E!12060 Silicone-free thermal interface materials based on graphene nanocomposites.

In the SIGNIFICANT-project we have aimed to develop high performance, silicone-free, thermal interface materials (TIMs) for enhanced heat management in electronic and electrical applications. SIGNIFICANT will achieve thermal conductivity up to 15 W/m.K, much higher than currently achievable, that can be cost-effectively applied using conventional techniques. Global market sales are aimed at: PC/Server applications, Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and automotive battery applications. The project is a collaboration between Abalonyx (NO) and Dycotec Ltd and ETL Ltd in the UK, leaders in thermo management components. Abalonyx has developed the graphene component by optimization of its reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and certain other additives used in the TIM formulation. This project has generated considerable knowledge related to functionalization, formulation and modification of reduced graphene oxide resulting in the establishment of an improved product with > 10 times higher conductivity than the rGO we produced at the beginning of the project. This is a considerable achievement with large commercial potential as the value of rGO as material depends on its conductivity for a range of applications. To summarize, we have achieved much increased conductivity of our rGO and our partners are finalizing development of the first product to be launched on the market. Dycotec has successfully dispersed as little as 0.6 % high-T annealed rGO into the paste obtaining improved viscosity and 40 % improvement in thermal conductivity. Test trials of TIMs paste on both single- and multi-chip PCB demonstrators and other demonstrator such as IGBT have been completed in ETL. The first-stage measurement on various TIMs from both TIM paste and TIM solid pad has been carried out successfully. Second-stage testing will be performed once all the testing parameter and testing procedure has been finalized based on the data and feedback from the first-stage results. Abalonyx will continue to be in contact with the project managers from the two British companies to evaluate industrialization and commercialization activities. Currently, Abalonyx is continuing to work towards the scale up of the improved reduced graphene oxide material which will be implemented into the TIMs with the highest thermal conductivity both paste and sheet formulation. In parallel, we also are working to have in place standard procedures to meet the quality parameters required at larger scale production and in agreement with standard and safety regulations.

Vi forventer at de oppnådde resultatene i prosjektet vil gi positive utslag båre i Norge og England i form av arbeidsplasser og teknologi ikke bare for de involverte bedriftene men også for de involverte bedriftenes kunder som kan nyttiggjøre seg produktene som er utviklet.

Det skal fremstilles en varmeledende pasta for bruk til å lede bort varme fra komponenter som utvikler varme. Faste komponenter i pastaen skal være alumina og redusert grafenoksid (rGO). Abalonyx rolle blir å optimalisere rGO mhp varmeledende egenskaper samt gjøre den kompatibel med de andre komponentene i pastaen slik at pastaen som helhet får maksimal varmeledningsevne samtidig som del ikke skal lede strøm.