International Business Machines Corporation
Method for improved thermal performance of cold plates and heat sinks

Abstract:

A heat exchange apparatus, and method of forming the apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermally conductive substrate with a metal microlattice structure adhered to the thermally conductive substrate and in thermal communication with the thermally conductive substrate, the metal microlattice structure comprising a region containing an electroless metal. A method of making the apparatus includes forming a polymer lattice, applying the polymer lattice to a thermally conductive substrate, forming an electroless plated metal layer on the polymer lattice, forming an electroplated metal layer on the electroless metal layer, and forming a metal microlattice of the electroless metal layer and the electroplated metal layer.