A research team led by Dr. Hyun-Ae Cha from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed a high-performance heat-dissipating composite material that combines eco-friendliness with cost-effective processing. Utilizing a protein foaming method inspired by egg whites, the team created a three-dimensional magnesium oxide (MgO) structure that significantly enhances thermal conductivity, achieving levels up to 2.6 times higher than traditional heat-dissipating composites.
As electronic devices become more powerful and compact, they generate increased heat, necessitating advanced thermal management technologies. Insufficient cooling in electric vehicles (EVs) can lead to performance issues, fires, or even explosions, underscoring the urgent demand for effective thermal interface materials (TIMs). These materials are crucial for the efficient dissipation of heat, particularly in high-heat-generating devices such as semiconductor packages, 5G communication systems, and high-performance servers.
Conventional TIMs are typically created by mixing thermally conductive fillers into a polymer matrix. However, this method often results in a random distribution of fillers, leading to broken thermal pathways and suboptimal performance. Although increasing the filler content can enhance thermal conductivity, it complicates the manufacturing process and raises costs, limiting scalability.
To overcome these challenges, Dr. Cha and her team employed a novel protein foaming technique. This method leverages the property of egg-white proteins, which expand when heated, to create a dense, interconnected particle network. The resulting composite material features continuous thermal pathways, facilitating efficient heat transfer. The team achieved an impressive thermal conductivity of 17.19 W/m·K, surpassing that of widely used aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and nitride-based materials.
Significance for the Market
One of the key advantages of this new composite is its use of lightweight and low-cost magnesium oxide. The material’s enhanced thermal conductivity positions it as a competitive alternative in the market for TIMs. The domestic market for these materials in South Korea is estimated to exceed KRW 200 billion annually, yet it remains heavily reliant on imports. The commercialization of this innovative technology is expected to bolster South Korea’s technological independence in the field of thermal management solutions.
Dr. Cha emphasized the eco-friendly and cost-effective nature of the production process, stating, “Through the protein foaming-based process, we can produce high-thermal-conductivity materials in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way.” She added, “This study serves as a strong example demonstrating the feasibility of developing lightweight, high-performance heat-dissipating materials.”
The research was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) as part of its Nano Materials Technology Development Program. The findings of this study were published on May 28, 2023, in the prestigious journal Advanced Science, where it was selected as the cover article for Volume 12, Issue 33.
About KIMS
The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) is a non-profit government-funded research institute operating under the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea. As the only institute in Korea specializing in comprehensive materials technologies, KIMS has significantly contributed to the advancement of the local industry through extensive research, development, and technology support in materials science.
