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.

翻译：本文采用拓扑优化方法系统化设计接触辅助热机械调节器，即通过机械变形与接触实现有效热导率可调的组件。热机械相互作用通过完全耦合的非线性热机械有限元框架进行建模。为获得复杂的热传递响应，组件利用自接触机制，该机制通过第三介质接触法进行建模。调节器的有效热传递特性通过基于传统梯度算法求解拓扑优化问题实现调控。研究展示了多种热机械调节器设计形式，包括开关型、二极管型及三极管型结构。