Record-Breaking Metal Promises Copper-Free Heat Management
Researchers have identified theta-phase tantalum nitride (θ-TaN) with ~1,100 W/mK at room temperature, roughly three times copper, establishing a new metallic heat-conduction benchmark. Its highly ordered crystal lattice weakens phonon–electron interactions and suppresses phonon scattering, enabling superior heat transport. Experiments at the Advanced Photon Source and complementary spectroscopy validated the result. If scalable, θ-TaN could transform thermal management in electronics, AI hardware, aerospace, and quantum platforms, though manufacturing metastable phases at scale poses challenges and the fundamental limits of metal heat transport may need revision.