Scientists have discovered that boron arsenide (BAs) may surpass diamond as the most efficient known material for conducting heat. Diamond has long been considered the gold standard for heat dissipation, but new research reveals that improved synthesis and cleaner crystal structures can push BAs far beyond previous expectations.
A team of researchers at the University of Houston has reported that their refined boron arsenide samples achieved thermal conductivity above 2,100 watts per meter per Kelvin (W/mK) at room temperature — higher than any previous measurement and even exceeding theoretical predictions. This breakthrough could reshape the understanding of heat transport in solids.
Published in Materials Today, the findings highlight that earlier limitations were due to crystal defects that hindered BAs’ conductivity. By reducing these imperfections and using advanced synthesis techniques, the researchers produced nearly flawless BAs crystals, confirming that crystal purity is the key determinant of maximum heat performance.
For years, scientists speculated that boron arsenide might outperform diamond, but experimental inconsistencies prevented widespread acceptance. With these new results, doubts have been replaced with excitement.
Zhifeng Ren, professor of physics and lead author of the study, said the team’s results indicate that existing theoretical heat-transfer models may require revision to better reflect real-world experimental conditions.
The discovery carries enormous potential for the future of electronics — including high-power computers, smartphones, electric vehicles, and data centres — where heat management remains one of the biggest challenges. Unlike diamond, BAs can be fabricated more easily and possesses a combination of highly desirable electronic properties:
- High carrier mobility
- Wide bandgap
- Thermal expansion compatibility with other materials
These traits make boron arsenide an excellent candidate for next-generation semiconductor devices that require both exceptional heat dissipation and precise control of electrical flow.
With diamond dethroned as the ultimate thermal conductor, boron arsenide may soon lead a new era of advanced, cooler, and more efficient electronics.