Topology Optimization of Contact‐Aided Thermo‐Mechanical Regulators

ABSTRACT 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.