Topology Optimization of Contact-Aided Thermo-Mechanical Regulators

Topology optimization is used to systematically design contact-aided thermo-mechanical regulators, i.e., components whose effective thermal conductivity is tunable by mechanical deformation and contact. The thermo-mechanical interactions are modeled using a fully coupled non-linear thermo-mechanical finite element framework. To obtain the intricate heat transfer response, the components leverage self-contact, which is modeled using a third medium contact method. The effective heat transfer properties of the regulators are tuned by solving a topology optimization problem using a traditional gradient-based algorithm. Several designs of thermo-mechanical regulators in the form of switches, diodes, and triodes are presented.