MICRO-TRANSDUCER AND THERMAL SWITCH FOR SAME

摘要

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a micro-transducer and a thermal switch used to control the transfer of heat into and away from the micro-transducer. In one embodiment, the thermal switch includes at least one drop of a thermally conductive liquid and is operate a to alternately establish a path of high thermal conductance and low thermal conductance between a micro-transducer and a heat source or heat sink via the drop. In another embodiment, the thermal switch includes at least one nanostructure (e.g., a bundle of carbon nanotubes), and is operable to alternately establish a path of high thermal conductance and low thermal conductance between a micro-transducer and a heat source or heat sink via the nanostructure. Also disclosed are embodiments of a thermal switch that can be selectively activated to alternately establish a path of high thermal conductance and low thermal conductance between a heat sink and a heat source.