Graphene and carbon nanotubes have received much attention for thermal management application due to their unique thermal performance. Theoretical work suggests that a covalent bond can combine 1D carbon nanotubes with 2D graphene together to extend the excellent thermal property to three dimensions for heat dissipation. This paper experimentally demonstrates the high heat dissipation capability of a freestanding 3D multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene hybrid material. Using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and pulsed photothermal reflection measurement method, the covalent bonds between MWCNT and planar graphene are microscopically and numerically demonstrated. Thermal resistance at the junction with covalent bonds is 9 × 10−10 m2 KW−1, which is three orders of magnitude lower than van der Waals contact. Joule heating method is used to verify the extra cooling effect of this 3D hybrid material compared to graphite film. A demonstrator using high power chip is developed to demonstrate the applicability of this hybrid material in thermal application. Temperature at hot spots can be decreased by around 10 °C with the assistance of this hybrid material. These findings are very significant for understanding the thermal conduction during combining 1D and 2D carbon material together for future thermal management application.
Emerging trends like the Internet of Things require an increasing number of different sensors, actuators and electronic devices. To enable new applications, such as wearables and electronic skins, flexible sensor technologies are required. However, established technologies for the fabrication of sensors and actuators, as well as the related packaging, are based on rigid substrates, i.e., silicon wafer substrates and printed circuit boards (PCB). Moreover, most of the flexible substrates investigated until now are not compatible with the aforementioned fabrication technologies on wafers due to their lack of chemical inertness and handling issues. In this presented paper, we demonstrate a conceptually new approach to transfer structures, dies, and electronic components to a flexible substrate by lift-off. The structures to be transferred, including the related electrical contacts and packaging, are fabricated on a rigid carrier substrate, coated with the flexible substrate and finally lifted off from the carrier. The benefits of this approach are the combined advantages of using established semiconductor and microsystem fabrication technologies as well as packaging technologies, such as high precision and miniaturization, as well as a variety of available materials and processes together with those of flexible substrates, such as a geometry adaptivity, lightweight structures and low costs.
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