Litecool trials Black X dielectric material for packaged LED thermal management
July 8, 2015
3 times higher thermal conductivity than copper helps keep LED packages much cooler
Sheffield, UK - Litecool has produced packaged LEDs using a new dielectric material that has a thermal conductivity of 1000 W/mK – 3 times higher than copper and 30 times better than alumina ceramic.
Dielectrics are used within packaged LEDs to isolate electrical tracks but they hinder the thermal path causing the LED to overheat. Mid-lower, low cost packaged LEDs use plastic as the main dielectric material. High-power, high cost packaged LEDs use ceramics such as alumina as the dielectric. This new material, Black X™, has a thermal conductivity 30 times higher than alumina.
Litecool has successfully prototyped and tested packaged LEDs using Black X™ as the dielectric. The packaged LEDs have a thermal resistance of between 0.2°C/W and 0.5°C/W depending on the construction. This is up to 6 times lower than the closest competitor which means the LED can be powered with 6 times more current without overheating.
“It is an incredible material. We have always assumed dielectric materials will hinder the thermal performance of our LED packages but this material actually improves it. The thermal resistances of the LED packages we have made are so low we had trouble measuring it. We had to use 9 high power LEDs in one package to give enough power density to record any difference in temperature,” said Robert Corbin, project engineer, Litecool.
“This is a step change in the performance of an LED package. We will be able to hit new lumen density thresholds without the need for costly heat sinks, heat pipes or fans. We see this material initially being used in spot light applications for pin-point light sources but we also intend to incorporate it into our Lumen Block for the wider LED lighting market,” said James Reeves, CEO, Litecool.
About Litecool.
Litecool is a leader in thermally efficient LED packaging and thermal design. By focusing on thermal performance engineering at package level they have helped their customers to achieve breakthrough performance in efficiency and reliability enabling a new generation of luminaires which are sleeker, cooler and more cost effective.
Sheffield, UK - Litecool has produced packaged LEDs using a new dielectric material that has a thermal conductivity of 1000 W/mK – 3 times higher than copper and 30 times better than alumina ceramic.
Dielectrics are used within packaged LEDs to isolate electrical tracks but they hinder the thermal path causing the LED to overheat. Mid-lower, low cost packaged LEDs use plastic as the main dielectric material. High-power, high cost packaged LEDs use ceramics such as alumina as the dielectric. This new material, Black X™, has a thermal conductivity 30 times higher than alumina.
Litecool has successfully prototyped and tested packaged LEDs using Black X™ as the dielectric. The packaged LEDs have a thermal resistance of between 0.2°C/W and 0.5°C/W depending on the construction. This is up to 6 times lower than the closest competitor which means the LED can be powered with 6 times more current without overheating.
“It is an incredible material. We have always assumed dielectric materials will hinder the thermal performance of our LED packages but this material actually improves it. The thermal resistances of the LED packages we have made are so low we had trouble measuring it. We had to use 9 high power LEDs in one package to give enough power density to record any difference in temperature,” said Robert Corbin, project engineer, Litecool.
“This is a step change in the performance of an LED package. We will be able to hit new lumen density thresholds without the need for costly heat sinks, heat pipes or fans. We see this material initially being used in spot light applications for pin-point light sources but we also intend to incorporate it into our Lumen Block for the wider LED lighting market,” said James Reeves, CEO, Litecool.
About Litecool.
Litecool is a leader in thermally efficient LED packaging and thermal design. By focusing on thermal performance engineering at package level they have helped their customers to achieve breakthrough performance in efficiency and reliability enabling a new generation of luminaires which are sleeker, cooler and more cost effective.
Contact:
Litecool+44(0)-114-2216-001
Web site:
www.litecool.co.ukLocate more array, light engine & module vendors in the LEDs Magazine Suppliers Directory
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Marion Crowder / courtesy of Georgia Institute of Technology
