Design of PCM-based heat sinks through topology optimization

Abstract Ever-increasing heat fluxes of electronic components ask for higher performance devices responsible their cooling. Against that background, PCM-based sinks – because compactness, and effectiveness are well-established solutions thermal management issues. Even though the enhancement PCM have been widely presented, new ways to optimize such systems emerging. Among them, this work investigates application density-based topology optimization define innovative design able minimize resistance under constant wall temperature. A 2D numerical model is developed by means a finite element tool. The equation solved problem with objective minimizing average temperature, considering further manufacturing restrictions. Solid-isotropic-material-with-penalization (SIMP) method applied link variable material properties. Parameterization Helmholtz filter’s minimum feature size projection based on hyperbolic tangent function performed, showing improved as well decrease. optimized prototype then simulated enthalpy-porosity assess benefits, i.e ., reduction in melting time, respect baseline. Results show potential optimizing via topology-based approach confirm it promising tool finding sink geometry, whatever application.