Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have discovered that heat can move through purified graphite similarly to a fluid, a phenomenon termed “phonon Poiseuille flow.” This discovery demonstrates that isotopically purified graphite conducts heat more than double the rate of natural graphite, suggesting significant implications for enhancing the thermal management of electronic devices, including smartphones, computers, and LEDs. Utilizing graphite made exclusively of carbon-12, the team observed that phonons, the particles that facilitate heat conduction, can behave collectively in a fluid-like manner, particularly at around 90 Kelvin. This work builds on the historical notion of heat as a fluid but aligns with contemporary thermodynamic principles by revealing a mechanism enabling rapid heat conduction. The study identifies the specific temperature range for this enhanced conductivity and elucidates the criteria for phonon Poiseuille flow in strongly anisotropic materials like graphite. The findings indicate potential avenues for improved cooling solutions in densely packed electronics, ensuring efficient thermal management even under high power densities. This research paves the way for future applications and insights into heat conduction mechanisms across various materials, as noted in their publication in Nature Communications.
