I want copper copper copper! (well... maybe not)

[nkgamer1990]

havent read through all the posts but what the op doesnt take into account is that steel and nickel do not absorb heat quickly. effectively what you would have with a steel heatSINK is a small aixiz module pulling the heat from the diode and a large heatsink made of steel that pulls the heat from the aixiz module MUCH slower than the diode is producing it. so although steel and nickel may be able to HOLD more heat they cannot absorb it nearly as quickly as copper or aluminum.

 

[Flaminpyro]

I thought so, Yea what he said I agree 100%

havent read through all the posts but what the op doesnt take into account is that steel and nickel do not absorb heat quickly. effectively what you would have with a steel heatSINK is a small aixiz module pulling the heat from the diode and a large heatsink made of steel that pulls the heat from the aixiz module MUCH slower than the diode is producing it. so although steel and nickel may be able to HOLD more heat they cannot absorb it nearly as quickly as copper or aluminum.

 

[Zar]

Here's the real kicker though. Neither copper nor aluminum are the ideal choices (even within what is reasonably affordable) for heatsinks where specific heat capacity is the real issue. I selected a handful of reasonably attainable metals (and a few that I was just curious about) and I created a chart. I researched their specific heat capacity per kg, and then adjusted based on their typical density to get their specific heat capacity per unit of volume instead of mass.

very good observation, however even using the proper heat-sink material is not job entirely done, a poor design will still be waste of materials or if not waste - then inefficiency, you have to sacrifice some aesthetics for performance, or performance for aesthetics, or use a little imagination and get both (saw few sick examples of the latter).

This is a human intestine, all those "hairs" are there to increase surface area of nutrient absorption, even some ripples - will increase thermal conductivity, the more the better, I might be stating the obvious, please forgive me