Heat sinks are essential components in thermal management, designed to absorb and dissipate heat from electronic devices, ensuring they operate within safe temperature limits. Their primary function is to maintain the optimal performance of electronic components by preventing overheating, which can lead to reduced efficiency, reliability, or even total failure. Manufactured predominantly from metals with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper, these heat sinks facilitate the transfer of heat away from critical parts like the CPU, GPU or power transistors, to the surrounding environment, often with the aid of fins that increase the surface area in contact with the air.
In terms of their application, heat sinks are widely utilized in a vast array of devices ranging from computers and gaming consoles to power supply units and LED lighting systems. The versatility of heat sinks allows them to be used in areas where there is a significant generation of heat that must be managed to maintain system stability and prolong the lifespan of the electronic components. Among the renowned manufacturers specializing in the production of thermal heat sinks are companies such as Advanced Thermal Solutions, Inc. (ATS), Aavid Thermalloy.