulating oxides.
The crucial point of this project is that the magnetic thermal conductivity of these materials (of the order of 100W/Km around room temperature) is as efficient as metallic heat conduction. When compared to conventional materials with high thermal conductivity these novel compounds offer significant advantages: a) they are electrically insulating, b) heat is conducted primarily along one crystal axis and c) heat is carried by localised spins thus potentially allowing for tunable heat conductivity at room temperature by manipulation of the spins with magnetic fields or light.
Utilising cutting-edge experimental and theoretical techniques, this project concerns long term research of a foundational nature in emerging areas of knowledge as it will provide the SandT knowledge and excellence which is necessary to exploit these novel materials for advanced and innovative thermal management. It will further deliver a proof-of-concept based on two test devices: the first device will show that these novel oxide materials efficiently carry away parasitic heat such as that generated in integrated semiconductor circuits. The second device will combine the properties of the first device with tunable heat conduction, thereby allowing for advanced cooling and local temperature regulation.