Atomically Thin Heat Shield Protects Electronic Devices

摘要

Excess heat given off by smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices contributes to malfunctions and, in extreme cases, can even cause lithium batteries to explode. To guard against issues, engineers often insert glass, plastic, or layers of air as insulation to prevent heat-generating components like microprocessors from causing damage. Researchers have demonstrated that a few layers of atomically thin materials, stacked like sheets of paper on hot spots, can provide the same insulation as a sheet of glass 100 times thicker. In the near term, thinner heat shields will enable engineers to make electronic devices even more compact than those currently available.