Thermal switch, methods of use and manufacturing methods for same

A thermal switch assembly, comprising:

• a first major layer;
• a second major layer;
• and
• a plurality of thermal switch elements cooperatively formed between the first and second switch elements, each thermal switch element being selectively and independently operable relative to each other to increase and decrease the transfer of heat between the first and second major layers.

A thermoelectric cooler, comprising:

• a low-temperature heat source;
• a high-temperature heat sink;
• a thermoelectric element thermally coupled to the high-temperature heat sink;
• and
• a thermal switch comprising at least one drop of a thermally conductive liquid, the thermal switch being configured to couple the low-temperature heat source to the thermoelectric element.

A thermal cycler, comprising:

• a tube-support device that supports one or more containers each configured to contain a sample to be processed by the thermal cycler,
• a heat source configured to supply heat to the samples in the containers;
• a cold source configured to supply cold to the samples in the containers;
• and
• at least one thermal switch configured to selectively thermally couple at least one of the heat source and cold source to the containers.

A thermal switch, comprising:

• a body defining a fluid-tight cavity having first and second major surfaces;
• a working fluid contained in the cavity, wherein the cavity is operable as a heat pipe to cause the working fluid to transfer latent heat from the first major surface to the second major surface;
• a flexible membrane forming the first major surface of the cavity, the membrane being deflectable inwardly toward the second major surface of the cavity;
• and
• at least one wick formed on the membrane and positioned to absorb working fluid that has condensed on the second major surface whenever the membrane is deflected inwardly toward the second major surface.