Heat dissipation device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A heat dissipation device for a heat generating element includes a fastening layer and a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The fastening layer is formed on the heat generating element. The carbon nanotubes are arranged in an array structure. The carbon nanotubes are arranged in a predetermined pattern. Ends of the carbon nanotubes are connected to the fastening layer.

1 . A heat dissipation device for a heat generating element, comprising:
 a fastening layer formed on the heat generating element; and   a plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged in an array structure, the plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged in a predetermined pattern and having ends of the carbon nanotubes connected to the fastening layer.   
   
   
       2 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening layer is made of thermal conductive material including a metal with a melting point lower than that of the heat generating element. 
   
   
       3 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of tin, indium, lead, antimony, silver, bismuth, and alloy thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening layer comprises a composite selected from the group consisting of polymer composite and the ceramic composite. 
   
   
       5 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the fastening layer ranges from about 0.1 mm to 1 mm. 
   
   
       6 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel to each other and extend from the fastening layer. 
   
   
       7 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein portions of the carbon nanotubes exposed from the fastening layer have substantially unequal lengths. 
   
   
       8 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ends of carbon nanotubes are embedded in the fastening layer. 
   
   
       9 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the ends of the carbon nanotubes are contacting the surface of the heat generating element. 
   
   
       10 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are arranged to be substantially perpendicular to a surface of the heat generating element. 
   
   
       11 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the surface of the heat generating element is a non-planar surface. 
   
   
       12 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes have lengths ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 5.0 mm. 
   
   
       13 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein any two adjacent carbon nanotubes are spaced by a distance in a range of about 0.1 nm to 5.0 nm. 
   
   
       14 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of channels are defined by the carbon nanotubes within the predetermined pattern; the plurality of channels allow air convection. 
   
   
       15 . The heat dissipation device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern is selected from the group consisting of crisscross pattern, circular pattern, annular pattern and wavy pattern. 
   
   
       16 . A method for manufacturing a heat dissipation device, the method comprising:
 providing a fastening layer in a molten state on a surface of a heat generating element;   forming a carbon nanotube array on a substrate, the carbon nanotube array comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes;   bringing the carbon nanotubes to the fastening layer in the molten state and inserting ends of the carbon nanotubes, which are far away from the substrate, into the fastening layer in the molten state;   cooling the fastening layer to change from the molten state to a solid state;   removing the substrate on which the carbon nanotube array was formed; and   making the carbon nanotubes connected to the fastening layer into a predetermined pattern.   
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the fastening layer, while in the molten state, is coated or printed on the surface of the heat generating element. 
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the fastening layer is cooled at room temperature. 
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is removed by mechanical polishing or chemical etching. 
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are made into the predetermined pattern by a laser beam.