Apparatus and system for exchanging heat with a fluid

An apparatus for exchanging heat with a fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• a heat exchanger having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of flow passages that permit fluid flow between the first and second surfaces in a substantially axial direction, wherein the axial direction is perpendicular to the first and second surfaces, and wherein the heat exchanger comprises an ultra-compact heat exchanger material;
• a manifold having an interface surface in thermal contact with the first surface of the heat exchanger, the manifold comprising:
• a thermally conductive body operable to conduct heat between the interface surface and a distally located heat transmitting surface in a heat flow direction generally aligned with the axial direction, the heat transmitting surface being fluid impermeable;
• a plurality of feed passages extending through the thermally conductive body in a generally transverse direction with respect to the axial direction, each feed passage having an inlet for receiving or discharging the fluid;
• and
• a plurality of distribution passages, each distribution passage having an end in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of feed passages and having an opening at the interface surface, the respective openings of the plurality of distribution passages being distributed over the interface surface, the distribution passages being configured to cause a change in fluid flow direction between a transversely directed flow in the feed passages and an axially directed flow at the openings of the distribution passages.