Wick structure and system and method of making wick structure

Abstract

In a method of forming a porous wick structure, a space is filled with particles formed from electrically conductive material such that the particles contact one another at contact points within the space. The particles are compressed within the space at a pressure of less than 0.1 MPa. While compressing the particles, electrical current is imparted through the particles in to simultaneously form bonds between adjacent particles at points of contact between the particles. The bonds fix the particles in position with respect to one another such that pores are defined between adjacent particles. A porous wick structure can be formed by this method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.