Passive bridging-droplet thermal diode for one-way heat
This technology is a passive heat valve — a flat, thin device that allows heat to flow freely in one direction but blocks it in the other. It works by trapping a small amount of liquid between two parallel surfaces: one textured to hold liquid, the other smooth. When heat flows the 'right' way, the liquid evaporates from the textured side and condenses on the smooth side, transferring heat efficiently. The key innovation is keeping the gap between the two surfaces small enough that condensed droplets can stretch across and touch the textured side, completing the heat transfer loop — but when heat tries to flow backward, this bridging effect doesn't occur and heat is blocked.
What you could build
A thin, solid-state thermal diode insert for electronics cooling, spacecraft thermal control panels, or building envelope systems that need one-way heat management. Primary buyers would be aerospace thermal engineers, electronics packaging firms, and HVAC component manufacturers.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and aerospace contractors in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads — particularly those working on satellite thermal control and electronics packaging for military systems — would have direct use cases.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Jonathan B. BOREYKO, Mojtaba EDALATPOUR, Kevin R. MURPHY, Ranit MUKHERJEE
- Granted
- May 5, 2026
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12618618
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.