A method of producing a complex product includes designing a three dimensional preform of the complex product, creating a three dimensional preform of the complex product using the model, depositing a material on the preform, and removing the preform to complete the complex product. In one embodiment the system provides a complex heat sink that can be used in heat dissipation in power electronics, light emitting diodes, and microchips.

A plate with a passage and the like capable of shortening a process time than a previous one and of suppressing leakage from or contamination to the passage are provided. The plate with the passage is a plate in which the passage for causing a fluid to circulate therein is formed, and includes a body plate formed of a metal or an alloy and in which a groove serving as the passage is provided, a cover plate that covers the groove, and a deposition layer that is formed such that metal or alloy powder is accelerated with a gas and is sprayed on the body plate and the cover plate in a solid phase, and covers the cover plate.

A system for cooling a device includes a heat sink comprising a substrate having a plurality of fins arranged thereon, a fan positioned to direct an ambient fluid in a first direction across the heat sink, and a first synthetic jet assembly comprising one of a multi-orifice synthetic jet and a plurality of single orifice synthetic jets. The first synthetic jet assembly is configured to direct the ambient fluid in a second direction across the heat sink, wherein the second direction is approximately perpendicular to the first direction.

A system for cooling a device includes a heat sink comprising a substrate having a plurality of fins arranged thereon, a fan positioned to direct an ambient fluid in a first direction across the heat sink, and a first synthetic jet assembly comprising one of a multi-orifice synthetic jet and a plurality of single orifice synthetic jets. The first synthetic jet assembly is configured to direct the ambient fluid in a second direction across the heat sink, wherein the second direction is approximately perpendicular to the first direction.

A thermal conductive stress relaxation structure is interposed between a high-temperature substance and a low-temperature substance to conduct heat in a heat-transfer direction from the high-temperature substance to the low-temperature substance. The structure includes an assembly configured such that a thermal conductive material gathers in a non-bonded state having stress relaxation effect. Such an assembly is a rolled-up body configured such that a carbon-based sheet material and a metal-based sheet material are alternately rolled up, for example. This structure has one or more interfaces at which adjacent parts can slide, thereby dividing a deformable region to relax the thermal stress. It has a low rigidity and can thus deform to release the thermal stress. The structure can suppress the thermal stresses and the shape changes that would be generated in the high-temperature substance and the low-temperature substance, and each physical body located there between.

Exfoliated graphite materials, and composite materials including exfoliated graphite, having enhanced through-plane thermal conductivity can be used in thermal management applications and devices. Methods for making such materials and devices involve processing exfoliated graphite materials such as flexible graphite to orient or re-orient the graphite flakes in one or more regions of the material.

Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device. Coatings and/or resin impregnation can also be used to impart desirable properties to the material or device.

Connection apparatus (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2) for controlling the temperature of a battery cell (100.sub.1, 100.sub.2), characterized by: a fastening device for fastening the connection apparatus (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2) to a temperature-control element (400; 400.sub.1, 400.sub.2) which comprises a channel for accommodating a temperature-control medium, and a connection device (510; 510.sub.1, 510.sub.2), which comprises a channel for accommodating the temperature-control medium, for connection of a connecting line (600.sub.11, 600.sub.12, 600.sub.21, 600.sub.22) to an opening in the channel of the connection device (510; 510.sub.1, 510.sub.2), wherein: the connection apparatus (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2) can be fastened to the temperature-control element (400; 400.sub.1, 400.sub.2) in such a way that a further opening in the channel of the connection device (510; 510.sub.1, 510.sub.2) is aligned with an opening in the channel of the temperature-control element (400; 400.sub.1, 400.sub.2).

A method of making a heat exchanger with a net shape moldable highly thermally conductive polymer composite includes mixing a polymer and a thermally conductive filler material and molding the polymer composite into heat exchanger components. The heat exchanger can be tailored to varying heating and cooling needs with moldable geometries.

A method of manufacturing an energy recovery ventilator unit includes providing a cabinet having exterior walls and interior floors and walls that define an intake zone, a supply zone, a return zone, an exhaust zone and an enthalpy-exchange zone. The intake zone and the exhaust zone are both on one side of the enthalpy exchange zone. The supply zone and the return zone are both on an opposite side of the enthalpy exchange zone. The method further includes installing a first blower in the intake zone. The first blower pushes outside air into the intake zone and straight through the enthalpy exchange zone into the supply zone. The method also includes installing a second blower in the return zone. The second blower pushes return air into the return zone and straight through the enthalpy exchange zone into the exhaust zone.