heatsink

heatsink

[′hēt‚siŋk] (aerospace engineering) A type of protective device capable of absorbing heat and used as a heat shield. In nuclear propulsion, any thermodynamic device, such as a radiator or condenser, that is designed to absorb the excess heat energy of the working fluid. Also known as heat dump. (electricity) A mass of metal that is added to a device for the purpose of absorbing and dissipating heat; used with power transistors and many types of metallic rectifiers. Also known as dissipator. (thermodynamics) Any (gas, solid, or liquid) region where heat is absorbed.